Holiday City at Berkeley

Pros

• They love their home.
• They love this community.
• The homes are really nice and the people are very friendly.
• There are plenty of activities, or residents can relax.
• They love the wildlife.
• One reviewer calls it the absolute best of them all.
• It is a nice place for nice people.
• The clubhouse is great, with two pools, a pool hall, bocce courts, yoga classes, and rentable spaces.
• It is a wonderful place to live; the people are very friendly; there are two swimming pools, one for kids and one for adults.
• It feels like home.
• It is a great place for active adults, with lots of activities, close to the Jersey Shore, and low taxes.
• The community offers caring neighbors, great clubhouses, a library, two pools, lakes with wildlife, and many programs.

Cons

• One reviewer says the community is boring and considers it the worst place they've ever lived, not worth investing money.
• A reviewer notes the location is good but transportation for those without a car is awful.
• A commenter complains about drug dealers living with Grandma and wishes they were removed.
• A resident states HOA fees have risen while services are non-existent, and snow removal during a major storm was lacking.
• Melody from the HOA office is described as the rudest individual encountered, with profiling and poor treatment.
• Rules are said to be unenforced and many low-income or state housing properties are not kept up, with the HOA not maintaining the grounds.
• The lawn service is criticized for not cutting the grass when it was very high and failing to bag it.
• A worker claims they were fired for not showing up, despite a substitute being present.
• After approvals for home improvements, residents feel they are being investigated and treated with suspicion.

Review

This collection of thoughts paints a portrait of a retirement-stage community that many residents embrace with genuine warmth, while a subset of experiences highlights real frustrations. On the whole, people express pride in where they live and a deep appreciation for the social fabric, the homes, and the sense of belonging. Several reviews begin with a simple wish that they had moved here sooner, followed by declarations like "My home, love it!" and "Love living here," signaling a core sentiment: this is a place that makes people feel at home and connected. The tone shifts between affection for the people and the landscape and a candid acknowledgment that there are bumps in the road.

A strong throughline in these notes is the abundance of activities and the impressive set of facilities. Residents celebrate a well-equipped clubhouse, two pools, a pool hall, bocce courts, and yoga classes, with the option to rent the hall or other spaces for gatherings or even RV storage. The social calendar is rich: there are crafts, exercise programs like Zumba, outings, and a broad array of classes. Many people describe the clubhouse as a warm, welcoming hub where you can either dive into activities or simply sit quietly with a computer or a book. It's clear that the community has intentionally designed spaces that encourage both engagement and routine.

The environment and layout of the community also receive high marks. Descriptions emphasize well-kept homes and neighborhoods with friendly neighbors, a library, lakes, and wildlife that residents come to know and enjoy. The area is praised for its proximity to the Jersey Shore and for what some call a low-maintenance lifestyle with a reasonable fee structure. In many notes, residents highlight the sense of safety and inclusivity: "No front/back door gatekeeping," but with an active neighborhood watch that helps people feel secure. All of this contributes to a perception of value - homes that look good, amenities that are convenient, and a social landscape that makes everyday life pleasant.

Yet the reviews don't ignore the friction that can come with community living. A recurring theme is dissatisfaction with certain aspects of management and upkeep. Some readers feel that HOA rules are reasonable and the quality of life is good, while others argue that enforcement is uneven and targets certain properties more than others. The commentary about the HOA office staff is particularly pointed, with Melody singled out by one reviewer as the rudest person they've encountered. The frustration is compounded by stories about intimidating or intrusive interactions during routine tasks like obtaining licenses or approvals, and by broader complaints about feeling policed or unfairly scrutinized. These experiences color the sense of belonging with a reminder that a well-run community depends on respectful, consistent governance.

Financial and service-related concerns appear frequently as well. Several residents mention rising HOA fees and question whether the services they pay for are being delivered. There are criticisms that funds are allocated to items like new flooring for the clubhouse during pandemic times when some amenities were underutilized, while more practical needs - such as snow removal or timely lawn maintenance - go unmet. The lawn and grounds upkeep draws particular attention: complaints about lawn service stopping or failing to cut grass when it's high, and a separate note about grass entering homes from outside. In contrast, there are also snapshots of responsive service, such as a work order that led to the quick removal of a dead tree, which demonstrates that when the system works, residents appreciate it.

Interwoven with these observations are strong personal narratives that illustrate the human side of living in the community. Some praise the safety and the sense of neighborliness, citing nice neighborhoods and supportive neighbors as a foundation for daily life. Others recount negative personal experiences that spill into the broader impression: difficulties with transportation for those without cars, remarks about crime or drug-related concerns in nearby areas, and stories of jobs or responsibilities affected by management decisions. A few residents describe feeling disconnected or disillusioned after life changes, such as a parent relocating and ending up unhappy in the community.

Taken together, these reviews sketch a place of contrasts: an inviting, activity-rich environment with plentiful amenities, scenic surroundings, and a social tapestry that many residents love; tempered by practical and interpersonal challenges that can color daily life. The neighborhood can feel like a vibrant, well-connected small town where people come for the activities, the camaraderie, and the convenience, yet it also reveals the difficulties that come with HOA governance, maintenance consistency, and service delivery. For some, the positives far outweigh the negatives; for others, the concerns about enforcement, staffing, and upkeep shape a more cautious view.

In the end, this community appears to offer a compelling lifestyle for active adults who prioritize social engagement, accessible amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere. It's a place where many residents express genuine affection for their homes and neighbors and where wildlife, lakes, and community programs enrich daily life. But to reach its full potential, the feedback points to improvements in management consistency, fair enforcement, and reliable maintenance across lawns, snow, and facilities. For prospective residents, the picture is nuanced: the strengths can be extraordinary, and the downsides addressable - especially with focused attention to staff, communication, and service reliability.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Community Surgical Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Sinha Prabhat, MD (1 miles)
• Atlantic Ent Assoc PA (1.4 miles)
• Renal Center (1.5 miles)
• Physician's Surgicenter (1.6 miles)
• Dr Shah Office (1.6 miles)
• Ashok K Sinha (1.6 miles)
• Anil Kumar Sharma (1.6 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• Burger King (1.8 miles)
• Applebee's (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• Office Restaurant & Lounge & Sushi Bar (3.8 miles)
• Wendy's (3.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Medical Center For Kids & Family (2.2 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (2.9 miles)
• Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Toms River Lakehurst Road (3.3 miles)

Transportation

• Toms River Bus Terminal (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Toms River (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Jakes Branch County Park (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Brick Plaza 1 (8.4 miles)