Palmer Club

Pros

• Katie and the team at The Reserve are kind, responsive, and super helpful.
• The maintenance team does an excellent job, especially Ronald, who is very helpful, friendly, and decisive.
• The Reserve is located in a great area of Sarasota with lots of restaurants and shopping nearby, and the best beaches are close.
• Ashley at the leasing office was phenomenal and guided residents through the leasing process.
• The staff at The Reserve is top notch and very professional.
• The office staff were great - very nice and willing to help with anything residents needed.
• Erick and Ronall from the maintenance team are praised for their professionalism and efficiency.
• The community itself is very quiet and relaxing.
• The Reserve offers great amenities, including two pools, a well-equipped gym, and multiple grilling areas.
• The grounds are well-kept and the property is clean.

Cons

• The staff is completely unprofessional and gossip mongers.
• Nothing is properly or timely fixed.
• The grounds are dirty and unkempt.
• The units are cheaply made and maintenance issues double utility costs.
• Residents are charged for valet trash and dumpsters are stinking and placed every 20 yards.
• Parking is severely problematic, with residents often blocked in and feeling unsafe walking at night due to groups of men smoking and drinking in the lot.
• There is a roach infestation despite claims of treatment.

Review

The Reserve at Palmer Ranch in Sarasota has earned a strong following from residents who have called it home for years. Many people praise the community for its welcoming atmosphere, well-kept grounds, and lively resident events. The setting seems to strike a balance between a peaceful, family-friendly environment and convenient urban living, with easy access to a wide range of restaurants, shops, and the area's famed beaches. The property layout and amenities contribute to that sense of home, with thoughtful touches like ample storage in apartments, two inviting pools, a well-equipped gym, and multiple grilling areas that residents repeatedly call a major plus.

A recurring thread throughout the reviews is the appreciation for the team that runs the property. Katie, the manager, is consistently singled out for being attentive, friendly, and genuinely invested in resident satisfaction. Review after review highlights her willingness to solve problems and her hands-on approach to ensuring residents feel welcomed. The leasing team, including Ashley and Angel, earns high marks for professionalism, responsiveness, and the ability to guide new residents through the process smoothly. Maintenance staff also receive frequent praise for their courtesy and effectiveness, with names like Ronald, Tim, Erick, and Ronall appearing as standout members who handle repairs and upkeep with care and efficiency.

Residents repeatedly point to the apartment features as a major selling point. The layouts are described as spacious with excellent storage, making daily living comfortable and practical. The two pools and the expansive fitness center are cited as particularly attractive amenities, especially for families with children who enjoy the outdoor spaces and the social pool activity. Proximity to essential conveniences - Costco, Target, Publix - and nearby parks and schools add to the appeal, making the community feel interconnected with the broader Palm/Palmer Ranch area. The combination of well-maintained grounds and abundant amenities contributes to a sense of pride in the place, and several residents emphasize that the location and facilities keep them happy and engaged with the community.

For many, the Reserve's strengths are reinforced by personal experiences that go beyond the bricks and mortar. Some residents describe moving in or upgrading to a larger unit as a smooth transition, thanks to proactive staff like Katie and Ashley who handle approvals and unit selections with care. The maintenance team's reliability - addressing concerns promptly and with a friendly demeanor - also stands out, contributing to long-term satisfaction. A few residents who have lived there for extended periods speak to a sustained sense of community, noting that the property continues to feel like a well-run, supportive place to live where neighbors form meaningful connections and the staff remain approachable and helpful.

Not every review mirrors the glowing consensus, however. A subset of residents recount serious issues that have shaped a more cautious view. One review describes the experience as a bait-and-switch, with claims of a show unit that differs significantly from the actual apartment and ongoing maintenance concerns, including persistent wasp nests and roach problems that were not adequately resolved. Other residents report frustrating parking conditions that make coming and going stressful, and some describe unsafe feelings after dark due to groups of people gathered in the parking areas. Additional criticisms include mold, rodent droppings, overflowing trash, and a perception that certain charges - such as valet trash fees - add to the sense of overpricing without corresponding value.

There are also more troubling, unverified-sounding claims that appeared in a few reviews, including accusations of unprofessional staff, gossip, and harassment - described by one reviewer as stalking directed at women. Another person states concerns about illegal drug activity within the grounds and persistent cleanliness and maintenance issues, highlighting a stark contrast with the more positive experiences described by other residents. These reports demonstrate that while many residents are highly satisfied and feel cared for by the team, a number of others feel unsafe or let down by inconsistent management practices and maintenance responses.

In sum, The Reserve at Palmer Ranch is viewed by many as a strong, desirable place to live, buoyed by a dedicated staff, solid amenities, and a convenient Sarasota location. For most residents who describe long-term happiness, the combination of attentive management, responsive maintenance, and a welcoming community creates a compelling living experience. Yet, the more critical voices remind us that there are real concerns around maintenance timeliness, parking, safety, and the consistency of upkeep and communication. The property's future seems likely to hinge on balancing those operational challenges with the existing strengths: an appealing lifestyle, a robust amenity package, and a staff that residents widely recognize as capable and caring.

Located in Sarasota, Florida, this neighborhood offers a wide range of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With several theaters nearby such as AMC Sarasota 12, restaurants like Jalisco Mexican Grill and Chick-Fil-A, cafes like Starbucks, pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens, and reputable physicians and hospitals in close proximity, residents can easily access essential services. Additionally, there are places of worship like St Thomas More Catholic Church and parks such as Osprey Junction Trailhead for spiritual nourishment and outdoor activities. Overall, this area provides a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to retire in a welcoming environment.

Theaters

• AMC Sarasota 12 (0.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Jalisco Mexican Grill (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.6 miles)
• Linksters Taproom Sara (1 miles)
• The Grasshopper Mexican Restaurant and Bar (1.6 miles)
• Ophelia's on the Bay (2 miles)
• Taco Jalisco (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Munchies Cafe (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• First Watch #112 (5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Gulf Coast Medical Group Urgent Care (0.8 miles)
• Sterling Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, PA (1.1 miles)
• Ramon E Colina (1.1 miles)
• Milam Bogart Dermatology (1.5 miles)
• Sarasota Family Medical Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Paradise Dermatology (2.3 miles)
• Sarasota Wellness MD, Dana Fabiani MD (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Homesights Consulting (1.3 miles)
• All Children's Specialty Care of Sarasota (3 miles)
• B And K Properties Of Sarasota (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Thomas More Catholic Church (1.9 miles)
• Church of the Palms (4.3 miles)
• Sarasota Baptist Church (5 miles)

Parks

• Osprey Junction Trailhead (3.3 miles)
• Phillippi Estate Park (3.4 miles)
• Urfer Family Park (4.4 miles)
• Oscar Scherer State Park (4.7 miles)