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If you’re looking for independent living in the Chicago area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in Chicago. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.
Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 155 independent living facilities in Chicago, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.
We are also serving Independent Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Park Manor, South Shore and North Park.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Cicero, Evanston or Stickney.
Types of care available in Chicago, IL
Independent Living
They're short of help, all the way around. That's the main challenge. Sometimes it's hard to find a nurse on the nursing floor. But I really like the assisted living building. They're very good with their activities and keeping their people up to date on things. I had one relative move to the wellness center from assisted living, and I would not do that if you can avoid it. They don't have the activities, and they're kind of isolated in wellness.
The Memory Care staff was always polite, friendly, and always willing to assist in my mother's needs. My family and I are very satisfied with how my mother was cared for.
My brother [Removed] lived there for 2 1/2 years. I can't say enough good things about this facility. He had a lot of health needs but was able to be there and maintain a good amount of independence. The staff were always attentive to him and responsive to me. They helped us find wonderful aides who were able to assist him with things that he couldn't do and this allowed him to be as independent as possible. The staff are very caring and personable. The food was home cooked and he raved about it all the time. There were a number of activities and the residents always seemed very social with one another. It was very home like and affordable.
1448 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619
The Jackson Park Supportive Living Facility was created to provide a safe, comfortable, and supportive living environment for individuals age 22-64 years old offering the highest level of service and expertise while maintaining the individual's independence.Our apartments are designed to provide...
Jackson Park Supportive Living is its own community within itself. The residents acts as family helping each other when possible. The staff works greatly together, providing the best services possible for...
2355 East 67th Street, Chicago, IL 60649
Imagine being able to live in a beautiful building, in a community of friends, receive monthly housekeeping services and benefit from specially designed safety features - all for one low affordable monthly rate and in the Chicago neighborhood you've called home for most of your life. As a...
The apartment and core maintenance have been fine. Overall the quality of the staff is good, although the staff is running two buildings simultaneously, which puts a little bit of a strain on them and...
3800 North California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Paul House offers our assisted living program members a central Irving Park address with a vibrant, inviting community, deep historical roots and a worry-free residential community. We have three service levels and three types of private apartments: efficiency studio, studio and one bedroom, all...
Just recently placed my mother in law here in September of 2020 and we have had nothing but superb care and amazing communication from the Executive Director who gave us her personal cell phone to call her...
2370 North Newcastle Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707
Dedicated to Good LivingOur longstanding mission is to transform the way society thinks about aging and senior living. Our Victory Centre of Galewood community is an extension of that promise. We are steadfast in our commitment to cultivate a genuine home for you or your loved one. Above all...
My grandmother is very comfortable in this community. It is very clean i have no complaints about it. My grandmother is known by her name, which is great that she is getting that one on one attention. They...
7419 S Exchange, Chicago, IL 60649
Coles Supportive Living has been selected by the Illinois Department of Aging as one of the few Senior Care Facilities to be included in the State of Illinois Supportive Living Program. Coles Supportive Living Facility strives to promote dignity and independence for Seniors where a state-of-the...
I recommend Coles Supportive Living to relatives concerned about their loved ones well being. I went there as my last resort when really it should have been my first. One of the staff members by the name of...
8080 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL 60455
Moraine Court Supportive Living supports and encourages our residents to enjoy and active-lifestyle in a safe community. Let us show you how Moraine Court can combine the best of private living and assistance with daily living needs. Our supportive Living program is designed to promote...
2804 East 77th Place, Chicago, IL 60649
Imagine being able to live in a beautiful building, in a community of friends, receive monthly housekeeping services and benefit from specially designed safety features - all for one low affordable monthly rate and in the Chicago neighborhood you've called home for most of your life. As a...
We have had a good experience with Senior Suites of Rainbow Beach. The staff is great and helpful. The maintenance team are all friendly and helpful with everything. Overall this is a community we would...
2833 N Nordica Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
For over 100 years, Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care has had a presence in the community that has empowered residents to live independent and full lives. As the premier post-acute and long-term care provider in Chicago with a 5 STAR CMS RATING, our mission is to provide a place of comfort and...
We chose this facility because of the location, availability, ad we also liked their security. My mom was in memory care and they were all on one floor and there was a very good staff to patient ratio. I...
