10 Best Independent Living Communities in Urbandale, IA

Independent Living

For seniors who would prefer to live primarily without assistance but would like the convenience of having chores and housekeeping handled by professionalls, an Independent Living Community might be the perfect option. Occupants can use their free time as they see fit while their food is cooked 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 the opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and backgrounds. 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. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent care providers. There are an assortment of expenses and advantages to consider when selecting an independent living community. It is important to determine if these services are covered in the service plan: utilities, move-in fee, laundry, Waiting list deposit, private phone, meals, initial assessment fee, and field trips. The amenities that pertain to independent living include beauty salon & barber shop, laundry service, concierge services, community activities, golf course, fitness center & swimming pool, private rental hall, and healthcare center.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is a major influence when deciding which location meets the needs of your loved one. The rent burden for Urbandale is around 16.8% of the average monthly income. The median home value in Urbandale costs around $217,132 and the median rent is around $1,359 a month.

Demographics and Values

Racially, the population of Urbandale is 89.5% white, 3.9% Hispanic, 3.5% Asian, 0.0% Native American, 3.8% black, 0.5% other or not specified, 2.4% mixed race, and 0.2% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian. In terms of education, 16.7% have a high-school diploma, 48.6% have a college degree, and 14.8% have a graduate degree. Urbandale has a population density of 748 people per square mile. Currently, the population of Urbandale consists of 43,592 people. In Urbandale, 6.8% have some form of disability, 75.3% participate in the labor force, 3.9% do not have health insurance, and 4.9% are widowed. Out of the total city population, 51.1% are female and 48.9% are male. The median age of Urbandale is 39 years old. In Urbandale, 7.1% of the citizens are veterans of the United States military.

State Information

An overview of Iowa

The state of Iowa has 120 hospitals and 75 health centers, providing care to a population of 3,168,703. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be Mercy Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, and And Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids. The natural beauty of Iowa is ranked 32nd in the nation. Out of a national average of 100, Iowa has a cost of living index rating of 92, a grocery index rating of 96, and a housing index rating of 80. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Iowa citizen is ranked 14th nation-wide. Additionally, Iowa is ranked 20th by standards of healthcare.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of diversity, Iowa ranks 43rd in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly. In the last presidential election 42% of Iowa residents voted Democrat and 51% voted Republican. The state has a median age of 38 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. Thirty-six percent of Iowa residents regularly attend a religious service from one of the state’s 5,107 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-28%, Mainline Protestant-30%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Iowa there are 289 masonic lodges.

State-wide weather information

Iowa experiences an average humidity rating of about 72%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of December. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 22F. The average high winter temperature is around 40F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 4F during the month of January. During the summer, the average temperature in Iowa is around 72F. The average high summer temperature is around 88F in the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 55F during the month of June. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of July at around 6.46 inches. On average, the state receives 2.93 inches of precipitation a month. The average air quality index rating in Iowa is 41.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 53.8 AQI. While residents of Iowa mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Iowa can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Iowa

The state of Iowa has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of tumblegrass, dryflower, Arrowgrass, and prickly pear cactus. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the lynx, the mountain lion, the elk, or the gray wolf. The state animal of Iowa is the eastern goldfinch.