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Known for its sports scene, blues music, breweries, and historical monuments, St. Louis is perfect for active people who love spending time in the community. Home to a plethora of museums, the Gateway Arch, and the Soulard Farmers Market, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.
With eight independent living communities partnered with A Place for Mom within a 10-mile radius of downtown St. Louis, independent living offers a way to spend retirement stress-free. Not only will you find your community offering regular activities and social events, you also won’t have to worry about transportation, home maintenance, or dining as those costs are included in St. Louis independent living facilities.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about independent living, including how to pay for independent living, the laws and regulations that protect your rights, veterans benefits in St. Louis, Medicare and Medicaid information, and things to do in the city.
Types of care available in St Louis, MO
Independent Living
They are pretty good. It's very clean. The staff is pretty friendly. They have stuff going on for activities, but they told me they take them out at least once a week, they told us they had a bus with a lift, and they don't. They told us when she was there she would be able to eat in any of the dining halls, the one on the independent living side has an open flexible eating schedule but when it came down to it, you have to stay with the assisted living dining room, if that is your section. We liked that it was faith based and that is really what drove the decision to move here.
So happy with Keystone!! It is the best independent living, assisted living, and memory I have seen in the area. The facility is just beautiful, and there is so much to do. But it is the quality of the people who work there and take care of your loved one who make the difference. There is so much compassion from the staff. I am so thrilled both my parents are at Keystone.
this is a first class place. excellent for the amount you pay. the only complaint is the consistency of the food quality. it all depends on who is cooking from day to day
120 West Adams Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122
420 S Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122
12444 Powerscourt Dr # 300, St. Louis, MO 63131
12444 Powerscourt Dr # 300, St. Louis, MO 63131
2535 Oakmont Terrace Dr, St. Louis, MO 63129
According to recent data from A Place for Mom, the average monthly cost of independent living, including associated fees and service fee add-ons, is $3,954, several hundred dollars more than the state and national averages.[01] Fees and service add-ons are included in this price.
The following chart illustrates the average baseline costs of independent living in St. Louis without taking any add-on fees into account.
6.10 miles from you
Your zip code
4.64 miles from you
Independent living isn’t classified as a type of senior care; because of this, seniors can’t use funding methods like Medicaid and Medicare to cover the housing costs associated with independent living.
Seniors commonly combine various income streams like retirement savings, social security benefits, and VA benefits to offset housing and medical costs for independent living. In this section, you’ll learn how these methods, as well as other private pay options and public assistance, can be used to fund a move into an independent living community.
Private income sources are often used to pay for costs related to independent living, whether through Social Security benefits, investment returns, or pensions. Other sources seniors often turn to include:
Because independent living apartments aren’t classified as long-term care facilities, they don’t have the same licensing requirements that communities like assisted living or memory care need to adhere to. There are, however, state and federal laws communities need to abide by:
However, if an independent living facility is part of a combined community with assisted living or memory care, for example, there will be additional licensing required due to these communities being classified as long-term care facilities. In this case, the Department of Health and Senior Services requires annual inspections and regular staff training. This document outlines the minimum requirements of assisted living and residential care facilities. To find inspection reports for assisted living facilities, search here.
Missouri Department of Health contact information
St. Louis Department of Health
1520 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-657-1528
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There are no COVID-19 mandates for independent living communities However, the St. Louis Department of Health recommends people follow best practices based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and provides some recommendations that are in line with the CDC.
Vaccinations. Encouraged but not required.
Masking. No mask mandate exists, but wearing a mask is recommended if transmission rates are up.
Social distancing. Avoidance of people with COVID-19 or symptoms of it is recommended.
Quarantining. No specific quarantining requirements exist.
Independent living is a wonderful way to enjoy retirement without the stress of household errands. Expect to see communities that provide activities and social outings, prepared meals, transportation, as well as housekeeping and maintenance. Independent living typically doesn’t offer personal care services, making it ideal for people who are active and healthy but want the convenience of living within these communities.
In an independent living community, most tasks related to home upkeep — like landscaping, and home maintenance — are covered in the costs of independent living. This leaves more time to spend on hobbies and activities you enjoy, with many independent living communities having amenities like a golf course, pool, clubhouse, and tennis center.
For those thinking about future care needs, it’s important to note that many independent living communities are part of more extensive care communities. For example, only four independent living communities we partner with in St. Louis are standalone; one is combined with an assisted living facility, and three are combined with an assisted living and memory care facility. These combination communities make transitioning according to care needs smoother and less stressful than moving to a new standalone facility.
