Lakeside Apartments in Columbia, SC

Pros

• This is a great place to spend your retirement.
• Donna and Jose and the maintenance team are awesome.
• The maintenance man is awesome as well.
• Good low income senior apartments.
• Nice community for older folks.
• A nice enough place to live for older/infirm folks who aren't ready for full assisted living.
• The apartments are on the Harbison walking trail around Woodcross Lake; lots of baby ducks and two baby Canadian Geese.
• Nice neighborhood.
• HUD housing apartments for the elderly; couldn't ask for better location.
• The views are breathtaking.
• Very great elderly community.
• Nice complex, nice views of the lake.

Cons

• They have never seen such rudeness, cockiness, ignorance, and a filthy place.
• There are too many people who complain about the current staff and have received no courtesy on how to solve the problem.
• If Donna had good customer service there would not be multiple bad reviews on her nor building management.
• There was a horrible reaction from staff; they were incredibly disrespected by the director.
• This place needs to be sued for the blatantly disrespectful attitude.
• Management is no good and seems to not care about the residents; maintenance is lacking.
• They don't keep up the maintenance on their apartments.
• The staff treats information-seekers with rudeness and a lack of customer service.

Review

Lakeside Apartments in Columbia is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who want independent living in a serene, lakeside setting and can tolerate uneven management attention. The community clearly targets residents age 60 and up and accommodates HUD/Section 8 housing, making it a practical option for households that need predictable, affordable rent. The draw is unmistakable: panoramic lake views, a quiet, walkable campus along Harbison’s trails, and a maintenance crew that can handle the basics without drama. It is not a full-service, assisted environment; residents generally manage day-to-day living with periodic staff support. For someone whose priorities are affordability, safety, and a peaceful common life close to nature, Lakeside checks many boxes.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are anyone who needs consistent, high-touch customer service or proactive management. Families seeking reliable, transparent communication or residents who require ongoing personal care and medical support should look elsewhere. Non-elderly adults, or those not eligible for Section 8 or age-restricted housing, may also find the eligibility climate tight or misaligned. In addition, if a modern apartment’s condition and uniform service standards are non-negotiable, this campus can feel uneven. The best-fit buyer understands that Lakeside trades some amenities and responsiveness for a lower price and a tranquil setting.

Key pros, a low-cost entry point, an assured, quiet environment, and a compelling outdoor lifestyle, often offset the main drawbacks, but not completely. The price point and housing structure reduce financial friction and permit long-term residency, which many reviews note as a major win. The setting sits on waterfront land with easy access to walking trails, a notable retirement feature that supports an active, low-stress routine. Maintenance is described as capable, with certain individuals (notably staff members like Donna and Jose) praised for knowledge and kindness. On the flip side, accounts of disrespectful behavior from some staff and uneven management responsiveness sap trust and can erode the sense of safety that keeps residents content. When the staff dynamic stabilizes, the positives will carry greater weight.

From a practical standpoint, the location and campus ambiance carry real value. The lakefront views, the duck ponds, and the proximity to Harbison’s trail network provide a legitimate lifestyle benefit for a senior not seeking heavy on-site services. The community’s apparent affordability and status as an elderly HUD housing option make it accessible to those on tight fixed incomes. Yet several reviews flag maintenance gaps and inconsistent upkeep across units, along with management who can appear indifferent or aloof. Those tensions matter because they color day-to-day life and willingness to recommend Lakeside to peers. In short, the scenery and price are compelling, but upkeep and administrative tone can undermine them.

Before committing, verify current eligibility specifics, including any weight given to felon status or income-based criteria, and confirm how Section 8 is applied in practice. Probe the consistency of maintenance response times and the reliability of on-site staff, not just anecdotes from a single resident. Speak with multiple residents about their experience with Donna, Jose, and the broader management team to gauge current morale. Request a clear rent schedule, lease terms, and expectations for required waiting lists. Finally, map out social routines: activities, escorts for errands, and any offered supportive services, these define whether the independent-living promise meets what is needed for long-term stability.

For families weighing options, Lakeside Apartments offers a pragmatic, affordable doorway into independent senior living with undeniable lakefront charm. It is a strong match for those prioritizing cost and location over consistent service polish, and for residents who can tolerate occasional management friction in exchange for quiet, safe surroundings. Those seeking regular, proactive management, transparent communication, and guaranteed maintenance across all units should widen the search to alternatives with steadier staffing and clearer policies. In the right circumstances, Lakeside delivers a valuable, low-stress home base near nature and trails; in others, the risk of uneven experience suggests exploring other 60+ or HUD-enabled communities with a steadier hand at the helm.

This part of Columbia, South Carolina offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple restaurants including Dave & Buster's, McDonald's, McAlister's Deli, and more within close proximity, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby such as Walmart Pharmacy and Walgreens for easy access to medication and health supplies. The presence of hospitals like Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge and clinics like Lexington Medical Center provide peace of mind in terms of healthcare services. For leisure activities, seniors can enjoy watching movies at AMC Harbison 14 or Regal Columbiana Grande theaters. Parks like Irmo Community Park and Saluda Shoals Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area combines convenience, healthcare accessibility, entertainment options, and natural beauty making it a desirable location for senior living in Columbia.

Restaurants

• Dave & Buster's (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• McAlister's Deli (0.6 miles)
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries (0.6 miles)
• Carolina Ale House (0.6 miles)
• Fazoli's (0.6 miles)
• Rush's (0.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Alcohol & Drug Abuse (3.6 miles)
• Intramed Plus (4.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Harbison 14 (0.8 miles)
• Regal Columbiana Grande (0.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge (0.8 miles)
• Palmetto Health Parkridge (0.8 miles)
• Urgent Care Center (1.8 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room (5.4 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• Prisma Health Plastic Surgery – Parkridge (0.9 miles)
• Sc Internal Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Lexington Women's Care (1.7 miles)
• Lexington Family Practices (1.7 miles)
• Lake Murray Family Practice (2.2 miles)
• Advanced Pain Therapies (2.8 miles)
• Sandhills Pediatrics (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Irmo Community Park (1.8 miles)
• Saluda Shoals Park (2.7 miles)
• River Center At Saluda Shoals (2.7 miles)
• Saluda Riverwalk (6 miles)

Cafes

• Loveland Coffee (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church Of Irmo (2.6 miles)
• Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (3 miles)