Silver Lake Retirement Cmnty

Pros

• Silver Lakes is the best place there is.
• They have lived there for five years and love it.
• Rent is assisted through HUD.
• They can get assistance with utilities if they qualify.
• Apartments are small but comfortable.
• Good management keeps the property well maintained.
• Shirley helped them with disability information.

Cons

• Management is constantly telling residents they don't care.
• Maintenance says they don't care.
• They are told to move if they don't like it.
• The resident council is not for all residents and seems to serve only a few.
• The council goes to management to get Oaks residents in trouble over petty issues.
• The property is neglected and not properly maintained.
• There are cracks in ceilings and air ducts are not cleaned, with black dust coming out.
• Vent liners have to be removed due to deterioration and are not replaced.

Review

Silver Lakes is described by residents as a place with strong upsides and notable drawbacks, a home that many people genuinely love after years of living there but that also carries challenges that can color everyday life. One resident has been calling it home for five years and still emphasizes that, despite its flaws, it feels like the best place there is in their view. The complex is tied closely to HUD assistance, with rent support available for those who qualify, and there are programs to help with utilities as well. The apartments themselves are small, but many find them to be comfortable enough to live in.

Financial help through HUD is repeatedly cited as a meaningful benefit, and the possibility of utility assistance if you're eligible is a recurring theme in the experiences shared. This financial layer helps some residents manage the costs of living there, even as other concerns persist. The physical footprint of the place is described as compact, with apartments that don't feel luxurious but can be adequate. The overall sentiment about the housing itself is mixed: not everyone can call it great, but it isn't purely terrible either.

A recurring thread in the reviews is a deep ambivalence toward management and maintenance. Several residents express a belief that management treats residents as if they don't care about their concerns. Phrases like management telling residents they don't care or telling them to move if they don't like it surface repeatedly, painting a picture of a culture where complaints may be met with dismissiveness rather than constructive action. Maintenance staff are also described in similarly negative terms, with residents feeling that their concerns about the upkeep of their units aren't taken seriously. This has a corrosive effect, making some residents feel undervalued or ignored.

The resident council is another area of contention. While there is a resident council meant to represent residents, several accounts describe it as insular and not truly representative of all Oaks Residents. It's characterized as being controlled by only a few residents and focused more on protecting the interests of a small circle than on broad, inclusive service. Reports that the council runs to management to get other residents in trouble over trivial issues add to a perception that the council isn't functioning as a broad, independent voice for the community. In short, the council's effectiveness and reach are questioned by multiple residents.

Physical conditions inside some units contribute to the negative picture. Statements describe cracks in ceilings and air ducts that haven't been cleaned, with black dust like pepper emanating from the ducts. The complaint extends to the liners being taken out of vents due to deterioration and not being replaced, which raises concerns about indoor air quality and overall maintenance standards. Taken together, these details paint a picture of neglect in certain areas of the property, underscoring why some residents feel the place is not being properly cared for.

Contrast exists in the same discussions, however. There is at least one clear positive note: some residents argue that good management and a well-kept property are possible, implying that the experience isn't uniformly negative and might vary by unit, management approach, or individual circumstances. This view highlights that the property can be well-maintained and appropriately managed in certain contexts, offering a counterbalance to the more critical assessments.

Personal connections and community actions also surface in the recollections. One resident recalls delivering meals there with their grandmother, Dorothy Madden, which hints at a standing community or service network that operates in or around Silver Lakes. This kind of engagement suggests that for some tenants, there are meaningful interactions and a sense of contributed service that enriches life there beyond simply renting an apartment. The social fabric, at least for some, includes personal memories and ongoing relationships that keep them connected to the place.

In more recent terms, another resident shares a touching note about assistance from a staff member named Shirley. They describe being helped to fill out information to pursue disability benefits, with a sense that the process has its own back-and-forth - sometimes "the oldest dates come up first," which might refer to processing backlogs or prioritization. This anecdote underscores that, amid the challenges, there are individuals within the management or support staff who provide practical help and personal support to residents who need it most.

Overall, Silver Lakes emerges as a community of contrasts. The combination of HUD-backed affordability, a compact living environment, and pockets of supportive service can make it a viable home for many. Yet persistent concerns about management responsiveness, maintenance neglect, and the effectiveness of the resident council temper that appeal. For someone considering moving there, the landscape is clear: you may find a comfortable place to live and access to valuable assistance, but you should also be prepared for potential friction with management, ongoing maintenance issues, and a council that may not fully reflect every resident's voice.

Located in the heart of Sealy, Texas, this neighborhood boasts a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With several places of worship within close proximity, residents have easy access to spiritual services and community involvement. The abundance of parks offers opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. Additionally, the convenience of nearby pharmacies and medical clinics ensures easy access to healthcare services. For those who enjoy dining out, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from within a short distance. With its central location and proximity to essential services, this part of Sealy provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Places of Worship

• Immaculate Conception Church (0.3 miles)
• First United Methodist Church-Sealy (0.4 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Sealy (0.4 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.4 miles)
• St John's Episcopal Church (0.4 miles)
• The Rom Church (0.5 miles)
• St Paul Ame Church (0.8 miles)

Parks

• Abe & Irene Levine Family Park (0.3 miles)
• San Felipe State Historic Site (4.4 miles)
• Chelsey Park (13.1 miles)
• Bellville Little League (13.4 miles)
• Grand Meadow Park (17.5 miles)
• Spring View Park (17.9 miles)
• Pine Park (18.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.4 miles)
• U-Haul (0.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.9 miles)
• U-Haul (1.1 miles)
• Houston Executive Airport (15.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (17.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Donut Palace (0.4 miles)
• Saddleback Saloon (0.5 miles)
• Mesquite Mexican Grill (0.6 miles)
• Dippin Donuts (0.9 miles)
• China Buffet (0.9 miles)
• Tony's Family Restaurant (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Janda Gertie (12.3 miles)
• B & B Foods #6 (12.5 miles)
• B & B Foods (13 miles)
• B & B Pharmacy (13 miles)
• Walter's Pharmacy (13.3 miles)

Physicians

• Sealy Family Practice Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Sealy Urgent Care Center & Medical Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Columbus Eye Associates (1.9 miles)
• Rice Medical Associates (11.6 miles)
• Brookshire Family Practice (12.8 miles)
• Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Toenail Fungus Treatment Center (13.2 miles)
• Brenham Clinic (13.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Bellville General Hospital (13.2 miles)
• Rice Medical Center (17.2 miles)

Theaters

• Mike's Ice House (16.7 miles)