My husband and I lived there for 4 years, though there were some irritating problems throughout the complex. Over all it was a nice place to live with a great view.
Yes, like the other reviews said...the gates rarely worked in the four years we lived there and at one point one of our cars were broken into. In the summer, the water portion of the rent is a bit higher than it should be because the sprinklers are on ALL THE TIME (even raining). The maintenance guys would come and check what was fixed, but if a part was needed it would go unfinished until we would call again. For example, our garbage disposal broke they came in and said they would have to order the part and they never returned. We moved and it still was not fixed. Students from the high school across the street would roam the complex on their lunch hour...doing God knows what because the gates remained open.
The view isn't the only good thing about this place. The people are all quiet and mostly military. We had no problems living in our complex. The people below us and next to us were all quiet or would make us aware of any get togethers they were having and until what time.
Just like any apartment complex, The Retreat has its issues, but making them aware of the issues will help fix those errors.