10 Best Independent Living Communities in Austin, MN

Independent Living

For seniors who would prefer to live primarily without assistance but wish for the convenience of having daily tasks and responsibilities handled by professionalls, an Independent Living Community may be the perfect choice. Basic chores such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and social activities is maintained, allowing residents the autonomy to use their time as they see fit, free from daily responsibilities. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and backgrounds. Residents’ quarters consist of a private living space with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to socialize with guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies differ between communities, a number of residences allow pets as well. Nursing and health care services can always be arranged for with private care providers if desired. There are an assortment of expenditures and benefits to balance while determining an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are included in your service plan: field trips, move-in fee, meals, Waiting list deposit, transportation, housekeeping, cable TV, and private phone. The conveniences that pertain to independent living include security guards, healthcare center, beauty salon & barber shop, laundry service, concierge services, game/TV room, fitness center & swimming pool, and private rental hall.

Demographics and Values

Out of the total population of Austin, 8.2% do not have health insurance, 13.2% have some form of disability, 64.5% participate in the labor force, and 14.8% live in poverty. Based on gender, 49.8% are male and 50.2% are female. The median age of Austin is 38 years old. Austin has a population density of 767 people per square mile. In Austin, 8.6% of the citizens are veterans. Demographically, Austin is 0.1% Native American, 5.1% black, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.3% Asian, 2.9% mixed race, 86.7% white, 15.8% Hispanic, and 1.9% other or not specified. Of the population of Austin 22.0% have a college degree, 28.9% have a high-school diploma, and 8.1% have a graduate degree.

Cost of Living

The community where a community is based might have a major influence on the overall cost. Cost of living is a big influence when deciding which community is best for your family. The rent burden for Austin is about 14.1% of the average person’s monthly income. Monthly, the median rent in Austin is $757 and the median price of a home in Austin costs around $101,456.

State Information

An overview of Minnesota

The natural beauty of Minnesota is ranked 3rd in the nation. There are 140 general hospitals and 61 health centers that provide care for 5,654,535 Minnesota residents. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing, and Alomere Health. Overall, Minnesota ranks 3rd in quality of life and 10th in healthcare compared to other US states. In terms of resources, Minnesota has a cost of living index of 101.5, a grocery index rating of 106.7, and a housing index rating of 88.3. 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.

Social demographics of the state

In the most recent presidential election, 45% of Minnesota residents voted Republican and 46% voted Democrat. In terms of religious values, 34% of Minnesota’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 5,953 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-19%, Mainline Protestant-29%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Minnesota there are 170 masonic lodges. The median age in the state is 38, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55. In terms of diversity, Minnesota ranks 27th in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly.

State-wide weather information

The average monthly precipitation for the state of Minnesota is around 2.37 inches. The most precipitation occurs in June with an average of 5.59 inches of precipitation a month. On average, the humidity rating for Minnesota is around 70%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 80%. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 13F. The average high winter temperature is around 33F in the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around -11F in the month of January. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 67F. The average high summer temperature is around 86F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 42F in the month of June. On average, Minnesota has an air quality index rating of around 34.5 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 42.7 AQI. While residents of Minnesota mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Minnesota can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of black and white spruce, juniper, black cherry, and mountain ash. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the red-winged blackbird, the trumpeter swans, the timber wolves, or the black bears. The state animal of Minnesota is the eastern timber wolf.