Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community

For many Floridians, particularly those in the 55+ age bracket seeking a comfortable and affordable lifestyle, manufactured home communities offer a unique and appealing option. Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community, located at 503 Shawn Ave. & 819 Michigan St, Wildwood, FL 34785, is one such community that serves a segment of our state's population. These communities are designed to provide a tailored living experience, often combining a sense of neighborhood with amenities aimed at active adults. This article is crafted to provide our local Florida users with a clear, factual, and informative overview of Wildwood Acres, focusing on its location, services that are typically offered, and, importantly, incorporating direct feedback from residents to offer a comprehensive picture for those considering it as their next home.

Florida’s allure for retirees and active adults is well-known, drawing individuals seeking a warm climate and a relaxed pace of life. Within this context, 55+ manufactured home communities play a vital role in providing accessible housing solutions. When evaluating such a community, Floridians often prioritize a peaceful environment, access to desirable amenities, transparent management practices, and a supportive community spirit. While Wildwood Acres presents itself as a 55+ community with a clubhouse and pool (as per some generalized online listings for similar properties and its own website), recent resident reviews raise significant points regarding management conduct, amenity delivery, and rent increases. We believe it's crucial to present a balanced view, acknowledging both the stated offerings and the lived experiences of current residents, to help local Floridians make the most informed decision about their potential housing in Wildwood.

Location and Accessibility

Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community is situated at 503 Shawn Ave. & 819 Michigan St, Wildwood, FL 34785, USA. This location places the community in Wildwood, a rapidly growing city in Sumter County, known as "The Crossroads of Florida." Wildwood is strategically positioned at the intersection of major thoroughfares, including Interstate 75 (I-75), Florida's Turnpike, and US-301. For Floridians, this provides exceptional accessibility, making commutes and travel across the state remarkably convenient. The proximity to these key highways means residents can easily reach larger metropolitan areas like Orlando and Tampa, as well as popular destinations like Ocala and Gainesville.

The immediate area around Wildwood Acres offers residents a growing array of amenities. Wildwood is experiencing significant development, with new retail centers, grocery stores, dining options, and medical facilities emerging to serve its expanding population. Furthermore, Wildwood is located adjacent to The Villages, one of the largest active adult communities in the world, which provides additional access to extensive shopping, entertainment, and healthcare services. While residents of Wildwood Acres may not have direct access to amenities within The Villages itself (as noted in one review), its proximity ensures that a vast selection of conveniences is just a short drive away. The blend of a potentially quiet residential setting with the rapid growth and accessibility of Wildwood positions Wildwood Acres as a practical option for seniors seeking a convenient location in Central Florida.

Services Offered

Mobile home parks, particularly those designated as 55+ communities, typically aim to offer a range of services designed to support a comfortable and engaging lifestyle for their residents. For Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community, while some general amenities are listed (like a clubhouse and pool), detailed resident reviews provide a more nuanced picture of service delivery and what is currently available. Based on available data, the primary services offered by the park would generally include:

• Lot Rental: The core service is the lease of the land where a manufactured home is situated. Reviews indicate that lot rent has seen significant increases, with one resident reporting a jump from $400 to $472 in one year, and previous increases from $350. It's explicitly stated that this rent "doesn't include any utilities etc."
• Utility Hookups: Residents would have access to hookups for essential utilities such as water, sewer, and electricity. However, the cost of these utilities is separate from the lot rent, as per resident feedback.
• Community Infrastructure Maintenance: The park management is generally responsible for maintaining internal roads and common areas. However, one review specifically mentions having to "call the city about having grass cut on Park St which is in our park but a city maintained street," suggesting potential inconsistencies in maintenance of certain areas within the park. The review also mentions a streetlight on "New Hampshire" being out for three months, indicating possible delays in addressing maintenance requests.
• Management Support: While there is a management presence, one review highlights a negative experience with a "park manager speeding through my lot on a golf cart" and a lack of "respect for residents and their private enjoyment," along with accusations of bullying and teasing a dog. This feedback suggests challenges in resident-management relations.

