The 20 Best Independent Living in Florida

It’s time to trade up your senior living. Here you can give up chores, cooking and cleaning, and get a resort-style life of leisure instead. It’s time to let us handle the hassle and stress of home maintenance, and get more time to live the life you deserve. And while you’re at it, you should get a community full of interesting people to enjoy your new life with. You’ll get all that and more at Brookdale College Parkway, an exclusive independent living community offering seniors a vibrant retirement lifestyle. Choose us for your next home sweet home, and our prime Ft. Myers location will give you easy access to shopping malls, markets, the beautiful Gulf beaches and other local attractions. Our home-like atmosphere and carefully decorated community will make you feel like our space is your place in no time. And you can have peace of mind knowing we have staff available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to be alerted to an emergency. Independent living gives you the chance to redefine what it means to be independent while enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle and pursuing your passions. We can handle all those mundane chores like cleaning and doing the dishes so you can enjoy a hassle-free retirement. We also take care of basic utilities and landscaping.… Read more

"On the surface, it’s inviting. But as a resident living here 3 years, my opinion is 1) food… uninspiring and limited… and certainly not geared to seniors with diabetes, overweight and other health issues. 2) try to find a $1,200 rental. Most start at $1,800. I live in the “assisted living” section, but get no assistance except light housekeeping once a week. And transportation is basically once a week to supermarkets. I use Access Lynx for my transportation but WARNING… traffic is horrendous!!" - Evelyn… Read more

Sumter Senior Living is a luxury senior living community located in The Villages, FL, that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The average monthly cost of around $5,000 includes several floor plans and levels of care to choose from. This rate is in line with the average cost of $5,031 in The Villages area. All residents, including independent living residents, have services such as dining, housekeeping, maintenance and transportation included in the monthly rate. Assisted living residents have access to a supportive staff that helps with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as grooming, bathing, dressing and other personal care services. Residents of the memory care program are under the care of nurses and certified nurse assistants who are specially trained to provide a secure, homelike environment while helping each individual live a fulfilling, active lifestyle. Home health care and therapy are available to all residents, as is the concierge, who can arrange medical appointments with private physicians and other services. There is a medical emergency alert system throughout the property and fine medical facilities located close by. Healthy and delicious restaurant-style meals are prepared by the staff chef and served in a dining room complete with fine china and linen tablecloths and napkins. This luxury senior living community offers plenty to do, with guest speakers and entertainers, planned parties, and group outings just a few of the offerings. Luxurious amenities include a barber/beauty salon, craft and game room, well-appointed common areas, and manicured grounds for enjoying the outdoors. Friends and family are welcome to visit any time and this is a pet-friendly community as well. Sumter Senior Living provides excellent care, a secure environment and all the extras one expects at a luxury senior living community.… Read more

"The management is horrible. They don’t even know there residents or their families. Facility is not that clean. They have no compassion for their staff either. Most of the employees are very dissatisfied with the way they are disrespected. My mom passed in the hospital and they never even knew it nor did they care. never gave any condolences to our family after she lived there for almost 4 years. The should be ashamed of themselves for how they treat the elderly" - Linda… Read more

"Ranked #1 in the country multiple times for a REASON! Amazingly GORGEOUS place with THE BEST STAFF and surprisingly, can't beat the price?! UNREAL! How do they do it?!" - Rachel… Read more

Now under new ownership and proudly renamed, Grand Villa Senior Living is honored to bring exceptional care and vibrant community living to Port Charlotte. Grand Villa of Port Charlotte offers exceptional resort-style senior living in the heart of Port Charlotte, FL offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Conveniently located near beautiful Charlotte Harbor and just minutes from the charming, historic downtown area, our community provides easy access to top-rated shopping, dining, and local attractions—perfect for active seniors who love to stay engaged. At Grand Villa, we create a warm, family-like atmosphere where residents enjoy outstanding amenities, personalized care, and a vibrant lifestyle. Whether you're looking for independent living or assisted living our community is designed to help seniors thrive and make the most of every day.… Read more

"Stunning community along with staff that are clearly committed. Witnessed an exercise class and trivia session with about 40+ residents. What an active place!" - Paige… Read more

