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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.

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Showing 588 communities
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Truewood by Merrill, New Bern

2701 Amhurst Dr, New Bern, NC 28562

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
Photo of Truewood by Merrill, New Bern
14
14 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
107 reviews

The staff is well trained and friendly. Activities are appropriate and scheduled for multiple times every day. The rooms are a nice size and the facilities are very well maintained.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all Merrill Gardens communities

Living at Truewood by Merrill, New Bern means being a part of an active, vibrant community. Enjoy delicious all-inclusive dining, a wealth of social activities and the freedom to explore your interests. There are countless opportunities to connect, grow and live up to your full potential.If...

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StoryPoint Novi

42400 12 W Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48377

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
12
12 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
55 reviews

The community is peaceful and clean. The food is good and the staff and companionship is wonderful. I am very happy to be a resident here. I have made many friends and enjoy spending time with everyone.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all StoryPoint Group, LLC communities

Holiday Birch Heights

7 Kendall Pond Road, Derry, NH 03038

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
16
16 Photos available
9.5
Review Score
135 reviews

5 stars most definitely, the staff here have been so good and friendly, as well as very helpful. Food so far has been quite tasty and I like the fact they give you options to choose from. The one bedroom we...

Provides: Independent Living
See all Holiday by Atria communities

Lively, friendly independent senior living community in Derry, NH.Enjoy the pleasures of independent senior living in a welcoming retirement community with small-town charm at Holiday Birch Heights. Meet people, attend events, pursue your hobbies, set goals for your retirement, and join friends...

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Bridgewood Gardens

151 Woodham Drive, Albertville, AL 35951

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
13
13 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
46 reviews

Personnel are always friendly, efficient and dependable. When experience a problem that problem is taken care of and solved as soon possible. Activities are regent and avaliable to all residents who would...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Pegasus Senior Living, LLC communities

If you think senior living at Bridgewood Gardens is like a nursing home … think again! We ensure residents are living an active and enriching lifestyle through our dedicated assisted living and award-winning memory care services. Come see how we can elevate your lifestyle with engaging and...

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The Birches at Harleysville

691 Main Street, Harleysville, PA 19438

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
11
11 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
131 reviews

There are two employees that need to be trained on how to handle dementia patients. I have been there personally one time when they weren't treating my father very kindly. I did tell them about that. My...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Heritage Senior Living, LLC. communities

Need assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing or medication management? At The Birches at Arbour Square Personal Care and Dementia Care Community located on a 20-acre campus in Harleysville, PA, you will find all the services you need to live a healthy and happy life. The...

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Atria at the Arboretum

9306 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX 78759

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
15
15 Photos available
14
14 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
73 reviews

[name removed] is my source of help at Atria at the Arboretum (or my correction lol) From my 1st day at the atria she has been my sounding board. She is hard to catch sometimes because she has to keep moving...

Provides: Independent Living
See all Atria communities

Discover the elegance of a resort community with expansive Hill Country views and fine amenities. Our luxury apartments are beautifully appointed and provide an ideal launching point for enjoying Austin's unique culture.At Atria, the choice is always yours. Our community lies just 12 miles from...

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Canterfield of Fort Myers

18301 Trifecta Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33967

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
35
35 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
57 reviews

I don't get answers to verify if my brother gets laundry done, showers, bed made, bathroom and room cleaned and vaccummed. Have requested support to get my brother to clean his room; no response from staff....

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Medical Development Corp communities

Canterfield of Fort Myers invites you to discover a truly exceptional way of life. We are an inspiring retirement community that enables you to design each day as you desire. We are building a brand new tradition by offering "carefree living" in a country club-like setting where our residents...

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Legacy House of Taylorsville

6302 S Gold Medal Drive, Taylorsville, UT 84129

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
8
8 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
9.5
Review Score
51 reviews

It's a pleasant environment and I enjoy the activities, shopping and people are easy to get alone with.The staff knows their jobs well.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Legacy Retirement Communities communities

Why Choose Legacy?Caring for seniors and their families since 1996, Legacy House of Taylorsville is a premier provider of Assisted Living and Memory Care services.We believe that the more our residents can be independent, the healthier they are and the better they feel. No matter what stage of...

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Serene Gardens of Hartland

2799 Bella Vita Dr, Hartland, MI 48353

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
24
24 Photos available
9.5
Review Score
26 reviews

The staff has been great especially Jennifer the director. The room is clean and new and spacious. He loves the food and has been encouraged each day to go to meals and hasn't hidden in his room like we...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Serene Gardens communities

Discover the perfect blend of comfort and care at Serene Gardens of Grand Hartland. Our Assisted Living and Memory Care community offers all-inclusive pricing, ensuring peace of mind for families. With a focus on individualized care, our dedicated team provides tailored support for each...

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Holiday Jackson Oaks

2500 Marshall Avenue, Paducah, KY 42003

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
12
12 Photos available
9.5
Review Score
49 reviews

The staff was caring, helpful, and asked how it was going. I had just had triple bypass surgery. I did not try any of the activities, but they always had something going on. The apartment size was great,...

Provides: Independent Living
See all Holiday by Atria communities

Jackson Oaks provides a fulfilling, independent lifestyle in a welcoming environment. Jackson Oaks is a proud member of the Paducah Community. We're conveniently close to all that the city has to offer, with shopping, excellent healthcare and exciting restaurants just minutes from your door. ...

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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 471-480 out of 588 communities

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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.