10 Best Independent Living Communities in Bull Valley, IL

Independent Living

Many seniors may be physically and mentally capable of living without assistance, but cost of owning a home and the maintenance of the property might deter them from enjoying an otherwise independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities offer a convenient alternative. Basic needs such as meal planning and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and leisure activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they choose, free from daily responsibilities. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and interests. Within the individual units, residents have access to a private living space and a full kitchen, and can even live with a companion if they choose. While policies vary between communities, numerous residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always enlist the services of private health care professionalls. There are a number of benefits and expenses to consider when determining an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are included in your care plan: laundry, parking, utilities, internet access, private phone, housekeeping, move-in fee, and wellness program. The luxuries that pertain to independent living include fitness center & swimming pool, restaurant-style dining hall, laundry service, transportation, golf course, concierge services, beauty salon & barber shop, and community activities.

Cost of Living

Cost of living can be a major influence when selecting what location works best. The median monthly rent in Bull Valley is $2,764 and the median value for a house for Bull Valley is $404,458. The rent burden for Bull Valley is about 23.9% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Racially, the population of Bull Valley is 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.0% Native American, 2.8% black, 15.2% Hispanic, 92.9% white, 2.4% other or not specified, and 0.9% mixed race. Out of the total city population, 51.2% are female and 48.8% are male. The median age of Bull Valley is 50 years old. Bull Valley has a population density of 45 people per square mile. The current population of Bull Valley consists of 1,102 people. In Bull Valley, 12.4% of the population are veterans. Of the population of Bull Valley 19.0% have a high-school diploma, 53.8% have a college degree, and 21.3% have a graduate degree. In Bull Valley, 1.3% live in poverty, 3.6% consider themselves widows, 14.3% have some form of disability, and 6.5% do not have health insurance.

State Information

An overview of Illinois

There are 199 general hospitals and 383 health centers that provide care for 12,696,123 Illinois residents. Sherman Hospital, Sam Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Centralia, and And Midwestern Region Medical Center are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The natural beauty of Illinois is ranked 43rd in the nation. Out of a national average of 100, Illinois has a cost of living index rating of 96, a grocery index rating of 94, and a housing index rating of 87. Overall, Illinois ranks 35th in quality of life and 22nd in healthcare compared to other US states.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of diversity, Illinois ranks 10th in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly. In the last presidential election 56% of Illinois residents voted Democrat and 39% voted Republican. In Illinois, 34% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 12,453 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-20%, Mainline Protestant-16%, and Historically Black Protestant-7%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-2%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Illinois there are 518 masonic lodges. The median age in the state is 38, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the summer rises to around 73F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 91F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 53F in the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Illinois drops to around 28F. The average high winter temperature is around 49F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 10F during the month of January. Illinois experiences an average humidity rating of about 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of December. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Illinois is around 3.33 inches. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of May at around 6.02 inches. On average, Illinois has an air quality index rating of around 37.7 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 54.5 AQI. While residents of Illinois mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Illinois can include floods, earthquakes (moderate), and and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in Illinois

The state of Illinois has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of angelica, bloodroot, black eyedSusan, and aromatic aster. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the big brown bat, the eastern red bat, the American pygmy shrew, or the American black bear. The state animal of Illinois is the white-tailed deer.