Waterfalls

    400 Cassata Rd, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779
    3.9 · 62 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    3.0

    Beautiful property management is unreliable

    I live here - the grounds, landscaping and clubhouse are beautiful, the community is quiet and the apartments feel safe and affordable. That said, management and office staff are hit-or-miss: I've seen rude, unprofessional behavior (including yelling by Lydia/Lidia), poor communication, extra snow charges, and maintenance often delays or leaves repairs unfinished - accessibility needs were not well handled. Beautiful property, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you can tolerate unreliable management.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    3.85 · 62 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      1.0
    • Staff

      3.5
    • Meals

      3.9
    • Amenities

      3.3
    • Value

      3.7

    Pros

    • beautiful, exquisitely landscaped grounds
    • well maintained exterior and common areas
    • inviting, well-lit property
    • views of waterfalls and abundant plants
    • quiet, safe community
    • 55+ senior-oriented community
    • friendly and welcoming residents
    • professional, helpful, and accommodating staff (in multiple reports)
    • specific staff praised (Lidia / Lidia Casillo) for assistance
    • clean, neat common areas
    • lovely clubhouse and ballroom
    • on-site social spaces (pool tables, large TV)
    • outdoor barbecue / garden area
    • good value for money reported by some residents
    • spacious apartment features reported (open floor plans, large closets)
    • new appliances in some units
    • California Closet system mentioned in units
    • on-site laundry
    • moving-in assistance provided by staff
    • pleasant, family-like community atmosphere

    Cons

    • inconsistent or poor interior apartment maintenance
    • frequent maintenance delays and slow response times
    • reports of unfinished or unreliable repairs
    • polarized management quality (some report terrible, some excellent)
    • reports of rude, unprofessional, or yelling staff
    • allegations of discriminatory practices and tenant intimidation
    • owner alleged to be aggressive or berating in some reports
    • poor communication and appointment mishandling
    • accessibility concerns for residents with mobility impairments
    • outdated interior facilities and long-overdue painting for some units
    • no gated entry mentioned
    • no pool and no in-unit laundry in some units
    • slow or extra-charge snow removal
    • additional charges for snow removal reported
    • contradictory reports about management responsiveness
    • some reviewers would not recommend due to management/maintenance
    • some apartments described as poorly maintained despite nice grounds
    • incidents of rude/offensive comments from staff reported
    • limited assessment of interior quality by some reviewers (only exterior seen)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment for Waterfalls is strongly mixed, with a clear split between praise for the property’s exterior, community amenities, and certain staff members, and significant complaints focused on management practices, maintenance reliability, and occasional hostile behavior. The most consistent positive theme across reviews is the grounds and communal spaces: multiple reviewers describe the landscaping as exquisite, well maintained, and inviting, with abundant plants, a waterfall view, a lovely ballroom and clubhouse, outdoor barbecue areas, pool tables, and large common-room TVs. The site is frequently called quiet, safe, and family-like, and residents commonly praise their neighbors and the general community atmosphere. Several reviews highlight the property as a 55+ facility that can deliver affordable, comfortable living and good value for money when the unit interiors and services are functioning well.

    Apartment-level experiences vary. Some reviewers report clean, spacious units with open floor plans, new appliances, large closets (including a California Closet system), and on-site laundry. These residents praise efficient, compassionate staff (with repeated positive mentions of a staff member named Lidia / Lidia Casillo) who provide moving-in assistance and quick issue resolution. Other reviewers, however, describe apartments as poorly maintained, outdated, or in need of painting, and many note long delays or incomplete maintenance repairs. Maintenance responsiveness is one of the most frequent pain points: complaints include delays of months for fixes, unreliable repairs, and difficulty getting maintenance to complete jobs. A smaller number of residents counter that maintenance is excellent and responsive, reinforcing the overall polarized experience.

