10 Best Independent Living Communities in Tulsa, OK

Most seniors try to plan ahead to ensure they can afford the independent living community of their choice. Many retirees find senior living costs attainable by combining both private income sources and senior benefits. In this section, we’ll guide you through different ways seniors typically pay for independent living, from their personal income to benefit options.

Independent living communities usually follow general apartment laws and regulations set by the state since they’re not considered senior care facilities. Here, we’ll guide you through relevant Oklahoma regulations.

What are independent living age requirements?

Similar to senior apartments, independent living facilities typically require you to be a certain age. While the age requirement varies between communities, the most common age requirements are 55+, 62+, or 65+.

What are apartment regulations in Oklahoma?

Apartments, and therefore independent living communities, must provide safe, clean, and habitable living environments to help ensure the safety of its residents. For instance, the following utilities must be kept in good condition:

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Sanitary
• Ventilation

Other utilities like the following must also be provided in every unit:

• Heating
• Air-conditioning
• Running hot and cold water
• Trash removal
• Smoke detector(s)

You can feel at ease knowing if there’s ever an issue with these utilities, landlords are obligated to repair the utility in the apartment. Landlords must also provide 24-hours notice before entering your unit unless it’s an emergency. Additionally, as a tenant, you must use these utilities in a safe manner, as well as maintain your living space. Thankfully, independent living communities help you clean and maintain your apartment with housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services.

Storm shelters

While Oklahoma doesn’t require independent living communities to provide on-site storm shelters, many communities still have shelters, emergency drills, and/or safety protocols. Since Oklahoma rests in tornado alley, you should ask your prospective senior living community about their storm preparedness.

Accommodations for seniors with disabilities

Independent living communities built after March 13, 1991, with more than four units and an elevator, must offer the following accessibility features:

• Accessible common areas
• Doors and hallways wide enough for wheelchairs
• An accessible route through every apartment
• Reachable outlets, light switches, thermostats, etc.
• Reinforced bathroom walls so grab bars can be installed if needed
• Wheelchair-friendly kitchens and bathrooms

Most of our independent living partners must comply with these rules since they were built after 1991. Independent living communities built after 1991 with 4+ units and no elevator must only abide by these rules in ground-floor units. If a facility built before 1991 decides to renovate its property, it’s not required to meet these accommodations.

In any independent living community, landlords are also required to make reasonable accommodations for seniors with disabilities. For example, if you have a disability, you could ask for the following types of adjustments:

• Providing accessible parking
• Installing wheelchair ramps
• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Allowing service animals even if the apartment complex is not pet-friendly
• Adjusting rental due dates to fall in line with monthly disability checks

However, landlords don’t have to comply with modifications if it alters the community’s program or causes undue financial or administrative burden on the facility.

Do regulations change for senior living communities with multiple care types on the same campus?

A Place for Mom partners with four independent living communities with assisted living and/or memory care units available on the same campus. Communities with advanced care services must follow associated senior care laws and regulations. For more information on how senior care regulations differ from general rental standards, visit our guides to Tulsa assisted living or memory care.

COVID-19 regulations for Tulsa independent living communities

Oklahoma’s governor terminated the COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2021, which ended all COVID-19 restrictions in the state. However, senior living communities may still implement their own COVID-19 guidelines. Therefore, when looking for an independent living community, you should ask about their current safety measures and COVID-19 restrictions.

Since COVID-19 is still an ongoing risk, the Oklahoma Department of Health (OSDH) recommends following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. For additional information, visit the City of Tulsa COVID-19 resource page.

Whether you’re looking for an extravagant resort-style community or simply a way to start living a carefree, active lifestyle, Tulsa provides many options for independent seniors in the area. Read on to learn how you can live a fulfilling life in an independent living community and what type of community best suits your needs.

What are the differences between a stand-alone community and a facility with supportive care?

A majority of independent living communities in Tulsa are stand-alone facilities, meaning they only offer independent living services for independent seniors. Only four of our 12 independent living partners provide a continuum of care — one facility offers additional assisted living support and three communities provide advanced memory care on the same campus. This type of community benefits couples with different care needs, so they can live on the same campus while receiving their individualized level of care.

While both types of facilities are similar, you’ll find slight differences in the common amenities each offer. All independent living communities offer apartments — typically studio, one-, or two-bedrooms — but continuum of care communities may also offer cottages. Cottages offer extra space and a more homelike and independent feel than apartments. Additionally, many stand-alone facilities have additional on-site amenities like outdoor pools, chapels, professional beauty salons, and barbershops.

