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Independent Living in Pennsylvania

Overview of Independent Living in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is nicknamed “The Keystone State” because of the state’s integral role in the founding of the United States of America. Pennsylvania today is a perfect combination of quaint, rural farmland, rolling hills, and major urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 200 retirement communities in PA that offer independent living.

The median monthly cost of independent living in Pennsylvania is about $2,600.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Pennsylvania

9
9 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Traditions of Hanover

5300 Northgate Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017
10
Review Score
99 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ronald - I'm a current/former resident or client

Living here at Traditions of Hanover is working out very well for my wife and I. We are pleased! Our apartment here is very comfortable. The staff at Traditions of Hanover is attentive and the food that we...

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15
15 Photos available

Magnolias of Chambersburg

745 Norland Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201
10
Review Score
27 reviews
JoAnne L - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

When my mom was diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimers, I felt lost and unsure and horribly sad. She went from being a vibrant, engaged woman to someone who began closing in on herself. Fast forward about 5...

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1
1 Photos available

Ecumenical Retirement Community

3525 Canby Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109
10
Review Score
12 reviews
Barbara - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Unfortunately my husband has Alzheimer,s and I have been taking care of him for 13 years. Due to my health declining it was hard for me to keep up with his care plus all the other responsibilities. I had...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Upper Darby

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24
24 Photos available

Arbour Square

695 Main St, Harleysville, PA 19438
9.9
Review Score
110 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Edythe M Hardnock - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

When visiting friends, they exuded overall happiness with their new home. It impressed me as well as a wonderful place to live. Their apartment was lovely. The luncheon that Arbour Square provided for us...

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18
18 Photos available

Azalea at Cinnaminson

605 US Route 130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
9.9
Review Score
28 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Abby W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is very responsive, extremely friendly, patient with residents, the building feels lively, there always good music playing in the front entrance, food is delicious, just a great place to live.

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20
20 Photos available
14
14 Floor plans available

Merrill Gardens at West Chester

1201 Ward Ave, West Chester, PA 19380
9.8
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sue N - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It took a couple weeks for a transition with medications and plan of care. Once hubby settled in he likes the place very much staff is friendly the medical staff and text take good care of him food is good...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Lancasterville

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24
24 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

The Pinnacle at Plymouth Meeting

215 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
9.4
Review Score
51 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Diana R - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My husband’s grandmother was a resident of Pinnacle. She had so many things to do and get involved in— and she loved it! I swear she had more of a social life than I did! The staff were very nice and if...

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24
24 Photos available

Arbour Square

695 Main St, Harleysville, PA 19438
9.9
Review Score
110 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Edythe M Hardnock - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

When visiting friends, they exuded overall happiness with their new home. It impressed me as well as a wonderful place to live. Their apartment was lovely. The luncheon that Arbour Square provided for us...

Get Pricing
18
18 Photos available

Azalea at Cinnaminson

605 US Route 130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
9.9
Review Score
28 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Abby W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is very responsive, extremely friendly, patient with residents, the building feels lively, there always good music playing in the front entrance, food is delicious, just a great place to live.

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Philadelphia

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21
21 Photos available

The Lafayette

8580 Verree Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19111
9.6
Review Score
11 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would recommend. I would add that all of the staff have been unfailingly pleasant, courteous and helpful in all situations. We were attracted to them because of the location, Catholic environment, multiple...

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10
10 Photos available

Fountain View at Logan Square

2 Franklin Town Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9.6
Review Score
48 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Elsa B - I'm a current/former resident or client

I moved into Fountain View two months ago and am enjoying my life here very much. I have especially been rewarded by meeting many compatible people. My newly renovated apartment is beautiful. I have...

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15
15 Photos available

The York House

5325 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141
9.0
Review Score
19 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

What I like most about the community is No steps some of the people close to the Broad street lines and Broad and Onley. I would recommend The York House to others

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in West Chester

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20
20 Photos available
14
14 Floor plans available

Merrill Gardens at West Chester

1201 Ward Ave, West Chester, PA 19380
9.8
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sue N - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It took a couple weeks for a transition with medications and plan of care. Once hubby settled in he likes the place very much staff is friendly the medical staff and text take good care of him food is good...

Get Pricing
21
21 Photos available

The Watermark at Bellingham

1615 East Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380
9.1
Review Score
119 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Joann E - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Choosing an assisted living facility is never easy. The people at Bellingham made it easy. They were very easy to work with. The facility is clean. Everyone is very nice. The activities look like lots of...

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10
10 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Wellington at Hershey's Mill

1361 Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380
8.1
Review Score
31 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Joy S - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Outstanding features include no buy-in, initial fee discounts for Veterans, ability to move out with a month's notice, garage parking and storage lockers, referral benefit to current and incoming resident....

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Pennsylvania laws and regulations for independent living communities

Independent living communities aren’t licensed and regulated in the same way that an assisted living or memory care community is. Independent living communities don’t offer care services, like help with bathing or dressing, and in some ways are more similar to an apartment community. As such, independent living communities are required to follow Pennsylvania’s tenant and landlord rights.

However, some independent living communities share a campus with other senior living options. In this case, the portions of the community offering assisted living or memory care assistance will need a license. Licensing and regular inspections are done through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Long-Term Living.

If you’re interested in renting an apartment in an independent living community, you’ll sign a lease. It will be similar to what you’ll find in other apartment complexes, and you can expect to have the same renter’s rights.

The biggest difference in independent living community contracts is that they will have an age minimum and are designed with seniors’ needs in mind. Also, residents can expect an independent living community to follow Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations like the following:[01]

  • Allowing residents to have service dogs, even in a community that doesn’t allow pets
  • Providing large print applications
  • Allowing a personal care attendant to live with the tenant
  • Granting requests for a more accessible unit
  • Reserving parking spaces for handicapped drivers

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Pennsylvania Department of Health contact information

Customer service

Contact form

References

  1. Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

Top cities in Pennsylvania for independent living

8.9
York, PA
9 facilities
8.9
Upper Darby, PA
29 facilities
8.7
West Chester, PA
13 facilities
8.5
Lancasterville, PA
41 facilities
8.2
Pittsburgh, PA
24 facilities
8.0
Philadelphia, PA
47 facilities

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in Pennsylvania cities

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.