4950 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
Bethany Retirement is a faith-based, non-profit serving the vibrant Andersonville and Ravenswood neighborhoods in Chicago for over 126 years! We were founded in the Methodist tradition; however, we are home to a variety of faiths. We are 'Called to Care' and our desire is to provide active living...
Everyone At Bethany Retirement seems friendly and helpful. The room size and layout of the community is good. My likes the food. They have an outdoor courtyard for residents to use. My mom is happy there.
1922 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
"Get to know us before you need us." The Ravenswood Supportive Living program is certified by the Illinois Department of Health & Family Services. This program is designed to promote independence, dignity, respect and well-being for residents in a cost-effective manner. Depending on an...
Ravenswood Supportive Living was nice during the tour we took. However, we didn't find supportive living to be what we needed at the time for our loved one.
315 N La Grange Rd, La Grange Park, IL 60526
A La Grange Park landmark, Plymouth Place is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that provides independent living, assisted living, memory support and skilled care.Plymouth Place's 20-acre campus offers the beauty of private, tree-lined lanes, plus the convenience of being located...
Plymouth Place offers so many options for programs, musical events, educational activities, physical fitness classes, socialization, dining choices, volunteer opportunities, and happy hours in the newly...
908 W. Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640
The Selfhelp Home is an active and engaging not-for-profit senior living community designed to accommodate the needs of elderly Jewish residents throughout the Chicago area.The Selfhelp Home can be your home no matter what your individual needs. Selfhelp offers a full continium of care. We are a...
Everything is very nice, very clean, very beautiful. The food is perfect, always tasty, well prepared and served. The dietary staff is very helpful and accommodating.
2720 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
A gracious 55-unit assisted living residence rebuilt in a great Chicago neighborhood in 1997, Covenant Home brings a new style of assisted living to its urban Chicago neighborhood. Our building wraps a floor-to-ceiling central atrium, making the interior bright and cheerful. Studio, one- and...
From the first visit a great experience. Friendly, knowledgeable, caring staff. The place was always spotless The food was very good My cousin received excellent care. Would recommend it to everyone...
42 S Ashland Ave, La Grange, IL 60525
Windsor Place is a senior housing community of 55 and over residents and is located in the historic and vibrant city of La Grange, Cook County, Illinois. A drive away from luscious woods and parks, Windsor Place is the perfect setting for anyone looking for a peaceful and relaxing home....
In general, I really like Windsor Place. It's a small, homey, collaborative environment, and I thing they are doing a really god job with my loved one. The day to day staff are great, but I will say that...
10450 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Dedicated to Good LivingOur longstanding mission is to transform the way society thinks about aging and senior living. Our Victory Centre of Roseland community is an extension of that promise. We are steadfast in our commitment to cultivate a genuine home for you or your loved one. Above all...
I had to take notice to the fact this community is not as close to our family. It looked like a suitable community and the representative did good showing me around and answered my questions about living in...
4255 N. Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634
Senior Suites of Autumn Green at Wright Campus is a lively pet-friendly independent living community in Chicago for seniors age 55 and over. We offer tastefully appointed studio and one-bedroom apartments for total privacy and comfort. Each of our 36 units has an easy to use emergency response...
I am very happy with moving back into this community. The staff is nice and the apartments are nice and I like the nice view that is peaceful for me to enjoy. I am able to for myself, but they do offer...
2320 W. 113th Place, Chicago, IL 60643
Smith Village Continuing Care Retirement Community - Chicago, IL Smith Village, one of two Smith Senior Living communities, located in Chicago, IL, in the Beverly neighborhood, is a Continuing Care Retirement Community that’s backed by the strength and experience of Smith Senior Living.Since...
I toured this community while looking into care options for a loved one. The facility was well kept and clean, and all of the staff I met seemed friendly and professional. The only thing I didn't like here...
5400 North Northwest Highway, Chicago, IL 60630
Imagine being able to live in a beautiful building, in a community of friends, receive monthly housekeeping services and benefit from specially designed safety features - all for one low affordable monthly rate and in the Chicago neighborhood you've called home for most of your life. As a...
I like my studio apt. Just the right size for me and my cat. The staff that run this place are just the best, always friendly, kind, and helpful.
6016 N. Nina Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631
Norwood Crossing, a not-for-profit community located on the Northwest side of Chicago, has been serving older adults since 1896. Each day, Norwood Crossing holds true to their mission of enhancing the independence and well-being of older adults. Norwood Crossing offers several levels of service...
