10 Best Independent Living Communities in Arlington, TX

Seniors typically pull together their personal income and retirement resources to cover independent living costs in Arlington, Texas. Seniors who served in the U.S. military may also qualify for VA benefits to offset some living costs. Many seniors also qualify for Social Security benefits, which can be used to pay for costs of living. If care needs arise, seniors may turn to Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance programs to pay for in-home health care services. With certain programs, qualifying health care services can be provided wherever the senior calls home, like within an independent living community.

Below, you’ll learn more about all of these resources. In each section, you’ll find local contact information and websites for programs to help you access such benefits. Learn how these private and public payment methods can be used to cover costs of living as well as potential long-term care costs in independent living facilities.

• Selling a house. Seniors moving into an independent living community are often looking to downsize, resulting in the sale of their house. A house sale could free up some cash to help cover independent living expenses.
• Reverse mortgage. If selling your house isn’t a feasible option, you could take out a reverse mortgage. This option allows you to borrow from your home equity to cover some independent living costs.
• Life insurance. If you’re enrolled in a life insurance plan, you might be able to sell, surrender, or borrow from your policy to pay for senior living expenses.

Arlington independent senior living communities are not regulated by a state agency, unless they share a building or campus with an assisted living care facility. Stand-alone independent living communities — those without shared assisted living spaces — have the same regulations as general apartment complexes. This means they must comply with general Texas housing and rental standards, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.

Housing laws and regulations like these help ensure that residents of any rental community are not discriminated against and are provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas independent living communities have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some raising it to 62.

Regulations for independent living communities with assisted living units

If an independent living community shares its building or campus with an assisted living unit, the area designated for assisted living and any shared areas must follow assisted living facility regulations. Assisted living regulations are set by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) to help ensure a suitable environment for aging seniors. If you’d like to learn more about Texas’ assisted living regulations, visit the laws and regulations section on our Arlington assisted living page.

Regulations for stand-alone independent living facilities

In Texas, stand-alone independent living communities are only required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. This means landlords must grant tenants some specific rights, provide disability accommodations, and maintain all facilities. Below, you’ll learn about your rights as a resident in an independent living rental community.

What are my rights as an independent living tenant in Arlington, Texas?

Knowing your tenants’ rights will help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some important tenants’ rights in Texas:

• Residents have the right to ask their landlord to repair structural problems that risk their health and safety. And, landlords must make a diligent effort to repair the problems at hand.
• Residents may terminate their lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after two notices to the landlord within a reasonable timeframe — usually seven days.
• Residents may hire an external contractor to fix the problems at hand, if their landlord fails to resolve issues after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe. Residents can then submit their expenses to the landlord to deduct from their rent.

Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that tenants reach out to an attorney or a local tenants association for advice. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and will ultimately lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide multiple written notices to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.

If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Can I ask for disability-related accommodations and modifications in an independent living community in Arlington?

In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to their disability. These laws also require housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

If you’re a senior with a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications within your independent living community. Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:

• Allowing a service animal to live with a resident, even when there’s a no-pets policy in place
• Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the resident’s building
• Changing the due date of rent to reflect a resident’s disability income payment dates

Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units. Some examples of reasonable modifications in line with the ADA include the following:

• Installing a specialized smoke detector for a resident with a hearing impairment
• Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable a disabled resident to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
• Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a resident’s unit to accommodate wheelchair users

These nondiscrimination laws apply to all rental communities in Arlington. Property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you’d like more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.

Who do I contact for additional questions or concerns while renting in Arlington, Texas?

