Best Senior Living Communities

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Why We Chose It: When looking for a retirement community that has everything to offer and then some, Masonic Village fits the bill with its 1,400 acres of farmland, multiple dining options, numerous activity options, and much more.

Masonic Village is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, which is about 20 miles south-east of the state capital of Harrisburg. The large campus is situated on 1,400 acres of beautiful farmland. It has all the services you may need, including a pharmacy, rehabilitation center, skilled nursing, in-home support, meals, and recreational activities.

Recreation options are endless, with more than 30 unique clubs and activities to keep you busy. You can spend your day in the art studio, at the fitness facility, at one of the three on-site pools, or in the non-denominational chapel. There's a shuttle to take you into town, although Elizabethtown in itself is quite small with less than 12,000 people. An Amtrak station is close by. The campus is fairly self-contained and there are many amenities such as a bank, convenience store, farmers market, computer lab, gift shops, hair salons, mail service, and libraries on campus. There are also seven restaurants and excellent culinary services.

Masonic Village has a monthly option and an entrance fee option, and monthly service rates are $1,919-$4,355, depending on your plan. There is everything from studio apartments to large townhomes and even stand-alone cottages.

Masonic Village reminds us of a fancy university campus, without the classes and exams. If you are looking to escape the pace of a big city and want to retire in beautiful Pennsylvania, then Masonic Village is a great choice.

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Why We Chose It: If you enjoy cold weather and big city living but want to live in an upscale independent living apartment, the Clare in Chicago is our top pick.

The Clare is located in downtown Chicago in the heart of the gold coast. It is steps away from shops, dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions, and it has a lot to offer. The Clare has spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Services include licensed nursing and care staff to help with daily tasks, medication management, health checks, spa services, and a robust activity program. The property also has assisted living apartments, memory care, and skilled nursing. This continuum of care is important for those who want access to a higher level of care in the future should their health decline.

The Clare has a well-equipped fitness center, indoor pool, fitness classes, multiple dining options, and many outdoor patios and terraces. Several apartments have views of the city and the luxury design and décor will make you feel like you’re in a high-end hotel. Reviews online state that the staff is attentive and well trained and the facility has earned multiple 5-star Medicare ratings. 

The Clare is close to hospitals, doctor's offices, and a major airport. If you or your loved one wants big city living with all the conveniences of an upscale facility, then the Clare is a great choice. Pricing information is not available online.

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Why We Chose It: Best for active seniors, Shell Point Retirement Community is located on 700 acres along Florida's Caloosahatchee River and offers many extracurricular activities to keep you busy.

Shell Point Retirement Community is a large resort-style community located in Fort Myers, Florida. It is designed for active seniors who enjoy the outdoors and want all the amenities of a 5-star resort. There are six different neighborhoods and all levels of care are offered, from skilled nursing to independent living. The beautifully designed units, which range from apartments to single-family homes, provide all the services needed to continue to live full and productive lives. Services include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication, meals, housekeeping, and a variety of recreational, social, and spiritual programs. The community also has screening rooms, billiard rooms, activity and craft rooms, as well as sunrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Activities include boating, fishing, sailing, golf, tennis, fitness centers, outdoor pools, shuffleboard, and miles of walking trails. The variety of weekly class topics includes painting, ceramics, Pilates, yoga, gardening, and woodworking. Regardless of what you are interested in, there are many options to keep you busy.

Unlike some other retirement communities on our list, Shell Point has a high upfront entrance fee in addition to monthly maintenance fees. Those entrance fees range from $110,000 to over $700,000, but many are refundable based on the contract you sign with the community. Although it is one of the most expensive options on our list, the value is clear when it comes to what Shell Point has to offer.

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Why We Chose It: If you’re looking for resort-style living in a warm and temperate climate, Maravilla in Santa Barbara, California, is a great option.

Maravilla, owned by SRG senior living, is an independent, assisted living, and memory care facility located in Santa Barbara, California. Its upscale amenities, excellent food, and beautiful grounds make you feel like you are at a luxury resort. You can choose from independent living condominiums or apartments, assisted living apartments, or a memory care unit. One-, two-, and three-bedroom residences are available.

Amenities include two restaurants, a clubhouse and lounge, a fully equipped fitness center, a heated pool, movie theatres, a library, a billiards room, and a salon. There are weekly activities you can take part in and many opportunities to meet others in the community, which can help promote brain health in older adults. Reviews online state that the staff is attentive and caring and the meals are excellent. All SRG communities are accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), which isn’t required by federal or state guidelines but has high standards for accreditation.

Although SRG communities offer low upfront costs, you must pay a monthly residence fee, which is higher at Maravilla than other facilities in the area. This fee includes all amenities, two meals per day, utilities, housekeeping, on-call services, and transportation. Those who require a higher level of care will incur additional charges. Although some monthly fees are tax-deductible, the tax burden in California is higher than in other states. Overall, if you're looking for a beautiful place to live in a warm and temperate climate close to the beach, Maravilla is a great place to retire.

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Why We Chose It: We chose Provident Crossing as the best low-cost community because it is located in tax-friendly Texas and offers an affordable, all-inclusive monthly package option.

The Provident Crossing Retirement Community is located in Round Rock, Texas, one of the least expensive places to retire in the U.S. as listed by Kiplinger in 2019. The cost of living for retirees is 5.9% lower than the national average and Texas is a tax-friendly state for retirees. This suburb of Austin gives you all the amenities of a large city; there are many dining options in town and the local art and culture scene is growing in this suburb of Austin gives you all the amenities of a large city. Provident is an all-inclusive retirement community for individuals age 55 and older that offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities include full kitchens in each apartment, a 150-seat theatre, a 24-hour fitness center, social activities, and a wellness program.

Prices range from around $3,000 to about $4,800 per month. The all-inclusive rent includes 24-hour professional staff; an emergency alert system; a dining program that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner; room service; weekly housekeeping; transportation; and valet. It is part of Resort Living Communities, which owns and manages communities all over the country. Reviews online state that the staff is friendly and accommodations are clean and well kept. We liked the company's travel incentive that allows you to stay at any of its sister properties free of charge.

Overall, if you’re looking for an inexpensive city to retire in and an all-inclusive living package, Provident Crossing is a great choice.