10 Best Independent Living Communities in Colonie, NY

Independent Living

For many seniors, the financial burden of home ownership and the maintenance of daily tasks and chores might deter them from an independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities offer a good solution. Occupants can continue to live their lives as they desire while their meals are prepared by a professionall chef, housekeeping and laundry duties are handled by staff, and social activities are scheduled and organized. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to be among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and backgrounds. Within the individual units, residents have access to their own private living space and a full kitchen, and can even live with a partner if they choose. While policies differ between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always enlist the services of private caregivers. There are an assortment of benefits and costs to balance while deciding on an independent living community. It is important to learn if these amenities are covered in the service plan: private phone, transportation, Waiting list deposit, initial assessment fee, utilities, parking, field trips, and wellness program. The benefits that pertain to independent living include game/TV room, private rental hall, restaurant-style dining hall, laundry service, golf course, beauty salon & barber shop, fitness center & swimming pool, and security guards.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living can be the major influence when choosing which community fits best. The rent burden for Colonie is around 15.4% of the average person’s monthly income. Monthly, the median cost for rent in Colonie is about $1,089 and the median home value for Colonie is around $206,943.

Demographics and Values

Demographically, Colonie is 2.8% black, 4.0% Hispanic, 3.9% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 1.8% other or not specified, 0.2% Native American, 82.9% white, and 8.4% Asian. Currently, the population of Colonie consists of 7,809 people. Colonie has a population density of 930 people per square mile. In terms of education, 34.2% have a college degree, 14.4% have a graduate degree, and 26.5% have a high-school diploma. Out of the total city population, 48.9% are female and 51.1% are male. The median age of Colonie is 45 years old. In Colonie, 2.3% do not have health insurance, 4.0% live in poverty, 7.6% are widows, and 66.9% participate in the labor force. In Colonie, 5.4% of the people are veterans of the United States military.

State Information

An overview of New York

Residents of New York enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 24th in the United States. In terms of resources, New York has a cost of living index of 135.7, a grocery index rating of 114.8, and a housing index rating of 204.4. 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. There are 205 general hospitals and 496 health centers that provide care for 19,493,819 New York residents. Hospital For Special Surgery, Albany Memorial Hospital, and And Northern Duchess Hospital are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The quality of life enjoyed by the average New York citizen is ranked 25th nation-wide. Additionally, New York is ranked 13th by standards of healthcare.

Social demographics of the state

In New York, 29% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 14,110 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-7%, Muslim-2%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-10%, Mainline Protestant-11%, and Historically Black Protestant-5%. In New York there are 72 masonic lodges. The state has a median age of 39 and 30% of its population being over the age of 55. In terms of diversity, New York ranks 5th in the nation and is considered very LGBTQ friendly. In the most recent presidential election, 37% of New York residents voted Republican and 59% voted Democrat.

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the summer rises to around 68F. The average high summer temperature is around 86F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 48F in the month of June. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 25F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 25F during the month of December. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 2F in the month of January. On average, New York has an air quality index rating of around 34.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 44.5 AQI. On average, the state receives 3.54 inches of precipitation a month. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of October at around 6.10 inches. On average, the humidity rating for New York is around 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 77% in the month of December. While residents of New York mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in New York can include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and and earthquakes (moderate).

Wildlife to be found in New York

The state of New York has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of northern blueflag, smooth white beardtongue, bluets, and smooth blue aster. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the Eurasian boar, the gray fox, the American marten, or the mink. The state animal of New York is the beaver.