Senior Living Apartments in Fresno, CA

Let us guide you through your senior apartment payment options. First, we provide an overview of personal payment options, which some seniors are able to combine with other benefits. We cover Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Social Security. This section of the guide can help you understand which benefits might apply to you. You can also access applications and get in touch with local agencies and senior services. The goal is to help you combine your personal income with benefits in a way that works best for you.

Taking the time to understand the laws that govern Fresno senior apartments can help you make a confident choice as a renter. In this section, you’ll find local renters’ rights, apartment quality standards, and the lawful types of accommodations and modifications that should be made for seniors with disabilities.

We also recommend looking at the California Tenants Guide from the California State Department of Real Estate (DRE), which is a complete guide to all of the California rental laws.

Renters and their rights

Just like in standard apartments, local and federal laws apply to landlords and Fresno senior apartment renters. However, senior apartments differ in that at least one person living in the unit must be at least 55 years old.

As a renter, here are just a few important rights that apply to you:

• You have the right to maintenance services, landscaping, garbage removal, and fully functioning utilities.
• You have the right to at least 30 days’ notice before your landlord increases your rent.
• In California, there is a rent-cap law. This law says landlords can increase your rent up to twice a year, though this increase must remain below a certain threshold. Note that low-income housing, corporate-owned housing, and others may be exempt from California’s rent cap law.

Apartment quality and inspections

Every Fresno rental property, including senior apartments, must be registered with the City of Fresno Rental Housing Health and Safety department. Apartments must comply with rental inspections and meet the following types of requirements:

• Have functioning hot and cold running water
• Maintain clean and safe common areas
• Have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Prevent and address pest infestation and mold
• Have proper weather protection on the exterior of the building

Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities

Seniors with disabilities who rent senior apartments have additional rights. These protections under the law include but are not limited to the following rights:

• In California, it’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
• Apartments are required to follow building requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA), which has standards in place to make public spaces accessible to people with different abilities.
• Landlords must also agree to reasonable in-unit accommodations and modifications, which must be paid for by the renter.

The ability for tenants to have a service or therapy animal is included as a reasonable apartment accommodation. Service and therapy animals are trained to help people in a variety of ways, which can include physical and emotional support. The following information may help seniors who plan to live with a service or therapy animal in their senior apartment:

• Seniors can have service animals even if the apartment has a no-pet policy.
• The landlord can’t ask questions other than if the animal is needed due to the senior’s disability and what the animal has been trained to do.
• Service animals don’t have to be certified to live in an apartment.
• The animal must not be a threat to the rental property or other residents.

COVID-19 regulations for Fresno senior apartments

Fresno follows the state’s department of public health COVID-19 exposure guidelines for its residents who test positive for or are exposed to the virus. However, there are no local mandates for public spaces at this time. If there’s a specific senior apartment complex you’re interested in, we recommend contacting them to learn about their individual guidelines.

Create your ideal California retirement in a Fresno senior apartment. This area offers a wide range of apartment layouts and levels of affordability. You can find what works for you, whether you want to rent a high-rise apartment in the heart of downtown Fresno or a quiet studio in a single-level complex. And, you can rest assured that many senior apartments are reserved for people either 55+ or 62+ years of age, enabling you to enjoy an exclusive community with senior-specific amenities.

Communities for a variety of preferences

Choose among Fresno’s range of senior apartment communities to find the floor plan, community design, and price that works best for you. You can usually find the following options available among Fresno senior apartments:

• Studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom units
• Single-level communities
• Multilevel communities that may have elevators
• High-rise apartments
• Pet-friendly policies and accommodations, like dog parks
• Apartments in the Clovis area reserved for seniors of low-income status

Services and activities

Some Fresno senior apartments offer senior-specific services and activities right on-site, to make your experience as a renter more engaging and convenient. Here are some examples of what some senior apartments might offer on-site:

• Transportation services
• Courtesy security patrol
• Emergency call systems
• Church services
• Resident councils and interest groups
• Celebrations and parties
• Local group outings
• Planned social activities, like movie nights, bible studies, and ceramics

Apartment features

Your Fresno senior apartment may offer a wide variety of convenient features to enjoy as you release the hassle of homeownership. Here are some common features among local senior apartments:

• Private patios or balconies
• Gated or controlled access
• Walk-in closets
• Washer and dryer hookups or community laundry rooms
• Full kitchens
• Skylights
• Granite countertops

Resort-style amenities

The following is a list of desirable senior-specific amenities that might be found at your Fresno senior apartment complex:

• Swimming pools
• Poolside cabanas
• Areas for picnics and barbeques
• Courtyards and fountains
• Areas for gardening
• Putting greens
• Fitness centers
• Beauty salons
• Libraries
• Computer rooms
• Clubhouses and game rooms
• Crafts rooms

Health care for seniors in Fresno

Fresno seniors have a variety of local health care options. Whether you want a veteran-specific clinic or a cardiology specialist, you can find a medical center that works for you.

