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Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough and is right behind Queens when it comes to its senior population. Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, and the borough’s other unique attractions draw seniors to retire in the area. As the geographical center of NYC, Brooklyn’s prime location allows seniors to get to surrounding boroughs with ease. The borough is also known for its senior friendliness, great health care options, diverse activities, and senior living options — including independent living.
Independent living communities offer a safe place filled with luxe amenities and fun social activities. They allow seniors to forget about the stresses of home maintenance and daily chores by offering services like housekeeping, transportation, meal plans, and more. It’s ideal for seniors who don’t need assistance with their personal care but would like convenient on-site services and activities. In Brooklyn, the rent for independent living communities is around $7,800 per month. It’s higher than some assisted living and memory care communities due to independent living’s luxurious offerings.
Learn about Brooklyn’s independent living costs, payment tips, care and amenities, housing regulations, health care resources, and senior-friendly activities in this guide to Brooklyn independent living.
Types of care available in Brooklyn, NY
Independent Living
The only helpful thing would be using Touchpoint to create the shopping list when supplies run out. I often get multiple calls a day when they run out of soap supplies. Really minor because of such great care and medical coordination. Very happy with the transparency and visibility, the family app with activity participation levels and photos is great as well.
We went with The Senior Residence at Se. Peter Apostle because they offered a comparable level of service for almost $2000 less a month. The facility is smaller with only 20 rooms, it is a former convent so you have to be ok with a small room versus some other places that had large rooms. They have communal bathrooms and showers but there are 4 per hall so she has never had to wait. In terms of services, the other places we saw were not offering much more than this one and were more expensive. Here they offer 3 meals a day and access to coffee and tea throughout the day in a common room. It offers towel and bedsheet cleaning. But they do not have as many activities provided which is ok. The atmosphere is homey and she is comfortable here. I would absolutely recommend that others check it out. Staff are amazing and it doesn't matter who it is, they are super helpful to the residents. You can reach the director at anytime, she even gave me her phone number if we needed anything.
My father in law is doing okay here at this community, he is still adjusting, but they are caring for him well. We do feel comfortable with his move to this community, it is a nice place. [Removed] is amazing. She was great to work with, she was very helpful, and understanding. The front desk receptionist isn't very pleasant, but the rest of the staff is very kind, and helpful. His room is well maintained when we visit, but the guest restroom could be better maintained. They have been very accommodating, and this is a community I would recommend.
1270 67th St, Brooklyn, NY 11219
636 Louisiana Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11239
636 Louisiana Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11239
1620 Stillwell Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223
425 Ovington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
St Nicholas Home, I love living here because the staff members treat me like gold and I feel like a Queen because of how well I am treated. I love the home made fresh quiche.
It is often said that St. Nicholas Home is like a lovely little hotel in beautiful Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. Our philosophy is to give the finest care, attention and devotion to each resident, only seeking their happiness and well-being in return. St. Nicholas Home is a...
260 Powers Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
80-92 Ridge Street, New York, NY 10002
80-92 Ridge Street, New York, NY 10002
165 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009
4-12 49th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
4-12 49th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
135 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
61-80 Woodhaven Blvd, Rego Park, NY 11374
61-80 Woodhaven Blvd, Rego Park, NY 11374
70 Father Capodanno Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305
Dad is still adjusting to living at this community. The staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. They are encouraging him to participate in some of the daily activities. He seems to like the food and...
443-445 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011
443-445 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011
11502 Ocean Promenade, Rockaway Park, NY 11694
400 1st St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
110 Henderson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301
The Veranda Assisted Living is a newly renovated facility. It is a large 363 bed Medicaid assisted living facility. We are located on Staten Island, just minutes away from the Staten Island Ferry and Verrazano Bridge. Offering private and semi-private rooms that are available today. Providing...
425 Ocean Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07305
112-14 Corona Ave, Corona, NY 11368
112-14 Corona Ave, Corona, NY 11368
1065 Summit Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
1622 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028
The approximate cost of rent at an independent living community is $7,800 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data. This figure doesn’t include additional costs for some luxurious on-site services and amenities.
