Enatai Manor and Somerset Gardens

Pros

• The staff here is excellent.
• They always leave proper notice when planning to enter apartments and are courteous when doing so.
• The office staff is very communicative and easy to contact.
• The buildings are older but well kept and clean.
• Maintenance employees are nice, attentive, and quick to respond.
• The grounds and facilities are impeccable.
• The pool, gym, sauna, and gardens are very well maintained.
• All amenities - pool, sauna, cabana, party room, playgrounds, and laundromats - are very well kept and always clean.
• The management team, including Alina and Corina, are friendly, hardworking, and helpful.
• It is a beautiful, well-kept property with ample parking and convenient access.
• The community feels safe and well maintained.

Cons

• The vacuum street cleaners around the apartment complex are ridiculously loud and long-running, making it hard to focus or relax.
• Move-out charges for carpet cleaning were sent to collections, which one reviewer calls illegal in Washington state, alleging the management pressures tenants to pay.
• The parking areas are poorly lit and lack cameras, leading to car thefts and break-ins.
• The manager is not empathetic and has publicly complained about noisy families, threatening eviction.
• The management company is accused of using the cheapest possible appliances and blinds, implying low quality.
• A reviewer alleges that Alina and the management company are complicit in an illegal racket to extract payments from tenants, especially at move-out.
• Some reviewers claim the five-star reviews are fake.

Review

This community of affordable housing consistently leaves a strong impression of care, order, and safety. Residents repeatedly praise the property for its cleanliness and well-organized grounds, noting that the buildings, while older, are kept in excellent condition. The overall atmosphere tends to be calm and welcoming, with many people expressing pride in their surroundings and appreciation for living in a well-maintained environment that feels safe for families, retirees, and long-term tenants alike. The sense that "this is a good place to live" threads through many reviews, and several people highlight how the grounds, gardens, and landscaped spaces contribute to a pleasant living experience.

A central highlight across the comments is the staff and management, whose responsiveness and professionalism stand out. The same names appear repeatedly as trusted points of contact - Alina and Corina as managers, along with a helpful maintenance team and cordial office staff. Tenants consistently report that maintenance requests are handled promptly and effectively, and that staff provide proper notices before entering apartments, which contributes to a feeling of respect and transparency. Residents describe the office as communicative and easy to reach, and many say they feel supported by a team that genuinely cares about the community. This dependable, friendly service appears to be one of the strongest pillars keeping people satisfied over the years.

The property's facilities and grounds receive broad praise as well. Reviewers describe a well-kept outdoor environment with attractive gardens, green spaces, and amenities that extend well beyond the basics. Indoor features such as a pool, sauna, gym, and billiards area are frequently cited as standout perks, and several reviews mention well-maintained common areas, laundry facilities, and community rooms. The complex is described as a big, walkable space with opportunities for recreation, including a miniature golf course and various sports courts, which add to the appeal for families and active residents. Parking is mentioned favorably by many, with convenient spots often available near individual buildings and, in some cases, covered parking when spaces come available. The sense of a self-contained, attractive living environment resonates with both families and long-term tenants who enjoy the "hidden gem" feel of the place.

Several reviewers describe a strong, family- and neighbor-focused community. Many residents reminisce about growing up or living there for years, highlighting safety, supportive neighbors, and a culture of looking out for one another. For families, the complex is portrayed as an ideal setting with easy access to transportation and local services, as well as kid-friendly amenities and spaces where children can play. This camaraderie is echoed by those who have stayed for extended periods, noting that management has made ongoing efforts to cultivate a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. In this light, the property is more than just a place to live; it is described as a community that people are proud to call home.

Not all feedback is unreservedly positive, however. Some residents voice concerns about noise and nuisance factors, particularly the loud street cleaning that can last for hours and feel disruptive to daily life. The volume and duration of this maintenance activity are described as overwhelming, sometimes rivaling the noise of a jet engine parked outside a window. A few reviews also point to issues in the move-out process, especially around carpet cleaning charges and collections. One reviewer explicitly calls out an illegal practice in Washington state, urging others to document their rights and proceed cautiously, while others speculate about how some management practices may take advantage of vulnerable tenants. These points suggest that while the community is strong, there are operational and policy areas that can frustrate residents.

Additional criticisms touch on safety and security concerns in some sections: poorly lit parking areas without cameras, reported vehicle thefts or break-ins, and occasional empathetic gaps from management. A subset of reviews disputes the prevalence or credibility of highly positive comments, with mentions of suspiciously uniform five-star feedback and dissatisfaction over the handling of noise-related or childcare-related issues. Taken together, these voices remind readers that the experience at this property is not uniformly perfect and that there are real, actionable concerns that the management team could address to further improve residents' daily lives.

In sum, the community stands out for its cleanliness, well-kept grounds, and an exceptionally responsive, friendly management team. The amenities - reliable maintenance, a robust suite of recreational facilities, and a strong sense of community - make it a compelling option for anyone seeking affordable housing with a comfortable, family-oriented atmosphere. At the same time, residents acknowledge that certain operational challenges - noise from maintenance activity, move-out policy disputes, and inconsistencies in security and lighting - merit attention. For many, the combination of trusted leadership, a caring community, and ample on-site amenities outweighs these drawbacks, contributing to a generally positive, if nuanced, living experience that many residents are eager to share with others.

This part of Bellevue, Washington offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. There are several reputable physicians and medical facilities in close proximity, ensuring access to quality healthcare. In terms of leisure activities, there are theaters for entertainment, parks for outdoor recreation, and cafes for socializing. Additionally, the presence of multiple pharmacies makes it convenient for seniors to access medication and healthcare supplies. The area also has good transportation options nearby for easy travel around the city. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living environment with a range of resources to support senior residents' health and well-being.

Physicians

• Allegro Pediatrics (0.5 miles)
• Medical Arts Associates (4.3 miles)
• Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic (4.3 miles)
• Advanced Family Medicine (4.6 miles)
• Allegro Pediatrics (4.9 miles)
• UW Medicine Sports Medicine Center at Eastside Specialty Center (5.2 miles)
• Seattle Reproductive Medicine (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Factoria 8 (1 miles)
• Regal Issaquah Highlands IMAX & RPX (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (3.7 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Luther Burbank Park (3.3 miles)
• Bellevue Downtown Park (3.8 miles)
• Seward Park (4.3 miles)
• Georgia Zumdieck Park (4.3 miles)
• Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (4.3 miles)
• Lake Washington Boulevard Park (4.6 miles)
• Lake Sammamish State Park (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Kura Revolving Sushi Bar (3.4 miles)
• Uwajimaya (3.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.7 miles)
• Din Tai Fung (3.9 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• Burgermaster (5.5 miles)
• Orenji Sushi & Noodles (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Dengda Tang MD | Kaiser Permanente (3.8 miles)
• Overlake Hospital Medical Center (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Mercurys Coffee (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Issaquah Coffee Company (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Umi Cafe (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Renton Municipal Airport (RNT) (5.5 miles)
• Columbia City Station (5.8 miles)
• Link Light Rail - Rainier Beach Station (6 miles)
• Mount Baker Station (6.1 miles)