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Phoenix and the surrounding suburbs are leaders in senior independent living. While many retirees vacation in the Valley of the Sun for its blue skies and laid-back personality, Phoenix’s excellent medical infrastructure and relative affordability convinces many seniors to stay. Besides the snowbirds, a booming economy brings in highly skilled workers, who in turn bring their parents. Independent living in Phoenix is a good option for seniors who want to move out of a family home but don’t need the skilled care of an assisted living community.
In Phoenix, independent living looks like residential 55+ or 62+ neighborhoods that provide their residents with restaurant-style dining, social activities, resort-like amenities, and hassle-free living. Independent living communities usually have an all-inclusive monthly fee and a one-time move-in fee.
A Place for Mom partners with 22 independent living communities in a 10-mile radius of the Phoenix city center and 47 independent living communities within a 15-mile radius. While there is already a large supply of independent living communities within Phoenix and its suburbs, more independent living communities are currently being built to meet the rising demand.
Types of care available in Phoenix, AZ
Independent Living
I would say it is definitely a community you should consider. The evening and night staff were not as attentive as they should have been. They were not consistent with a night-time regiment and did not check on him enough during the night.
My loved one is currently a resident at Legacy Village of Salt River and overall this facility is a 4+!. The staff is good. Their responsiveness to issues is good. The food is good. Housekeeping is once a week and works well for the resident. The move in was stress free and they were very accommodating. My loved one is settling in and feels very safe and well cared for. I would recommend Legacy Village of Salt River to others.
Revel is warm and inviting. The Sales team is wonderful and goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable and heard. I love the family style atmosphere with all the other residents and it's a very classy place. There is always something fun to do here.
3609 W Marconi Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85053
3241 E Corrine Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032
5325 W Butler Dr, Glendale, AZ 85302
1837 E Aire Libre Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85022
4417 N 12th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
4141 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85012
1532 W Charleston Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85023
5235 N 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85019
13408 N 52nd Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85304
4201 W Paradise Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85053
4000 N 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013
1832 E Meadowbrook Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016
3426 W Angela Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85053
3420 W Angela Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85053
3815 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017
3811 N 27th Ave # 60, Phoenix, AZ 85017
2641 W. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85027
4101 W Hartford Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308
16424 N 29th St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
4123 N 21st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016
11051 N 44th Court, Phoenix, AZ 85028
420 W. Sequoia Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85027
4801 E Beryl Avenue, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
18046 N 42nd Drive, Glendale, AZ 85308
2941 N 14th St 623-670-1909cell, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Each independent living community has slightly different costs, payment options, and plans, so it’s important to ask communities directly about their costs before choosing. Every Phoenix independent living community should be able to give you a clear picture of how much it costs to live there.
Independent living costs tend to have two parts: monthly fees and a one-time admission fee.
Monthly fees for independent living
Senior residents of independent living communities in Phoenix paid an average of $3,206 a month in total, including all extra fees, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] The cost figures in the chart below are the baseline rental fees that area residents of independent living communities pay before adding fees for care and amenities.
These figures are slightly lower than monthly costs in other top independent living markets in the nation but more expensive than most rental apartments in Phoenix — due to the added services and amenities available to residents of independent living communities. The monthly independent living community fee often includes the following:
One-time admission fee for independent living
Not all independent living communities have an admission fee. Admission fees are more common in senior living communities known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). These communities have all senior care types on one site, with independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing areas. The admission fee is a way to offset future expenses as your care needs increase due to aging. Depending on the community, the one-time move-in fee varies from $100,000 to over $1 million, based on how much care the community can provide. Often, a higher move-in fee causes monthly payments to be lower. Many retirees use the equity from their house to pay.[01] However, some independent living communities in Phoenix have Return of Capital plans (ROCs), which means the community may return up to 80% of the move-in fee back to the resident or the resident’s heirs if they choose to leave or pass away without the need of long-term care.
26.67 miles from you
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33.39 miles from you
Most retirees pay for independent living with private funds. Because standalone independent living does not provide health services or personal care, it’s not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or long-term care insurance.
Many retirees fund their independent living through the sale of a family home. Read on for further tips on the common ways people privately pay for independent living:
Independent living communities don’t provide personal care or health care, so they are not regulated in the same way as assisted living communities. However, some independent living communities have assisted living and skilled nursing wings on site. These wings are regulated in the same way as stand-alone assisted living communities and nursing homes.
Independent living communities often have age and health requirements. Most require residents to be over 55 or 62 and won’t accept residents who are bedbound. Aside from these requirements, independent living communities go through similar, if not identical, inspections as traditional apartment complexes. Independent living residents can expect the independent living community to handle all of the maintenance and repairs, as well as keep the apartment or villa in a livable condition. Residents are also expected to keep their dwelling in a good condition and to not alter the apartment without consent from the community.
Arizona doesn’t have an agency to enforce any disputes between an independent living community and residents, so any problems are dealt with as private matters.
Phoenix independent living communities must follow the same COVID-19 guidance as traditional apartment complexes. This means they follow state and city guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Phoenix follows the Arizona Together program, which recommends that residents mask when sick and test for COVID-19 when exposed.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Independent living in Phoenix can be a senior retiree’s dream.
Phoenix is currently booming, but retirees have flocked to the Valley of the Sun for decades. The year-round sunshine and a local preoccupation with golf brings in plenty of snowbirds. But these delights are only part of the story why so many seniors choose to nest in Phoenix permanently.
