Overall sentiment in the reviews is mixed, with a clear split between strong approval of the physical facilities, social life, and neighborhood, and significant concern or anger directed at the community’s governance and administration. Many reviewers emphasize that Surrey Downs’ clubhouse has been updated and is well-equipped: a Great Room suited for parties and meetings, an exercise room, library, billiards and ceramics rooms, a functioning kitchen, coat rooms and rest rooms, and easy parking. These features support an active social calendar with games, bingo nights, parties and other events. Several comments describe the community as quiet, convenient, and attractive—some calling it a "hidden gem"—and residents frequently note helpful neighbors, clean common areas, and recently resurfaced streets. The community’s 55+ single-family detached housing format is also repeatedly highlighted as a positive.
On activities and amenities, the reviews are uniformly positive: the clubhouse is praised as a venue for hosting events and for offering a wide range of programmed activities. Multiple summaries explicitly say the clubhouse offers many activities and that living there is enjoyable because of social offerings. Practical aspects such as the kitchen, parking, and clear access to rooms are repeatedly noted, supporting the impression that the facility functions well for events and resident gatherings.
By contrast, governance and management are the most frequent sources of dissatisfaction. Several reviews mention an HOA fee increase (specifically from $225 to $285), which at least one source contextualizes as one of the smaller increases in the area; nonetheless, increases provoked concern. More seriously, reviewers allege reduced garbage collection that has created odor and vermin risks, and raise questions about how management is spending association funds. Recurrent phrases describe the board as untransparent, punitive (fines for infractions), and in some cases tyrannical or corrupt—language strong enough that some reviewers say the board has "ruined" the facility or created misery for residents. Specific staff complaints were also mentioned, including reports of "nasty" office staff and an unfriendly administration. A few reviews raise the issue of real estate agents giving "fake positives," implying that incoming residents may be surprised by governance-related problems not apparent in marketing materials.
Patterns across these reviews suggest a community with very good physical assets and social life but strained resident–governance relations. Many residents appear to enjoy the location, neighbors, and clubhouse programming, yet the same people (or other residents) have significant grievances about how the association is run. The concerns cluster around transparency (unclear spending), operational cost-cutting that affects services (reduced garbage collection), enforcement and fines, and interpersonal tensions with office staff and board members. There is also an aesthetic/space concern from some reviewers that homes are "too close" together, which can affect privacy and perceived density.
What is notably absent in the reviews is information about formal care services or dining programs; the community is described as a 55+ single-family home development with strong clubhouse amenities rather than a care facility. If you are evaluating Surrey Downs, weigh the strong clubhouse, active social calendar, and generally well-kept grounds and neighbors against the governance risks: potential fee increases, disputed maintenance decisions, enforcement policies, and reports of hostile administration. Prospective residents should consider speaking directly with current residents about board behavior, request detailed association financials and meeting minutes, and verify trash/maintenance schedules to confirm whether the administrative issues reported in the reviews have been resolved or persist.
