10 Best Independent Living Communities in Fitchburg, MA

Independent Living

If you or your loved one desire the convenience of having your chores managed while living your life at your own pace, you might want to consider an Independent Living Community. Food preparation, recreational activities and housekeeping duties are taken care of while you are unencumbered to use your time as you wish. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by 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 partner if they choose. While policies differ between locations, many residences allow pets as well. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent caregivers. There are an assortment of costs and advantages to balance while deciding on an independent living community. It is important to determine if these services are covered in the plan: transportation, utilities, laundry, field trips, move-in fee, parking, cable TV, and meals. The benefits that pertain to independent living include healthcare center, restaurant-style dining hall, fitness center & swimming pool, concierge services, golf course, security guards, community activities, and transportation.

Demographics and Values

Of the population of Fitchburg 7.3% have a graduate degree, 20.8% have a college degree, and 35.5% have a high-school diploma. Out of the total city population, 51.2% are female and 48.8% are male. The median age of Fitchburg is 35 years old. Demographically, Fitchburg is 0.2% Native American, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 4.0% black, 3.7% mixed race, 4.0% Asian, 26.5% Hispanic, 80.9% white, and 7.3% other or not specified. Fitchburg has a population density of 565 people per square mile. Currently, the population of Fitchburg consists of 40,793 people. Out of the total population of Fitchburg, 17.9% live in poverty, 64.7% participate in the labor force, 6.1% are widows, and 4.4% do not have health insurance. In Fitchburg, 7.9% of the population are veterans.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living is a big influence when deciding which community works for your loved one’s needs. The rent burden for Fitchburg is about 21.8% of the average monthly income. The median home value in Fitchburg is around $183,380 and the median rent is around $1,359 a month.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

Out of a national average of 100, Massachusetts has a cost of living index rating of 134, a grocery index rating of 114, and a housing index rating of 170. There are 78 general hospitals and 129 health centers that provide care for 6,941,273 Massachusetts residents. Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The natural beauty of Massachusetts is ranked 26th in the nation. Overall, Massachusetts ranks 8th out of all states in quality of life and 2nd in healthcare.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of diversity, Massachusetts ranks 16th in the nation and is considered very LGBTQ friendly. The median age in the state is 39, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55. In the last presidential election 60% of Massachusetts residents voted Democrat and 33% voted Republican. In Massachusetts, 23% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 4,200 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-9%, Mainline Protestant-10%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Massachusetts there are 27 masonic lodges.

State-wide weather information

During the winter, the average temperature in Massachusetts drops to around 28F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 45F during the month of January. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 7F during the month of December. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 68F. The average high summer temperature is around 85F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 50F in the month of June. The average air quality index rating in Massachusetts is 38.9 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 47.5 AQI. The average humidity across the state is 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 71% in the month of December. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of May at around 6.10 inches. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Massachusetts is around 4.04 inches. While residents of Massachusetts mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Massachusetts can include hurricanes, earthquakes (moderate), and and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of American linden, eastern red cedar, sycamore, and butterfly weed. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the spike gayfeather, the bats, the black bears, or the cut leaf coneflower. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.