Assisted Living
Memory Care
Independent Living
Home Care
Sign in

Best of 2026 Senior Living Award Winners: Independent Living

Top Independent Living Communities

These are the best independent living communities of 2026, representing the top 1-2% of senior living providers nationwide based on reviews. Families and residents celebrated the friendly staff, beautiful facilities, delicious food, and engaging activities.

Showing 587 communities
Sort by
Filters
Change location

Review Score
Providers
View all providers
Showing 587 communities
Sort by
Filters
Change location

Providers
View all providers

Oakhaven Manor

1320 Ashebury Ln., Howell, MI 48843

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
Photo of Oakhaven Manor
17
17 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available
10
Review Score
49 reviews

Friendly staff! Helpful. Many things to do. Yes, would recommend to others. My mother really likes Oakhaven & the folks she's met. Also, all the bus service trips are wonderful as she doesn't drive. And,...

Provides: Independent Living
See all The Associated Management Company communities

Oakhaven Manor is an elegant retirement community designed exclusively for those of you 55 years and older.As a resident of Oakhaven Manor you will live in grand style in a lovely one or two bedroom apartment.Our Activities Coordinator has a wide variety of activities planned, including shopping,...

... Read more

Brookdale Dowlen Oaks

2250 North Dowlen Road, Beaumont, TX 77706

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
8
8 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available
10
Review Score
140 reviews

They have gone out of their way to accommodate a very befuddled resident that has dementia and thinks he does not belong there when he definitely does need to be there... could not ask for more from them.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Brookdale communities

Are you ready to redefine your independence?If you’re living a mostly independent lifestyle, but you could use an extra hand with some of your day-to-day activities, our community could be right for you. With both assisted living and memory care, you’ll have the care you need when you need it all...

... Read more

Emerald Gardens

201 Overland Dr, Greenwood, SC 29646

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
4
4 Photos available
10
Review Score
90 reviews

I am a great friend of one of the residents at Emerald Gardens and I enjoy visiting my friend often. Every time I visit I observe how clean and well kept everything is. The staff is attentive to all the...

Best of Senior Living All Star
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Premier Senior Living, LLC communities

Emerald Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care is in the heart of Greenwood, SC and have been serving Seniors for over 25 years. We are two blocks from Self Regional Healthcare and many other medical specialist in our area. We offer a wide array of services, amenities and activities that...

... Read more

Atria Golden Creek

33 Creek Road, Irvine, CA 92604

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
13
13 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available
10
Review Score
106 reviews

I moved from up North to be closer to my family. Little did I expect to build a new one here. I have happiness in my life I never expected. The place is nice, clean and the staff is wonderful.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all Atria communities

What makes Atria Golden Creek the best senior living option in Irvine? It's our commitment to enhancing the lives of today's seniors and future generations with energy-saving renovations, including a pursuit of LEED certification. We offer a beautiful community where you'll find a friendly and...

... Read more

Atria Longmeadow Place

42 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
15
15 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available
10
Review Score
65 reviews

Atria is great. The staff is caring and helpful and go above and beyond food service is also excellent in the dining area. The facilities is extremely clean and pleasant, well decorated. They do a great job...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all Atria communities

Atria Longmeadow Place is a welcoming senior community nestled in a wooded area of Burlington, Massachusetts. The community is adjacent to town conservation land and located directly across the street from the world-renowned Lahey Clinic. Residents at Atria Longmeadow Place enjoy the best of both...

... Read more

Parkers Bend Retirement

600 Centerton Rd, Moorestown, NJ 08057

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
22
22 Photos available
10
Review Score
21 reviews

All of the employees have been very helpful and accommodating with even the smallest needs. Everyone is also very friendly even with visitors.

Provides: Independent Living
See all Resort Lifestyle Communities communities

Located in the historic and culture-rich community of Moorestown, Parkers Bend Retirement Community emphasizes an engaging lifestyle with convenient access to local sight-seeing and myriad dining and entertainment options. Spend an afternoon admiring the architecture in the 47-acre Moorestown...

... Read more

Villas at St. James

14335 Jamestown Road, Breese, IL 62230

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
9
9 Photos available
10
Review Score
45 reviews

Recently my loved one needed some additional help after a hospital stay. He really liked his room. He loved that it was private and very clean. It was nice for him to be there and know that he was safe. I...

Provides: Assisted Living
See all Meridian Senior Living communities

WELCOME HOME. Located in rural, serene Breese, Illinois, The Villas at St. James is an independent & assisted-living community for seniors that has been serving Clinton County since 2004. We provide the ideal living arrangement for independent, active seniors who want to be healthy and happy...

... Read more

Gardens of Daphne

1307 Daphne Ave, Daphne, AL 36526

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
9
9 Photos available
10
Review Score
67 reviews

Everything is great. The staff is very helpful. I would recommend Gardens of Daphne to others who are looking for a place for their loved one.

Provides: Assisted Living
See all Cavalier Senior Living communities

Friendly, southern and oh so charming, the Gardens of Daphne Assisted Living offers the personal attention and home-like environment your loved one deserves. From the rockers on the shady front porch to the spacious family-style dining room to the comfortable central common-area, our senior...

... Read more

Evergreen Court

451 O'Connell St, North Bend, OR 97459

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
8
8 Photos available
10
Review Score
85 reviews

This is a lovely facility. The staff is great. From front office to the kitchen staff and servers in the dining room. The maintenance has been terrific! I love my view. This was the best move for me at this...

Provides: Independent Living

What are you looking for in an independent senior living community? Security? Companionship? Planned activities? Freedom from the burdens of home ownership? Whatever you’re looking for, chances are you find it at Evergreen Court located on the campus of Baycrest Village. At Evergreen Court, you...

... Read more

Swanhaven Manor

300 Kennely Road, Saginaw, MI 48609

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
17
17 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
9.9
Review Score
63 reviews

I enjoy loving here for many reasons! The office girls are wonderful and so kind. Maintenance and custodial are the best!! The people living here are so sweet and kind- even the mail lady lol! I enjoy buying...

Provides: Independent Living
See all The Associated Management Company communities

Swanhaven Manor is an Award-Winning Independent Retirement Community that offers a wide variety of activities and options. Swanhaven Manor was voted Best Overall Star Senior Community in 2006, Best of the Best Senior Living Community in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2024. Winner of Thomas...

... Read more

Best of 2027 Senior Living Awards criteria

Receive 10 or more reviews on APlaceforMom.com

Attain an overall Review Score of at least 9.5 based on reviews

Offer assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing, memory care or continuing care retirement communities

*Based on reviews and ratings collected from APlaceforMom.com during the awards period, Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026. U.S. and Canada only.

Viewing 31-40 out of 587 communities

Frequently asked questions

The best independent living communities in the U.S. earned A Place for Mom’s 2026 Best of Senior Living Awards based on resident and family reviews. The highly rated featured communities represent the top 2-3% of independent living providers nationwide.