Sans Souci West Mobile Home

Pros

• The park is described as a beautiful location on the Spokane River.
• Rent is reasonable for a 55+ mobile home park.
• The maintenance crew does an excellent job of keeping the park clean and safe.
• The residents are friendly and the clubhouse is available for community activities.
• It is a great place to live out retirement.
• The park is quiet, gated, and by the river with frequent wildlife sightings.
• There are many activities run by volunteer residents and a thriving social club.
• The clubhouse is a great venue for events, with ample tables and accessible entry.
• It is a safe place to live with neighbors who look out for one another.
• The riverfront setting provides beautiful views and a sense of privacy.

Cons

• The Shriners have not maintained Sans Souci Park for many years, leaving infrastructure in very poor condition.
• Tall, dangerous trees are present, with some branches having fallen onto homes.
• Residents have had to pay for tree limbing near their lots, even though it is the park's responsibility.
• The hillside next to homes is eroding and has not been reinforced despite assurances since spring 2020.
• The water system is faulty and leaking, causing frequent shutoffs, with roots dating back to the 1930s.
• Roads within the park have not been properly maintained and are full of potholes.
• Park management is unresponsive and has raised lot fees while not reinvesting in the community.
• The park is not peaceful; some describe it as creepy or a place where older residents go to die, implying a discouraging atmosphere.
• There are concerns about PFAS in the drinking water due to proximity to an airport.

Review

Sans Souci is a 55-plus mobile home park tucked along a bend of the Spokane River and owned by the Shriners. The setting is repeatedly praised for its beauty: mature trees, river views, and a true sense of being close to nature. Visitors and residents alike note the spot's appeal for retirement years, with deer, quail, osprey, eagles, and other wildlife frequently visible as you stroll the grounds. It's described as serene and peaceful, with a generally friendly, active community that makes the most of a clubhouse and a calendar full of activities.

The social life there is a standout for many residents. The park's clubhouse serves as a hub for gatherings, rummage sales, and organized activities run by volunteer residents and clubs. Several reviews highlight the generosity and friendliness of neighbors who walk dogs, participate in garden projects, or attend the various events that keep life lively in a 55-plus community. Some residents specifically mention how the clubhouse - well-lit, accessible, and equipped with ample folding tables - facilitates social life and events, including local performances by groups like the north community concert band when the space is made available. The sense of belonging is repeatedly cited as a major positive, with people describing the environment as welcoming and supportive.

Cost and location are repeatedly praised as strong points, especially for retirees seeking reasonable living arrangements. Many reviews highlight the park's favorable price point for lot rent and the inclusion of essential utilities in the lease, depending on the unit. The park's riverside location is repeatedly cited as a key draw, offering a scenic, tranquil backdrop that many residents feel enhances quality of life. Some compare Sans Souci favorably with other mobile home parks in the area, noting that, for what you get - privacy, proximity to nature, and a quiet, safe atmosphere - it's hard to beat. The overall sentiment is that the park offers solid value, particularly when paired with abundant natural surroundings and accessible amenities.

However, there is a strong thread of concern about infrastructure and management that runs through many reviews. A number of residents and former residents describe the property as being poorly maintained for years, with significant issues that have not seen adequate action. Specific problems mentioned include tall, dangerous trees and falling branches, hillside erosion threatening homes, and a water system described as leaking and antiquated. Roadways are said to be pocked with potholes, and there is frustration over what some see as neglect by the park's leadership. One reviewer even attributes a long-standing deterioration to a lack of reinvestment by the Shriners, noting that major repairs - like stabilizing the hillside or upgrading water infrastructure - have not materialized despite assurances. In some accounts, residents report needing to cover maintenance costs themselves or dealing with disputes over what is the park's responsibility versus what falls to tenants.

The management and policy environment add another layer of tension for some residents. Several comments reference dissatisfaction with how leases are managed and the handling of utilities, with warnings to prospective buyers about the potential for increased lot fees and changes in what is included in quarterly charges. There are particular cautions about lease transfers and the implications for ongoing costs, suggesting that new residents should carefully review lease details and state rights to tenancy when considering a purchase. A few reviews also touch on official regulations, noting that tenant rights as defined by state law should be observed, and that this is an area where some feel the park has fallen short.

Noise and safety diverge in tone across the reviews. Some residents describe a very quiet, safe, almost idyllic environment - an excellent place to settle into retirement, with a sense of security, friendly neighbors, and an overall calm atmosphere. Others, however, report environmental and safety-related concerns that detract from peace of mind, from noisy air traffic overhead to the fearsome potential of unstable trees and ongoing structural issues that could affect safety. There's also a note about PFAS concerns in the water supply, a reminder of broader environmental worries that can color daily life for long-term residents. The contrast between a peaceful riverfront retreat and a park facing ongoing maintenance challenges illustrates the mixed experiences that coexist in Sans Souci.

In the end, Sans Souci emerges as a place of strong contrasts: it remains beloved for its setting, social fabric, and retirement-friendly vibe, while simultaneously carrying persistent warnings about aging infrastructure and uncertain investment from its ownership. For many residents, the river, the wildlife, and the close-knit community make it an extremely appealing place to spend retirement years, especially for those who prize quiet, nature, and active neighbors. For others, the ongoing maintenance issues, management concerns, and potential increases in fees temper the enthusiasm and prompt careful consideration before choosing to buy or live there long term. The park's charm is clear, but so is the need for renewed investment and more attentive governance to match the expectations of a community dedicated to peaceful, communal living by the water.

This area of Spokane, Washington offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With numerous restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents can easily access dining options and healthcare services. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while the presence of reputable physicians and hospitals ensures quality medical care in the vicinity. Additionally, transportation options such as the Spokane Transit Authority Station make it convenient for seniors to get around the area. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community.

Restaurants

• Doyle's Ice Cream Parlor (0.7 miles)
• Maxwell House Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• The Backyard Public House (1.1 miles)
• Rancho Chico (1.2 miles)
• Tecate Grill (1.2 miles)
• Vina Asian Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• El Que (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Hold Your Grounds Espresso (1.1 miles)
• Little Garden Cafe (1.2 miles)
• Browne's Bistro (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Atticus Coffee & Gifts (2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Rocket Bakery (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (1.4 miles)
• Rosauers Supermarkets (1.5 miles)
• Community, A Walgreens Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Yoke's Foods (2.7 miles)
• Yoke's Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Reliant Rx (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Coeur D'Alene Park (1.4 miles)
• Webster Park (1.7 miles)
• Ice Age floods Playground (1.9 miles)
• Riverfront Park (2 miles)
• The United States Pavilion, Expo '74 (2 miles)
• Polly Judd Park (2.1 miles)
• Corbin Park (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Inland Psychiatry & Psychology (1.9 miles)
• Advanced Hearing Aid Center (2 miles)
• Pulse Heart Institute Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Services - Spokane (2.1 miles)
• MultiCare Rockwood Urology Center (2.1 miles)
• Cancer Care Northwest (2.1 miles)
• MultiCare Rockwood Neurology Center (2.1 miles)
• Northwest Pain Care (2.1 miles)

Transportation

• Spokane Transit Authority Sta (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane (2.1 miles)
• Seattle Childrens Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Deaconess Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• VA Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• Spokane Va Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• Sacred Heart Medical Center Helistop Heliport (2.7 miles)
• St Luke's Rehabilitation Institute (2.8 miles)