My parents are living here and I believe my family is very happy so far. I think the staff at the facility is very attentive; they’ve had the nurses coming to the room, and have done a pretty good job with...
7262 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60631
Presence Resurrection Retirement Community is primarily independent living with a 36 room assisted living nestled into 16 acres of walking paths and a garden-like setting in the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Our property is the perfect place for those looking to have the beauty of nature...
There were similar services as the place we chose for my mother. It was a smaller community too. Everybody knows everybody. It's a warm atmosphere becauase it's not 25 floor and hundreds of people. I liked...
2928 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608
1818 S. Paulina, Chicago, IL 60608
2021 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60608
3601 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60609
1504 W Van Buren St # 112, Chicago, IL 60607
Van Buren Place Apartments is a senior citizen independent living community where seniors can experience an enjoyable lifestyle in a convenient, secure, and pleasant setting.
My mom was a resident in this lovely senior community for four years and she loved it. The residents were kind, caring and looked out for one another. The West Loop location can't be beat. She'd often walked...
The cost of an independent living community within 10 miles of the Chicago city center averaged $3,203 per month in 2022, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This figure includes rent as well as any add-on fees that the community offers. Chicago independent living costs can vary based on floor plans, amenities and add-ons, and location. North of downtown Chicago tends to have a higher cost of living, whereas south of downtown often has lower costs. The following figures represent baseline Chicago area independent living rental costs, not including add-on fees.
8.11 miles from you
Your zip code
7.75 miles from you
Independent living community costs are not covered by public sources like Medicare or Medicaid, though in-home care services may be covered for medically qualifying seniors. However, there are many private ways to pay for independent living. Veteran Affairs (also known as VA) pensions and benefits may also help to offset costs of independent living for eligible senior veterans and their spouses.
Housing support for independent living in Chicago
Illinois independent living communities are required to enforce a 55 year age minimum per the Illinois Administrative Code. While families and children of seniors may be able to live in independent living depending on the community, residents will need to verify that at least one member of their household is 55 or over.
While Illinois does not have many requirements specific to independent living, these buildings must comply with the legal standards of any type of housing. While building codes vary across the state of Illinois, Chicago living spaces are required to maintain standards such as:
To report a building code violation in Chicago, you can call 3-1-1 or fill out an online service request.
All living spaces are also required to be ADA compliant, which means that reasonable accommodations and modifications are made for individuals with disabilities. Under federal law, owners of housing facilities cannot deny tenancy to individuals with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations are adjustments to rules or policies so that tenants with disabilities are not left out of the activities or benefits offered to other tenants. Property managers may provide accommodations, such as the following:
Modifications involve making changes to the apartment complex and unit to make it more accessible to those with disabilities. This can mean adding a wheelchair ramp or hands-free entrance or simply installing handrails in bathrooms. The costs of these modifications are to be covered by the owner of the rental property rather than by the tenant with the disability.
Find contact information and resources for tenant rights’ advocacy, housing discrimination, housing-related legal aid, eviction assistance, and more through Illinois’ Tenant Rights, Laws and Regulations website.
Illinois Department of Public Health — Chicago headquarters offices
122 S. Michigan Ave., 7th and 20th Floors
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-814-2793
69 W. Washington St., 35th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-814-5278
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations in place for Chicago independent living communities.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Chicago independent senior living communities typically offer private apartments or condos. Floor plans often include living areas, fully equipped kitchens, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms with hand rails. Check out some other features common to Chicago independent living communities:
Some communities even offer the following types of on-site services for additional fees:
Resident-only clubhouses are also common to Chicago independent living communities. These clubhouses promote socialization among residents and give them access to even more shared amenities, such as the following:
Chicago independent living communities provide the active senior with an exciting urban locale that has convenient access to entertainment, shopping, dining, and the sparkling Lake Michigan shoreline. On-site storage and maintenance foster a more relaxing environment than home ownership. Some independent living communities even offer an aging-in-place option for an even more worry-free living experience.
