The Preserve at Gateway in Forney, TX

Pros

• The manager Justin and the entire staff are wonderful.
• The community feels very safe and clean, with maintenance issues resolved quickly.
• There are plenty of activities and the grounds are beautiful.
• It's a great 55+ community that is safe and well taken care of.
• Maintenance service is excellent and often completed the same day.
• CW is courteous and proficient at fixing any problems.
• The team provides engaging activities and strong, responsive customer service.
• The cottages and apartments are spacious, modern, and well located near shops and restaurants.
• Residents feel welcomed and at home; neighbors often become friends.
• The amenities are fantastic - the pool, gym, salon, and clubhouse are well maintained and enjoyable.

Cons

• The management is perceived to care nothing for residents and is disrespectful to seniors.
• Rent has increased drastically, forcing residents to move out because they cannot afford it.
• Price spikes have left many residents with no choice but to relocate.
• Trash pickup has been missed because management did not pay the bills.
• The property is poorly maintained, with fallen trees, dead bushes, overflowing dumpsters, and rats.
• There was no manager for weeks, with rotating leasing agents and offices not open on Saturdays.
• Access gates are frequently broken for weeks or months.
• Lawn care is average to poor, uses carcinogenic herbicides, and sprinklers work inconsistently.
• Safety concerns exist regarding salon operations and late-evening access by non-residents.

Review

The Preserve at Gateway is best suited for active-minded, safety-conscious seniors in Forney who want a lively, well?maintained 55+ community with plentiful on?site amenities and a built?in social calendar. It suits those who value prompt maintenance, courteous staff, and a campus that feels like a small town - where neighbors become friends through frequent events, fitness classes, and communal gatherings. For families evaluating options, this property offers a clear down?the?line benefit: a strong sense of belonging, robust on?site services (pool, theater, salon, gym), and a well-kept environment that contributes to peace of mind in daily living.

However, prospective residents should consider alternatives if predictable pricing and stable governance are non-negotiables. The community has experienced substantial ownership and management turnover, which has coincided with large rent increases in some cases and shifting amenity policies. Several long?time residents report dramatic monthly rate spikes and a perception that corporate decisions trump resident needs. For fixed incomes or budgets that cannot accommodate rapid price changes, exploring other 55+ options with more transparent pricing and steadier leadership is prudent.

The core strengths of The Preserve at Gateway lie in maintenance reliability, staff responsiveness, and a rich social fabric. Maintenance is widely praised for same?day responses and quick fixes, with technicians and managers stepping in to resolve issues - even in hot weather - without delay. Residents repeatedly highlight the courtesy and competence of staff across departments: leasing consultants who tailor apartment choices, event planners who populate the calendar with varied activities, and maintenance teams that keep common spaces immaculate. Add to this the attractive grounds, a large pool, a well?equipped fitness area, a nail salon, and a modern clubhouse, and the value proposition becomes compelling for those who want an active, connected lifestyle without sacrificing safety.

Yet the story is not uniform. Management shifts have unsettled some residents, and the tension between providing a hospitable, resident?centric atmosphere and pursuing corporate financial goals remains palpable. Positive testimonials still flow from residents who champion current managers, notably those who focus on personal connections and neighborhood cohesion. But there are ongoing concerns from others about inconsistent communication, gate reliability, and security, including reports of theft and stress over who is allowed access to certain facilities after hours. This dichotomy makes ongoing resident satisfaction heavily dependent on the current leadership team and its alignment with resident expectations.

Security, governance, and amenity access emerge as the most salient risk factors for this community. Gate issues and intermittent maintenance of exterior systems have frustrated some residents, while others praise a quick, hands?on approach when problems arise. The salon's operations have sparked debate about access for non?residents and the hours of service, highlighting a broader concern about how well the community's policies are communicated and enforced. In addition, the frequent managerial turnover has created a perception of volatility in rule setting and benefit maintenance, which can erode confidence for those counting on long?term stability. For families prioritizing steady, predictable governance, these elements warrant careful scrutiny during a visit.

In evaluating The Preserve at Gateway, the practical decision centers on balancing daily livability with financial certainty. The community delivers on quality of life: a safe, clean campus; plentiful activities; engaging neighbors; and dependable maintenance that keeps life running smoothly. The trade?offs hinge on pricing trajectory and management continuity. If current leadership can sustain transparent communication, consistent amenity policies, and reasonable, predictable rent levels, this property stands out as a compelling choice for vibrant, social older adults. If not, alternatives with stronger price stability and longer?tenured management may be worth pursuing to avoid recurring disruption and perceived drift in care and community standards.

Physicians

• Lake Point Women's Center (0.2 miles)
• Sandknop Family Practice (0.3 miles)
• Rockwall Pediactrics (0.3 miles)
• Forney Eye Associates (0.4 miles)
• Benjamin Medical Associates (0.6 miles)
• Modern Medicine Forney Forney (0.8 miles)
• Kaleidoscope Kids (7.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Brookshire's (1.1 miles)
• Mequite Care Pharmacy (7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.4 miles)
• Walgreens (7.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (7.9 miles)
• Eggsquisite Cafe (10 miles)
• Shipley DO-Nut Shop (10 miles)

Restaurants

• MOD Pizza (0.4 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.4 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.5 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.6 miles)
• Taco Casa (0.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC CLASSIC Forney 12 (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Life Church (0.8 miles)
• Immanuel One Accord Ministries (5 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (6.4 miles)
• Bart Willoughby Ministries (9 miles)
• Lakeshore Church (9.1 miles)
• First Christian Church (9.2 miles)
• Casa View Baptist Church (10 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Travis Ranch Park (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall (9.6 miles)