Cecil Pines

Pros

• Christina and her team at Cecil Pines care about residents and visitors.
• The community is described as a great place with great people.
• The car show is very organized, with friendly folks and good entertainment.
• The community is fabulous - quiet, beautifully landscaped, with perfect floor plans for adult living.
• The duplex is well loved, with other housing options available and a waiting list that is worth the wait.
• The staff covers residents' questions thoroughly, helping them feel like family in the community.
• The maintenance staff is friendly and responsive, and the grounds are kept very clean.
• The community hosts socials for residents and an annual car show that raises money for the American Cancer Society.

Cons

• The leasing staff provide vague answers and present ultimatums (leave, pay more rent, or wait for another incorrect answer) after move-in.
• They did not take action to prevent the opening of Rob's Place Bar and Grill, leading to late-night operations that disturb the community.
• The main street near the cul-de-sac has become a default drag strip for bar patrons.
• While daytime is quiet, nights after 6 PM on weekdays and weekends are not quiet.
• The bar/Grill presence is not considered a desirable neighbor by at least one reviewer.

Review

Cecil Pines shines through with a clear sense of care and community, a place where Christina and her team seem genuinely invested in the well?being of both residents and those who visit. The overarching feeling conveyed by the feedback is one of warmth and attentiveness: people who stop by feel seen, welcomed, and respected by the leadership and the staff. The emphasis on resident care and visitor experience runs through multiple perspectives, suggesting a consistent standard of hospitality that residents remember long after their first hello.

One contributor summarized their experience with a simple, heartfelt statement: they've lived there for a year and found it to be a great place with great people. The atmosphere around Cecil Pines appears to be anchored in organized, well?executed events that bring neighbors together in a friendly, relaxed setting. A community car show stands out as a highlight - described as well organized and filled with friendly folks, good entertainment, and a sense of camaraderie. The tone is upbeat and appreciative, with participants giving the event two thumbs up and highlighting the positive impact such gatherings have on the overall feel of the community.

The property itself is portrayed as thoughtfully designed for adult living, with quiet, well?landscaped surroundings and intelligently laid?out floor plans. A duplex option is mentioned as particularly appealing, alongside other housing choices, which suggests flexibility in how people can choose a home that fits their needs. There is acknowledgement of a waiting list, but the sentiment is that the wait is worth it for many who are seeking the right living arrangement - an affirmation that the timing and availability align with residents' hopes and prayers for a peaceful, well?matched home.

Staff interactions emerge as a strength in several reviews. The sentiment is that the staff readily covers questions and fosters a sense of belonging - "becoming family" in the community is something some reviewers feel encouraged to pursue. Even for guests who aren't residents, the experience of interacting with a friendly, organized team contributes to a positive impression. The grounds are described as clean and orderly, and there's a clear sense that the social calendar and resident?centered events are a core part of the Cecil Pines experience.

For those who have visited but not yet moved in, the friendliness of the team and the upkeep of the property are highlighted as notable positives. Socials for residents and the annual car show are singled out as standout features, with the car show particularly praised for its charitable angle, raising money for the American Cancer Society. The combination of well?maintained spaces, engaging events, and a supportive staff paints Cecil Pines as a community that prioritizes connection, engagement, and opportunity for residents to engage with one another and with the broader cause?driven activities that help the community feel meaningful.

However, not all feedback is without caveats. A two?year experience at the community notes a divergence between maintenance and leasing experiences. The maintenance team is described as friendly and responsive, which speaks to a positive day?to?day living environment. In contrast, the leasing staff is criticized for offering vague answers after move?in and presenting limited and sometimes conflicting options. The reviewer describes a frustrating mismatch between expectations set during the leasing process and the realities encountered once living there, including decisions that feel like they force choices between leaving, paying more, or waiting for band?aid solutions. This critique highlights that the initial warmth and clarity can waver once the formalities of leasing follow?through give way to ongoing resident needs.

Another significant point raised involves on?site amenities and the unintended consequences they can bring to a community. The same review calls attention to Rob's Place, a bar and grill on the property that stays open until 2 a.m. each night. The resident notes that staff declined to challenge or intervene with the bar's presence, citing a desire not to "make waves for the city." As a result, the bar becomes a social hub with bike nights and outdoor events, which, while enjoyable for some, introduces late?night activity that disrupts the neighborly quiet some residents expect. The consequence cited is a shift in the neighborhood's atmosphere, with the main street near the cul?de?sac turning into a drag strip after 6 p.m., especially on weeknights and weekends. The takeaway is a balanced tension between vibrant, social on?site amenities and the goal of maintaining quiet, residential tranquility.

Taken together, the reviews present a nuanced portrait: Cecil Pines is celebrated for its caring leadership, welcoming staff, well?kept grounds, and a robust slate of social events that foster community and support charitable causes. At the same time, there are practical concerns about post?move?in communication with the leasing team and the unintended noise implications of a late?night bar and surrounding activities. For many, the positives - organized events, thoughtful design, a sense of family, and a supportive maintenance team - outweigh the drawbacks, making Cecil Pines a compelling option for those seeking a community that prioritizes connection, care, and opportunities to participate in meaningful activities, even as it navigates the inevitable trade?offs that come with on?site amenities and evolving neighborhood dynamics.

The area of Jacksonville, Florida, that you are considering for senior living offers a variety of amenities and services to meet your needs. There are several pharmacies located within a short driving distance, making it convenient to fill prescriptions and access healthcare services. Additionally, there are multiple restaurants nearby offering a range of dining options. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, there are parks in the vicinity where you can enjoy nature and stay active. Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and physicians' offices, are easily accessible, ensuring that you have access to quality medical care. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient environment for senior living.

Transportation

• Flightstar Aircraft Services (0.5 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (10.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (5.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (6.2 miles)
• Walgreens (7.1 miles)
• Walgreens (7.6 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (7.8 miles)
• Walgreens (8.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Gators Dockside Oak Leaf (4.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.5 miles)
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries (4.5 miles)
• Wendy's (5.6 miles)
• McDonald's (5.6 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (5.8 miles)
• Akaya Grill & Sushi (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Westside Family Worship Center (4.5 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (9.9 miles)
• West Jacksonville Baptist Church (10.1 miles)
• Clay Hill Church of God (10.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (10 miles)
• Starbucks (10 miles)
• Metro Diner (10.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (10.8 miles)
• Starbucks (10.8 miles)

Physicians

• Avecina Medical (4.6 miles)
• Jacksonville Heights Clinic (7.3 miles)
• First Coast Primary Care (8.9 miles)
• Southeast Orthopedic Specialists - Clay Clinic (9.2 miles)
• North Florida Surgeons, Charles E. Stankard, MD FACS (9.2 miles)
• Dermatology & Laser Center (10 miles)
• Millennium Physician Group (10.2 miles)

Hospitals

• St Vincent's Healthcare (9.2 miles)
• St Vincent's Medical Center Clay County (9.3 miles)
• DaVita Clay County Dialysis (9.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Orange Park 24 (9.8 miles)

Parks

• Cortez Park (11.3 miles)
• Clarke House Park (11.4 miles)