10 Best Independent Living Communities in Palm Harbor, FL

Independent Living

For seniors who desire to live primarily without assistance but would like the advantage of having daily tasks and responsibilities handled by professionalls, an Independent Living Community could be the perfect fit. Basic tasks such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and social activities is provided, allowing residents the autonomy to use their time as they wish, free from daily responsibilities. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and backgrounds. Typically consisting of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer homes with many of the amenities of apartment life but without the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and there will be more time to spend with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies differ between communities, numerous residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent care providers. There are a number of expenses and benefits to keep in mind while choosing an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these amenities are covered in your service plan: move-in fee, cable TV, meals, parking, initial assessment fee, private phone, internet access, and transportation. The benefits associated with independent living include fitness center & swimming pool, community activities, restaurant-style dining hall, transportation, game/TV room, healthcare center, golf course, and laundry service.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living is a major influence when choosing which care choice works for you or your loved one’s needs. Per month, the median rent in Palm Harbor is about $954 and the median home value in Palm Harbor costs around $194,829. The rent burden for Palm Harbor is around 18.9% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

In Palm Harbor, 12.0% of the people are veterans. Of the population of Palm Harbor 34.2% have a college degree, 10.6% have a graduate degree, and 25.7% have a high-school diploma. Currently, the population of Palm Harbor consists of 61,553 people. Palm Harbor has a population density of 1,370 people per square mile. Out of the total city population, 47.8% are male and 52.2% are female. The median age of Palm Harbor is 50 years old. Demographically, Palm Harbor is 2.3% mixed race, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 7.1% Hispanic, 91.6% white, 0.9% other or not specified, 0.2% Native American, and 2.5% black. Out of the total population of Palm Harbor, 9.2% consider themselves widows, 9.3% do not have health insurance, 8.1% live in poverty, and 15.6% have some form of disability.

State Information

An overview of Florida

In terms of personal well-being, Florida ranks 29th in healthcare and 13th in quality of life compared to other states. 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. There are 218 hospitals and 108 health centers that service a population of 21,626,797. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and Jupiter Medical Center. Residents of Florida enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 21st in the United States.

Social demographics of the state

In Florida, 34% of the population is over the age of 55. The median age in the state is 42. In terms of religion, 35% of Florida residents attend religious services among the 15,611 different congregations that are available in the state. 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. The state of Florida ranks 8th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. During the latest presidential election, 49% voted for the Republican candidate while 48% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

On average, the humidity rating for Florida is around 75%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of September. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Florida is around 4.54 inches. The most precipitation occurs in June with an average of 11.50 inches of precipitation a month. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 60F. The average high winter temperature is around 79F in the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 36F in 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, Florida has an air quality index rating of around 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 saw palmetto, orchid, muhly grass, and cypresses. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the herons, the Florida panther, the six species of sea turtle, or the swamp rabbits. The state animal of Florida is the Florida panther.