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Surrounded by waterways and tremendous skylines, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — also known as The Steel City — is a haven within reach of southwestern Pennsylvania’s beautiful natural landscape. From its affordable cost of living to its rich cultural scene, it’s not surprising seniors are choosing to settle down in Pittsburgh. For some seniors, a senior apartment community is the right fit for their needs. Others may find the extra services and amenities offered at independent living facilities to be more appealing.
Independent living communities have all of the perks of apartment-style living, but residents enjoy additional services, such as housekeeping, daily meals, and laundry. A Place for Mom partners with 15 independent living communities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Pittsburgh. We’ve crafted this handy guide to paint a picture of independent living in Pittsburgh. It includes real resident reviews and details on the top amenities and services found at local facilities and categorizes the different types of independent living facilities in Pittsburgh. We also outline costs and several payment options for seniors to consider when looking to pay for life at an independent living community.
Types of care available in Pittsburgh, PA
Independent Living
Mom enjoys the wildlife: deer, rabbits, squirrel, chipmunks,etc. It's like being home. Very good food at reasonable price for guests. Custodial staff cleans room 1x per week. Mom very appreciate. No oven or stove in apartment which is good idea. Reduces fire hazard. Wide variety of activities. Maintenance requests are promptly completed. Wide hallways for scooters. Plenty of room for walkers. Only drawback was not with Residence but with [name removed] Home Health Aide. A handful of times failed to execute giving mom meds. She gets them 3x per day. If happens try to resolve with [name removed]. If I could do it over would still choose Residence. ..
Value is a tough one. Tapestry is costly but it is nice. As you know, the level of care determines the monthly cost. My mother likes it very much. The food choices and quality could be better, she tells me. The facility is bright & airy. The activities are many. The staff is very kind, willing to help.
The food is good. Help with showers due my disabilities is great. Place is warm in winter, cool in summer. Best is how nice the owners and their employee daughters are to all of us.
120 6th St, Mckeesport, PA 15132
249 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA 15137
The Gardens of Lincoln Court welcomes you to a lifestyle that is engaging, comfortable and secure. Our family owned and operated community is just the right size to create a sense of neighborhood, while offering a wide range of services that give you the freedom to focus on the life you enjoy. ...
4480 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101
Hampton Fields provides a lower level of care, but UPMC took a lot of pressure off of me. It is a good, well-run, and clean facility. They helped to make the difficult task of placing your loved one in assisted living a little bit easier.
4480 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park, PA 15101
Hampton Fields provides a lower level of care, but UPMC took a lot of pressure off of me. It is a good, well-run, and clean facility. They helped to make the difficult task of placing your loved one in assisted living a little bit easier.
Our partner independent living communities in Pittsburgh cost an average of $4,200 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022 proprietary data.[01] This amount factors in any typical add-on fees and services that can include things the following:
Some communities set their pricing at a baseline cost before adding in any of the extra fees or expenses listed above. You’ll want to ask what’s included in the baseline costs to avoid paying for any extra services you don’t want or need. Take a look at the average starting costs of independent living facilities in the greater Pittsburgh area below.
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Most people use their private income sources to pay for life at an independent living community in Pittsburgh. Since these types of senior living communities don’t normally provide the care services offered in an assisted living or memory care facility, public resources like Medicare and Medicaid are not available to cover the costs.
Medicare and Medicaid can help pay for health care costs, however, in the event a person develops a medical need for care services while living in an independent living facility. Some seniors may also be eligible for additional public assistance or veterans benefits, which can help with independent living costs. We outline the different options that could help you to pay rent at independent living facilities in Pittsburgh below.
Many seniors rely on their personal income and assets to pay for life at an independent living community in Pittsburgh. Depending on an individual’s financial situation, a person may have funds from savings accounts, investment returns, or retirement income to put toward independent living costs. Some seniors may also find they can use proceeds from the following sources:
Stand-alone independent living facilities aren’t regulated the same way as other types of senior living communities in Pennsylvania, since independent living facilities are not considered care facilities. Stand-alone independent living communities are considered more like apartments. So, while their services are not regulated, they do need to follow all Pennsylvania housing and apartment codes. However, communities may have their own additional rules about who they admit. For example, some stand-alone independent living communities may require the prospective tenant to be independent enough to care for themselves, at least upon move in.
