10 Best Independent Living Communities in Menlo Park, CA

Independent Living

An Independent Living Community provides residents the opportunity to live an active life while ensuring their essential needs are fulfilled. Daily needs such as meal planning and the scheduling of social activities are accounted for, which permits seniors more opportunities to live active lives as they see fit. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by 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 differ between locations, many residences allow pets as well. If residents decide they would like to enlist the services of private health care professionalls, they always have the option. There are an assortment of advantages and costs to balance while determining an independent living community. It is important to determine if these services are included in the plan: initial assessment fee, utilities, internet access, wellness program, private phone, parking, laundry, and meals. The benefits and amenities that pertain to independent living include community activities, concierge services, laundry service, fitness center & swimming pool, transportation, golf course, game/TV room, and beauty salon & barber shop.

Demographics and Values

In terms of education, 41.9% have a graduate degree, 8.4% have a high-school diploma, and 70.7% have a college degree. In Menlo Park, 4.6% of the citizens are veterans of the United States armed forces. Demographically, Menlo Park is 0.7% Native American, 4.9% black, 68.9% white, 13.3% Asian, 5.9% other or not specified, 1.5% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 4.8% mixed race, and 15.4% Hispanic. Out of the total population of Menlo Park, 3.0% do not have health insurance, 7.7% have some form of disability, 66.3% participate in the labor force, and 4.5% are widowed. Currently, the population of Menlo Park consists of 34,357 people. Menlo Park has a population density of 1,324 people per square mile. Out of the total city population, 49.1% are male and 50.9% are female. The median age of Menlo Park is 37 years old.

Cost of Living

The neighborhood in which a care community is located will have a big effect on the price of care. The total cost of living is a big influence in determining which care option works for you or your loved one’s needs. The rent burden for Menlo Park is about 20.7% of the average monthly income. Monthly, the median price of rent in Menlo Park is about $3,145 per month and the median home value in Menlo Park is about $1,764,562.

State Information

An overview of California

The state of California has a cost of living index of 138.7 where a score of 100 is the national average, and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than the average. The state has a grocery index rating of 121.4 and a housing index rating of 227.3. The state of California has 391 hospitals and 1,108 health centers, providing care to a population of 39,715,372. Mills-peninsula Medical Center, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, and And Santa Monica’s UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. In terms of personal well-being, California ranks 7th in healthcare and 19th in quality of life compared to other states. Residents of California enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 5th in the United States.

Social demographics of the state

During the latest presidential election, 32% voted for the Republican candidate while 62% voted for the Democratic candidate. In terms of diversity, California ranks 1st in the nation and is considered very LGBTQ friendly. In California, 26% of the population is over the age of 55. The median age in the state is 37. In terms of religious values, 31% of California’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 23,558 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-20%, Mainline Protestant-10%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-2%, Buddhist-2%, and Hindu-2%. In California there are 395 masonic lodges.

State-wide weather information

During the summer, the average temperature in California is around 71F. The average high summer temperature is around 116F in 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 California drops to around 47F. The average high winter temperature is around 76F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 8F during the month of January. The average monthly precipitation for the state of California is around 2.04 inches. The most precipitation occurs in December with an average of 16.26 inches of precipitation a month. The average air quality index rating in California is 57.1 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of August with a rating of around 83.0 AQI. The average humidity across the state is 61%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of July at around 81%. While residents of California mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in California can include earthquakes (high), floods, and and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in California

The state of California has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of jojoba, service-berry, California poppy, and western cypress. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the whales, the black bears, the coyotes, or the snakes. The state animal of California is the California grizzly bear.