    Staff and management are the most polarizing aspects of these reviews. Multiple reviewers applaud hardworking, professional, patient, and accommodating staff; they mention specific positive interactions and good service from on-site personnel. Conversely, an equally vocal group reports rude or unprofessional behavior — including yelling, mishandled appointments, disrespectful comments (one reviewer referenced a 'belly shirt' comment), and even allegations of discriminatory practices and tenant intimidation. Serious accusations include aggressive beratement by the owner and false claims toward tenants. These contrasting accounts suggest inconsistent training, turnover, or differing experiences depending on which staff members or managers residents interact with.

    Activities and amenities generally score well: the clubhouse, ballroom, outdoor BBQ, and social spaces are often praised as places where residents enjoy time together. However, expectations around amenities should be clarified: some reviewers explicitly note there is no pool and some units lack in-unit laundry, and one review noted 'no kitchen on premises' for events, which may surprise people expecting full on-site dining or event-kitchen facilities. Snow removal and exterior upkeep receive mixed marks—grounds are well kept and pretty, but some reviewers complain of slow snow removal and extra charges for snow clearing.

    Patterns and notable concerns: 1) a repeated and serious theme is the inconsistent quality and timeliness of maintenance—several accounts describe months-long waits and unfinished repairs; 2) management/staff inconsistency—reviews swing between 'excellent management' and 'terrible management' with claims of intimidation and discriminatory behavior; 3) the strong consensus that exterior landscaping and communal areas are attractive and well maintained, which contrasts with divided opinions about interior apartment upkeep. Prospective residents should prioritize an in-person tour of an actual apartment unit (not just the exterior and grounds) and ask pointed questions about maintenance response times, accessibility accommodations, snow removal policies and charges, and the specific staff members they will interact with. If accessibility and reliable, timely maintenance are critical (for example, for a paralyzed or mobility-limited resident), these mixed reports indicate a need for extra due diligence and written assurances before moving in.

    In summary, Waterfalls offers a beautifully landscaped, quiet 55+ community with strong communal amenities and a friendly resident base — and it clearly shines in its outdoor spaces, clubhouse/ballroom, and some staff interactions. However, potential residents should be aware of recurring complaints about interior maintenance, slow or unreliable repairs, inconsistent management behavior, and isolated but serious allegations regarding staff conduct and discrimination. These mixed experiences mean the property can be a great fit for someone who prioritizes grounds, community, and location and who is comfortable verifying unit condition and service expectations in advance, but it may present risks for those who need consistent, prompt maintenance and assured management professionalism.

    Location

    Map showing location of Waterfalls

    About Waterfalls

    The Waterfalls is a senior rental community at 400 Cassata Road in Ronkonkoma - Selden, Long Island, where adults aged 55 and older live in one or two-bedroom garden apartments spread across 320 units, with floor plans on both ground and second floors, and the whole place was built back in 1999. The community covers about 260,944 square feet and has well-kept grounds with three large waterfalls, fountains, and lush landscaping, which gives the place a quiet and pleasant feel, and there's a clubhouse that stands out because it's got a formal ballroom used for dances and social events, plus other social rooms where residents can gather to play cards or join in on many different scheduled activities from the community calendar. There are laundry facilities and maintenance staff onsite so everyday chores get handled easily, and staff members are known for being friendly and helpful, always ready to respond to needs quickly without any fuss. The property management takes care of things with attention to detail and makes sure issues are dealt with efficiently. The Waterfalls provides nutritious meals prepared by kitchen staff, so residents don't have to worry about cooking unless they want to. The apartments aim to give seniors a comfortable, independent lifestyle, but there are also services and features suitable for those who need assisted living or memory care for dementia or Alzheimer's, so people with different needs feel welcome. Rental and ownership information, along with occupancy rates and sales history, are available for anyone interested in details about how the property operates, and utilities along with amenities fit the typical expectations of apartment living but are focused on making daily life easier for seniors. While there's no marketing talk about spa services or high-end extras, The Waterfalls is set up to give older adults a friendly, social, and safe place to live with regular events, entertainment options like ballroom dancing, and plenty of green space to enjoy, all managed with a focus on comfort and community.

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