10 Best Independent Living Communities in Fountain Hills, AZ

Independent Living

For many seniors, the cost burden of home ownership might deter them from an independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities offer a convenient remedy to this situation. Frequent needs such as the scheduling of social activities and meal planning are accounted for, which provides seniors more free time to live active lives as they wish. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and backgrounds. Residents’ quarters consist of private living spaces, each with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to entertain guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies vary between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always utilize the services of private health care professionalls. There are an assortment of expenditures and benefits to keep in mind when choosing an independent living community. It is important to learn if these services are included in the service plan: cable TV, initial assessment fee, private phone, utilities, wellness program, meals, parking, and move-in fee. The luxuries that pertain to independent living include private rental hall, game/TV room, laundry service, community activities, healthcare center, fitness center & swimming pool, beauty salon & barber shop, and transportation.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living is a major factor when selecting which destination is the best fit for you or your loved one’s needs. The rent burden for Fountain Hills is around 16.3% of the average person’s monthly income. The median monthly rent in Fountain Hills is about $1,191 and the median home value for Fountain Hills is approximately $387,240.

Demographics and Values

In terms of education, 18.7% have a graduate degree, 18.0% have a high-school diploma, and 48.7% have a college degree. Out of the total city population, 46.1% are male and 53.9% are female. The median age of Fountain Hills is 58 years old. Out of the total population of Fountain Hills, 14.1% have some form of disability, 4.9% live in poverty, 6.9% are widows, and 53.2% participate in the labor force. Racially, the population of Fountain Hills is 0.9% mixed race, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.3% Native American, 4.6% Hispanic, 0.2% other or not specified, 0.5% black, and 95.6% white. The current population of Fountain Hills consists of 24,583 people. Fountain Hills has a population density of 468 people per square mile. In Fountain Hills, 10.5% of the people are veterans of the United States armed forces.

State Information

An overview of Arizona

The quality of life enjoyed by the average Arizona citizen is ranked 34th nation-wide. Additionally, Arizona is ranked 23rd by standards of healthcare. The natural beauty of Arizona is ranked 33rd in the nation. There are 96 general hospitals and 153 health centers that provide care for 7,296,554 Arizona residents. Verde Valley Medical Center, Flagstaff Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic Hospital are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The state of Arizona has a cost of living index of 97.7 where a score of 100 is the national average, and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. The state has a grocery index rating of 96.9 and a housing index rating of 91.7.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of religious values, 34% of Arizona’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 4,673 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-26%, Mainline Protestant-12%, and Historically Black Protestant-1%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-2%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Arizona there are 67 masonic lodges. In terms of diversity, Arizona ranks 11th in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly. The state has a median age of 38 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. During the latest presidential election, 49% voted for the Republican candidate while 45% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

During the summer, the average temperature in Arizona is around 81F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 112F during the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 34F during the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Arizona drops to around 46F. The average high winter temperature is around 75F in the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 11F in the month of December. On average, Arizona has an air quality index rating of around 49.9 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of April with a rating of around 65.5 AQI. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Arizona is around 1.04 inches. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of July at around 4.92 inches. Arizona experiences an average humidity rating of about 39%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of January at around 61%. While residents of Arizona mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Arizona can include earthquakes (moderate) and floods.

Wildlife to be found in Arizona

The state of Arizona has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of desert flowers, jojoba, pinon, and juniper. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the a single jaguar (called el jefe) that migrated to Arizona from Mexico, the black and brown bears, the coyote, or the black-tailed jackrabbit. The state animal of Arizona is the the ringtail cat.