Somerset Retirement Village

Pros

• The complex is clean, quiet, and has friendly neighbors with supportive management.
• Management is described as awesome, capable, and responsive, with problems resolved quickly (notably by staff like Wednesday).
• Maintenance is reliable, and the pool area and grounds are well cared for.
• The location is highly convenient, with shops, restaurants, and coffee shops within walking distance.
• Long-time residents praise the positive changes under current management and the overall living experience.

Cons

• The new management is the absolute worst and doesn't care about tenants.
• Maintenance is slow and the repairs are shoddy.
• The pool area is dirty and often poorly maintained, with broken equipment.
• Rent increases are excessive and occur without meaningful renovations.
• The staff gossip about tenants and don't honor leases.
• Deposits are withheld with unclear deductions and not fully refunded.
• There are mold, leaks, and flooding issues that aren't adequately addressed.
• The area is described as unsafe with crime and theft concerns.

Review

Somerset Village comes across in a strikingly mixed light, with a broad chorus of praise from some residents and sharp warnings from others. A number of people describe the community as clean and quiet, with neighbors who are friendly and welcoming. The sentiment about management ranges from highly positive to openly critical, and the tone shifts again when it comes to maintenance, safety, and cost. For many long-time residents, the appeal has been the sense of stability and the convenient location, while others have become increasingly frustrated by what they see as mismanagement and ongoing problems.

A strong thread of appreciation runs through several voices. Longtime residents speak warmly about the community atmosphere and the reliability of staff who handle issues promptly. One resident who has been there eight years notes that management and maintenance are consistently responsive, especially when problems arise. Another resident with decades in the complex references an enjoyable environment with "awesome neighbors" and quick, helpful grounds staff. The pool areas and overall grounds are repeatedly described as well-kept, and the proximity to shopping and eateries is highlighted as a major convenience, with mentions of being across from Randall's and near Kroger, walking distance to a dozen restaurants, two shopping areas, and even multiple Starbucks. For these residents, Somerset Village remains a "great place to live" because the community feels safe, clean, and accessible.

A standout positive thread centers on a particular staff member named Wednesday, who is repeatedly credited with making meaningful improvements and offering reliable, accessible support. Comments describe Wednesday as the person who has "cleaned this place up for real," is easy to reach, and responds quickly to residents' needs. The impression is that, under her presence, the overall experience has become more professional, with staff on the grounds described as friendly and quick to assist. The upshot of these testimonials is a sense that, at least for some residents, management has become more competent and user-friendly, contributing to a calmer, more organized living environment.

Yet the same complex hosts a sizable set of negative experiences that many residents attribute to management changes and inconsistent policies. Several reviews recount a period when the administrative staff were described as difficult to deal with - "ridiculous," prone to gossip about tenants, and not honoring lease terms unless it suited management. Complaints include dramatic rent increases, significant delays in repairs after emergencies, and persistent issues with mold, leaks, and shoddy workmanship. One account notes a flood during a hurricane that led to mildew, with repairs dragging on for months and a sense that residents felt neglected or dismissed. There are also specific grievances about not being able to get back deposits in a fair and timely way, with some residents alleging deductions that seemed excessive or unaccounted for, and even a sense that the property uses loopholes or unclear practices to justify withholding funds.

Other reviewers broaden the scope of concerns to day-to-day living conditions. They describe the pool area as frequently messy or poorly maintained, sometimes with half the laundry machines out of service, and a general sense of neglect in common areas. Some residents whisper about safety and security issues - reports of car break-ins, vehicles opened, and even suggestions that people from outside the complex were accessing amenities like the pool. A handful of reviews raise more troubling social concerns, including references to smoking and drug use around the property, and even suggestions of safety risks that push some would-be renters to look elsewhere. The language used ranges from strongly critical to alarmed, painting a picture of a place where maintenance and safety feel compromised to some degree.

A recurring theme tied to the newer management is a tension between cost and value. Several comments point to rent increases that feel steep in the context of ongoing maintenance problems and aging facilities. One post mentions a potential 3x income requirement for new leases and notes asking rents as high as $1,600 for a three-bedroom and around $1,400 for a two-bedroom, with no utilities included. In these voices, residents who have been in the community for years - especially those on fixed incomes like retirees - express concern that Somerset Village is leaving behind long-standing residents in favor of new leasing terms and higher price points. The sense conveyed is that, while some residents see improvements under new management, others feel the pricing no longer aligns with the living conditions they experience day to day.

In aggregate, the reviews sketch a community that has both bright spots and serious caveats. For every resident who celebrates Wednesday's responsiveness, the clean grounds, and the convenience of a supportive neighborhood, there are others who recount months-long repair delays, questionable deposit practices, and a sense that management priorities have shifted in a way that erodes trust. The property is clearly valued by many for its location, quiet atmosphere, and neighborly feel, but the experiences of miscommunication, maintenance lapses, safety concerns, and escalating rents have left a substantial portion of residents wary. For anyone considering Somerset Village, the message is nuanced: there are genuine positives in community spirit, maintenance responsiveness in some cases, and proximity to shopping and dining, but there are also long-standing and newly reported issues with management conduct, upkeep, and affordability that warrant careful inquiry and direct conversations with current residents and management before making a decision.

This area of Galveston, Texas offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. There are several restaurants located within walking distance, including Happy Buddha and Tortuga Mexican Kitchen, providing convenient dining options. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies nearby such as Kroger Pharmacy and Walgreens for easy access to medication. For healthcare needs, there are various physicians' offices in close proximity like Family Vision Center and UTMB Pediatrics. The area also features parks like Fort Crockett Seawall Park for leisurely walks and recreation. In terms of medical facilities, there are hospitals such as John Sealy Hospital and Shriners Burns Hospital within a short drive for any urgent care needs. Overall, this part of Galveston provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for senior residents.

Restaurants

• Happy Buddha (0 miles)
• Waffle House (0.1 miles)
• McDonald's (0.1 miles)
• Tortuga Mexican Kitchen (0.1 miles)
• Rita's Italian Ice (0.1 miles)
• Taco Cabana (0.2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kroger Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Broadway Drug Store (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream (2.7 miles)
• Red Light Coffee Roasters (3 miles)
• MOD Coffeehouse (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Family Vision Center (0.4 miles)
• Galveston Eye-Land Vision Clinic (0.6 miles)
• UTMB Pediatrics (0.8 miles)
• Family Medicine Clinic-Island (0.8 miles)
• UTMB Clinic (1.7 miles)
• VA Galveston Clinic (1.9 miles)
• CareHere (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Fort Crockett Seawall Park (1 miles)
• Galveston Island Palms (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Dva Renal Healthcare Incgam (1.5 miles)
• John Sealy Hospital (3.8 miles)
• Shriners Burns Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Shriners Burns Hospital (4.1 miles)
• UTMB - Rebecca Sealy Hospital (4.2 miles)
• UTMB Regional Maternal & Child Health Program (4.2 miles)
• UTMB-Labor and Delivery (4.2 miles)