Isle of Palms Mobile Home Park

Pros

• Kat and Maureen are super, their door is always open, and they have always been very helpful.
• They take pride in this their family owned community.
• Great neighbors, and friendly environment, with a lot of fun activities for the residents.
• Isle of Palms has many wonderful people living in their community and we have made many friends.
• Over 20 years of positive experiences in this park. Very clean and friendly.
• A well kept family owned park.
• Nice Mobile Home Park. Great people.
• The owners are the best... Rules are good and they enforce them as a result pristine grounds.
• Isle of Palms has a delightful feel, much like that if a ' small town ' all in its own.

Cons

• Residents were extremely upset about a $300 lot rent increase, especially since there is no swimming pool.
• The new management allegedly spent nothing on maintenance, cut all park expenses, used a part-time manager, and provided no security while raising rents.
• The ownership is seen as profit-driven, with minimal maintenance and recurring rent hikes, making the park seem to be going downhill.
• management changes brought higher rents, no on-site property manager, and extra charges for water and lawn care.
• Some residents claim they were chased out by wealthier new management after costs were raised and affording the park became impossible.
• Rules are described as ridiculous and overly restrictive, including guest registrations and background checks targeting residents.
• sprinklers are alleged to spray toilet water, causing odor and contamination.
• The park is described by some as dirty and slumming.
• Some reviewers say the management is jerks and cite poor treatment of residents.

Review

Isle of Palms in Florida presents a split experience for its residents, with a chorus of praise from some and sharp frustration from others. A number of people who have lived in the park describe it as a well-kept, pleasant, and neighborly place, especially for those who appreciate a quiet, 55+ community with a strong social scene. Longtime residents speak fondly of the management when it's there, noting that staff members like Kat and Maureen are approachable and helpful, and that the park feels like a small town with regular activities at the clubhouse. There are frequent mentions of a friendly, safe atmosphere, clean grounds, and a sense of community - neighbors stopping to say hello in the street, a welcoming environment, and a willingness to help each other out. Descriptions such as "the park is spotless and well maintained," "the owners are the best," and "the management cares about the park" recur, painting a picture of a well-run, family-owned place where people feel at home.

Another consistent thread is the appeal of the park's maintenance, decor, and social infrastructure. Reviewers repeatedly highlight a well-kept community with clean surroundings and a robust set of amenities. A number of residents specifically mention a cooperative atmosphere: an active community center, holidays celebrated in the clubhouse, Euchre tournaments, Bingo nights, and other organized activities that give the place a lively, resident-driven cadence. The claim that the lot rent is "extremely reasonable," and often bundled with water, sewage, and garbage, reinforces why some people classify Isle of Palms as a solid value. The sentiment echoes the sense that, when the park is well managed, it offers both practicality and a pleasant living environment.

Yet there is a prominent and vocal countercurrent accusing the current era of management of being cost-cutting and profit-driven. Several posts describe new management within the last two years and a pattern of rising rents, sometimes cited as 15 percent annually, with references to even larger increases or aggressive fee structures. Critics complain that there is no on-site property manager, only part-time oversight, and that residents can be hit with extra charges for water or lawn care. Some reviewers link these changes to a broader trend of park ownership shifting to new owners - "a company bought the park to make money," allegedly connected to out-of-state owners - and express concern that maintenance spending has dried up as rents climb. A few explicitly note disillusionment with a once-pristine park that now feels neglected or burdened by financial strains.

There are also more pointed critiques about rules and oversight. A recurring complaint is that the park has introduced what some see as restrictive or intrusive policies - too many rules, guest registration, and background checks - along with a sense that the rules disproportionately burden elderly residents. The frustration is summarized as a feeling that the park's governance has become more controlling and less responsive to resident needs, prompting some to wonder aloud whether the park's focus has shifted away from quality-of-life concerns toward gatekeeping and revenue.

Interspersed with these reports are personal stories of disappointment and disappointment turned action. One reviewer describes an immediate, personal struggle with a $300 lot rent increase in a year without access to a swimming pool - the absence of what might be expected amenities intensifying dissatisfaction. Others recount experiences of being priced out by rising costs or the emotional toll of watching a once-loved community drift away from affordability. On the other hand, there are accounts of longtime residents who feel heard by management, who see value in the park's upkeep, and who remain hopeful about continued community strength and the quality of life that a well-maintained setting can offer.

Amidst the mixed feedback, several voices celebrate the enduring positive aspects of Isle of Palms. Some residents who have lived there for many years describe a stable, rewarding living environment with "wonderful" people and a sense of security, where neighbors form connections, activities flourish, and groundskeeping remains a point of pride. There are explicit expressions of gratitude toward the small, family-owned nature of the land and the people who steward it, plus an appreciation for the social rituals that knit the community together. A few testimonials emphasize the value of staying true to a well-kept, neighborly atmosphere and continuing to engage with the positive elements that drew people to Isle of Palms in the first place.

Overall, Isle of Palms emerges as a community of contrasts: a place where many current and past residents praise its cleanliness, social life, and the relative affordability when utilities are bundled, while others warn that management changes and rising costs threaten the park's affordability and charm. The narrative suggests that the park's future may hinge on balancing prudent maintenance and reasonable rents with responsive, resident-centered governance. For anyone considering calling Isle of Palms home, the prevailing takeaway is to weigh the strong, people-centric benefits and the park's well-kept environment against the concerns about price stability, management practices, and rules enforcement. A first-hand visit and direct conversations with current residents and management would likely illuminate which side of the spectrum best captures the reality at any given time.

Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, this area offers a range of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and comfort. With multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby, accessing medication is easy. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians such as Bay Area Medical and well-known hospitals like All Children's Obgyn Specialists within a short distance. For leisure activities, residents can enjoy dining options such as Chili's Grill & Bar and Portillo's Hot Dogs, or relax at parks like Azalea Park and Treasure Island Beach. Places of worship like Christ The Cornerstone provide spiritual support, while cafes like Starbucks offer a cozy spot to socialize. Additionally, entertainment options include theaters like SMG Seminole for a night out. Overall, this part of St. Petersburg provides a well-rounded community for seniors seeking a vibrant yet serene lifestyle.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Bay Area Medical (1.1 miles)
• Wellspring Cancer Center (1.6 miles)
• Pediatric Health Care Alliance (2 miles)
• Pasadena Eye Center (2.9 miles)
• Skin Wellness Center (3 miles)
• Allergy Associates (3 miles)
• Bay Area Family Practice (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Portillo's Hot Dogs (1.6 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.6 miles)
• Chuck E. Cheese's (2.6 miles)
• Dead Bob's (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Burger King (3.3 miles)
• Caddy's Madeira Beach (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Azalea Park (1.9 miles)
• Northwest Park (2.1 miles)
• Treasure Island Beach (3.3 miles)
• Freedom Lake Park (4.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ The Cornerstone (2.3 miles)
• Allendale United Methodist Church (5.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Kristina's Cafe (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4 miles)
• Mazzaro's Italian Market (4.4 miles)
• Bula Kafe (5.1 miles)
• Bandit Coffee Co. (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• All Children's Obgyn Specialists (3.2 miles)
• St Anthony's Hospital (6 miles)

Theaters

• SMG Seminole (3.8 miles)
• Regal Park Place & RPX (3.8 miles)