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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 587 communities
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The Heritage Downtown

1785 Shuey Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
Photo of The Heritage Downtown
18
18 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available
9.9
Review Score
82 reviews

The staff members have been great, They have been very helpful in my move in. I really feel at home. The residents have been friendly and welcoming. The food is really good. I am very happy with my decision...

Provides: Independent Living

The Heritage Downtown offers active Senior Living within walking distance of the Broadway shopping center and amenities in the heart of Walnut Creek. Enjoy the beautiful swimming pool and sparkling spa, beautiful views from a luxury apartment home. Choose from a variety of floor plans, including...

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Verena at the Glen

10286 Brook Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
18
18 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
46 reviews

We have been at Verena at the Glen for about 15 months. Choosing to come here turned out to be an excellent decision. Indeed, some of our fellow residents have described life here as being on a...

Best of Senior Living All Star
Provides: Independent Living
See all True Connection Communities communities

You’ll love coming home to your independent living, garden apartment in Verena at the Glen. Our grounds are brimming with butterflies and hummingbirds. From chef-prepared meals to housekeeping services, scheduled transportation, and exciting social activities, we take care of everything so you...

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Mission Ridge

4349 South Kansas Avenue, Springfield, MO 65810

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
4
4 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
44 reviews

All leadership staff goes above and beyond to make the residents feel comfortable, safe and secure. The dining room servers do an outstanding job of helping the residents. I’ve lived at Mission Ridge since...

Best of Senior Living All Star
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all Merrill Gardens communities

Located in the Southwest area of Springfield, our brand-new community offers quality senior living at its best. Mission Ridge senior living offers independent retirement living, assisted living and memory care. We feature spacious private apartments and stunning amenities.Our community is...

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Riverstone Retirement Community

9000 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64153

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
15
15 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
112 reviews

I have lived here for for five years. My life began in a great home in the state of Virginia. After looking at three other retirement places, my son [name removed] brought be back here three times and the...

Best of Senior Living All Star
Provides: Independent Living
See all Resort Lifestyle Communities communities

Riverstone Retirement is Kansas City’s Premier independent living community. Riverstone Retirement comprises apartments for adults 55 and over — including studio apartments, one, two, and three bedroom suites and a variety of floor plans. Riverstone Retirement is an all-inclusive retirement...

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Pacifica Senior Living Menifee

28333 Valley Blvd, Sun City, CA 92586

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
19
19 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
9.9
Review Score
163 reviews

At this point, they are great. The staff are friendly, very welcoming, she loves the food and all of the activities. Also, based on the cost of income in-home care, this is a massive deal moneywise.

Best of Senior Living All Star
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living

Located on nine-acre grounds with beautiful valley views in the master-planned residential community of Sun City, CA, Pacifica Menifee is an assisted living community backed by the quality standards of Pacifica Senior Living.At Pacifica Menifee, it’s easier for older people to continue the way of...

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Willow Grove of Sherwood

9880 Brockington Rd, Sherwood, AR 72120

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
14
14 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
71 reviews

[Name removed] is the best. It seems like she’s always working. She is not just care giver to a family member, she has become family. [Name Removed] keeps us continually updated . We live out of town and...

Provides: Assisted Living
See all Sonida Senior Living communities

Recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the 10 best cities in the US, Sherwood is a quiet, hometown neighborhood with all the amenities of an active city. An abundance of parks and ponds contribute to Sherwood's natural setting, while a short 12-mile drive will bring you all the cultural...

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Azalea at Cinnaminson

605 US Route 130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
18
18 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
39 reviews

The building is relatively new and so everything is clean and fresh and well maintained! I would highly recommend the Azalea of Cinnaminson to anyone needing senior care.

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
See all Leisure Care, LLC/One Eighty communities

NOW OPEN! Azalea at Cinnaminson offers life-enhancing independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Here, you and your family can expect high-end hospitality and concierge-level services that inspire and delight. Everything in our community is designed to...

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Carriage Hill Assisted Living

306 Knox Marsh Rd, Madbury, NH 03823

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
20
20 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
66 reviews

my mother was there from [dates removed] when she passed. My mother had alzheimers and when I could no longer care for her in my home I choose Carriage Hill. They from the beginning till the end cared for...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care

Carriage Hill Assisted Living is a family owned and operated residence with 24 residents and opened in December 2015. Our residency is intentionally small for each resident to receive individualized attention and to know each staff member caring for his or her needs. Above all, Carriage Hill...

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Forest Glen Assisted Living

29601 Amerihost Dr., Dowagiac, MI 49047

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
14
14 Photos available
9.9
Review Score
60 reviews

From the first day. The care and gentleness provided by our caregivers continues to today. The resident support to my sing-a-longs is truly impressive. I have been able to meet so many wonderful residents...

Provides: Assisted Living
See all StoryPoint Group, LLC communities

At Forest Glen, a Leisure Living Community in Dowagiac, Michigan, residents can relax under the pergola on a sunny summer day or keep warm next to the fireplace in the winter. Our assisted living residents experience the joys of everyday life in a continuing care environment, living in the local...

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Cedar Lake Assisted Living and Memory Care

777 Church Street, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Starting at$X,XXX+ monthly
9
9 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available
9.9
Review Score
94 reviews

I'd go there. It's bougie. The staff is highly qualified and friendly. It's not too big or not too small. Has a great memory care option. Location and location to the hospital. Atmosphere. Staff. Price. ...

Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
See all Spectrum Retirement communities

Cedar Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care is the premier assisted living community located in southwestern Lake County approximately 37 miles from downtown Chicago. We offer Assisted Living, Transitional Memory Care, and Dementia/Memory Care. Cedar Lake Assisted Living and Memory Care will put...

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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 61-70 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.