For general concerns, Arlington offers an overview of tenant rights on its city website. If you have further questions regarding a lease or contract, the city recommends that renters reach out to the following agencies:

• Better Business Bureau
  1612 Summit Ave.
  Fort Worth, TX 76102
  Phone: 817-332-7585

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
  600 E. Weatherford St.
  Fort Worth, TX 76102
  Phone: 817-336-3943

• Apartment Association of Tarrant County (AATC)
  Phone: 817-284-1123
  Contact AATC online

You can also find rental inspection scores for apartments in the greater Arlington area on the Arlington and Fort Worth city websites. You can search for your prospective rental community by name or address to find its most recent inspection date and score. Keep in mind the different ways of scoring properties between Arlington and Fort Worth:

• In Arlington, inspection scores are out of 100. Scores above 90 are considered well above average, and scores below 70 are considered below average. Below-average rental properties in Arlington must correct their deficiencies or face noncompliance, reinspection fees.
• In Fort Worth, the inspection scale is a bit different. The city scores rental properties out of a total 125. Anything below 100 means a rental community has failed its most recent inspection. After a failing score, rental communities typically have 30 days to correct their violations and receive a passing score.

COVID-19 regulations for Arlington independent living communities

Due to the overall decline in COVID-19 infections, Arlington doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations in place for stand-alone independent living facilities. Nonetheless, Arlington residents can visit the coronavirus informational page on the city’s official website to get the latest news regarding local outbreaks, vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, and more.

On the other hand, an independent living community that shares spaces with an assisted living facility must comply with assisted living facility-specific standards. The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) requires assisted living facilities to set their own infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. These measures may include a community’s hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection and sterilization techniques, safe injection methods, and physical distancing requirements.

Because communities are allowed to set their own standards, it’s best to check with your prospective community directly to see how they’re handling COVID-19.

Arlington is perfect for seniors seeking small-town vibes within a metropolitan area. This suburban city offers stunning parks, captivating museums, appetizing restaurants, and a range of senior-friendly activities. The city even hosts an annual Aging Well Expo to help seniors get the most out of their lives in Arlington. At the expos, seniors receive free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, and entertainment. They also receive free tips and information to help them thrive within the city.

Seniors also have a great selection of senior living communities in Arlington. From senior apartments and independent living to assisted living and memory care, seniors are sure to find a community that checks all of their boxes. For active, independent seniors, independent living communities seem to be the most popular choice in Arlington. Learn about what our independent senior living partners have to offer in Arlington below.

On-site conveniences enhance residents’ lifestyles

Seniors from all walks of life will find unique amenities and services catered to their lifestyles in Arlington independent living communities. Our partner communities typically handle the cooking, cleaning, and driving for residents, unless it’s something the resident wishes to do. Residents can also expect concierge services, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, landscaping, and scheduled transportation for medical appointments, grocery runs, and other daily errands. Spanish-speaking residents are also in luck, as more than half of our partners employ Spanish-speaking staff to translate when needed.

Residents don’t have to travel off-site for daily needs and wants. For example, seniors with pets can access on-site dog parks or grooming services at the on-site pet salon. Residents can also enjoy unwinding in on-site salons and spas as they get a haircut or, in some cases, a massage. Residents don’t even have to leave the community to enjoy a mouthwatering meal — many of our partner communities employ professional chefs who prepare savory dishes on a daily basis. And, most partners offer restaurant-style dining rooms and room service, so residents are free to enjoy their meals however and wherever they’d like. Plus, half of our partners offer an on-site café, where residents can grab a snack or drink at their leisure.

Leisurely amenities stimulate the mind and body

Many of our Arlington partners offer a world of on-site activities and amenities to help residents thrive. Residents can break a sweat by working out in the fitness center, enjoy long strolls on the community walking paths, or take care of business in the business center. Some communities even offer on-site tennis, pickleball, or shuffleboard courts to get residents active.

Senior residents who prefer calming activities can participate in arts and crafts in on-site craft rooms, tend to a few favored plants in raised gardening beds, relax in the enchanting courtyards, or indulge in some friendly competition in on-site game rooms. Residents can also cuddle up with their favorite movie or book in the on-site theaters and libraries.

A select few communities also offer on-site swimming pools, small putting greens, and on-site cafes, minimizing trips for these favored activities.