Chicago’s independent living communities with aging-in-place options are typically part of a larger senior living facility that includes multiple care types and accommodations on one campus, such as assisted living and memory care. Communities that offer these add-on care services are ideal for the senior who may need more assistance down the line. If a senior’s care needs ever evolve past the care offered in the independent living community, they can just add on the care services they need without having to relocate to a new community. Aging-in-place features provide security in the event of surgery, illness, or other medical events. A Place for Mom has 17 partnered communities in Chicago that offer aging-in-place services, with access to home care agencies, memory care, and skilled nursing services on site.
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Percent of Chicago residents age 65+
Percentage of Chicago’s older adults who self-report being in overall good health, according to Center for Community Health Equity
Chicago residents have many innovative and highly rated medical centers to choose from. Several of Chicago’s medical facilities also offer specialty geriatric care.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the highest ranking hospital in the state of Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties, and it partners with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to foster world-class patient care and medical innovation.
Rush University Medical Center is ranked No. 2 out of all Chicago hospitals, according to U.S. News and World Report. Rush is known for outstanding patient care, education, and medical research, with roots going back nearly 200 years.
University of Chicago Medical Center is the third-highest ranked hospital in Chicago and in the state of Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report. Known for exceptional geriatric care services, University of Chicago Medical Center is a nonprofit academic hospital established in 1927.
NorthShore University Health System is the fourth-highest ranking Chicago hospital, according to U.S. News and World Report. The NorthShore system includes six hospitals and over 140 medical centers all over the Illinois area.
While driving in the city is an option, heavy traffic and limited parking can make it a challenge. Fourteen of A Place for Mom’s partnered independent living communities in Chicago offer transportation services at an additional cost. For those without transportation, many Chicago residents count on public transportation. The most convenient and cost effective way to get around is the Chicago Transit Authority “L” train. The Chicago Transit Authority also has over 100 bus routes.
While Chicago is relatively walkable, it’s quite big, so it can be helpful to know what other options are available. For the active individual, Chicago’s Divvy bike-share system can be a fun way to get around, and the Metra Rail train is great for commuting to the Chicago suburbs. Chicago also provides AC Med Tran transportation services specifically for seniors, veterans, and individuals who require a wheelchair or mobility assistance.
Compiled from data about Chicago’s population, public transportation, walking and bike routes, and more, the Windy City has received the following WalkScore ratings, each out of 100:
77
72
65
As the most populous city in the Midwest, Chicago always has something exciting to offer. Whether you’re looking for great food, fine arts, exciting sports, or exhilarating shopping, you’ll find it in Chicago. The striking architecture of the city contrasted against the glistening Lake Michigan shoreline creates an idyllic backdrop for your golden years.
The closer to the city center, the more social opportunities seniors have with others who are in the same stage of life. The Norwood Park Senior Center sits just outside the city center’s 10-mile radius. It features a state-of-the-art fitness center, a library, and a reading room. Additionally, lunch is served Monday through Friday. Chicago seniors can make new connections as they partake in games, Zumba and yoga classes, seasonal water aerobics, music appreciation, and educational classes.
Chicago’s lovers of the arts can explore the offerings of the Belmont Theater District, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few local art centers.
When the family comes to visit, the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Bird Sanctuary offer free admission daily, or you can take advantage of the Children’s Museum senior discounts. Chicago residents can also visit the wonders of the ocean for a reduced rate at Shedd Aquarium.
When the grandkids go back home, take a trip to nearby Elgin for a scenic evening at Grand Victoria Casino on the river. Or, stay local and dine, sample locally crafted wines, and enjoy entertainment at City Winery — Riverwalk Winegarden in the spring and the City Winery — West Loop all year round.
The following are just a few Chicago attractions with senior discounts and specials:
The Admiral at the Lake, a CCRC, Independence Village Naperville and Brookdale Glen Ellyn are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Chicago, IL. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Chicago is 3,098 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Chicago [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Illinois General Assembly. Health Facilities and Regulation(210 ILCS 9/) Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act.
International Code Council. (2019, December 1). 2019 Chicago building code with revised April 2022 supplement.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2021, July 21). Chicago city, Illinois. QuickFacts.
Laflamme, E., Harper-Jemison, D., Jorgensen, E., Reina, M., Rushovich, T., Weaver, K., Prachand, N., Shah, R., Lange-Maia, B., & De Maio, F. (2019, August). Healthy Chicago databook: Older adult health. Center for Community Health Equity.
Walk Score. (2022). Living in Chicago.
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