Sunshine Mobile Home Park in St. Petersburg, FL

Pros

• The 55 plus mobile community is clean, well maintained, and dog/cat friendly.
• It is a great community to be a part of.
• The park is nice, quiet, and well kept.
• Tina, the park manager, is extremely kind, patient, and helpful.
• Neighbors are friendly and helpful.
• Affordable living is available in the park.
• It is a beautiful, tucked-away place with a quiet atmosphere.

Cons

• The lot rent is exorbitant, especially for fixed-income residents.
• Residents' concerns are never addressed by the park's manager.
• The park is run by a heartless corporation that keeps raising rents.
• The grounds are dirty and unkempt, with cigarette butts scattered around.
• The park sits in a sketchy area with high crime and few nice homes nearby.
• The owners are accused of greed and caring only about profit.
• Rent increases are frequent and steep, forcing residents to move.
• The park has sinkholes and maintenance issues that are not fixed.

Review

Sunshine Mobile Home Park in St. Petersburg is best suited for active, pet-friendly 55+ residents who want a quiet, community-focused environment within easy reach of the beach and waterfront life. The park’s strongest selling points are its clean, well-kept presentation and its calm, neighborly atmosphere. Reviewers repeatedly note a comfortable, homey feel, with the grounds and homes described as clean and well maintained, and residents who enjoy a low-stress, low-noise setting. For dog owners, the policy is accommodating, and the sense of belonging in a small, 55+ community comes through in several testimonies of long-time residents who value the social fabric. Proximity to Treasure Island and other coastal amenities adds to the appeal for those who want a beach-adjacent lifestyle without sacrificing the simplicity of retirement living. In short, Sunshine works best for seniors who prioritize serenity, a friendly micro-community, and a willingness to rent in a park that feels like a quiet neighborhood rather than a bustling resort.

Those who should consider alternatives are seniors on tight, fixed incomes who cannot absorb ongoing price volatility, or buyers who demand transparent ownership, predictable costs, and strong, proactive management. A recurring thread in the reviews is the economics: lot rents frequently spike, new ownership has raised costs, and residents report paying more for basic living while amenities remain limited or uncertain. Several accounts point to rent hikes of substantial amounts year after year, with some residents noting additional assessments or shifts in who pays for lawn care and property taxes. For anyone counting every dollar, Sunshine’s economics become a central risk rather than a secondary consideration. The ownership shift to Legacy Communities and the perception that management responsiveness has faltered further amplify those concerns, making this park less attractive to those who rely on consistent budgeting.

The favorable aspects, cleanliness, quietness, and a welcoming vibe, do offset some concerns, but only to a point. For residents who value a well-kept environment and a peaceful, low-key daily routine, Sunshine delivers: safe-feeling streets, tidy common areas, and neighbors who look out for one another. The park’s quiet charm is repeatedly cited, along with easy access to beaches and a river setting that offers pleasant recreational options close to home. The presence of a responsive, kind manager in certain reviews (notably Tina) reinforces that a personal touch can still exist here, and for renters who prioritize a simple, predictable day-to-day experience, these positives can feel meaningful. Yet the positives are unevenly distributed, some households commend ongoing maintenance and a neighborly culture, while others confront inconsistent rules and management gaps that undermine the overall value.

The cons, however, often undercut those positive attributes in ways that matter for long-term housing decisions. The most impactful is the cost curve: high lot rents coupled with frequent increases and added assessments create a financial squeeze for retirees living on fixed incomes. Several reviews describe a sense of “pay more, get less” as rents rise while amenities lag or fail to materialize, including promises of a pool that never fully delivers and limited enforcement of park rules. Maintenance issues surface repeatedly, from water problems to sinkholes and unaddressed repairs, signaling a park whose infrastructure may not keep pace with escalating costs. Management inconsistency, claims of slow responses, disputes over leasing, and lack of formal, current rental agreements, further erode confidence that this is a stable, well-governed community. The impression of a corporate ownership model prioritizing revenue over resident welfare appears in multiple voices, coloring many residents’ experience with unease and caution.

Balancing these elements suggests a practical verdict: Sunshine Mobile Home Park can be a solid, attractive choice for the right person, but it requires careful qualification. If the aim is a quiet, pet-friendly, reasonably tidy park near the coast, and if a resident can accommodate ongoing rent increases and be comfortable navigating a management environment that may not always feel responsive, Sunshine delivers a comfortable baseline living experience with community warmth. If, instead, stability of cost, transparent governance, strong maintenance guarantees, and guaranteed amenities are non-negotiables, alternatives deserve serious consideration. The best next step for prospective residents is a disciplined due diligence process: verify current ownership and lease terms, request a detailed breakdown of all charges (including lawn maintenance, assessments, and any ad valorem components), and interview multiple current residents about their satisfaction with management and repairs. Inspect the physical condition of lawns, sidewalks, and common areas; confirm pool status and availability; and map parking and trailer locations to avoid day-to-day friction.

Those evaluating Sunshine should compare it against other 55+ options in Pinellas County with similar vibes but more predictable economics. Seek out communities with transparent, written leases, stable annual rent expectations, and clearly communicated maintenance protocols. Ask about emergency contacts, weekend response times, and whether there is formal support for residents dealing with landlord-tenant issues. If the decision hinges on price, prioritize parks where lot rent sits within a fixed range with included services, and where owners demonstrate consistent responsiveness to resident concerns. For families deciding where to place loved ones, Sunshine offers a workable blend of quiet living and social warmth, but the cost trajectory and management dynamics require serious consideration, this is not a guaranteed win for fixed-income seniors unless those financial and governance concerns are satisfactorily resolved.

This part of St. Petersburg, Florida, offers a convenient and well-equipped environment for senior living. With multiple pharmacies in close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare services is easily accessible. There are various dining options ranging from casual fast food to sit-down restaurants, providing a variety of choices for meals. Nearby parks offer opportunities for leisurely walks or outdoor activities, while places of worship cater to spiritual needs. Additionally, cafes provide spaces for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Hospitals and medical centers are located within a reasonable distance in case of emergencies or routine medical care. Lastly, theaters offer entertainment options for seniors looking to enjoy movies or live performances. Overall, this area provides a blend of convenience, amenities, and services that can contribute to a comfortable and fulfilling senior living experience.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Bay Area Medical (1.2 miles)
• Wellspring Cancer Center (1.5 miles)
• Pediatric Health Care Alliance (2.1 miles)
• Skin Wellness Center (2.8 miles)
• Pasadena Eye Center (3 miles)
• Allergy Associates (3.2 miles)
• Bay Area Family Practice (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Portillo's Hot Dogs (1.7 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.8 miles)
• Chuck E. Cheese's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Dead Bob's (3.1 miles)
• Burger King (3.3 miles)
• Mercel's Bake Shop (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Azalea Park (2.1 miles)
• Northwest Park (2.2 miles)
• Treasure Island Beach (3.5 miles)
• Freedom Lake Park (4.2 miles)
• Fossil Park (6.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ The Cornerstone (2.2 miles)
• Allendale United Methodist Church (5.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Kristina's Cafe (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• Mazzaro's Italian Market (4.4 miles)
• Bula Kafe (5.2 miles)
• Bandit Coffee Co. (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• All Children's Obgyn Specialists (3.4 miles)
• St Anthony's Hospital (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Park Place & RPX (3.7 miles)
• SMG Seminole (3.7 miles)
• Regal Largo Mall (6.2 miles)