Sunshine Village

For many Alabamians seeking affordable housing solutions, mobile home parks often present a viable option. Sunshine Village, located in Montgomery, Alabama, is one such community that has served as home for numerous individuals and families over the years. When considering a mobile home park, it's essential to look beyond the surface and understand the lived experiences of current and past residents. While mobile home communities can offer a sense of camaraderie and a more budget-friendly approach to living, the quality of management, maintenance of the property, and overall safety are critical factors that directly impact residents' daily lives. This article aims to provide a factual overview of Sunshine Village, drawing upon available public information and direct feedback from those who have interacted with the community, to help prospective residents in Alabama make an informed decision about whether this mobile home park aligns with their housing needs and expectations.

Sunshine Village is centrally located at 449 N Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA. This address places the mobile home park on the North Eastern By-Pass/Hwy 231, near its intersection with Atlanta Highway. For residents in Montgomery, this is a highly accessible location with numerous amenities within easy reach. The community's official website highlights excellent proximity to a variety of local conveniences. Within walking distance or a short drive, residents can find diverse dining options, including Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and seafood restaurants. Shopping centers like Walmart and Eastdale Mall are also readily accessible for all retail needs. Essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and even the Probate East office (for manufactured home and vehicle registration) are within easy reach, simplifying daily errands.

For families, Sunshine Village is zoned for Dalraida Elementary, Goodwyn Middle, and Robert E. Lee High schools, with school bus pick-up and drop-off points conveniently located within or near the community office. Public transportation is also a factor, with a Montgomery Area Transit System (MATS) bus stop located just across the street. For longer-distance commuters, I-85 is only three miles away, and I-65 is ten miles away, offering excellent connectivity to other parts of Alabama and beyond. Furthermore, the Hwy 231 location provides a convenient route to nearby cities like Wetumpka (13 miles north) and Troy (47 miles south). Adjacent to the community, the City of Montgomery's Lagoon Park offers a wealth of recreational opportunities, including walking trails, golf courses, softball fields, batting cages, tennis courts, picnic areas, and playgrounds, providing ample options for outdoor activities and family fun.

Based on resident feedback, the services and management practices at Sunshine Village have been the subject of both positive and significant negative commentary.

• On-Site Management (with mixed reviews): The community website states that "Many of our residents have called Sunshine Village home for decades, praising our on-site management...for their friendliness and effectiveness at maintaining a quiet, safe, and well-kept community." However, other reviews contradict this, describing management as "greedy monsters" who "up the rent every 3 months with no additional benefits."
• Security Concerns: The official site may imply a safe community, but a resident review explicitly states, "security is so bad. Security causes more distress in the community one time they did nothing when over 50 cars got broken into and smashed windows." This indicates serious concerns regarding property security and the effectiveness of security measures.
• Vehicle Towing Policy: One significant complaint highlights an aggressive towing policy where cars are allegedly towed "in front of your home" without proper notice or justification, leading to significant inconvenience and cost for residents.
• Rent Increases: Residents have reported frequent and substantial "up the rent every 3 months," which raises concerns about the stability and predictability of living costs within the park.
• Community Interaction: A mail carrier who delivered mail for eight years noted, "I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know some of the people who live in Sunshine Village," suggesting a positive aspect of resident interaction, despite other issues.
• Maintenance of Homes (implied): While not directly stated as a service offered by management, the reviews from the mail carrier suggesting "very good people living there" and contrasting with stereotypes implies that residents do maintain their homes to some degree, though the condition of the park's infrastructure or common areas isn't specifically detailed from a neutral perspective.

Sunshine Village exhibits a mixed set of features and highlights, reflecting varying resident experiences and perceptions.

• Long-Term Residents: A notable feature is the presence of residents who have called Sunshine Village home for "decades," suggesting that for some, it has provided a stable and enduring living environment.
• Community Spirit (from a unique perspective): A mail carrier who served the community for eight years highlighted the "very good people living there" and expressed enjoyment "getting to know some of the people who live in Sunshine Village." This indicates that despite other reported issues, there can be a positive human element and sense of neighborliness among residents.
• Accessibility to Montgomery Amenities: The park's prime location on N Eastern Blvd offers exceptional access to a wide array of Montgomery's conveniences. These include:
  • Dining Options: A variety of restaurants, from Mexican to Thai, are within walking distance or a short drive.
  • Shopping Centers: Proximity to major retail hubs like Walmart and Eastdale Mall.
  • Essential Services: Easy access to grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and government offices.
  • Schools: Zoned for Dalraida Elementary, Goodwyn Middle, and Robert E. Lee High schools, with convenient bus stops.
  • Recreational Opportunities: Just across the street from Lagoon Park, offering walking trails, golf courses, softball fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds.
• Major Concerns Regarding Security: A significant drawback highlighted by a resident is the "bad" security, with a specific instance of "over 50 cars got broken into and smashed windows" where security allegedly "did nothing." This is a critical safety concern.
• Management Practices: Reports of "greedy monsters" who "up the rent every 3 months with no additional benefits" and allegations of cars being "towed... in front of your home" suggest a potentially problematic and unsupportive management style, which could create distress for residents.
• Lack of Perceived Benefits with Rent Increases: The complaint about frequent rent increases "with no additional benefits" indicates a perceived lack of value for money and a feeling that residents are not receiving improved services or amenities despite higher costs.

For inquiries or to contact Sunshine Village mobile home park, please use the following information:

Address: By-Pass, 449 N Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA

Phone: (334) 272-8776

Mobile Phone: +1 334-272-8776

For locals in Alabama, particularly those in the Montgomery area, considering Sunshine Village as a mobile home living option, it is crucial to balance the potential benefits with the significant concerns raised by current and former residents. The park’s undeniable strength lies in its highly accessible and convenient location. Being situated on N Eastern Blvd, near major highways, provides easy access to a wealth of urban amenities, including diverse dining, major shopping centers, essential services like grocery stores and healthcare, and even recreational facilities at Lagoon Park. This prime accessibility makes it a practical choice for individuals and families who rely on proximity to city resources for their daily lives in Montgomery. The fact that many residents have called Sunshine Village home for "decades" suggests that for some, the location and potentially the community aspect, as noted by the mail carrier, have offered long-term stability and positive social connections.

However, it is imperative for any prospective Alabama resident to conduct thorough due diligence, paying close attention to the serious allegations regarding management practices and safety. The claims of "greedy monsters" who frequently "up the rent every 3 months with no additional benefits" could lead to significant financial strain and a feeling of being taken advantage of. More critically, the reports of "security is so bad," including an instance of "over 50 cars got broken into and smashed windows" with no apparent action from security, raise severe concerns about personal safety and property protection. The alleged arbitrary towing of vehicles in front of homes also points to potentially distressing and costly issues for residents. Therefore, while the location and a perceived sense of community among some residents might be appealing, Sunshine Village appears to be most suitable for Alabama locals who are in a position where extreme affordability is the paramount concern, and who are prepared to accept and navigate potential challenges related to unstable rent, a lack of perceived security, and potentially unresponsive management. A direct, in-person visit, detailed questioning of management about policies (especially on rent and towing), and attempts to speak with current residents about their most recent experiences would be absolutely critical before considering a move to Sunshine Village.

Sunshine Village

By-Pass, 449 N Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA