Colonnades Condominium

Pros

• It is a great place to live.
• It is clean.
• It has boat slips.
• It is close to food and beer.

Cons

• There is a desperate need for professional management.
• The Colonnades restricts pets and requires residents to be 55 or older.
• The condo association is horrible, very unprofessional and greedy.
• Maintenance is poor.
• Prospective buyers should not buy there.

Review

Great place to live, with one big caveat that seems to color every other impression: the HOA dues. That opening sentiment pops up repeatedly, signaling that the upside of living there is real - good location, amenities, and a generally pleasant environment - but the financial and governance side makes it hard to fully enjoy. When people describe it as a great place to live "except for the HOA dues," you can tell the dues aren't just a line item; they shape expectations about upkeep, responsiveness, and overall value. In short, the positive day-to-day living experience is often overshadowed by the weight of monthly costs and what those costs are supposed to deliver.

Several reviews converge on a singular frustration: professional management is badly needed. The sense is that the association operates more like a bottleneck than a service, with slow responses, unclear processes, and a sense that decisions are driven by short-term optics rather than long-term resident needs. The call is for experienced, professional management to get proactive about maintenance scheduling, transparency in budgeting, and consistent communication. Without that professional hand at the wheel, even otherwise reasonable residents feel they are navigating a maze rather than collaborating with an effective governing body.

A particularly pointed critique appears around one specific community option within the broader area: The Colonnades. It's highlighted that this community has a strict no-pets policy and a mandatory 55-and-up age restriction. Those rules aren't just administrative footnotes - they shape who can live there, what kind of lifestyle is supported, and how welcoming the place feels to different kinds of residents. The sentiment expressed is one of restriction and exclusivity that clashes with the everyday realities and desires of potential buyers or renters who might want more flexibility or different family arrangements. The rules, as described, are a source of ongoing tension and disappointment for some who might otherwise be inclined toward a similar property.

Beyond the policy constraints, the tone toward the condo association itself is blunt and negative. The reviews label the association as "horrible," "unprofessional," and "greedy." Maintenance is described as poor, suggesting chronic delays or subpar work that leaves common areas and essential services lacking in the way residents expect from a well-run community. The office staff, in particular, receive harsh comparisons to some of the worst stereotypes of bureaucratic indifference, with one review even using a historically charged insult to express frustration. Taken together, these characterizations paint a picture of an organization that feels distant from the people it serves, prioritizing budget numbers or procedural rigidity over timely, courteous, and effective service.

Against that backdrop of challenges, there are persistent warnings: don't buy here. It's not merely a cautious recommendation; it's a rallying cry that signals when the sum of the parts - costs, governance, rules, and service quality - tips the balance toward risk rather than value. The caution carries weight because it synthesizes all the earlier critiques into a practical verdict: the drawbacks aren't small, and they aren't easily ignored. For anyone weighing a purchase or rental, the message is to weigh the heavy, ongoing impact of HOA management, dues, and restrictive policies against the potential benefits of location and lifestyle.

Yet the reviews don't neglect the positives. They note clean boat slips and convenient access to nearby food and beer, which hints at a lifestyle that can be quite enjoyable for residents who value boating and easy socializing. The emphasis on "clean" slips suggests an attention to a key amenity that draws a specific crowd - those who appreciate water access and the culture that comes with it. Proximity to dining and casual amenities adds a tangible, everyday appeal that persists despite the administrative and financial headaches described elsewhere. For some, these conveniences may partially offset the downsides, providing meaningful quality-of-life touches even amid governance concerns.

In sum, the overall picture is a place with undeniable appeal: a good location, appealing amenities, and a potential for a pleasant living experience. But that appeal is consistently tempered by strong, recurring criticisms of the HOA administration, high dues, and restrictive policies in the Colonnades. The maintenance problems and perceived lack of professionalism inside the association further skew the balance toward caution. For anyone considering moving there, the decision hinges on whether the alluring conveniences and lifestyle can compensate for the persistent governance and policy frustrations, or whether a more hands-on management approach and more flexible policies would be required to make it truly worthwhile.

This area of Fort Pierce, Florida offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to older individuals looking for senior living options. With a selection of restaurants ranging from seafood to casual dining, there are plenty of choices for dining out. Nearby pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens provide convenient access to medications and health care supplies. Several physicians' offices are also located in the vicinity, offering medical services and eye care. For recreational activities, parks like Lakewood Park and Winterlakes Park offer opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and relaxation. The close proximity to hospitals such as New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Martin Memorial Health Systems provides peace of mind in case of any medical emergencies. Additionally, transportation services such as Budget Rent A Car are easily accessible for getting around the area. Overall, this part of Fort Pierce offers a mix of dining options, healthcare services, recreational facilities, and transportation convenience for seniors considering the area for retirement living.

Restaurants

• Chuck's Seafood Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Archie's Seabreeze (0.7 miles)
• 12A Buoy (1.5 miles)
• Sharky's (1.6 miles)
• Cobb's Landing (1.6 miles)
• Islamorada Beer Company (3.7 miles)
• Golden Corral (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Old Florida Coffee Co (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Fort Pierce Discount Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (5.8 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (6.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Care Medical Center (3.1 miles)
• Treasure Coast Medical Pain Center (3.1 miles)
• St Lucie Optical (3.2 miles)
• Karli, Sapir Saint Lucie Eye Associates (3.2 miles)
• Cataract Counseling- Saint Lucie Eye Associates (3.2 miles)
• St Lucie Eye Associates (3.2 miles)
• Prasad VRK Chalasani (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• New Horizons of the Treasure Coast (7.4 miles)
• Martin Memorial Health Systems (11.2 miles)
• Surgical Center of Treasure Coast (11.3 miles)

Parks

• Lakewood Park (7.7 miles)
• Winterlakes Park (8.2 miles)
• Charles E. Ray Park (9 miles)
• Savannas Preserve State Park (11.4 miles)
• Lagoon Greenway (11.6 miles)

Transportation

• Budget Rent A Car (10.5 miles)