Amenities and services vary between Brooklyn’s independent living communities, but seniors can typically expect rent to cover the following:
Several Brooklyn communities within our network also offer transportation services, salon services, and meal accommodations, but they may incur additional fees.
At $7,800, Brooklyn is not as affordable as some other boroughs within our partnering independent living network but is more affordable than Manhattan. Here are our 2022-2023 proprietary rent estimates to give you a monthly cost comparison of independent living communities in other boroughs:
A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with many independent living communities in Staten Island, therefore we don’t have accurate cost data for that borough. Staten Island is generally known to be more affordable than the other boroughs and similar in costs to the Bronx.
Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover independent living community costs in Brooklyn because they are not considered long-term care communities. Therefore, Brooklyn seniors typically use these public programs to fund medical expenses while they combine personal resources to pay for independent living costs.
Private income sources include savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, and investment returns. Depending on their circumstances, seniors may also turn to the following private pay options:
If you’d like an outline of the payment options listed above, you can visit the payment section on our NYC page or view our guide to paying for long-term care to plan for potential care needs in the future.
Additionally, veterans might use public payment methods like VA benefits to offset independent living costs in Brooklyn. Furthermore, all seniors can usually turn to Medicare or Medicaid to save on some health care and long-term care costs. Learn more about all three options below.
About 31,000 veterans live in Brooklyn and more than half of them are 65 or older. Brooklyn and New York City provide a great selection of resources to help this growing veteran population cover independent living and long-term care costs. Consider reaching out to a local veterans service organization (VSO) in Brooklyn to receive benefits counseling and learn more about your entitled benefits as a veteran or surviving spouse.
The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services recommends the following offices in Brooklyn to any senior veterans searching for veterans service organizations (VSOs) in Brooklyn:
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS)
250 Schermerhorn St., Room 211
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-613-3735
Email: dvsinfo@veterans.ny.gov
Brooklyn Veteran Resource Center
25 Chapel St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
These organizations can connect you with VSOs like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). VSOs help Brooklyn veterans receive and maximize their entitled benefits by putting them in contact with qualified advisors and advocates.
Neither Medicaid nor Medicare cover the cost of independent living in Brooklyn, but seniors can use these health insurance programs to save on medical expenses and some long-term care costs. Learn more about both options below.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to seniors 65 years of age and older. It can pay for medical expenses, but it doesn’t cover room and board costs for independent living in Brooklyn. Medical expenses include doctors’ visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, medical equipment, and other medically prescribed services. It can also cover care costs — like hospice care and home health care — that may become necessary for aging seniors with health conditions.
To receive assistance with Medicare services in Brooklyn, you can use the Social Security Office Locator to contact a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Type in the ZIP code and click on “I Need Other Services” to find the nearest office. You can also contact New York State’s HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Programs) to receive benefits counseling and assistance.
To save on Medicare costs in Brooklyn, you can check out New York State’s consumer guide to community-based long-term care. The guide also includes information about the following in NYC:
Medicaid is a health insurance program that’s jointly funded by the federal and New York governments. It provides coverage to low-income seniors and is called New York State Medicaid (NYS Medicaid). The following factors can affect one’s eligibility:
NYS Medicaid doesn’t pay for room and board in a Brooklyn independent living facility. However, it can cover medical costs provided in or outside of a facility. Medical costs include doctors’ visits, immunizations, medicine, hospital stays, medical supplies, and other medically necessary costs. It can also cover health care services for seniors who need round-the-clock care in an assisted living community through its Assisted Living Program.
To access Medicaid benefits in Brooklyn, seniors can reach out to the following offices:
Coney Island
1912 Mermaid Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 929-221-3790
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
East New York
404 Pine St., 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Phone: 929-221-8204
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kings County Hospital
441 Clarkson Ave., “T” Building, Nurses’ Residence, 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11203
Phone: 718-221-2300. Extension #2301.
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Brooklyn South
785 Atlantic Ave., 1st Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 929-221-3502
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Note: Some of these offices offer online appointments, while others may be temporarily closed. Be sure to call before your visit.
