Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive about Ridgewood Lakes' physical attributes, social life, and everyday living experience, but there is at least one serious and specific complaint about HOA handling and a road hazard that merits attention.
Facilities and grounds: Multiple reviewers emphasize that the property is well maintained and visually appealing. The clubhouse is repeatedly described as beautiful, and the community offers a range of amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub, and golf facilities (27 holes). Several comments note that the golf course is 'greening up' and that the layout and appearance of the grounds are attractive. One reviewer explicitly mentions the community is improving in appearance over time and left a positive impression on visits, supporting the theme of ongoing upkeep and curb appeal.
Activities, social life, and dining: Social programming and events are a clear strength. Reviews highlight a wide selection of activities suited to an over-55 population, with frequent events, good turnout, and many opportunities to socialize and build neighborly connections. Specific dining praise includes 'delicious food' and an 'awesome' dinner event, with a thank-you directed to 'Mike' for a well-run evening — indicating at least some well-executed resident events and meals. Multiple reviewers described enjoying time with neighbors, feeling relaxed and peaceful, and generally loving the community atmosphere.
Staff and management: Many reviewers praise staff and on-site management, calling them 'very nice' and referencing positive interactions. This is cited as a contributor to residents' satisfaction and the community's friendly, welcoming environment. However, these positive comments about staff and management exist alongside a significant negative allegation related to the HOA (see next paragraph). It is therefore important to distinguish between day-to-day staff who run activities and amenities and governance issues tied to the homeowners association.
Notable concerns and patterns: One review contains a severe complaint about the HOA: it describes a trench across a road that caused vehicle damage and accuses the HOA of refusing to accept responsibility. That reviewer reports being advised to sue and explicitly warns prospective residents to look elsewhere. This is a specific, actionable allegation (road hazard + lack of accountability) and stands in contrast to the many positive comments; it should not be dismissed, especially because it concerns resident safety and HOA governance. A minor note in the reviews mentions the clubhouse being 'less utilized' in one comparison, which could indicate variation in activity levels or usage patterns at certain times.
Summary assessment and recommendations: The dominant themes are positive — attractive grounds, robust amenities, active social life, friendly staff, reasonable HOA fees relative to some other communities, and good dining and event programming. These factors make Ridgewood Lakes appear to be a well-liked, comfortable option for many older adults. At the same time, the serious HOA complaint about a road trench and alleged refusal to accept responsibility is a red flag that prospective residents should investigate directly. Before making a decision, potential residents should (1) ask current residents about HOA responsiveness and any past incidents, (2) request documentation of recent repairs and safety issues, and (3) meet with management/HOA representatives to clarify maintenance responsibilities and dispute-resolution procedures. Doing so will help separate generally positive day-to-day living experiences from the specific governance concern raised in the reviews.
