There are 97 Independent Living communities in the San Diego, CA area, with 22 in San...
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care, and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in San Diego, CA, residents and their loved ones rate Independent Living communities 4.4 out of 5 stars.
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3012 Bear Valley Parkway South, Escondido, CA 92025
4.4
(33 reviews)
"I like that Oakmont of Escondido Hills had wide open spaces. They had a lot of interactive programs going on with large groups. And it's well planned and managed...."
$5,295
5480 Marengo Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942
4.4
(16 reviews)
"We toured Grossmont Gardens. We liked the staff and the facility. The rooms were a lot roomier, and the staff was friendly. Gemma was amazing. She was one of the contact people. She's very helpful. The facility was clean. They have a heated pool. The..."
$2,790
3535 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
4.3
(19 reviews)
"We went to Belmont Village Cardiff by the Sea. We were very impressed. We made an appointment for the tour and the gal that took us around was excellent. There are no separate areas. If you go into your independent care and then you find that you're ..."
$5,720
300 Lantern Crest Way, Santee, CA 92071
4.2
(58 reviews)
"The whole place of Lantern Crest Senior Living is very nice and very comfortable looking. The rooms are good size. The activities are nice, so we are really pleased with that place. The staff who gave the tour was great. She answered all our question..."
$4,850
9000 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
4.2
(7 reviews)
"I visited the Westmont of La Mesa, and it's the one I like the most. I like their rooms the best. The apartments had appliances and they had a full kitchen and cabinets. The person who gave me the tour was great and she did great. They also have beau..."
$5,720
PROMOTION!
500 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025
4.2
(42 reviews)
"Westmont Town Court was much nicer compared to the other places I visited. There was no smell at all in terms of urine smell or anything else. Even though they have carpeting, somehow, they keep it up so that there's no smell. They have like a patio ..."
$3,495
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4500 Cannon Rd., Oceanside, CA 92056
4.1
(16 reviews)
"A dear friend of mine is now a resident at Ocean Hills Senior Living in Oceanside, California. this independent living facility is beautiful. They have a gym, pool, and daily activities which keep all the residents engaged and happy. Their restaur..."
$3,900
3500 Lake Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92056
4.0
(12 reviews)
"I was impressed with the quality of the staff, the overall condition, and the location. Their schedule for meals is very different from any other facility, and they have an activities schedule. ..."
$2,595
CARING STARS WINNER
1325 Las Villas Way, Escondido, CA 92026
3.8
(36 reviews)
"I toured Las Villas Del Norte. It's a wonderful place. They don't have any carpeting or anything like that to absorb some of the sound, for my ears I couldn't handle it, but they had just a wonderful time. It is high quality. Everything about it, the..."
$2,700
3434 Bonita Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910
3.7
(12 reviews)
"I really liked Pacifica Senior Living Bonita. I liked the location. I liked the grounds. I liked the building. There were tons of residents out and about. It was lunchtime and it was like a stampede into the dining room, so that made me think the foo..."
$2,895
336 C Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
55+ Senior Apartment Community Just Minutes From The Beach! It's easy to make the most of every day when you live in a retirement community as beautiful as Canterbury Court. Not only are you just minutes away from Chula Vista's shopping areas, nearby golf courses, the marina, and the park, but our vibrant community boasts lovely apartments nestled among beautiful courtyards, so you can take advantage of the gorgeous California weather all in the company of friends. To learn more about this provider's license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services Licensed Facility Search
$1,795
300 Lantern Crest Way Suite C, Santee, CA 92071
5.0
(1 reviews)
"My parents are moving into Lantern Crest. It's an excellent facility. The only complaint I would have is the person who did the tour. I would tell people to make sure they don't get the specific person we had because his knowledge was not very well. ..."
Pricing not available
2250 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026
5.0
(1 reviews)
"We moved into Sundance Mobile Home Park. I liked it because I have a big yard. Everybody seems very nice, but we're completely independent, except I have my niece with us. They have a pool, they have a library, pool tables, a Jacuzzi, and they have s..."
Pricing not available
1420 E Palomar St, Chula Vista, CA 91913
5.0
(4 reviews)
"I've had a lot of experience at St. Paul's Plaza. My godmother was there. She was independent, but if you're medical status changed, you pay a little extra. She went from independent to assisted because she had to have help after her. She was a resid..."
$3,265
250 E. Lexington Ave , El Cajon, CA 92019
5.0
(1 reviews)
"I had stayed at Lexington Senior (Lexington Avenue Senior Apartments) and I liked it there. The place was very clean. The staff was a bunch of great people, and I couldn't ask for better. We had activities there like bingo or whatever you wanted. If ..."
Pricing not available
2549 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027
5.0
(1 reviews)
"I had a tour in Heritage Park Escondido Senior Community. The staff had been very friendly and knowledgeable. I liked that the ground was very clean and was kept up very nicely. The rooms in that community were very pretty. I really liked the way the..."
Pricing not available
12730 Monte Vista Road, Poway, CA 92064
5.0
(2 reviews)
"My parents have moved here two weeks ago. It's a nice quiet place. It's very suitable for my parents at their age, 68 and 72. It's a clean environment and obviously, it has a good vibe. In general, I'm quite happy with it. Value for money is good...."
Pricing not available
CARING STARS WINNER
3549 Hollyberry Drive, Vista, CA 92084
5.0
(6 reviews)
"My sister was here earlier this year as she had taken a bad fall and suffered a minor stroke. She was very alert but it was difficult for her to communicate. The staff was so great in helping her make simple decisions. She was able to help with fo..."