What types of amenities do independent living communities offer?

Tulsa independent living communities offer resort-style living with extra amenities that promote socialization and a fulfilling lifestyle. Amenities you may find in our partner Tulsa senior living communities include the following:

• Arts and crafts centers
• Beauty salons
• Barbershops
• Game rooms
• Movie theaters
• Billiards lounges
• Swimming pools

Additionally, all our independent living partners offer meal services, mostly served in a restaurant-style dining room. Some communities go beyond these services by providing room service and chef-prepared meals.

Will I be able to live an active lifestyle?

Yes. In fact, all of our independent living partners schedule on- and off-site activities to help ensure you maintain an active lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or a way to make new friends, scheduled activities have you covered. Almost all our partners also staff an activity director to tailor these activities to senior residents. Below are just some of the most popular senior-friendly activities you may enjoy in our partner Tulsa communities:

• Art classes
• Live musical or dance performances
• (Chair) yoga sessions
• Happy hours
• Trivia, poker, and other games
• Wii bowling playtimes
• Day trips and outings

Since Tulsa resides in the Bible belt, many independent living communities also offer on-site devotional activities. These may include religious services or Bible study sessions. Plus, some communities also provide on-site access to a visiting chaplain or priest.

Health care for seniors in Tulsa

Since some of the highest-ranked hospitals in Oklahoma are located in Tulsa, you’ll be able to find some of the best care in the state. Below are some of the most popular hospitals in Tulsa, with details on their specialized senior care or stroke treatments.

Transportation for seniors in Tulsa

Most locals in Tulsa use their own vehicles to get around the city. So, most independent living communities offer on-site parking options, some with covered options to help protect against storm damage. However, if you don’t have your own car, all our independent living partners in Tulsa also offer on-site transportation services at your convenience. While a majority of these on-site transportation services are complimentary, some require additional fees if you use the services outside of scheduled hours or designated areas.

Tulsa is difficult to get around without another means of transportation since it’s such a large metropolitan area. That being said, Tulsa still provides public transportation options through Tulsa Transit, which covers nearly 200 square miles of the area and surrounding suburbs. Take a look at some of Tulsa’s local transportation options below:

• Tulsa transit’s fixed routes offer stops around downtown and surrounding suburbs. Luckily, if you need a bus ride outside regular hours, Tulsa Transit provides weekend and late-night bus rides through their Nightline and Sunday Service.
• The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is the fastest bus service through Tulsa Transit, running every 20-30 minutes daily.
• The app service, Micro Transit Pilot Program, offers stops along fixed routes in northwest and northeast Tulsa.
• Jenks Connector, Broken Arrow Connector, and Turley Connector are other service connector options that travel between commonly needed destinations, like local stores and the Tulsa Health Department.

If you can’t use these forms of public transportation due to a disability, Tulsa Transit offers an ADA-paratransit service — Lift Paratransit — for eligible individuals. Regardless, you should always ask whether any of these options offer senior discounts.

The City of Tulsa transportation webpage helps you find other transportation options, like trails, rails, and bike lanes. To further understand the best ways to get around Tulsa, Walk Score ranks how easy the city is to navigate out of 100.

Senior activities in Tulsa

Tulsa’s artsy and historical museum culture, booming energy industry, rich diversity, meat-loving foodie scene, and beautiful outdoor areas are just a few of the immeasurable attractions the city has to offer. In this section, you’ll find various activities to enjoy individually or with visiting friends and family members.

You can also find more on Tulsa’s activity opportunities through the Travel Oklahoma Tulsa or the Visit Tulsa webpages.

Museums and monuments recognizing Tulsa’s energy industry

Since the early 1900s, Tulsa has been a hub for the American energy industry, bringing an influx of money and population to the area. Most of Tulsa’s wealth is attributed to the oil boom in the 1900s, but it’s also recognized for its continued economic impact on the current energy economy. Tulsa honors its oil industry roots with the famed 76-foot-tall statue, the Golden Driller, located outside Expo Square. Additionally, Tulsa recognizes its rich history at many museums, including but not limited to the following:

• Tulsa Tours Oil Capital Pop-Up Museum: Open indefinitely, this free exhibit honors the 100th anniversary of the International Petroleum Exposition.
• Tulsa Historical Society and Museum: This museum encapsulates all of Tulsa’s history through various exhibits, including Oklahoma oil production.
• Route 66 Historical Village: This popular museum preserves items harkening back to the golden era of the famous Route 66 highway, such as vintage pump jacks used for pumping oil.

