Senior Living Apartments in Pittsburgh, PA

People mainly rely on their personal funds to pay for rent at a senior apartment community. Health insurance programs — like Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance — don’t cover rent at a senior apartment since they’re not care facilities. However, there are some instances where public benefits may help pay for home health care services provided in your apartment. Some public benefits can help qualified seniors offset rental costs at a Pittsburgh senior apartment, like veterans benefits and housing assistance for seniors with limited incomes.

We outline these private and public options — along with local resources and contacts — throughout this section.

Aside from age limits, renting a senior apartment is similar to any other apartment complex. There are regulations in place at both the state and federal levels to manage the relationship and responsibilities between landlords and tenants.

You can find a complete overview of these rental regulations in the Pennsylvania Consumer Guide to Tenant and Landlord Rights. We outline key points for tenants and landlords below:

• Tenants have the right to enjoy their dwelling without unreasonable interference from a landlord. However, landlords are allowed reasonable access for unit maintenance or for showing the unit to a future tenant.
• Landlords can ask prospective tenants to provide credit references, employment history, and a list of previous landlords.
• Landlords must maintain habitable units and fix anything that endangers tenants’ health and safety.
• Landlords should clearly identify the division of utilities between themselves and tenants in the lease.
• Leases can’t include provisions that waive tenants’ rights, such as requiring tenants to take a unit “as is,” waive their right to represent themselves in court, or waive their right to a hearing.
• Security deposits can’t exceed two months’ rent for the first year and can’t exceed one month’s rent beginning the second year of a lease.
• Tenants must clean a unit thoroughly before moving out and are advised to take photos that document the unit’s condition.
• Tenants must let landlords know in writing about any issues that affect their ability to safely live in a unit. Tenants must give landlords a reasonable amount of time to fix the problem before breaking a lease.

Preventing housing discrimination

Landlords have the right to develop screening criteria for prospective residents. However, it’s illegal in Pennsylvania for a landlord to deny a tenant’s application because of an existing eviction record or credit score below a specific number. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and federal Fair Housing Act also have protections in place to prevent discrimination against prospective tenants based on factors such as race, religion, age, familial status, sex, or disability.

Accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities

Landlords are also required to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities. This is part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that helps make sure individuals with disabilities have equal access to residential and community spaces.

Accommodations often look like changes to community policies, while modifications are structural changes that promote accessibility for residents with disabilities. One example of an accommodation is allowing a tenant to have their service or therapy animal even if the complex has a no pet policy. An example of a modification might be providing tenants with limited mobility access to wheelchair ramps in common areas and designated parking spots close to building entrances.

Landlords must also allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to their own units. This is so tenants can make their unit fully accessible to their needs, especially if they use a wheelchair or walker. For example, in-unit changes could include installing grab bars, removing carpets, and lowering countertops. It’s worth noting landlords can require tenants to pay for these in-unit modifications and ask them to return a unit to its original condition before moving out.

Help with housing discrimination and other issues

If you believe you’ve been subject to housing discrimination of any sort, there are several local resources to help you. Among these is the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, which is a local nonprofit that provides free services to help victims of housing discrimination. They also help individuals with disabilities prepare requests for reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) is another nonprofit that offers legal assistance and representation to low-income seniors age 60 and older. NLS can provide help with specific housing topics related to matters such as evictions, utility assistance, and issues related to disability law violations.

COVID-19 regulations for senior apartments in Pittsburgh

As of May 2023, Allegheny County doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations in place. You’ll find most senior apartment communities follow state and local guidelines, but some may require residents to follow stricter practices, such as wearing masks in indoor common spaces. It’s always a good idea to check with a prospective community on their specific policies.

You can keep track of local data on infections, hospitalizations, and more on the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) COVID-19 dashboard. We outline current recommendations from the Allegheny County Health Department below.

Our partner senior apartments in Pittsburgh offer the best of both worlds, with tranquil neighborhood settings and access to local shops and services. You’ll be mere steps away from everything you need, such as pharmacies, banks, and restaurants. Our in-network senior apartments also feature convenient access to public transportation.

A short bus ride can get you to and from local events, various dining and shopping options, and movie theaters. Additionally, our partner senior apartments are less than 30 miles from Pittsburgh International Airport.

On-site amenities

Besides the convenience of urban living and picturesque views, senior apartments in Pittsburgh offer a variety of on-site amenities. Our partners’ quality staff cover all maintenance and landscaping services. You can also expect on-site amenities like those listed below:

• State-of-the-art fitness facilities
• Resident lounge areas
• Well-stocked libraries
• Community gardens
• Sunrooms
• Resident parking

Comfortable living spaces

It’s easy to make yourself at home in our in-network senior apartments with thoughtfully designed layouts bathed in natural light. Spacious kitchens come equipped with full-sized appliances and two-tier countertops for extra space, making it easy to whip up homemade dishes for visiting family and friends.

Safety features like grab bars can also be found in bathrooms, and select units may offer wheelchair-accessible showers for residents with limited mobility. All our Pittsburgh senior apartment partners also offer units with bathtubs.

Health care for seniors in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh offers exceptional medical professionals and hospitals located within the city. See some of Pittsburgh’s top hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is highly navigable whether you prefer to walk, bike, or use public transportation. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) operates a fleet of 700 buses making daily stops across Allegheny County. PRT’s impressive rail line system covers nearly 30 miles of track across the city. Seniors age 65 and older can ride PRT and other public transit vehicles for free with a Senior Citizen ConnectCard.

