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Chicago is a city of diversity, with a growing senior population and a vast array of cultural, entertainment, and culinary opportunities. For the independent senior residents of Chicago, A Place for Mom partners with several senior living apartment communities within 10 miles of the city center. In these 55+ communities, retirees can enjoy budget-friendly accommodations, surrounded by neighbors in the same stage of life as they are. The downtown location provides residents with convenient access to the bustling city and is only a stone’s throw from the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.
This guide to Chicago senior apartments is designed to help you find the right environment to spend your golden years. A Place for Mom built this guide using 20+ years of senior living experience, proprietary data from 14,000+ partner communities around the country, and reviews from real residents. Browse Chicago senior apartments based on your specific needs — budget-friendly, amenities, pet accommodations, and many other offerings. You will also find payment tips, Illinois apartment regulations, and other resources for seniors seeking senior apartments in Chicago.
Types of care available in Chicago, IL
Senior Apartments
I love it. It is so clean. It is not only designed perfectly for the older individuals but also the handicap person. The rent is so reasonable.
Everything about Emerald Village has been all good. Depending on the age of the residents we would recommend and refer it to someone 70 and over. The Food offerings very small currently. Maybe Poker instead of bingo with restrictions.
The building my brother is in is very clean and the people are friendly here. The staff helps if he needs it he is in the independent living side. He's meeting friends and is at ease. It is well landscaped on the grounds. There is transportation he can set up if he needs. He is very comfortable here.
1154 North Campbell, Chicago, IL 60622
4930 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60615
1450 West 69th Street, Chicago, IL 60636
Wheeler HouseWheeler House is a 55 and older senior apartment located in the exciting and picturesque city of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Our warm and friendly community is situated within convenient transit stops, making it easy for loving friends and family to visit. This resident is a...
171 W Oak St, Chicago, IL 60610
1734 N Paulina, Chicago, IL 60622
Distinguished Affordable Active Adult Living Walsh Park is a senior citizen independent living community where you can experience an enjoyable lifestyle in a convenient and pleasant setting. You will be able to entertain old friends and relatives and make new friends through participation...
435 S. Humphrey Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
114 S. Humphrey, Oak Park, IL 60302
1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park, IL 60302
840 E 76th St., Chicago, IL 60619
8019 Ogden Ave., Lyons, IL 60534
4645 West Belmont, Chicago, IL 60641
Belmont Place Senior Apartments has been designed to address the social and economic needs of senior residents age 55 and older. The building is located within the near northwest side of Chicago. Easy accessibility to bus lines and grocery store across the street. There are banks and restaurants...
635 W Grace St, Chicago, IL 60613
Steps from Lake Michigan and a stone's throw away from Wrigley Field... Grace Street Towers truly has the best location in Chicago. Here, we pride ourselves on offering the perfect mix of quiet comforts and the excitement of city living. You'll find everything you need in our close-knit...
4655 West Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
1750 Riverwoods Dr, Melrose Park, IL 60160
920 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
Friendly Towers is an inter-generational retirement residence owned and staffed by Jesus People USA Evangelical Covenant Church members and affiliated with Cornerstone Community Outreach. We are located three blocks from beautiful Lake Michigan. We currently have rooms available on our private...
920 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
7940 W Grand Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
11917 S. Parnell, Chicago, IL 60628
12045 S Emerald Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628
Hancock House is a seniors housing located in the scenic and charming city of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Our community is placed near the picturesque Little Calumet River, the luscious Whistler Woods Forest Reserve, and the tranquil waters of Lake Calumet. It is also close to other sites...
Senior apartments are often a more budget-friendly form of independent living. Chicago senior apartments typically average $1,065 per month, including rent and any add-ons, according to A Place for Mom’s 2021-2022 proprietary data. However, senior apartment costs differ the farther one moves from the city center. The northern end of the city tends to have a higher cost of living, while the southern end has a lower cost.
9.20 miles from you
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Rent on senior apartments is not covered by public support options like Medicare and Medicaid, though in-home care services may be. Seniors typically pay rent for senior apartments using personal funds or assets, unless they qualify for low-income housing programs.
Some public insurance benefits may also help to relieve financial burdens associated with home health care costs, if care services are ever needed in the senior’s home.
When considering ways to pay for a senior apartment in Chicago think about the following options:
According to the Illinois Administrative Code, Illinois senior apartments are required to enforce a 55 year age minimum. Families and children of seniors are able to live in senior apartments, but residents will need to verify that at least one member of their household is 55 or over.