Diverse culture and historic landmarks

Native American heritage is a prominent part of Oklahoma culture, with 14 of 38 Oklahoma documented Indian nations located in the state’s northern area. Tulsa is prominently known for the Muscogee (Creek) Tribe, as well as Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation. No cultural centers are dedicated to Native American culture within the city of Tulsa, but Oklahoma reserves part of their website to information to the state’s Oklahoma Native American tribes.

Tulsa is also home to the Greenwood Cultural Center, dedicated to informing the public on Tulsa’s notable effect on African American history and culture. Additionally, many visit Tulsa’s John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, which focuses on Oklahoma’s reconciliation with their African American population after historic racial disputes in the area.

Art deco architecture

Tulsa is famous for its art deco architecture that takes you back to the affluent Roaring ‘20s. You can walk along Deco District in downtown Tulsa to view the finest architecture in the area. Or, Tulsa businesses like Tulsa Tours and Tulsa Foundation for Architecture provide guided tours to help ensure you don’t miss any famous architecture in Tulsa. While there are countless buildings to see, many boast on the most popular and finest art deco architecture, like the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church and Philcade (or Philtower) building.

Tulsa Arts District and art museums

Tulsa’s dedicated Tulsa Arts District has nearly 20 local art galleries. You can fully experience this area every first Friday of the month when the district hosts art crawls. These art crawls feature local art galleries, studios, museums, performances, etc. On other days, you can visit popular local art museums, some of which highlight the local art deco architecture, like the following:

• Philbrook Museum of Art is a beautifully designed historic building known for its art deco architecture and landscaped gardens, which takes locals through various art exhibitions.
• Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, also referred to as the Gilcrease Museum, represents Indigenous cultures through various artifacts, like paintings, sculptures, and more.
• The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art honors Jewish culture and art with different exhibitions, as well as Holocaust memorials.
• DECOPOLIS Tulsa Art Deco Museum recognizes the area’s art deco architecture with art deco artifacts, a themed indoor town square, and souvenirs. Additionally, the museum offers a guide to finding local art deco architecture.

Performing arts and music venues

Tulsa is full of entertainment to enjoy on a night out with visiting friends and family members. There are many music venues scattered throughout Tulsa, but some of the most popular are the Tulsa Theater and BOK Center.

If you’re looking for performing arts, the area has countless opportunities with venues like the following:

• Tulsa Performing Arts Center
• Tulsa Ballet
• Tulsa Opera
• Tulsa Symphony

Casinos and horse racing

Seniors and visitors can enjoy four gambling opportunities, from casinos to horse racing in the summer. Tulsa is home to three casinos:

• River Spirit Casino Resort
• Margaritaville at River Spirit Casino
• Osage Casino Hotel

During summer months, you can also enjoy betting on horses at the live-action horse racing event Fair Meadows at Tulsa Expo Square.

Restaurants and breweries in Tulsa

As a city in Oklahoma, Tulsa has access to nearby farmlands with abundant beef cattle. Therefore, fresh locally sourced meat is a huge deal in the city. Steakhouses and barbeque joints are a must in Tulsa.

However, Tulsa goes beyond the typical steakhouses and barbeque joints by offering many other types of restaurants. Even though Oklahoma is a land-locked state, many locals also enjoy delicious seafood options. To top off the night, Tulsa’s local breweries offer traditional IPAs or unique stouts for a variety of tastes.

Outdoor areas

Northeast Oklahoma is also known as Green Country, where cities go beyond the typical city living with outdoor recreation spots. Check out some of the best outdoor areas in Tulsa:

• Golf courses: Tulsa is home to numerous golf courses and driving ranges. Some of which are private golf clubs that you must join to enjoy. One of the most popular is the private Southern Hills Country Club, which has hosted nearly 20 championship games. The Travel Oklahoma webpage also lists a few of the nearby golf courses available.
• Parks: One of the main outdoor opportunities in Tulsa are its parks. These local parks offer activities ranging from fishing areas to picnic areas.
• Lakes: Most lakes require a little drive, but the closest to Tulsa are Lake Yahola and Pretty Water Lake.
• Tulsa Zoo is the local 84-acre zoo that offers many exhibits, including a rainforest and conservation center.
• Tulsa Botanical Garden is the local 170-acre botanical garden situated around a 7-acre lake.