Most of our partner independent living facilities have senior care services available on-site, such as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. These types of independent living facilities may be more regulated, especially in areas shared with residents receiving care. In these cases, the independent living facility may also be classified as a personal care home. Personal care homes are inspected and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. You can find a list of inspection reports for personal care homes through 2020 on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website.
You can discover more about regulations for these types of senior living by heading over to A Place for Mom’s pages for assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes in Pittsburgh.
Independent living rental communities have the same types of tenant-landlord regulations as that of Pittsburgh senior apartments, with the same tenant-landlord responsibilities. Landlords are largely responsible for keeping the building and unit in a safe and livable condition. They must complete any maintenance and repairs in a timely manner. And tenants in independent living facilities are ultimately responsible for the following:
There are laws in place to protect prospective renters from housing discrimination. These safeguards include the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the federal Fair Housing Act. These laws prevent landlords from denying a prospective tenant due to factors such as sex, race, religion, disability, or family status (unless a community meets the housing for older persons exemption). Renters with disabilities, specifically, have the right to accommodations and modifications to make their new community as livable as possible to them, which landlords must help facilitate.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that helps make sure residents with disabilities have equal access to communal areas and their unit. Under the ADA, landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for residents with disabilities.
Accommodations are generally changes to a community’s policies, such as making an exception to a no-pet policy for residents who need to bring their service or therapy animal. Designating parking spots close to buildings for residents with a disability is another accommodation that a landlord can make. Modifications, on the other hand, are structural adjustments to the building. Modifications can look like installing wheelchair ramps in common areas or adding other common area and in-unit construction features.
Rental properties in Pennsylvania must allow residents with disabilities to make reasonable accommodations to their own living spaces to make the unit fully accessible to their needs. Landlords are allowed to require renters to pay for these modifications and can ask renters to restore a unit to its original condition before moving out. Some examples of in-unit reasonable modifications include the following:
As of May 2023, there weren’t any COVID-19 regulations or mandates for independent living facilities in Pittsburgh. Many independent living communities will likely follow guidance from state and county officials, and some may even have stricter policies in place to protect residents and staff.
You should reach out directly to prospective communities to ask about the specific COVID-19 measures they have in place for residents, visitors, and staff. You can visit the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) online COVID-19 dashboard to follow reports on local hospitalizations, infections, and other COVID-19 details. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also has a COVID-19 dashboard with data from across the state.
Independent living facilities in Pittsburgh offer active seniors the chance to enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with access to big-city amenities. You’ll find a variety of different architectural styles that range from contemporary wonders to tranquil, lodge-like settings.
While some facilities exclusively offer independent living, over half of our partner independent living communities also offer other senior living options like assisted living and memory care on-site. Take a peek at some of the amenities, services, and features that our partner Pittsburgh independent living facilities have to offer.
Pittsburgh independent living residents have access to on-site amenities that can make life seem like a never-ending vacation. A select few of our partner independent living communities offer access to on-site swimming pools, putting greens, and even woodworking shops. You can also expect to find the following common areas at most of our in-network independent living facilities in Pittsburgh:
Additionally, residents at our partner independent living communities often look forward to wide-ranging services designed to make life a bit easier. Some communities may include these services as part of the monthly rent, while some may offer them a la carte and add them to the monthly fee. Here are some of the most common services available at our partner independent living facilities:
Making friends is an almost effortless task at independent living facilities in Pittsburgh. All of our partner independent living communities host on-site activities that residents can get involved with. These coordinated activities present countless opportunities to socialize with events like the following:
Most of our partner independent living communities have on-site devotional services, and some even have a visiting priest or chaplain available. Residents can also expect to enjoy educational speakers, live performances, and pet-focused programs. Check out some more of the diverse clubs and classes residents can join at our in-network independent living facilities in Pittsburgh:
Most of our partner independent living facilities in Pittsburgh have a variety of floor plan options that range from studio and one-bedroom to two-bedroom units. Some communities have bonus features in select units, such as electronic key entry, attached outdoor spaces, and full-sized kitchens or kitchenettes. Additionally, most of our in-network independent living communities have wheelchair-accessible showers in private bathrooms. Some units also offer the following features:
A few of our in-network independent living facilities in Pittsburgh are continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). CCRCs generally have the same services and amenities offered at an independent living community, but the pricing structure looks a bit different. There’s usually a pretty sizeable admission fee that can vary depending on a community’s location, amenities, and services included in the contract. The admission fee is designed to cover any future care costs and essentially guarantees that a variety of on-site care services will be available to you if you ever need them. CCRCs also have ongoing monthly fees, which are often fixed regardless of whether you require more care services.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Pittsburgh in 2021
64% of Pittsburgh seniors age 65+ don’t report having a disability
Average annual income for Pittsburgh seniors 65 and older{{citation:7}}
Pittsburgh has an impressive collection of hospitals to choose from that offer services ranging from primary care to specialized medical care and treatments. There are several hospital providers scattered in and around the Pittsburgh metro area, and we highlight just a few of these below.
