10 Best Independent Living Communities in Ithaca, NY

Independent Living

For many seniors, cost of owning a home and the maintenance of daily tasks and chores might deter them from an independent life. Independent Living Communities offer a good solution. Frequent needs such as housekeeping and meal planning are accounted for, which permits seniors more free time to live active lives as they wish. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, in a community with 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 differ between locations, numerous residences allow pets as well. Nursing and health care services can always be arranged for with independent care providers as desired. There are an assortment of expenses and advantages to consider when choosing an independent living community. It is important to learn if these services are covered in the service plan: cable TV, laundry, parking, private phone, transportation, field trips, initial assessment fee, and utilities. The benefits and amenities associated with independent living include community activities, golf course, restaurant-style dining hall, laundry service, beauty salon & barber shop, security guards, transportation, and healthcare center.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is a big influence in selecting which destination is best for your family. The rent burden for Ithaca is about 16.4% of the average person’s monthly income. Per month, the median price of rent in Ithaca is around $1,377 per month and the median value of a home in Ithaca costs around $231,396.

Demographics and Values

Ithaca has a population density of 2,221 people per square mile. Demographically, Ithaca is 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 6.6% black, 0.3% Native American, 68.6% white, 1.8% other or not specified, 7.3% Hispanic, 5.1% mixed race, and 17.6% Asian. Out of the total population of Ithaca, 5.9% have some form of disability, 43.4% live in poverty, 5.8% do not have health insurance, and 46.8% participate in the labor force. In terms of education, 13.2% have a high-school diploma, 37.5% have a graduate degree, and 64.4% have a college degree. In Ithaca, 1.8% of the population are veterans of the United States military. Out of the total city population, 49.6% are female and 50.4% are male. The median age of Ithaca is 22 years old.

State Information

An overview of New York

In terms of personal well-being, New York ranks 13th in healthcare and 25th in quality of life compared to other states. The natural beauty of New York is ranked 24th in the nation. The state of New York has a cost of living index of 135.7 where a score of 100 is the national average, and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than the average. The state has a grocery index rating of 114.8 and a housing index rating of 204.4. In total, New York has 205 general hospitals and 496 health centers that provide care for 19,493,819 citizens. The three highest ranked hospitals in New York are Hospital For Special Surgery, Albany Memorial Hospital, and And Northern Duchess Hospital.

Social demographics of the state

The median age in the state is 39, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55. In terms of religious values, 29% of New York’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 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 of New York ranks 5th in the country for diversity and the state 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

On average, New York has an air quality index rating of around 34.2 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of May with a rating of 44.5 AQI. New York experiences an average humidity rating of about 71%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 77% in the month of December. The average monthly precipitation for the state of New York is around 3.54 inches. The most precipitation occurs in October with an average of 6.10 inches of precipitation a month. 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. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 2F during the month of January. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 68F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 86F during the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 48F during the month of June. 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 blue aster, sneezeweed, and bluets. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the eastern cougar, the red fox, the mink, or the gray fox. The state animal of New York is the beaver.