Phoenix has a growing economy, so many retirees follow a child whose job brought them to the city. Some seniors are attracted to the strong medical infrastructure, and others are simply drawn to Phoenix for the sheer number of senior living options available.
In Phoenix, 7.7% of the population is over 70, but in the suburbs like Paradise Valley, 23% of the population is over 70.Because of the persistently high number of seniors, Phoenix has one of the highest concentrations of senior living options in the United States. This means that most retirees can find a senior living option that suits them in Phoenix.
With all this buzz, independent living costs in Phoenix are higher now than in the past. However, the cost of Phoenix’s independent living communities are still cheaper than the other top five senior living markets in the country, except for Dallas. As one of the most popular forms of senior living, and as one of the most profitable, independent living contractors continue to build these communities — making room for a new wave of seniors looking for a fresh lifestyle.
Independent living in Phoenix attracts active seniors who can take care of themselves but want simplicity and a richer social life. Most of Phoenix’s independent living communities offer a resort-like atmosphere, so living there feels like a forever vacation. On-site amenities often include pools, gyms, luxuriously designed interiors and common areas, and landscaped grounds.
Depending on the community, residents can live in an apartment, a townhome, or in some cases a stand-alone cottage within an age-restricted neighborhood. Many of these communities also provide concierge services. For example, wellness concierges can help residents develop a wellness plan, schedule fitness classes, and coordinate appointments with local health care providers.
Some Phoenix independent living communities have assisted living and skilled nursing wings on site. While they may be connected to or near the independent living community, these wings are licensed and registered differently. However, as part of their fees, many independent living communities can include provisions for future long-term care at these assisted living or skilled nursing wings.
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Number of Phoenix residents over 70
Percentage of Paradise Valley residents over 70
Percentage of Phoenix residents over 65 with a disability
Percentage of Phoenix seniors 65+ who are employed
The average high temperature in Phoenix in January
Phoenix has two hospitals that are nationally ranked in geriatric care.
The Mayo Clinic – Phoenix is rated No. 1 in the Phoenix metro area and ranked in 10 specialties nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s ranked 13th in the nation for geriatric care.
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is nationally ranked in geriatrics, neurology, and neurosurgery.
Residents generally need a car to get around Phoenix, as the urban sprawl can make it difficult to do otherwise. This is why many independent living communities have a transportation concierge arrange rides for residents, either as an a la carte service or included in the monthly fees. About 91% of independent living communities in Phoenix offer some form of transportation to their residents, usually included as part of their monthly amenity fees.
For public transportation options, the Valley Metro Transit System is the city’s train system and it operates throughout most of the day and night. Though, the train is not so reliable, as wait times can sometimes exceed 20 minutes. Another option for seniors is Dial-a-Ride, which provides transportation to and from appointments. Uber and Lyft are also some reliable options for transportation around Phoenix, depending on the traffic and the time of day.
WalkScore gave Phoenix the following ratings, each out of 100, based on public data about the city’s transportation infrastructure.
41
56
36
Phoenix is an exciting place for active, retired seniors.
Phoenix and the surrounding suburbs are home to many casinos, which several senior living communities organize shuttles and day trips to. The largest is Talking Stick Resort, which has a luxury hotel, a theater, a spa, a museum of Native American art, and an expansive game space. Casino Arizona and Gila River Casino also offer transportation to and from areas in Scottsdale.
Day spas are another part of the Phoenix culture. While most hotels in the area have excellent spas, there are plenty of stand-alone lodges that offer an immersive wellness experience. Many, like the Tierra Luna Spa on the Arizona Biltmore Resort, have magnificent views and enough options to keep you there all day.
Phoenix also has a great sporting culture, with the Footprint Center, State Farm Stadium, and the Chase Field. While they no longer offer senior discounts, the cherished local teams — the Arizona Suns, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Arizona Diamondbacks — bring the team spirit every time. Attending a home game is a popular activity for any age, including many seniors who plan their own day trips to see their favorite team. Casino Arizona also hosts Showtime Championship Boxing for serious Phoenix boxing fans to watch ringside.
For nature enthusiasts, there are plenty of natural landmarks in the surrounding desert and mountain landscape that bring people from around the world. For example, the Desert Botanical Garden is one of the best places to see unique desert flora, and it offers adult classes on landscaping, gardening, cooking, and art.
For architectural enthusiasts, tours are available at Taliesin West, the personal home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Phoenix also has an excellent musical instrument museum. Nearby is the Heard Museum, which has a nationally celebrated exhibition of Native American art.
Golf is a common hobby in Phoenix, and plenty of people visit for the golf scene specifically. Of the many golf courses to choose from, most have peaceful views of the Sonoran Mountain range and can be played all year because of the warm climate. Papago Golf Course is one of the most popular courses because of its scenic backdrop of the Papago Buttes and renowned bar and grill.
Along with everything else about Phoenix, the food scene is vibrant and expanding. While Mexican restaurants and steak houses have been Phoenix staples for years, the city is starting to be a food capital of the United States. From street tacos to fine dining, Phoenix has exceptional food for any taste and any budget.
Atria Chandler Villas, Verena at Gilbert and McDowell Village are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Phoenix, AZ. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Phoenix is 3,761 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101): Phoenix City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101): Paradise Valley Town [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Phoenix City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
WalkScore. 2022. Living in Phoenix.
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