10 Best Independent Living Communities in Needham, MA

Independent Living

Independent Living Communities provide individuals with a convenient harmony between living an independent lifestyle and not having to worry about the basic tasks of housekeeping and chores. Daily needs such as meal planning and housekeeping are accounted for, which permits residents more opportunities to live active lives as they see fit. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and backgrounds. Residents’ quarters consist of private living spaces, each with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to entertain 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 residents decide they would like to utilize the services of private medical providers, they always have the option. There are an assortment of benefits and costs to balance when selecting an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these amenities are included in the service plan: transportation, internet access, cable TV, private phone, field trips, parking, wellness program, and utilities. The luxuries associated with independent living include restaurant-style dining hall, fitness center & swimming pool, transportation, concierge services, community activities, laundry service, golf course, and private rental hall.

Cost of Living

Cost of living can be the motivating factor when choosing which community is best for your family. The rent burden for Needham is about 19.4% of the average person’s monthly income. Monthly, the median cost of rent in Needham is around $2,651 and the median price of a home in Needham is about $754,719.

Demographics and Values

In Needham, 5.6% of the population are veterans. Out of the total city population, 51.5% are female and 48.5% are male. The median age of Needham is 44 years old. Needham has a population density of 955 people per square mile. The total population of Needham consists of 30,429 people. Racially, the population of Needham is 86.6% white, 0.0% Native American, 0.5% other or not specified, 2.7% Hispanic, 8.2% Asian, 2.1% black, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 2.7% mixed race. Out of the total population of Needham, 7.2% have some form of disability, 6.7% consider themselves widows, 1.4% do not have health insurance, and 66.1% participate in the labor force. In terms of education, 42.7% have a graduate degree, 11.4% have a high-school diploma, and 74.6% have a college degree.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

In terms of resources, Massachusetts has a cost of living index of 133.8, a grocery index rating of 113.9, and a housing index rating of 170.3. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than said average. The natural beauty of Massachusetts is ranked 26th in the nation. The state of Massachusetts has 78 hospitals and 129 health centers, providing care to a population of 6,941,273. The three highest ranked hospitals in Massachusetts are Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Massachusetts citizen is ranked 8th nation-wide. Additionally, Massachusetts is ranked 2nd by standards of healthcare.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of religion, 23% of Massachusetts residents attend religious services among the 4,200 different congregations that are available in the state. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-9%, Mainline Protestant-10%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-3%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Massachusetts there are 27 masonic lodges. In Massachusetts, 30% of the population is over the age of 55. The median age in the state is 39. In the last presidential election 60% of Massachusetts residents voted Democrat and 33% voted Republican. The state of Massachusetts ranks 16th in the country for diversity and the state is considered very LGBTQ friendly.

State-wide weather information

Massachusetts experiences an average humidity rating of about 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 71%. 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 most precipitation occurs in May with an average of 6.10 inches of precipitation a month. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Massachusetts is around 4.04 inches. During the winter, the average temperature in Massachusetts drops to around 28F. The average high winter temperature is around 45F in the month of January. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 7F in the month of December. During the summer, the average temperature in Massachusetts is around 68F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 85F during the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 50F during the month of June. 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 eastern hemlock, white spruce, eastern red cedar, and flowering dogwood. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the spotted geranium, the black bears, the white pine, or the blue flag. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.