There are also several door-to-door transportation and van services available to seniors in the Pittsburgh area. Take a look at some of the available transportation options below:

• ACCESS Paratransit is a door-to-door paratransit service provided through PRT. It serves seniors age 65+ and disabled individuals.
• Older Persons Transportation (OPT) is similar to ACCESS, but rides are limited to medical appointments and grocery stores.
• Elder Express van service makes regularly scheduled stops in the Squirrel Hill area for seniors age 65 and older.
• AgeWell Rides is a no-cost transportation option for seniors age 60+ who don’t drive and need help getting to medical appointments, grocery stores, and community events.

In addition to the city’s highly rated public transit system, Pittsburgh is incredibly walkable and bikeable. The downtown area has a near-perfect walk score and an impressive bike score from Walk Score. The scores below indicate most daily errands can be completed without a car. All scores are out of 100.

Senior activities in Pittsburgh

Active seniors are sure to experience a thrilling retirement in Pittsburgh. The city has much to offer in the arts and culture area, but it is also packed with activities and attractions for nearly every interest. Browse some of Pittsburgh’s top spots below.

Senior centers

The Senior Community Center in Allegheny County hosts social and educational experiences for seniors 60 and older. Several senior community centers are scattered throughout the Pittsburgh area, and Allegheny County has numerous transportation resources to help get to and from those centers. Some popular activities you can find at these centers include the following:

• Creative arts programs
• Off-site activities
• Financial and benefits counseling
• Exercise and wellness programs

Outdoor adventures

You might find it hard to picture The Steel City as a haven for outdoor adventures, but Pittsburgh delivers seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation. Hit the tee box on one of the city’s outstanding public golf courses, or indulge in fishing and boating activities. Several trails can also be found outside city limits, such as the following:

• The Montour Trail
• Great Allegheny Passage
• Three Rivers Heritage Trail
• Rachel Carson Trail

A shopper’s paradise

Whether you’re on the hunt for high-end fashion finds, a great deal, or one-of-a-kind items, Pittsburgh’s unique neighborhoods satisfy all shopping tastes and budgets. See what awaits at Pittsburgh’s shopping venues.

• Pittsburgh’s walkable downtown area has an abundance of local shops, boutiques, and dining options.
• Ross Park Mall has a diverse selection of shopping varieties, from affordable to high-end options, and it’s located within 10 miles of downtown.
• The Strip is one of Pittsburgh’s oldest neighborhoods and is home to some of the city’s top restaurants, international grocers and vendors, and boutiques.
• Grove City Premium Outlets is an open-air shopping center with an enclosed food court and over 100 brand-name stores.

‘Burgh bites

Pittsburgh’s food scene is full of authentic dishes to appease all palettes. Take a look at some of these local Pittsburgh staples to sink your teeth into.

• Primanti sandwiches are the quintessential perfect sandwich, with grilled meat, melted cheese, coleslaw, and fries stuffed between two slices of freshly baked Italian bread.
• Pittsburgh salads offer the best of both worlds, with your standard salad fixings served with fries as a garnish.
• Pierogies are handmade dumplings that can be found all around Pittsburgh, and there’s even a Pittsburgh pierogi festival to celebrate their deliciousness.
• Pepperoni rolls are a Pittsburgh staple found in most bakeries throughout the city.

Sports utopia

Pittsburgh is an acclaimed sports town with several professional teams, from football to baseball to hockey. Whether you tailgate at a Steelers game — don’t forget to grab your Terrible Towel — or host watch parties, there are plenty of opportunities to go all-in on Pittsburgh’s sports culture. Take a look at Pittsburgh’s beloved hometown teams below.

• Embrace the Steelers Nation culture by watching the Pittsburgh Steelers play home games at Acrisure Stadium during the NFL season.
• Catch a ball game at PNC Park, home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and acclaimed as one of the best ballparks in the country.
• Cheer on the Pittsburgh Penguins every hockey season at PPG Paints Arena, located in downtown Pittsburgh and which hosts hundreds of events every year.
• Be part of Pittsburgh’s energetic soccer fan base by watching the Pittsburgh Riverhounds play at Highmark Stadium, which has glorious city views from just about every seat.

Electrifying arts and culture

Pittsburgh’s arts and culture scene is second to none, with ample museums, exhibits, and performing arts venues. We highlight some of Pittsburgh’s famed cultural attractions below.

• Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
• The Andy Warhol Museum
• Pittsburgh Opera
• Carnegie Museum of Art
• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Heinz History Center

Find your serenity

Sometimes the best activities involve simply doing nothing and unwinding. Indulge in retirement bliss at one of these restorative local spas in and around Pittsburgh.

• Enjoy a weekend getaway at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, located just an hour and a half outside of Pittsburgh.
• The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing offers sumptuous pampering. It’s been voted “Best Massage, Best Spa, and Best Wellness Center” by Pittsburgh Magazine readers.
• Drift away in a floatation therapy session at LEVITY Float Therapy Studio to calm your mind and reduce tension.
• The Health Club and Spa at Fairmont Pittsburgh is located downtown, where you’ll find rejuvenating spa treatments to choose from.