I just read all of the poor reviews of Kempsville Lake and I won?t try to dispute their experiences, but I can offer my own.
I have lived here as a young wife (no children) and a frequent dog walker. I walk my dog almost every day around our nearby lake and sometimes around the larger front lake. Many reviewers talk about hoodlums or teens loitering at the lake, and although I too often see large groups of kids, I smile and say hello and guess what--they smile back and compliment my dog. I feel bad for those who have been intimidated by these kids but from my perspective, they have been friendly.
I have read the complaints that residents too often feel like they get picked on for the appearance of their homes and can?t enjoy the neighborhood because it is overrun with children; trying their best to enforce the nice appearance of homes IS management?s job, and babysitting ISN?T. I don?t know how you expect management to keep kids off the streets, but to their credit, they have been discussing how to draw kids into community activities lately--activities that they fund, in addition to more family-oriented gatherings.
My only disapproval comes from constantly seeing dog feces around the lake. Even when bags are provided, people don?t pick up after their animals (I pick up after mine). That and in the weeks after the recent nor-easter, the lake has had a lot of litter and downed trees that either are not removed, or which are sawn into pieces and just left there. I would like to see that fixed.
Otherwise, I will let other residents attest to the crime. We personally have not been the victims of crime, but that doesn?t mean that other residents? experiences aren?t true. I will say that I try not to walk my dog at night but I would probably keep that habit anywhere.
I enjoy living at Kempsville Lake and I would recommend it to others. Certainly the homes have great floorplans and much larger yards (in general) than you will see in other communities and I love having lakes to walk my dog around. In my limited experience in-person with management, I think they are caring and are doing their best on the budget they have and the limited influence they have by law.
Pros: Great Floorplans, Many Lakes, Community Activities
Cons: Lake Litter, Little Post-Disaster Clean-up
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