Engaging activities help residents socialize and pursue hobbies

Our Arlington independent living partners offer a rotating calendar of activities to help residents stay physically, mentally, and socially healthy. Most partners decide on activities based on residents’ interests and suggestions. These communities are always looking for new ways to help residents get active, relax, and socialize.

Active seniors can join fellow residents in riveting on-site fitness classes including tai chi, chair yoga, and strength training. Those with a passion for the arts enjoy on-site art classes, musical lessons, karaoke nights, and live performances. Residents can also attend residential happy hours, holiday parties, game nights, and devotional services. Most of our partnering communities also organize regular outings for residents. Outings typically include trips to local shopping centers, museums, parks, restaurants, and local events.

Health care for seniors in Arlington

As a suburb of Dallas, Arlington doesn’t have many regionally or nationally recognized hospitals, because Dallas tends to house the bulk of them. Nevertheless, seniors still have a variety of high-quality options for hospitals within Arlington. Learn about Arlington’s top health care facilities below.

Transportation for seniors in Arlington

Many independent seniors drive in the Arlington area due to its easygoing traffic and lack of mass public transit options. However, seniors at all of our partner independent living communities in Arlington have access to complimentary transportation services right on-site. So, if you don’t feel like driving that day, just ask the concierge to schedule a ride!

For folks that like exploring the city through public transportation, Arlington doesn’t have its own public transit system, though the city still offers an option for seniors in the area. The city provides Handitran to seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. To apply for this transportation service, seniors need to provide proof of age. And anyone under 65 with a disability must have their physician certify their application. Upon application, seniors must pay $10. Afterward, seniors only pay $2 per one-way trip or $55 per month for unlimited rides.

For a better understanding of the city’s sprawl and infrastructure, you might want to check out the following scores from WalkScore. They’re each out of 100 and based on Arlington’s walking trails, biking routes, public transportation options, and public density:

Senior activities in Arlington

Arlington offers many activities for seniors of all mobility levels. With activities ranging from delicious restaurants and alluring shops to outstanding museums and exciting sporting events, Arlington seniors never find themselves bored. We’ve highlighted some senior-favored activities below. You can also check out the Visit Arlington page for more local highlights.

Outdoor activities

The city offers several spots to enjoy nature, like the astounding, 1,300-acre River Legacy Nature Center. The nature center provides access to hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, pavilions, river overlooks, aquariums, terrariums, and lots more.

Arlington is also great for golf lovers in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. The suburban city offers lots of space — in fact, there are four golf courses in Arlington for those who want to pay less and play more. Avid golfers can also get a membership at the luxurious Shady Valley Country Club to hit on their luxurious 4,000-acre course and attend exclusive events.

Arts and culture

Seniors with a taste for art can roam the enchanting exhibits at the Arlington Museum of Art. View works of art that fully immerse you in timeless beauty, with both modern and historic pieces. Plus, the museum offers discounts to seniors and veterans. Arlington seniors with a love for performing arts can also attend their favorite concerts, plays, and symphonies at one of Downtown Arlington’s performing arts theaters.

Sporting events

Professional sports are a big draw in Arlington. Many seniors in the area are lifelong fans of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers. Families can easily spend an afternoon or evening watching their favorite teams compete in the national leagues. Friends can also gather at one of Arlington’s local sports bars and pubs to enjoy games while eating and drinking. Golf lovers can even drive to Fort Worth to attend the annual Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA tour at the Colonial Country Club.

Local senior centers

The local community centers host a range of activities catered to seniors. Seniors who want to mingle with the greater community can attend day trips, myriad classes and events, and many social activities at these centers. Senior Recreation Center New York and Eunice Activity Center are especially popular with Arlington seniors who want to step out of their comfort zone to form new friendships. The Arlington Public Library also offers a calendar of senior activities. You can attend lifelong learning lectures, boot camps, crafts classes, reading groups, tech support sessions, and much more.