I have been coming here since 1982, so I feel overqualified to write this review. When I was 18…read moreyears old, this place was a nightmare to me. In fact, Florida as a whole was not my cup of tea back then and I unaffectionately referred to the entire state as "The Swamp." But at 57 years old, I feel quite differently about it all. When I was 18 years old, it was where my Grandparents lived. Now it is where I live 1/2 the year and I have fallen madly in love with my little piece of paradise, as I now quite affectionately call it.
Our apartment here is beyond spectacular. Of course, there are many different types of apartments here. I think we have a "Rivera" apartment, which consists of 2 bedrooms, and two bathrooms, plus a storage/laundry room. I had a grand time decorating it, as it is one of my very favorite things to do in the world, but I am not going to be sharing any of those photographs below. Sorry. If the world were different than it is, that would be no problem, but it ain't!
The grounds here are lovely and include a Main Clubhouse with a large pool and an outdoor jacuzzi and sauna, as well as 5 satellite pools that are located throughout Phase IV. The Main Clubhouse also has several high end barbecues available for the tenants to use off the pool area. Some are smaller and some are bigger than others. Satellite 5 is the largest of the satellite pools. Everyone is free is to go to whichever pool they choose despite what some people here will try to tell you. There is a huge golf course throughout Phase IV that is extremely busy, as well as tennis courts. In addition, there are several large pool tables (more than you would believe) and ping pong tables in the Main Clubhouse as well as in each individual satellite. The satellites have a pool table but not a ping pong table. But each satellite also has a shuttle board court. There is a borrowing library available as well as an exercise room where classes are held regularly in the Main Clubhouse. There are also countless clubs that are available for one to join depending on your interests. Throughout the year events and parties are scheduled, such as New Years Eve, and Valentine's Day dances, and are held in the party room. Some of these are free and some cost a moderate price. I have attended some of these and truly enjoyed them.
Over the many years I have seen countless shows at the main Clubhouse. I am from NYC and was an avid theater goer. So Broadway is in my blood. Many of the shows that come here also play Las Vegas, and you can tell as many of them are seriously excellent, and the inexpensive prices make this an insider secret. The auditorium here is also lovely. They also screen fairly current films here weekly for the tenants. The shows are open to the public by the way. Anyone can buy tickets and attend these shows. Some of the more popular performers shows sell out quickly, and getting tickets to these at the last minute would be rather impossible. Tony Orlando is one such performer. Other performers, less well known are not as hard to buy tickets to at the last minute, which is 1/2 hour before showtime.
It is a very different experience here (as well as everywhere else) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the seriousness of this worldwide problem, my little piece of paradise continues to provide me with ways to entertain myself as well as stay safe. I have taken to occasionally feeding the wild life here. Wiggles, my favorite duck, (see provided photograph) is one of my favorites. There is also a squirrel near my parking space who I leave little offerings for at the base of his tree house. The tree has a natural small bowl in its roots which makes the perfect place to leave the assorted tidbits of food for my furry friends. There are the fishes in the lake I bought fish food for and assorted turtles, one I nicknamed "Oliver Twist" as he always wants "More!" that I feed on my daily walks throughout the Sunrise Lakes Phase IV grounds.
Overall, I would have to say, there is a little slice of heaven here.