10 Best Independent Living Communities in Westfield, MA

Independent Living

If you desire the peace of mind of having housekeeping and chores taken care of by professionalls while living at your own pace, consider independent living. Meals, leisure activities and housekeeping responsibilities are handled while you are unrestricted to use your time as you choose. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by 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 opportunities to entertain guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies vary between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing care is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent care providers. There are a number of advantages and expenditures to keep in mind while selecting an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are covered in the service plan: utilities, field trips, cable TV, initial assessment fee, housekeeping, parking, internet access, and transportation. The benefits that pertain to independent living include restaurant-style dining hall, private rental hall, security guards, laundry service, concierge services, transportation, golf course, and community activities.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living can be the big influence when determining which care choice meets the needs of your loved one. The median home value in Westfield is $220,540 and the median cost for rent is $1,278 per month a month. The rent burden for Westfield is about 19.9% of the average person’s monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Of the population of Westfield 10.9% have a graduate degree, 30.9% have a high-school diploma, and 32.0% have a college degree. In Westfield, 2.1% do not have health insurance, 7.1% are widows, 8.5% live in poverty, and 65.4% participate in the labor force. Based on gender, 51.1% are female and 48.9% are male. The median age of Westfield is 38 years old. Racially, the population of Westfield is 2.2% Asian, 1.6% black, 1.3% mixed race, 8.3% Hispanic, 1.7% other or not specified, 0.1% Native American, 93.0% white, and 0.1% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian. Westfield has a population density of 348 people per square mile. The current population of Westfield consists of 41,700 people. In Westfield, 9.2% of the population are veterans of the United States military.

State Information

An overview of Massachusetts

Overall, Massachusetts ranks 8th out of all states in quality of life and 2nd in healthcare. Residents of Massachusetts enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 26th in the United States. 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. In total, Massachusetts has 78 general hospitals and 129 health centers that provide care for 6,941,273 citizens. The three highest ranked hospitals in Massachusetts are Cape Cod Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and New England Baptist Hospital.

Social demographics of the state

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. The state of Massachusetts ranks 16th in the country for diversity and the state is considered very LGBTQ friendly. The state has a median age of 39 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. During the latest presidential election, 33% voted for the Republican candidate while 60% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

On average, the state receives 4.04 inches of precipitation a month. The most precipitation occurs in May with an average of 6.10 inches of precipitation a month. The average humidity across the state is 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 71% in the month of December. During the summer, the average temperature in Massachusetts is around 68F. The average high summer temperature is around 85F in the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 50F during the month of June. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 28F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 45F during the month of January. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 7F in the month of December. On average, Massachusetts has an air quality index rating of around 38.9 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 47.5 AQI. 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 white spruce, eastern hemlock, American linden, and butterfly weed. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the cut leaf coneflower, the lance leaf coreopsis, the black bears, or the bobcats. The state animal of Massachusetts is the woodchucks.