Because they’re not care facilities, stand-alone independent living communities are considered to be like any standard apartment complex in Brooklyn, New York. This means they’re not regulated by a state health agency. As such, they only comply with regulations set forth by NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
As a senior who rents in an independent living community in NYC, you have several tenants’ rights and responsibilities. As a tenant, there are many laws that protect you from being discriminated against and work to ensure a safe, well-maintained housing environment. But, you also have a duty to follow apartment rules, like not damaging the building and staying in communication with landlords.
Your independent living landlord is required to provide you with the following security measures and essential services in a Brooklyn independent living apartment:
Your landlord is also required to keep your apartment free of hazards, vermin, and leaks. You have the right to request repairs or remediation if your apartment lacks essential services or if you’re living in hazardous conditions. If your landlord refuses to make repairs, you can report a complaint to the HPD.
If an independent living community offers assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing services on-site, that facility is additionally regulated beyond just residential tenant rights and protections. Such facilities are required to comply with the New York State Department of Health on a variety of regulations.
Learn more about senior care facility regulations in the laws and regulations section of our Brooklyn assisted living page.
In New York, you can find recent information on a building’s licensing, license violations, complaints, litigations, and more using this HDP search tool. You can also learn more about HPD inspections on the website.
Brooklyn offers different types of independent living communities throughout the borough. Some communities like The Waterford on the Bay overlook the captivating Sheepshead Bay, while others prioritize simplicity within the borough’s quieter neighborhoods. There’s even a faith-based community — Ateret Avot — that accepts seniors of all faiths.
Learn about how Brooklyn’s charming, brownstone-lined streets offer a unique retirement for seniors through independent living below.
Brooklyn independent living communities offer a variety of on-site services and amenities that make day-to-day life easier for seniors. For instance, seniors don’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or driving, unless it’s something they wish to do. The following independent living services and amenities offer seniors safety and convenience:
Most of our partner communities don’t have kitchenettes, but they do offer cooking classes or shared kitchens for those who enjoy cooking. Some communities even offer conveniences like prescription ordering, on-call doctors, and transportation for medical appointments.
Aging sometimes comes with conditions that require some light nursing services. In anticipation of such needs, some of our Brooklyn independent living partners offer different types of care within a different section of the same building. For instance, some of our partners offer on-site assisted living services like the following:
One of the biggest draws of independent living in Brooklyn is the robust entertainment and social environment. These communities are known to provide seniors with activities and amenities that nourish the mind, body, and soul. From group activities like bingo and trivia to wellness activities like yoga and lifelong learning lectures, seniors have the opportunity to flourish in new ways.
Common activities and amenities found in our partner Brooklyn independent living communities include the following:
Some luxurious partners — like The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights — also offer lavish amenities like a rooftop terrace garden area, resident bar areas, and live entertainment rooms for local artists.
Brooklyn has some accessible medical centers to meet the various health care needs of seniors. The borough’s top-rated hospitals provide impressive care services — see the highlights below.
Approximately half of our independent living community partners in Brooklyn offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services for residents. Seniors can schedule a ride with the on-site concierge. Do remember that some communities may limit rides to medical appointments and essential errands, while others allow rides for social occasions and personal events.
For visiting loved ones and independent seniors, the city offers a variety of public transportation options including subways, buses, taxis, and more. Seniors 65+ can receive a discount on NYC’s transportation services. To obtain a Reduced Fare Metro Card from the New York City Department of Aging, seniors can show their Medicare card or call 3-1-1. You can learn more about local senior transportation options in Brooklyn on the NYC 311 website.
Brooklyn offers plenty of entertainment and culture for seniors to enjoy. Seniors can enjoy local attractions and festivities during group outings scheduled by most of our partner independent living communities. Or, they can explore the borough on their own. Below, we’ve highlighted some of Brooklyn’s senior-favored activities to give you a snapshot of the borough’s entertainment options.
Yorktown Assisted Living Residence, The Belvedere and Sunrise of Marlboro are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Brooklyn, NY. 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 Brooklyn is 6,011 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Brooklyn borough, Kings County, New York.
New York State Department of Health. (2023, August). How to apply for NY Medicaid.
New York City Housing Preservation and Development. (2019). Tenants’ rights and responsibilities.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Hospitals in Brooklyn, NY.
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