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Independent Living in Texas

Overview of Independent Living in Texas

For families considering senior living options, Texas has plenty to offer. The Lone Star State’s warm temperatures, rich history, and blend of cultures attract tourists from all over the world and make Texas an ideal retirement destination. Visit the art museums in Houston, catch a Cowboys game in Dallas, experience the Alamo in San Antonio, or see a show in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” turns out to be true: With several of the largest cities in the country, as well as plenty of wide-open space, there’s truly something for everyone here.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 430 independent living communities, also known simply as retirement communities, in Texas.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Texas

36
36 Photos available
10
10 Floor plans available

Arborview Circle C Ranch

12100 Archeleta Blvd, Austin, TX 78739
10
Review Score
10 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

I love it here.5 for all of them. I actually like everything about Arborview. I'm so happy I chose this place. So many activities to enjoy. The best part of Arborview is the friendly people. I felt very...

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17
17 Photos available

Serenity Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care

6684 Randolph Blvd, Live Oak, TX 78233
10
Review Score
33 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
John P - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I recently moved my wife from a nearby facity to Serenity Oaks. What a difference! My wife is doing so much better. I could see the difference within a couple of days. My stress is gone as I know that...

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11
11 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Watercrest at Shadow Creek Ranch

11745 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77584
10
Review Score
78 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

I like the activities and trips very much. The staff are wonderful. My only immediate concern is that I saw a lot of people leave after only a year here when it came time to renew their lease. I heard the...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Dallas

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22
22 Photos available

Five Star Premier Residences of Dallas

5455 La Sierra Dr, Dallas, TX 75231
10
Review Score
23 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Professional, loving community from the residents to all the staff. Hands down the best place I visited for my Mom. So glad we found it!

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17
17 Photos available

Meadowstone Place

10410 Stone Canyon Rd, Dallas, TX 75230
9.9
Review Score
202 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Gary - I live or lived in this community

We are a community. We care about one another. We love the upkeep. Something breaks, we just call maintenance. They come! Yard is maintained. Lots of age/ appropriate activities. But best is the community of...

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12
12 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Brookdale Farmers Branch

13505 Webb Chapel Road, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
9.9
Review Score
52 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ann C - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Move in process due to a number of administrators being ill and absent was not easy. Staff treatment of my mother has been phenomenally loving and kind. I don’t think I could ask for better treatment for...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Plano

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13
13 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Plano

3401 Premier Drive, Plano, TX 75023
9.8
Review Score
171 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Other residents and their families have reported that they like the facility. There is always help available and it is kept clean.

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15
15 Photos available

Preston Place

5000 Old Shepard Place, Plano, TX 75093
9.7
Review Score
85 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

Excellent staff - which breeds high overhead which, of course, is passed to renters. Thus 81% occupancy. I will be moving to an "age in place" apartment. I'm soon to be priced out of the "retirement...

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17
17 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Atria Canyon Creek

440 Independence Parkway, Plano, TX 75075
9.6
Review Score
90 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Linda M - I'm a current/former resident or client

We moved in to be close to our daughter. Sight unseen. Our daughter picked it and we couldn’t be happier. Lovely environment. Lots of activities. We are doing several. Close to all our medical doctors...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Houston

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12
12 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

Atria Westchase

11424 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77082
10
Review Score
107 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very friendly staff and they are ALWAYS helpful and assisting. Atria Westchase is a great place that I would highly recommend to anyone.

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10
10 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Village on the Park at Friendswood

400 E Parkwood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546
9.9
Review Score
45 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Lance W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The title says it all. My Mother is happy! More active! Healthier! She is having fun and is more social than in years. She likes the food. She lives bingo. She is still independent but feels safer and...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Fort Worth

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8
8 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Fort Worth

6151 Bryant Irvin, Fort Worth, TX 76132
10
Review Score
92 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Janice R - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Sunrise of Fort Worth was the perfect place for my sweet mom to go to. The staff were warm and very welcoming and they went out of their way to make my mom comfortable and loved. They had many activities and...

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9
9 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available
1
1 Video available

Brookdale Tanglewood Oaks

2698 South Hulen Street, Fort Worth, TX 76109
9.9
Review Score
62 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

When we were searching for that right place for our Pop, they went above and beyond our expectations in working with us on getting him moved in and settled. He had a large amount of medications and the...

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4
4 Photos available

The Spring at Silverton Active Adult 55

3850 Silverton Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76133
9.8
Review Score
17 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Desmond S - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They kept our first month rent and security deposit when on move in day the apt was filled with roaches and my mom would not enter. It was very bad. The lady [name removed] that directs the place did nothing...

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Texas laws and regulations for independent living communities

In Texas, independent living communities are not regulated by a state agency, unless they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. This means that stand-alone independent living facilities must comply with general housing and rental standards, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.

Housing laws and regulations like these help ensure that residents of any rental community are not discriminated against and are provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas independent living communities have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some raising it to 62.

Regulations for independent living facilities on a senior care campus

If an independent living community shares its building or campus with an assisted living and/or memory care unit, the area designated for senior care and any shared areas must follow Texas assisted living regulations and memory care regulations set by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).

 Regulations for stand-alone independent living facilities

In Texas, stand-alone independent living communities are only required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. This means landlords must grant tenants some specific rights, provide disability accommodations, and maintain all facilities. Below, you’ll learn about your rights as a resident in an independent living rental community.

Tenant rights in Texas

Knowing your rights as a tenant will help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some important tenants’ rights:[01]

  • Residents have the right to ask their landlord to repair structural problems that risk their health and safety. And, landlords must make a diligent effort to repair the problems at hand.
  • Residents may terminate their lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after two notices to the landlord within a reasonable timeframe — usually seven days.
  • Residents may hire an external contractor to fix the problems at hand, if their landlord fails to resolve issues after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe. Residents can then submit their expenses to the landlord to deduct from their rent.

Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that tenants reach out to an attorney or a local tenants association for advice. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and will ultimately lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide multiple written notices to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.[01]

If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Accommodation and modification laws for seniors with disabilities

In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to their disability. These laws also require independent living landlords to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:[02]

  • Allowing a service animal regardless of a no-pets policy
  • Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the building
  • Changing the due date of rent to reflect disability income payment dates

Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units, and may include:[02]

  • Installing a specialized smoke detector for a resident with a hearing impairment
  • Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable a disabled resident to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
  • Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a resident’s unit to accommodate wheelchair users

Property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. For more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.

Tenant resources in Texas

For Texas residents having general issues while renting, the Texas State Law Library offers a list of resources around the state for common problems. You can also look up local rental associations, tenants’ councils, and housing programs for further assistance.

Texas Department of Health contact information

Texas Health and Human Services
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751

Phone: 512-424-6500

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Let our care assessment guide you

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

How to find Texas independent living facility inspection reports

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) performs physical inspections of rental properties to ensure they are habitable, well maintained, ready for occupancy, follow accessibility standards, and comply with applicable program rules and regulations.

The TDHCA doesn’t publicly publish statewide inspection reports, but you can try calling 512-475-3800 or emailing info@tdhca.texas.gov for more information. Many cities in Texas also have their own inspection agencies where you can look up rental inspection reports to find the most recent inspection date, score, and deficiencies found.

References

  1. Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

  2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Top cities in Texas for independent living

8.7
San Antonio, TX
96 facilities
8.6
Austin, TX
50 facilities
8.3
Plano, TX
80 facilities
8.3
Dallas, TX
55 facilities
8.1
Fort Worth, TX
43 facilities
7.8
Houston, TX
94 facilities

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in Texas 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.