Transportation for seniors in Fresno

Fresno is a car-dependent city with a few walkable areas and bike-friendly routes. Many senior apartments in Fresno offer convenient and safe access to on-site transportation services. This makes it simple for active seniors to explore the city. If your senior apartment doesn’t offer on-site ride accommodations and you’re without a vehicle, you can check out Fresno’s public transportation options below. Many options offer accommodations for seniors and people with disabilities.

Fresno Area Express (FAX)

The Fresno Area Express (or FAX) is the local public transportation service. It has bus routes throughout the city, and every bus can accommodate seniors and people with physical disabilities. There’s also a paratransit service, called Handy Ride, that can help seniors who need more assistance than FAX provides. The following FAX offerings can be found on all buses to help you and your visitors navigate Fresno:

• Priority seating for seniors
• Space to transport mobility devices
• Bike racks
• Ramps and lifts
• Bus drivers who can provide assistance with mobility devices, getting on, and getting off

Taxis, Uber, or Lyft

In the event that you’d like to use a taxi, Uber, or Lyft shared ride service, seniors can apply for the local Senior Scrip Program through the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC). This program is reserved for seniors 70+ years of age and provides a 75% discount on rides for the services mentioned above. Local Uber services are especially common in Fresno, and they even allow you to schedule rides in advance. The following are the Senior-Scrip participating taxi services:

• Alpha Cab
• Fresno EOC Taxi
• Checker Cab
• Fresno Cab
• Sierra Vista Cab
• American Eagle Taxi
• Green Point Taxi
• Taxi Rosa

Walk Score — Fresno’s transportation ratings

Below are Walk Score’s transit rankings for Fresno. These numbers can help you get an idea of the local environment and how accessible your preferred modes of transportation are. Walk Score ranks cities from zero to 100 based on how easy it is for you and your visitors to use and access each mode of transportation. A high score indicates a particularly accessible Fresno transportation option.

Senior activities in Fresno

Fresno is nestled in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. It’s only a 40-minute drive to the magical Sierra National Forest and Yosemite, and a 3-hour drive away from Los Angeles or Santa Cruz — broadening your Californian playground. The abundance of nearby outdoor experiences and local points of interest ensure you won’t run out of opportunities. And Fresno itself has plenty of attractions that call it home, like farm-to-fork dining experiences and pristine parks and gardens.

Curate your ideal Fresno retirement with some favored local highlights below. You can also review the helpful Fresno County Visitors Guide.

Outdoor opportunities

From golf courses to unique scenery, you have many peaceful outdoor opportunities in Fresno:

• Blossom Trail is a popular scenic driving and biking route through orchards, where you can find a variety of springtime blossoms.
• San Joaquin River Trail enables hikers to explore and experience grand views.
• Clovis Botanical Garden is a collection of themed displays, including a Mediterranean garden and a calming sensory garden.
• Woodward Park is the city’s largest park. It’s known for its dog park, walking trails, and a Japanese garden.
• Riverside Golf Course offers tournaments, events, and golfing lessons.
• Airways Golf Course offers small greens and brief courses that can accommodate a range of ages and abilities.

Lively entertainment

Whether you prefer casinos, sporting events, or live performances, Fresno has much to offer:

• Club One Casino boasts an open air dining venue, a 24-hour restaurant, and over 50 table games.
• 500 Club Casino is open 24/7 and offers blackjack, baccarat, and poker games.
• Table Mountain Casino has thousands of slot machines and dozens of table games.
• Chukchansi Park is where you can enjoy the excitement of live events and the local minor league baseball team, the Fresno Grizzlies.
• Bulldog Stadium hosts a range of sports, including soccer, football, basketball, and more.
• Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center is where you can find live events such as concerts, competitions, and musicals.
• Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts musicians, comedians, and more.

A vibrant senior community in Fresno

Connect with your peers and get a feel for the diversity of Fresno at these popular locations:

• Clovis Senior Activity Center is a place for seniors to build community and participate in activities such as exercise classes and craft projects.
• Fresno County Public Library enables you to keep up with your favorite authors and get lost in an engaging read. There are dozens of local branches to choose from.
• Fresno Art Museum paints a picture of the community’s diversity. It includes a range of exhibits, including visual and cultural art.
• Farmers markets boast local produce, food trucks, handmade gifts, music, and more.
• Fresno’s farm-to-table restaurants allow you to dine on dishes crafted with the best local ingredients.

Must-sees for newcomers and visitors

Explore Fresno’s iconic attractions, including the local zoo, Old Town, and fascinating gardens:

• Fresno Chaffee Zoo offers more than wildlife exhibits. From local brewery tastings to private events, you can create your own experience at this popular spot.
• Tower District is a popular walkable area full of coffee shops, storefronts, and eateries.
• Old Town Clovis is known for its Vintage and Antiques District, historic streets, and lively evening scene.
• Kearney Mansion Museum paints a picture of the area’s agricultural history and offers walkable public grounds and guided tours.
• Forestiere Underground Gardens lies under the city and boasts courtyards, stone walls, and tunnels that lead you to pristine gardens.