UPMC Shadyside is a Magnet-designated hospital that’s received national recognition for specialties ranging from cancer and neurology to cardiology and heart surgery. The hospital offers primary care and a range of specialty services, as well as senior care services for adults age 65 and older.
Jefferson Hospital is another Magnet-recognized hospital in the Pittsburgh area and is part of the Allegheny Health Network (AHN). The hospital offers a range of services that include emergency care, cancer care, and sleep disorders. Jefferson Hospital also has nationally recognized heart and vascular services at its AHN Cardiovascular Institute.
St. Clair Hospital has a range of inpatient and outpatient services available from progressive cardiovascular care and oncology services to emergency care. The hospital is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which lets St. Clair physicians collaborate with the experts at Mayo Clinic to drive better outcomes for patients with complex health conditions.
Allegheny General Hospital is also part of the Allegheny Health Network and is Pennsylvania’s first gold-certified hospital for its cardiac care services with a Gold Seal of Approval for Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center from the Joint Commission and American Heart Association. The hospital participates in various clinical trials and research studies through the Cardiovascular Research Institute, which gives patients access to some of the most cutting-edge treatments for heart disease.
On-site transportation is provided at over half of our partner independent living facilities in Pittsburgh. Residents without transportation may be able to utilize some of the door-to-door transportation and van services available for seniors in Pittsburgh, such as the following:
Over half of our in-network facilities are located close to public transit, which makes it easy to access the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) system. PRT operates over 700 buses across Allegheny County, and it also has an expansive rail line system that spans almost 30 miles across the city. Seniors age 65 and older with a Senior Citizen ConnectCard can ride free on PRT and other public transit vehicles.
Overall, Pittsburgh is a fairly navigable city and is highly rated by Walk Score for its public transit, walkability, and bike friendliness. Below, you’ll find downtown Pittsburgh is ranked with a near-perfect walkability and public transit score, as well as a notable bike score.
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Life in Pittsburgh presents a seemingly endless number of opportunities for seniors to pursue their passions and get involved in the local culture. Take a look at just some of the local attractions and activities we’ve highlighted for seniors in Pittsburgh. You can also peruse the Visit Pittsburgh official website for other local attractions.
Sports fans will find themselves right at home in Pittsburgh, and there are plenty of opportunities to cheer on one of the home teams throughout the year. While the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins are Pittsburgh’s more widely known professional teams, the city is also home to several other sports teams:
From primanti sandwiches and pierogies to pepperoni rolls, Pittsburgh is filled with scrumptious local staples to sink your teeth into. The city is also home to an impressive craft beer scene with several breweries located in town. Taking a local food and brewery tour is a great way to truly get a taste of Pittsburgh’s culture. Here are just a few highlights:
Pittsburgh is a great city for museum enthusiasts to explore. The city has a museum for just about every interest from art and history to sports. You can find just a few of Pittsburgh’s notable museums below.
If your perfect day involves 18 holes of golf, then you’ll want to head to one of Pittsburgh’s public golf courses. We list just a few golf courses in and around Pittsburgh, but you can find even more of Pittsburgh’s public golf courses on the Visit Pittsburgh website.
Seniors age 60 and older can enjoy various social and educational experiences at the senior community center in Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh area has several senior community centers located throughout the area, where seniors can socialize with the larger community. Here are a few types of activities you can find at these centers:
Whispering Pines Village, The Residence at Bethel Park and Brookdale Mt. Lebanon are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Pittsburgh, PA. 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 Pittsburgh is 5,869 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.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Pittsburgh. [Data set]. American community survey.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Home and community-based services.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. LIFE (living independence for the elderly).
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing discrimination under the fair housing act.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Pittsburgh. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2022). Downtown Pittsburgh.
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