Enatai Manor and Somerset Gardens in Bellevue, WA

Pros

• Residents describe the complex as very clean, quiet, and well-maintained.
• The staff are friendly, courteous, and consistently responsive to residents' needs.
• The maintenance team handles repairs promptly and effectively.
• The property features well-kept amenities, including a pool, gym, playgrounds, and landscaped grounds.
• The grounds and common areas are attractively maintained and peaceful.
• Parking is ample and conveniently located for residents.
• Management is professional, caring, and communicative, contributing to a strong sense of community.
• Residents feel safe and describe the community as friendly and family-like.

Cons

• The vacuum street cleaners around this apartment complex are absolutely ridiculous, taking hours to clean the same small area, with insanely loud noise.
• The move-out process includes illegal carpet-cleaning charges and collections, which are described as a racket by management.
• The parking areas are poorly lit with no cameras, leading to car thefts and break-ins, and the manager is not empathetic.
• The management is accused of being complicit in illegal practices and taking advantage of vulnerable tenants.
• The place is described as super bad to live in, with insecurity and thefts.

Review

Enatai Manor and Somerset Gardens are best suited for budget-minded families and seniors who value a clean, safe, community-driven environment with tangible on-site support. The two Bellevue properties deliver reliable maintenance, quiet surroundings, and a strong sense of neighborhood, all while offering amenities and a location that support everyday life without a premium price tag. This community excels when affordability is a priority, and when residents want covered parking, convenient access to shops and transit, and a grounds-and-garden setting that feels welcoming year after year. Those who cannot qualify for affordable housing or who chase brand-new finishes and ultra-luxury amenities may want to consider alternatives.

The most compelling positives center on cleanliness, safety, and responsive management. Reviewers consistently praise well-kept grounds, orderly shared spaces, and a calm, orderly atmosphere. The maintenance team earns frequent praise for prompt repairs and proactive service, with office staff noted as communicative and easy to reach. Residents also highlight strong on-site leadership and a friendly, helpful staff culture that makes the community feel like a stable home rather than a rental complex. Parking options, including covered spots, and the practical inclusion of water, sewage, and storage in some agreements address daily logistics in a meaningful way. The amenities - pool, sauna, gym, billiards, miniature golf, landscaped courtyards, and family-friendly play spaces - enhance daily life and encourage a community rhythm rather than solitary living.

Yet the reviews also sketch a realistic set of drawbacks. The buildings are decidedly older, with some residents feeling the appliances and fixtures reflect that age. Move-out disputes have raised concerns about billing practices and tenants' rights, casting a shadow over what otherwise feels like a solid living experience. A recurring caution centers on security and lighting in some parking areas, with isolated reports of theft; this undercuts the otherwise strong safety narrative and is worth due diligence for prospective residents or families with multiple vehicles. A subset of reviews also points to occasional gaps in empathy or responsiveness from management on sensitive issues, along with at least one perception that certain community communications missed the mark.

The key pros offset the main cons when viewed through a practical lens. Clean, well-maintained surroundings and a staff that is reachable and helpful translate into a dependable living environment where routine issues are resolved quickly and daily life remains smooth. The affordability angle is not cosmetic; it unlocks access to a community that offers meaningful amenities and social space without pushing budgets to the limit. The abundance of on-site features - indoor and outdoor activity options, park-like grounds, and a central Bellevue location - provides real value for households prioritizing quality of life, social connection, and predictable expenses. In short, the strengths create a resilient living experience that remains attractive even when some older infrastructure or occasional policy tensions surface.

Prospective residents should weigh their priorities carefully. If stability, community warmth, and affordability are nonnegotiable, Enatai Manor and Somerset Gardens are a sound choice. If a newer build, higher-end finishes, or ironclad, uniformly proactive security and privacy are paramount, alternatives may be preferable. It is wise to visit with questions in hand: verify the current status of on-site amenities (some may be intermittently closed), inspect parking lighting and accessibility, and inquire about any up-to-date security measures. Speak with current residents to gauge consistency of maintenance response and the quality of interaction with managers. And crucially, confirm eligibility if affordable housing access is a prerequisite, so expectations align with program parameters.

In the end, the decision rests on a clear calibration of budget, lifestyle, and risk tolerance. For households seeking a budget-friendly, amenity-rich Bellevue community with reliable upkeep and a genuine sense of belonging, the Enatai Manor?Somerset Gardens environment delivers solid, practical value. For those prioritizing modern construction, premium finishes, or uncompromising security guarantees, exploring alternatives will likely yield a better fit. The right choice will hinge on whether affordability and community outweigh the allure of newer interiors and higher-grade security features.

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)