Beyond the 10-mile radius of downtown St. Louis, there are an additional 32 communities we partner with offering independent living within a 25-mile radius of the city center. Eleven are standalone facilities, while the rest are part of larger care communities and living facilities, including assisted living, memory care, and senior apartments.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
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Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
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Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in St. Louis
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the St. Louis population
Median annual income for St. Louis seniors 65 and older
Ranked No. 11 on the Best Hospitals Honor Roll, Barnes Jewish Hospital is nationally ranked in 20 procedures by U.S. News and World Report.[02]
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
A general medical and surgical facility, Missouri Baptist Medical Center performs highly in 15 procedures and 3 adult specialties according to U.S. News and World Report.[03]
Rated as high performing in three adult specialties and 13 procedures by the U.S. News and World Report[04], this general medical and surgical facility is spread across two campuses.
St. Luke’s Hospital – Chesterfield
St. Luke’s Hospital – Chesterfield is particularly well known for treating heart conditions but is rated as high performing in 13 procedures and conditions according to the U.S. News and World Report.[05]
Known for its treatment of COPD and lung cancer, Christian Hospital is a regionally ranked surgical and medical facility according to the U.S. News and World Report.[06]
The St. Louis VA Medical Center is designed to provide veterans with primary and specialty care. This includes mental health care, extended care and rehab, recreation therapy, and treatment for substance abuse.
Getting around St. Louis has been made easy by our partner independent living communities because they all offer complimentary transportation. But there are certainly other ways to get around, too.
While some neighborhoods in St. Louis are very walkable with a walk score of 66 out of 100, most people use cars to get around the city easily. The higher the walk score, the easier it is for people to walk around the city.
St. Louis’ public transport is called the Metro system, which offers several different transport options, including buses and trains. All Metro transit is accessible; MetroBus has lifts and ramps and is equipped with kneelers for people who need stairs. The MetroLink offers similar accommodations, floor-level entry and exit platforms, and ramps or elevators at all stations. Amtrak also offers accessible seating, but reservations must be made in advance.
For those unable to use public transportation, the Metro system and several St. Louis organizations offer transportation for seniors and those with disabilities.
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For the best views of St. Louis, there’s no better place to see the city than the St. Louis Arch Grounds and Museum. Reaching 630 feet in the air, you can see the U.S.’s tallest monument from the ground or take the tram to the very top. Another great spot for great views (and sports lovers) is Busch Stadium. The stadium hosts regular Cardinals baseball games and also features accessible seating.
Another iconic part of St. Louis’ history worth visiting is the Anheuser-Busch brewery, home to the oldest Budweiser brewery. Here you can explore the old caves where beer was traditionally stored while learning about the brewing traditions that make this brand what it is today.
Theater lovers, particularly those who love Broadway, will enjoy spending an evening at The Fabulous Fox or The Muny. Both theaters have regular shows and are extremely accessible, offering accessible seating, listening, and communication aids.
If you like spending time outside, Tower Grove Park and its surrounding neighborhood are a wonderful way to spend the day. Spread across 289 acres; it’s the largest and best preserved 19th Century Gardenesque park in the United States. Beyond the park, wander through the local boutique stores or sip coffee at one of the many cafes in the area.
Art lovers also have plenty to do. The St. Louis Art Museum has a variety of art on display — from Monet watercolors to Ming Dynasty textiles — and is wheelchair accessible. For some local flavor, the Missouri History Museum and Soldiers Memorial have short- and long-term exhibitions that delve into the history of St. Louis.
For people interested in staying active in the community and making new friends, the following senior centers have various programming and supportive services:
Avalon Park Independent Living, Clarendale of St. Peters and Crestview Senior Living are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near St Louis, MO. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in St Louis is 3,822 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S News & World Report. (2023).Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
U.S News & World Report. (2023). Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
U.S News & World Report. (2023). Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
U.S News & World Report. (2023). St. Luke’s Hospital-Chesterfield.
U.S News & World Report. (2023). Christian Hospital.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in St. Louis.
Metro St. Louis. (n.d.). Accessibility | Metro Transit – Saint Louis
Amtrak. (n.d.). Accessible Travel Services | Amtrak
City of St. Louis. (n.d.). Tower Grove Park | City of St. Louis Parks
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