10 Best Independent Living Communities in Kissimmee, FL

Independent Living

If you or your loved one would like the convenience of having housekeeping and chores taken care of while living the way you wish, you might want to consider independent living. Residents can continue to use their free time as they wish while their meals are prepared by a professionall chef, housekeeping and laundry duties are handled by staff, and recreational activities are organized and scheduled. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and interests. Residents’ quarters consist of private living spaces, each with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering opportunities to socialize with guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies vary between locations, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. Nursing and health care services can always be arranged for with private care providers if desired. There are a variety of expenditures and advantages to keep in mind while determining an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these services are included in the plan: field trips, parking, transportation, utilities, private phone, housekeeping, initial assessment fee, and cable TV. The benefits that pertain to independent living include community activities, golf course, fitness center & swimming pool, laundry service, transportation, game/TV room, beauty salon & barber shop, and restaurant-style dining hall.

Cost of Living

The cost of care for a community is influenced by the city in which it is located. The median home value in Kissimmee costs around $147,372 and the median rent is about $997 a month. The rent burden for Kissimmee is around 24.2% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Racially, the population of Kissimmee is 5.6% mixed race, 70.3% white, 10.1% other or not specified, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.9% Asian, 66.1% Hispanic, 0.1% Native American, and 10.9% black. In Kissimmee, 13.9% have some form of disability, 24.4% live in poverty, 65.1% participate in the labor force, and 4.6% are widowed. Based on gender, 50.0% are male and 50.0% are female. The median age of Kissimmee is 34 years old. In Kissimmee, 3.4% of the citizens are veterans of the United States military. In terms of education, 15.7% have a college degree, 4.7% have a graduate degree, and 31.4% have a high-school diploma. Kissimmee has a population density of 1,318 people per square mile.

State Information

An overview of Florida

Overall, Florida ranks 13th out of all states in quality of life and 29th in healthcare. In total, Florida has 218 general hospitals and 108 health centers that provide care for 21,626,797 citizens. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and Jupiter Medical Center. Out of a national average of 100, Florida has a cost of living index rating of 99, a grocery index rating of 104, and a housing index rating of 95. Residents of Florida enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 21st in the United States.

Social demographics of the state

The state of Florida ranks 8th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. In the last presidential election 48% of Florida residents voted Democrat and 49% voted Republican. The state has a median age of 42 and 34% of its population being over the age of 55. In terms of religious values, 35% of Florida’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 15,611 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-3%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-24%, Mainline Protestant-14%, and Historically Black Protestant-8%. In Florida there are 290 masonic lodges.

State-wide weather information

The average monthly precipitation for the state of Florida is around 4.54 inches. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of June at around 11.50 inches. During the winter, the average temperature in Florida drops to around 60F. The average high winter temperature is around 79F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 36F during the month of January. During the summer, the average temperature in Florida is around 82F. The average high summer temperature is around 95F in the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 66F during the month of June. The average humidity across the state is 75%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of September at around 78%. The average air quality index rating in Florida is 37.0 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of April with a rating of 47.9 AQI. While residents of Florida mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Florida can include hurricanes and floods.

Wildlife to be found in Florida

The state of Florida has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of sand pines, cypresses, southern magnolia, and beautyberry. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the six species of sea turtle, the west Indian (Florida) manatee, the wild hog, or the gray fox. The state animal of Florida is the Florida panther.