10 Best Independent Living Communities in South Burlington, VT

Learn More About Independent Living in South Burlington, VT

Independent living communities – also known simply as retirement communities – in South Burlington, Vermont are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of South Burlington retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

For this type of senior living, South Burlington, Vermont offers many great options, and A Place for Mom can help you find the right one.

Cost of Independent Living in South Burlington, VT

The median monthly cost of independent living in the state of Vermont is around $4,000.

Learn More About South Burlington, VT

Cost of Living

One of the most populated areas in the state and featuring a large commercial presence, South Burlington is slightly more expensive than the country’s average. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Cost-of-living index	Grocery index	Median rent	Rent burden	Median home value	Median family income	Estate tax	Sales tax
119	104	$1,533	20.8% spend over 30% of their income on rent	$280,823	$66,197	The top estate tax rate is 16% (exemption threshold: $2.75 million)	7%

Local Hospitals

The South Burlington region has several highly-rated hospitals, and the following are often ranked among the best in the area:

• Central Vermont Medical Center – Named one of the country’s top 20 rural hospitals, this 122-bed facility emphasizes cardiology, radiology, and neurology services.
• Southwestern Vermont Medical Center – This 99-bed hospital is Magnet-recognized and has accolades from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Specialties include podiatry, orthopedics, and infectious disease care. The facility’s cancer center was named in the top 25 percent of cancer centers nationwide by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
• Northwestern Medical Center – This hospital, which houses 53 beds, has won awards for diagnostic imaging and cancer care. The American Hospital Association also named Northwestern Medical Center a “Most Wired” hospital, recognizing its effective use of pioneering healthcare technology.

Weather and Climate

The climate of South Burlignton, VT is considered hot-summer/humid continental. Residents can expect four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold winters. On average, the humidity level for South Burlington is about 67%. This number often peaks in December, at around 72% humidity.

Seasonal Temperatures

Average summer temp	Typical summer high	Typical summer low	Average winter temp	Typical winter high	Typical winter low
70°F	84°F (July)	56°F (July)	24°F	37°F (December)	12°F (January)

Air Quality

Average air quality index rating	Average maximum air quality index rating
39 Good)	47 in December (Good)

Precipitation

Average monthly precipitation	Average maximum monthly precipitation	Average yearly snowfall
4”	6” (June)	72”

Demographics and Values

As the industrial and tourist center of Vermont, South Burlington is well known for its manufacturing, financial, and retail industries. More than nine thousand employees work in the area’s downtown shopping and entertainment district. The area is also home to the state’s largest airport. Alpine Shop, IDX Systems, and Vermont Gas all make the list of top area employers. Headquartered in South Burlington, Ben & Jerry’s employs hundreds of city residents as well.

South Burlington, VT leans liberal – the majority of residents have voted for Democratic candidates in the last five presidential elections. The population of the city is predominantly white, with Hispanic and Latino residents counting as South Burlington’s largest minority population. This community can find support at Servicios Latinos, an area non-profit agency that promotes Hispanic representation in employment, education, health, and housing.

2016 Presidential Election Results for Chittenden County

Voted Democratic	Voted Republican	Voted Third Party
50.4%	44.7%	4.9%

Population Statistics

Population metro area	Population city proper	Population density	Population trend
214,796	19,141	448 people per square mile	Growing at a rate of 1.3% since 2010

Age

Median	55+	60+	70+	80+
43	20%	12%	7%	8%

Highest Level of Education

High-school diploma	College degree	Graduate degree
17%	54%	22%

Race & Ethnicity

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Native American	Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian	White	Two or more
3.6%	2.7%	4.6%	1.6%	0.0%	89.8%	1.6%

Crime

Total crimes	Property crimes per 1,000 citizens	Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens
604	30	3

Miscellaneous

Unemployed	Participate in the labor force	Have some form of disability	Live in poverty	Widows	Veterans
3%	67%	14%	6%	8%	8%

South Burlington is considered very friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. This means that members of the community are accepted by the general public and can actively participate in public life without fear of bigotry. The city scores highly on the Human Rights Campaign’s municipal equality index, promising protection from discrimination based on sexuality in key areas like housing, employment, and public accomodations. LGBTQ+ residents and allies can visit the Pride Center of Vermont and Outright Vermont for support, resources, and a sense of LGBTQ+ community. The city also hosts an annual pride festival.

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

Fans of shopping will find plenty of retail options in South Burlington. The area has the state’s largest shopping center, University Mall, which contains more than 70 shops. The outdoor Church Street Marketplace brings walkable, downtown charm to the shopping experience, as well as more local flair and specialty small businesses.

In addition to these downtown delights, South Burlington offers a lush natural landscape for bikers, birdwatchers, and fishing enthusiasts. Hikers and cyclists can take to the terrain at Island Line Rail Trail, Wheeler Nature Park, and Winooski Gorge Park. Meanwhile, Leddy Beach, Lake Iroquois, and Shelburne Point boast scenic waterfront views. To overlook tranquil Lake Champlain, tourists and residents can visit Juniper Island Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse still standing in the United States.

Located at the University of Vermont, the extensive Fleming Museum of Art immerses visitors in a collection of more than 20,000 works and artifacts from a wide range of cultures. Seniors can tour this impressive institution for a reduced admission price.

Transportation

The city’s public transportation system, managed by Green Mountain Transit, has seven regular, ADA-accessible bus routes within Chittenden County. Additionally, travelers can take the bus to visit nearby counties, like the Capital District and Mad River Valley. The services are free for all riders.