Watercrest Buena Vista in the Villages is more than just a luxurious residence. It's a place where residents receive extraordinary care, tailored to their preferences, from outstanding caregivers. The resort-style service is unique, just like the cultural programs, interesting activities, and extraordinary outings that are a part of everyday life. A convenient Grab & Go Market is available, and pets are welcome to join their owners in this comfortable setting. The residence boasts a private label, Watercrest Wines, and other favorites like beer and brats, plus fresh locally grown organic fare served just the way residents like it. It's a culinary delight, especially with the nearby Culver’s restaurant a mere 0.3 miles away and Golden Corral Buffet & Grill just 1.3 miles distant. Beyond the outstanding care and dining, residents are within 4.5 miles of the Spanish Springs Town Square for shopping and entertainment. For nature lovers, Lake Miona Park is just two miles away, offering a serene escape for relaxation and enjoyment. At Watercrest Buena Vista, living a full and satisfying life is simply the norm.… Read more

"I recently flew down to visit my mom at the Woodlands and stayed in the guest room which was very nice and clean. I got to see first hand how our mom was being taken care of and I was very impressed! The staff and all the employees were so nice and helpful. The meals were plentiful and very healthy. I know now that our family made the right decision to find a safe and healthy home for mom." - Judy… Read more

"From the minute you walk in and meet the sales personnel and take the tour, you know this is going to be your new home. Everyone on staff has a smile and is very professional. The dining room has a menu in the evening. If you are not happy with the evening choices, you always have an alternate menu to choose from. The apartments are beautiful and housekeeping comes once a week to clean your apartment. There is entertainment and a special happy hour every Friday with music and dancing. If you like mah jongg, canasta, poker, rummikub, bridge, etc. you will be able to find a game. I am very happy here and recommended Stratford Court highly." - Rita… Read more

Just moments from the ocean breezes of Venice Beach lies The Venetian Gardens, an independent living community. The cost of independent living begins around $2,774 a month, which is higher than the average rate in Venice, FL. This independent living residence offers several floor plans, with a choice of studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments. Private apartments are equipped with kitchenette, individual climate controls, cable television, emergency call system, and patio or balcony. Most utilities are paid, and pets are welcome. This independent living facility provides an assortment of resident services including housekeeping and linen services, apartment maintenance, scheduled transportation, three chef-prepared meals each day with flexible, restaurant-style service, and 24-hour staffing. Amenities include heated swimming pool, fitness room, game room, library, beauty salon and barber shop, community kitchen, formal dining room, billiards room, chapel, patio, and several well-appointed common areas. This independent living community develops a lively activities calendar to keep its residents active and engaged. The activity schedule offers an assortment of recreational, social, educational, and spiritual events, including water aerobics, piano sing-alongs, bingo, Bible study, bridge, and outings into the city. For a day in the gorgeous sunshine, residents can ride community bicycles around the landscaped grounds, play horseshoes, stroll along the walking paths, or simply relax with a good book on the patio. The independent living residence is near a wide assortment of restaurants, banks, churches, and stores. Westfield Sarasota Square offers an afternoon of shopping fun, and Venice Regional Bayfront Health is close at hand in case of health care emergency. The Venetian Gardens prides itself on creating a warm, welcoming home environment where seniors can live a carefree lifestyle.… Read more

"Horrible dining room service worst ever. We wait for the staff to take our orders forever and then painstakingly wait for the food that is always delivered cold . They hire untrained staff with horrible attitudes . The director is constantly on vacation or out of the building leaving everyone looking for someone . Despicable place" - Edith… Read more

"fantastic staff, friendly and warm atmosphere, great accomodations. glad I made the right decesion." - Loraine… Read more

"My grandma has been there for several years now. She loves the place. I like it, being a family member of a resident, because the staff are respectable, personable and they get to know who you are. They make sure things get done if asked. Keep it up!" - Kim… Read more

"I moved my mom here in Dec 2022. She is happy with almost everything but the food. There is no bread served with the afternoon or Dinner meals. The meals have definitely changed. There is no lift for the pool and only a single bar where there should be two so the residents can hole on getting in the pool. Also there are no wraps on the rail at the pool so it’s too hot to touch in the summer months. These seem like simple fixes. Thank you." - Sue… Read more