Prospective residents should diligently inquire about what is covered by lot rent, the current status of utility costs, and maintenance protocols, specifically referencing the concerns raised in public reviews.

Features / Highlights

The features and highlights of a mobile home community are crucial for active adult residents, often including recreational facilities and a vibrant social scene. While Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community, as a 55+ park, would typically be expected to offer such amenities, resident reviews provide a stark contrast to general expectations. Based on available public information, the features and highlights are a mix of what is typically associated with such a community and what residents have experienced:

• 55+ Community Designation: This is a fundamental feature, meaning the community is designed for residents aged 55 and older, aiming to foster a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with tailored social opportunities.
• Clubhouse: The park reportedly has a clubhouse. However, one review explicitly states that it's "not even in our section of the park," implying it might not be easily accessible or centrally located for all residents, or perhaps its functionality is limited.
• Pool (Potential/Unfulfilled Promise): A pool is listed as a community amenity in some broader listings, and a resident review mentions being "told at that time that a pool was in the works" when they moved in 2020. However, the same review states, "So far no pool." This suggests that a promised or expected key amenity has not materialized.
• Pet-Friendly (with Management Concerns): The community is listed as pet-friendly. However, a specific review details an incident where the manager allegedly "tease my dog," which is a significant negative highlight concerning pet relations and management behavior.
• Location in Wildwood: Despite internal park issues, the geographical location remains a highlight. Wildwood's growth and accessibility to major highways (I-75, FL Turnpike) and proximity to The Villages provide residents with convenient access to a wide range of external amenities, shopping, healthcare, and entertainment.
• Non-existent Amenities (Resident Feedback): A prominent highlight from resident reviews is the assertion that "Amenities are non-existent other than a clubhouse that's not even in our section of the park." This directly contradicts the expectation of an amenity-rich 55+ community.

Given the significant discrepancy between typical 55+ community offerings and resident feedback, prospective residents must conduct thorough due diligence, including on-site visits and direct questioning about the current status and accessibility of all advertised or expected features.

Contact Information

For direct inquiries about lot availability, current rent structures, and to verify the status of amenities at Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community, interested individuals should use the following contact details. Given the feedback about management and rent increases, it is particularly important to ask detailed questions regarding lease agreements, rent escalation policies, and the availability and condition of all facilities:

Address: 503 Shawn Ave. &, 819 Michigan St, Wildwood, FL 34785, USA

Phone: (352) 352-2553

Mobile Phone: +1 352-352-2553

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

For Floridians considering a 55+ manufactured home community, Wildwood Acres offers a mixed picture that requires careful consideration. Its primary suitability stems from its strategic location in Wildwood, a rapidly developing area at the nexus of major Florida highways. This geographical advantage provides residents with excellent accessibility to essential services, a growing array of shopping and dining options, and the vast amenities of the greater Central Florida region, including the nearby Villages. For those prioritizing a convenient and well-connected location, Wildwood Acres certainly has an appeal.

However, it is critically important for local Floridians to be fully aware of the significant concerns raised by current residents. Feedback indicates issues with substantial and frequent rent increases, a lack of protective lease agreements, and a perceived absence of promised or functional amenities like a pool. Moreover, specific reviews highlight concerns regarding management conduct and responsiveness to maintenance issues. While the 55+ designation aims to foster a specific community environment, the negative experiences shared by residents suggest that the lived reality may not align with typical expectations of such communities. Therefore, while its location offers undeniable convenience, prospective residents are strongly advised to conduct thorough personal research, including direct conversations with management about all financial terms, amenity status, and park policies, before deciding if Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community is indeed the right fit for their long-term housing needs in Florida.

Wildwood Acres 55+ Manufactured Home Community

503 Shawn Ave. &, 819 Michigan St, Wildwood, FL 34785, USA