Crestwood Village 6

Pros

• The staff at Crestwood is extremely helpful and warm.
• Crestwood Village has beautiful homes, well-maintained property, a lovely clubhouse, and people who care about their community.
• It offers a country atmosphere with pine-tree lined streets, cul-de-sacs, and access to Brendan Byrne Forest.
• The forest area provides trails and ponds, and the community offers dances, movie nights, bingo, yoga, a gym, bocce, and billiards.
• The clubhouse is impressive and can be rented for private parties or small weddings.
• Maintenance staff handles small repairs at a reasonable fee, often cheaper than hiring an outside contractor.
• The Halloween dance was wonderful, with great people, good music, snacks, and well-run events.
• Office staff are consistently nice, knowledgeable, and helpful.
• Crestwood 6 offers more space, great neighbors, nature trails, and open space, all at an affordable price.
• Residents describe a peaceful, park-like setting with wonderful neighbors.
• The community provides privacy and friendly, respectful neighbors; the HOA is satisfactory.
• Facilities like the ladies room are clean and modern.

Cons

• Several reviewers note that Crestwood Village has no pool, viewing this as a drawback.
• One reviewer claims the board does as it pleases, raises HOA fees, cuts amenities, and leaves residents with no freedom.
• Another reviewer says the care for the complex has declined in recent years.
• A commenter notes that the community appears aging along with its residents.
• One reviewer describes some neighbors as uppity and snooty, thinking they are better than everyone else and constantly complaining.
• A comment states that the building is nothing special given its age.
• A reviewer labels the community as clickish.
• At least one reviewer says Crestwood Village is just not for them.

Review

Crestwood Villages come across here as a true California-to-New-Jersey kind of neighborhood: a place where long-time residents and newcomers alike seem to converge around a shared appreciation for community, convenience, and a touch of country charm. Patty in the office is repeatedly singled out as exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable, a small detail that keeps surfacing as a sign of the overall warmth and professionalism residents notice. One writer who has lived here for decades says Crestwood is the best of the villages and that their own family's decades-long ties to the area reflect a sense of continuity and trust. Even when people aren't residents themselves, several reviewers describe their observations as coming from firsthand experience, praising the office staff, maintenance crew, and the general helpfulness of the team running the community.

Geographically and atmospherically, Crestwood feels like a rural-into-suburban escape embedded on the edge of Brendan Byrne Forest. The vibe is described as country-like, with pine tree-lined streets, cul-de-sacs, and finger streets that widen the sense of space. The surrounding forest isn't just scenery; it offers hiking trails and ponds that adventurers can explore, giving the place a natural rhythm beyond the manicured common areas. It's the kind of setting that makes the community feel settled and connected to nature, while still being close enough to offer the conveniences of modern living.

Social life and activities are a standout feature for many who praise Crestwood. The clubhouses aren't merely functional; they're described as impressive and extensible spaces that can be rented for private parties or even small weddings. Inside, residents can enjoy a range of activities that balance structured programming with casual socializing. Dances, movie afternoons, bingo, yoga, a small gym, bocce, and billiards create a steady stream of ways to stay active and connected. Holidays and special events - like Halloween dances and New Year's celebrations - get a specific shout-out for being well-run and enjoyable, with people noting good music, snacks, drinks, and a warm turnout. A later note about a new clubhouse addition reinforces the sense that the amenities are evolving to meet residents' wants, with clean, spacious facilities that members feel proud of.

When it comes to Service and Maintenance, Crestwood earns a lot of trust. Several reviews emphasize how the office staff go "an extra yard" to answer questions and address concerns, and how the maintenance crew handles routine tasks - things like sink leaks, power washing, updating smoke and CO alarms, and thermostat work - efficiently and affordably. The cost structure is described as reasonable, and for larger projects, the community is able to refer to qualified contractors (like Stanley Contractors) who handle licensed electrical work and other bigger jobs. Personal anecdotes reinforce this theme: one writer notes assisting with their parents' daily needs and medical issues, and recalls the maintenance staff as being extremely helpful during that period. Even those who aren't residents still speak about having observed the staff's attentiveness and the office team's responsiveness in a consistently positive light.

Opinions among residents aren't monolithic, though, and a few threads loom in the tapestry of reviews. Some commenters highlight a strong sense of community - neighbors who are friendly, respectful, and welcoming, with a vibe that feels like living in a well-maintained park setting. Others raise concerns about governance and aging infrastructure. A recurring point is the perception that Village 6's board is highly controlling, with criticism aimed at fee increases, cutbacks in amenities, and a lack of a pool. One reviewer urges newcomers to attend board meetings to understand the dynamics and "see what is going on," signaling that governance matters are a live and meaningful topic in the community. There are also notes about social cliques or "clickish" dynamics and some residents describing neighborhoods as "uppity and snooty" in certain corners, underscoring that experiences can vary significantly by street or village sub-area.

Quality of life is still widely framed in positive terms. Many residents celebrate Crestwood 6 for offering more space than nearby developments like Holiday City, along with great neighbors, abundant nature trails, and open space. The affordability of living here is repeatedly praised, and the peaceful atmosphere - coupled with proximity to deer sightings and a generally well-kept environment - contributes to a strong sense of well-being. A number of comments speak to the beauty of the surroundings and the pleasure of living near friendly people who wave and respect one another. The social and natural life, in combination with the practical conveniences of a well-run HOA and clubhouse, makes Crestwood feel like a resort-like community that's still very much home.

In sum, Crestwood Villages emerge as a place where community spirit is a real, palpable thing. The combination of attentive office staff, capable maintenance crews, and a clubhouse that supports a broad schedule of activities creates a lifestyle that many residents clearly value highly. The same reviews acknowledge that no community is perfect: concerns about governance, aging facilities, and occasional social dynamics remind readers that satisfaction can depend on which village you choose, which street you live on, and how actively you engage with the HOA and its activities. Still, the prevailing thread is one of gratitude and pride - of living somewhere with beautiful surroundings, a wealth of options to stay connected, and a sense that the people here genuinely care about their community.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• Stop & Shop Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Whiting Foot & Ankle (1.3 miles)
• Whiting Medical Associates (1.8 miles)
• Atlantic Ent Assoc PA (4.5 miles)
• Sinha Prabhat, MD (4.7 miles)
• Renal Center (4.8 miles)
• Physician's Surgicenter (4.8 miles)
• Anil Kumar Sharma (4.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (4.3 miles)
• Applebee's (4.6 miles)
• McDonald's (5.1 miles)
• Burger King (5.2 miles)
• Office Restaurant & Lounge & Sushi Bar (7 miles)
• Baker's Water Street Bar & Grille (7.2 miles)
• McDonald's (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Medical Center For Kids & Family (5.6 miles)
• Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Toms River Lakehurst Road (6.4 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (7 miles)
• Lacey Diagnostic Imaging Center (9.2 miles)
• Southern Ocean Center For Health (9.5 miles)

Parks

• Jakes Branch County Park (6.5 miles)
• Gille Park (10.4 miles)

Transportation

• Toms River Bus Terminal (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Toms River (7.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (8.4 miles)