While Illinois does not have many requirements unique to senior apartments, these living spaces need to uphold the legal standards of any type of housing. Building codes vary across the state of Illinois, but Chicago living spaces are required to maintain standards such as the following:
Living spaces also must adhere to ADA requirements, which means that reasonable accommodations and modifications must be made for individuals with disabilities. Federal law prohibits owners of housing facilities to deny residency to individuals who have disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations are defined as adjustments to rules or policies so that tenants with disabilities are not excluded from the activities or benefits offered to the rest of the tenants. Accommodations may require property managers to do the following:
Modifications involve construction changes to the complex and unit that make it more accessible to those with disabilities, such as adding a wheelchair ramp or hands-free entrance or simply installing handrails in bathrooms. The costs of these modifications are to be covered by the homeowner, rather than the tenant with the disability.
Department of Health contact information and other resources
To report a building code violation in Chicago, you can call 3-1-1 or fill out an online service request.
Seniors can find resources and contact information for tenant rights advocacy, eviction assistance, housing-related legal aid, housing discrimination, and more by reading Tenant Rights, Laws and Regulations: Illinois.
Illinois Department of Public Health — Chicago headquarters offices
122 S. Michigan Ave., 7th and 20th Floors
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-814-2793
69 W. Washington St., 35th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-814-5278
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations in place for senior apartments in Chicago.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Chicago senior apartments are typically a more affordable senior living option than an independent living or assisted living community, and the amenities are often more basic in order to offer convenience while keeping costs comparatively low. Common Chicago senior apartment on-site amenities include the following:
Chicago senior apartments offer the active senior a convenient locale where they can get right near the action in terms of entertainment, dining, parks, and lake shore access. Maintenance services foster a more worry-free environment than home ownership. Senior apartments also enable seniors more social opportunities, as they’re surrounded by empty-nesters like themselves.
There are a number of senior apartment options available outside the Chicago city center, extending into the surrounding suburbs. While costs can vary, north of downtown is typically more expensive than south of downtown.
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Percentage of seniors 65+ currently living in Chicago
Percentage of older adults who report being in overall good health in Chicago, according to the Center for Community Health Equity
Chicago residents have many high-ranking and innovative medical centers within reach, many of which offer specialty geriatric care.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the highest-ranking hospital in the state of Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report. Nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties, the hospital partners with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to foster world-class medical innovation and patient care.
Rush University Medical Center is ranked No. 2 out of all Chicago hospitals, according to U.S. News and World Report. Rush is known for outstanding patient care, education, and medical research, with roots going back almost 200 years.
University of Chicago Medical Center is the third-highest ranked hospital in Chicago and in the state of Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report. As a nonprofit academic hospital established in 1927, it’s also known for exceptional geriatric care services.
NorthShore University Health System is the fourth-highest ranking Chicago hospital, according to U.S. News and World Report. NorthShore includes six hospitals and over 140 medical centers all over the Illinois area.
While driving in Chicago is always an option, many residents choose to primarily use public transportation due to the city’s heavy traffic and limited parking. The Chicago Transit Authority “L” train is the most convenient and cost effective mode of transportation in the city. For seniors and individuals who require a wheelchair or special assistance, the AC Med Tran provides affordable transportation options to those with special needs.
For the active individual, Chicago’s Divvy bike-share system can be a fun way to get around. Chicago also has over 100 bus routes, as well as the Metra Rail train for commuting to the Chicago suburbs.
Some Chicago neighborhoods are pretty walkable. In fact, based on Chicago’s population, transportation options, walking paths, biking trails, and other city data, Chicago has received the following WalkScore ratings, each out of a total of 100:
77
72
65
Senior apartments near the city center of Chicago put residents right at the core of the city’s arts, entertainment, dining, and leisure. Seniors can take in a show at the Chicago Theatre, spend an evening with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, or enjoy a scenic stroll along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail or the Chicago Riverwalk. Chicago’s cultural diversity makes it an excellent city for foodies, with restaurants for any type of culinary experience and, of course, famous Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
After a day of shopping at North Bridge or golfing at Robert A. Black, venture out to Elgin to try your luck at the gorgeous Grand Victoria Casino on the Fox River. Many of Chicago’s attractions also offer senior discounts and free-admission days, so you can enjoy the best of the city without breaking the bank.
Chicago attractions with senior discounts and specials:
Liberty Village, Fox River Horizon and Hunt Club Village are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Chicago, IL. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Chicago is 1,263 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Chicago [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Public Buildings, Facilities, & Real Property, 71 IL Admin Code § 2300.35 (2008 & rev. 2022).
International Code Council. (2019, December 1). 2019 Chicago building code with revised April 2022 supplement.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Laflamme, E., Harper-Jemison, D., Jorgensen, E., Reina, M., Rushovich, T., Weaver, K., Prachand, N., Shah, R., Lange-Maia, B., & De Maio, F. (2019, August). Healthy Chicago databook: Older adult health. Center for Community Health Equity.
Walk Score. (2022). Living in Chicago.
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