Who are you searching for?
If you’re looking for independent living in the Fort Walton Beach area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in Fort Walton Beach. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.
Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 8 independent living facilities in Fort Walton Beach, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.
We are also serving Independent Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Wright and Santa Rosa Island.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Wright, Niceville or Cinco Bayou.
Types of care available in Fort Walton Beach, FL
Independent Living
What has really stood out to us and what we really like most about the Bayport of Fort Walton Beach community is he overall friendliness of the staff. We would recommend this community to other families who may need a place for their loved ones.
I have only been here one month and it already feels like home. The staff is wonderful and are available to help you with anything. The food is very good and is even getting better with the new chef. People are so friendly that they will stop you And ask if your new and introduced themselves and welcome you. There are many, many activities, so there is always something you can find to do and friends to be there and help you. I couldn’t be happier.
From the moment you step onto the property, you're enveloped in a serene atmosphere of tranquility and natural beauty. Each corner seems to hold a new delightful surprise,The rooms are not only impeccably clean but also exude a charming elegance that makes you feel right at home. The attention to detail in the decor is remarkable, adding a touch of luxury to the stay.The staff here are truly exceptional, providing top-tier service with genuine warmth and hospitality. They anticipate every need and go above and beyond to ensure a memorable experience.Dining at Navarre Garden is an absolute delight.
243 Hollywood Blvd. NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
I would rate everything a 5 except for the food. I was frequently there with my mom for breakfast and lunch and my brother for dinner. The food left a lot to be desired. I would rate it a 2 - and that...
Locally owned and managed by SRI, LLC who have 30 communities in their portfolio. This one of kind community in Fort Walton Beach brings a new concept to senior living. The concepts has 4 buildings at which each are connected by an interior hall and can be also entered from exterior. Inside...
1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Well kept well run facility. Meals are excellent and residents and staff very friendly. Nice community environment. Priced well considering other options in area.
Meridian at Westwood provides a full range of choices for today's seniors. Choosing a senior living community represents a lifestyle choice and we understand that our residents are choosing much more than a comfortable living environment to call home. In choosing this community, our residents...
2000 Principal Ln, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
It is a smaller facility so one can easily get from one space to another. We have one in Memory Care and the other in Assited Living. They visit often. The facility is updated. The look is fresh. The rooms...
Belvedere Commons of Fort Walton Beach is an elegant assisted living and memory care community in southern Okaloosa County, Florida. Uniquely placed in a beautiful residential setting near the Emerald Coast along the northern Gulf of Mexico, Belvedere Commons is a warm, vibrant and supportive...
233 Carmel Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
We picked this community, because it was close to my house, I liked that it's secure-locked doors, and it was smaller. There are some things that they stated that they would provide, but they couldn't do...
When you’re ready to enjoy your well-deserved retirement and leave the laundry, housekeeping and daily chores to someone else, our community in Fort Walton Beach, on Florida’s magnificent Emerald Coast, is waiting for you. We offer assisted living and Alzheimer’s and dementia care while providing...
321 Woodrow Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
321 Woodrow Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
30 Holly Avenue, Shalimar, FL 32579
1200 Hawthorn House Dr, Shalimar, FL 32579
The average cost of senior living in Fort Walton Beach is 4,230 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Laurel Hill, FL with an average of 2,779 per month.
Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.
In Fort Walton Beach, Florida, seniors have access to local offices and organizations that may help them obtain financial assistance for senior care, including:
In Fort Walton Beach, Florida, seniors have access to local offices and organizations that may help them obtain financial assistance for senior care, including:
Fort Walton Beach, Florida is a car-dependent city. Seniors can expect to need a car here for most errands. Transit options in Fort Walton Beach include fixed bus routes and Dial-A-Ride service through EC Rider. Fort Walton Beach has limited biking infrastructure and is somewhat walkable, depending upon the neighborhood.
Fort Walton Beach offers several health care providers for seniors wanting to be proactive about their health or for seniors seeking treatment for chronic conditions. The area has a few hospitals, including Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospitals.
Fort Walton Beach is known for its relaxed pace of life, scenic sandy beaches, and year-round warm weather. Find companionship through engaging activities, such as Tai Chi, ceramics, and billiards, offered at the Senior Center located in the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center. Exercise-minded seniors can play tennis or pickleball at the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center, while eligible veterans may enjoy tax-free shopping on nearby Eglin Air Force Base.
Independent living offers a stress-free lifestyle for older adults. Independent living communities don’t provide personal care or supervision, but do offer generally healthy adults opportunities for socialization and hassle-free living. Independent living services often include:
This welcoming Florida Panhandle town offers residents easy access to daily resources like shopping centers and healthcare facilities in a modern, suburban setting. Fort Walton Beach’s numerous parks, nearby nature areas, and local festivals — including Fort Walton Beach Landing Park and the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival — celebrate the city’s history, environment, and local culture.
Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Fort Walton Beach are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Fort Walton Beach retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.
The median monthly cost of independent living in 2019 was about $3,100 in Fort Walton Beach and within the metropolitan area. The median monthly cost of independent living in 2019 in the state of Florida was around $2,700.
The total household expenses associated with living in Fort Walton Beach are rated 17 points below the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are also rated below the average.
Index Scores
All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is twice as expensive as the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half as expensive.
| Household Expenses | Health Care | Insurance | Entertainment | Groceries | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | 86 | 86 | 79 | 81 | 86 |
Income and Housing
| Median Income Age 45-64 | Median Income Age 65+ | Median Household Income | Average Individual Income | Median Employee Salary | Average Property Tax | One-bedroom Apartment Gross Rent Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,445 per year | $49,025 per year | $49,899 per year | $27,989 per year | $38,462 per year | $1,738 per year | $810 per month |
The top hospitals that service Fort Walton Beach include:
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
Fort Walton Beach’s climate is classified as humid subtropical with some of the hottest summer temperatures in the state of Florida. The average humidity level is 76%, and humidity levels are often highest during August at about 78%.
Seasonal Temperatures
| January Average | January Maximum | January Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 49°F | 61°F | 37°F |
| July Average | July Maximum | July Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 81°F | 91°F | 71°F |
Air Quality
This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.
Precipitation
Population Statistics
| Median Age | Percent of Population Over 65 | Population | Population Density | Average Household Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 19.3% | 20,728 | 2,760 per square mile | 2.3 |
Race & Ethnicity
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | Asian | Black | Hispanic or Latino | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | Two or More Races | White (not Hispanic or Latino) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2% | 4.5% | 11.6% | 10.0% | <0.1% | 5.3% | 69.5% |
These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
These scores were taken from the 2020 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
2016 Presidential Election Results for Okaloosa County
| Democratic | Republican | Other |
|---|---|---|
| 71.3% | 23.6% | 5.1% |
Some of the most popular museums and historic sites in Fort Walton Beach include:
Outdoor attractions in Fort Walton Beach:
Fort Walton Beach’s top entertainment destinations and shopping districts are:
Transportation
Okaloosa County Transit offers bus transportation, along with paratransit services to eligible passengers, to Fort Walton Beach. Taxis and rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are also available in Fort Walton Beach.
University Pines by Sky Active Living, The Opal at Bluewater Bay and The Waterford at Carpenter's Creek are the top-rated independent living facilities near Fort Walton Beach, Florida. See full list of communities.
There are 8 independent living facilities near Fort Walton Beach, Florida. See the full list.
The best independent living facilities near you in Fort Walton Beach, Florida are Meridian at Westwood. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
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.
Please enter a valid email address.