"Hello, my name is Jim and this is where I hang my hat... this is my home. It is my goal to stay here until I die. Why, because I like it that much and my needs are met here. You see, this facility is made up of all elderly people who are all on this journey together. We truly do care for one another and friends are easily made. So come and see. There is room at the inn. Come and join in on all the activities and fun here at the Courtyards." - jim… Read more

"4 years ago, my mother-in-law and father-in-law were living at home. She was addicted to physician prescribed narcotics and bed ridden. He had had dementia for over 15 years. At that point they required full time in home aides and push in PT, nursing and medication over-site as well as psychological counseling. I was providing their meals and shopping for the six months each year that we snowbird here. Things became unsustainable when my mother-in-law started to require a two person lift to get her out of bed or into the shower. We contacted A Place for Mom and after visiting 6 choices, settled on Brookdale which is now owned by Discovery Villages. They were kind enough to allow both of them to reside in a 2 room apartment together. This was a hard move, neither one wanted to leave their home and independence behind, but we were out of options. Her addiction was being supported by physician shopping, and his confusion was getting rapidly worse. Brookdale ( now Discovery) took a huge leap of faith to welcome them to the ASL. The entire staff embraced them and within 6 months, my mother-in-law was up,dressed daily and in a wheelchair, feeding herself and communicating with some of the residents. My father-in-law was more relaxed and very grateful to see his beloved wife return to consciousness. Over the next two years they became involved with activities, and considered Brookdale their home. My mother-in-law envelope started 2 new clubs with herself as the presenter. As their local family, we visited 3-4 times a week, and were always very pleased with their care. There were still trips to the hospital and rehab, but they were less frequent and we could trust that they had all of the appropriate protocol before and after the visits. A huge help was that Hamlin Rehab is minutes away and when one was recovering there, the other could visit daily without our having to transport them. The sign of a good facility is how often the staff turns over. Discovery has many of the original people who served our family so well. We consider Discovery our extended family. They each have challenging jobs, and when treated with respect and kindness, these people go way above their pay grade to treat your family member as one of their own family. Both of my in-laws are now gone. Discovery was their last home. It became a second home for my husband and myself. The people there helped us live through the challenges of aging parents with love, hope, and dignity. We are eternally grateful. The food wasn’t what they were used to... but no one cooks like my mother-in-law! I’d be happy to speak with any family who is considering Discovery Villages as a place for a loved one." - Dianne F.… Read more

Surrounded by lush trees and tucked into a residential area lined with palms, The Atrium retirement community offers a resort-style experience with a neighborly charm. Adjacent to cafes, markets, the post office, and healthcare, the Atrium independent senior living community thrives within this bustling neighborhood. Due to its urban forests, Gainesville is where nature and culture meet. Spend an afternoon in the Florida Museum’s Butterfly Rainforest, an exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies and birds from around the world. Or enjoy the shopping experience at Oaks Mall, both within five miles of the Atrium. Considered one of the most attractive cities in Florida, it is home to the University of Florida. Known for world-class health care, an array of healthcare is within 5 miles.… Read more

Welcome to Lake Ridge Village, a welcoming senior living community offering Independent Living with supportive services** in sunny Eustis, Florida. Tucked among lakes and nature preserves in beautiful Lake County, our all-inclusive community is designed for seniors who want to enjoy life with comfort, connection, and ease. Whether you’re savoring made-to-order breakfast from our chef, strolling through our garden paths, or heading out on a shuttle trip to nearby Mount Dora or Lake Eustis, every day here brings opportunities to relax, connect, and thrive. Residents enjoy spacious apartments, walking paths, live music, pet therapy, and engaging events—from seasonal festivals and prayer groups to Bingo and art classes. With friendly staff, chef-prepared meals, wellness programs, and one-level living, Lake Ridge Village offers a low-maintenance lifestyle that feels like home. Come experience the warm, neighborly atmosphere and scenic setting that make our community a favorite in Lake County.… Read more

"I enjoy the full continuum of care available at La Posada -- residents from independent Living transferring to Assisted living are just a short walk away--many activities fill your days--I play golf 3x a week , and the meal offerings are great." - G.H.R.… Read more