Golden Lakes Village Association Phase "A" 1700 Golden Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411

"My parents have lived there for 25 years and I don't think they've repaired the roads even once. I guess at one time it was considered a decent place to live however the fact that the roads are so bad and they are lined with dumpsters and recycle bins and that's the first thing you see... totally turns me off. I would never live there. The curb appeal is horrible and as we know you never get a second chance to make a first impression. They need to step it up for $500 a month HOA"

"Golden Lakes a 55+ Guard, Gated Community with many amenities and social activities, heated pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, fitness room, community center + additional. Affordable and centrally located close to turnpike, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Short 15-20 minutes to PBIA & Beach."

"Old community well maintained; however, you will pay through the nose for the maintenance as an owner. Cost of condo's are very low; association fees very high and additional assessments levied more often then one would expect. A previous reviewer's story of her grandmother is similar to what my mother experienced. My mom bought her condo when the market was high and everything was overpriced - she paid $120K for a two bedroom in 2005 that had sold in 2004 for $50k, and my Mom put down $50k to keep the monthly mortgage low. The association fees were higher than her mortgage. In 2012 she lost her job, was in her early 60s and wasn't able to find a good job. She opted to go on SS early and so, very low monthly income - still enough to get by except for the constant increase in association fees for roof repairs. The property sent her for collects and worked out a payment plan through an attorney, which meant my Mom was a paying $300 mortgage and $600 in association fees that could go up at any time - on a $1200 income... Needless to say she had to let the place go. So sad, she lost everything. Be warned, if you don't have disposable income and a solid retirement income, this is NOT the place for you. You need to be prepared for constant assessments above the normal association fees and there are NO exceptions - they will take your home."

"We just moved here from a more elaborate association. We were afraid it would not measure up. wWthout taking anything away from the other association, this one really has more to offer and as one of my sisters said, "people like us." Friendly, outgoing, and trying to include all newbies so we're not isolated. Great place, prices and you certainly want to always review financials of each phase before buying."

"My Grandma lives in this association, she's retired and in her 70's. She barely makes any monthly income, yet they expect her to pay roof special assessments every two years or so, including her $340+ association fees. They give you three options to pay those assessments and if you pick the best option for you : "24 months payment plan", they will charge you a 16% service charge, either that or you have to pay it within the allotted time period they give you, or pay it in full. Those assessments are normally $2,500, and you have to pay no matter if they were fixing your roof or not. I called to ask if the 16% service fee can be waived, and the answer was that the assessment fee has to paid no matter what, and they can't remove the service charge. We wrote a letter explaining my grandma's situation and I am now waiting for a call back. They bluntly told me that if she doesn't pay then they would have to put a lien on her condo.... Seriously.... Be careful, look elsewhere, read your condo rules carefully!!"