10 Best Independent Living Communities in Merritt Island, FL

Independent Living

If you or your loved one would like the convenience of having your housekeeping managed by professionalls while living at your own pace, consider an Independent Living Community. Meals, leisure activities and housekeeping duties are handled for you while you are unrestricted to use your time as you desire. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by others of similar age groups and backgrounds. Within the individual units, residents have access to their own private living space and a full kitchen, and can even live with a partner if they prefer. While policies differ between communities, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. If residents decide they would like to employ the services of independent medical providers, they may always do so. There are a variety of costs and advantages to consider when choosing an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are covered in your care plan: move-in fee, utilities, parking, housekeeping, transportation, Waiting list deposit, field trips, and internet access. The amenities associated with independent living include security guards, transportation, game/TV room, golf course, private rental hall, restaurant-style dining hall, laundry service, and concierge services.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living is a major influence when choosing which community works for your loved one. The rent burden for Merritt Island is about 17.8% of the average person’s monthly income. Per month, the median rent in Merritt Island is about $1,032 and the median home value in Merritt Island is about $218,101.

Demographics and Values

In terms of education, 26.0% have a high-school diploma, 12.4% have a graduate degree, and 32.4% have a college degree. The total population of Merritt Island consists of 36,380 people. Merritt Island has a population density of 801 people per square mile. Out of the total city population, 51.6% are female and 48.4% are male. The median age of Merritt Island is 50 years old. In Merritt Island, 14.0% live in poverty, 9.3% consider themselves widows, 58.9% participate in the labor force, and 17.7% have some form of disability. In Merritt Island, 15.5% of the people are veterans of the United States armed forces. Racially, the population of Merritt Island is 0.8% other or not specified, 2.4% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 7.8% Hispanic, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 89.7% white, 2.5% mixed race, and 4.4% black.

State Information

An overview of Florida

There are 218 general hospitals and 108 health centers that provide care for 21,626,797 Florida residents. The three highest ranked hospitals in Florida are St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and Jupiter Medical Center. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Florida citizen is ranked 13th nation-wide. Additionally, Florida is ranked 29th by standards of healthcare. The state of Florida has a cost of living index of 98.9 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 104.0 and a housing index rating of 95.4. Residents of Florida enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 21st in the United States.

Social demographics of the state

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

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the winter falls 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. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 82F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 95F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 66F in the month of June. On average, the state receives 4.54 inches of precipitation a month. The most precipitation occurs in June with an average of 11.50 inches of precipitation a month. The average air quality index rating in Florida is 37.0 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of April with a rating of around 47.9 AQI. On average, the humidity rating for Florida is around 75%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of September at around 78%. 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 cypresses, muhly grass, orchid, and a wide variety of palms. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the west Indian (Florida) manatee, the shortnose sturgeon, the wild hog, or the herons. The state animal of Florida is the Florida panther.