$4,250
1607 Grandon Avenue,, San Marcos, CA 92078
4.8
(9 reviews)
"55+ housing, three buildings, three stories high, indoor and outdoor parking available, storage room available, laundry room on each floor, elevator in each building, balcony with each apartment... Size of balcony depends on each apartment, extremely..."
Pricing not available
1502 Circa Del Lago, San Marcos, CA 92078
4.8
(6 reviews)
"My mother purchased a condo here from out of state six months ago. She/we could not be happier. The staff at the chateau are professional, caring and respectful. There is a wonderful sense of community and optimism here. Mom went from being isola..."
Pricing not available
Independent Living
SAINT
5.0
Review of Casa De Las Campanas
I have been a resident for about 3 years. I lost my wife about 1- 1/2 years ago. One of the benefits that my son and daughter who live on the East Coast have, is knowing that I am being taken care...
Provider response
Saint, reviews like this give us motivation and help us ensure we provide high-quality care. We always strive to provide top quality service to every guest, and are pleased to hear that you enjoyed...
Independent Living
Contentedand Happy
5.0
Review of Casa De Las Campanas
We are in a 2-bedroom apartment and it suits us just fine. We enjoy our daily dinners with friends and anyone who wants to join our table. The food is good and vaies, and the three restaurants...
Provider response
We are so glad that you enjoy Casa and are Content and Happy! Activities, committees, groups, outings - there is never a dull moment around here. Thank you for sharing!
Independent Living
Zante
5.0
Review of Casa De Las Campanas
I've lived at Casa De Las Campanas for nearly a year. I moved in when I was 74 and that was a good time to move in. They offer a great variety of activities to keep you as busy as you want to be....
Provider response
Zante, it's experiences like yours that really keep us motivated! We're glad to hear we delivered such a great experience. If there's anything further we can do for you, we are happy to help!
There are many other resources and activities for seniors in San Diego. Use the table below to learn about the options available for older adults in the area.
| Resource | Phone number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AgeWell Services Centers | (619) 236-6905 | AgeWell operates nine senior centers in and around San Diego. Seniors enrolled at the centers can join in community meals, interest clubs and fitness facilities near their homes. These centers also provide limited legal assistance services for those who are 60 or older, including will making. |
| On the Go | (858) 637-3210 | Jewish Family Service offers On the Go as a free volunteer ride service for seniors in San Diego. Riders must be aged 60 or over and in need of transportation for personal occasions, such as medical appointments and family visits. Some types of ride must be booked seven days in advance, while others are on-demand. |
| Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) | (858) 565-1392 | HICAP helps San Diego seniors navigate the complex legal landscape of Medicare, Social Security and estate planning at no cost. |
Many seniors love how independent living communities reduce unwanted stress, hazards, and fatigue in their lives. Independent living communities take care of housekeeping, yard work and meals while still allowing residents personal space and the dignity of making their own choices. These communities usually provide seniors with an apartment that has a small kitchen, bathroom, living room, and one or more bedrooms. Those who want a small space may even find that some independent living communities offer studio-style apartments. Seniors can invite guests over and enjoy their rooms however they see fit.
Independent living communities often also include the following:
For a more detailed look at common amenities, check out our guide to independent living communities.
What Couples Should Know About Independent Living in San Diego, CA
San Diego is an idyllic seaside community of 1.4 million people, where average summer temperatures stay around 76 degrees and breezy sunshine is the norm. Seniors in San Diego pay an average of 15% less for medical care at excellent local facilities, such as UC San Diego Health. Crime rates are 20% lower in San Diego than the national average, which along with the weather and the thriving senior community, encourages aging citizens to get outdoors and meet others at senior-friendly local events, such as Forever Fit in Lopez Ridge park.
Senior couples can get around San Diego at a discount by riding the buses and light rail of San Diego Mass Transit (SDMT). SDMT buses are all disabled-ride equipped, and routes cover almost all of the busiest parts of the city out to the quiet suburbs.
Paying for Independent Living in San Diego, CA
San Diego seniors pay an average of $3,720 a month for independent living. This is significantly higher than the national average monthly cost of $2,550. Seniors in some nearby areas, such as National City, also pay somewhat less than San Diego’s average cost, at $3,360.
The annual cost of living in an independent living community can range anywhere from $12,000-$42,000, depending mostly on the amenities, room type and cost of living in the area. In addition to using personal retirement income, annuities, long-term care insurance, or cashing out an existing life insurance policy, some seniors can use Social Security funds, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments granted due to disability or low-income or HUD-provided housing assistance such as vouchers. Another route many seniors choose to fund their independent living stay is renting out or selling their homes that they won’t need once they move or taking advantage of a reverse mortgage.
Our guide provides a more in-depth look at independent living costs and solutions for those who want to learn more.
How to Choose an Independent Living Community
When choosing an independent living community, it’s best to consider many factors, including the community’s proximity to loved ones and medical care, the state of repair that the facility appears to be in, the attitude and efficiency of the staff, the cost of both rent and services, the facility’s pet policy and more.
Comparing multiple communities can help seniors and their families figure out what they value most in an independent living community. During tours of these communities, staff members should be available to answer questions. To help with the touring and comparison process, we’ve included a checklist full of pertinent questions that anyone can download and print for themselves.
Transitioning to Independent Living
Independent living communities, rather than memory care or nursing homes, are often the first place seniors move to when they realize they need a lifestyle change. The necessity of letting some possessions go and the reality of leaving a home and neighborhood after possibly decades of residence there can make transitioning to an independent living community difficult. These communities are often friendly places, but being in a new environment still initially triggers feelings of loneliness in many seniors.
Having a strategy for dealing with the challenges of moving can make the transition to an independent living community a positive experience. We’ve created a downloadable step-by-step guide for tips to making this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
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