The Best Communities in Cook County, IL

"St. Joseph Village of Chicago was very homey and very clean. The people there were generally friendly. It's very homey and meets our needs. It's older, but it's clean and appears to be well-maintained. It's a nice facility. The rooms are not new, but very nice. They were rehabbing some of the rooms also. We got a complete tour. The location for us is good. The security is very lax. They have a camera and a receptionist, and that's about it. They had a lot of activities that they were working on. The person who gave us the tour was wonderful."

"I am in a bedroom den at Clarendale. The apartment is far more spacious than other places . The staff is fabulous- and the food is very good. As it is very new, there are new activities and services all the time. I decided on independent living as I am new to the city and knew very few people. The community is fascinating, interesting, and fun! I have all the privacy and independence I want, and friends to join with whenever I want. Yes, I’d love to be right downtown, but it’s very available, and the outings are fabulous and well planned. Much more than I expected!"

"I will be moving into Cantata Adult Life Services. I know I'm eventually going to need more care, so that's one of the reasons why we chose this place is because it does have different levels of care. I can have care until I die without moving anywhere else, and that's very important. There wasn't anything I didn't like about it. Everyone I've met so far has been friendly and very helpful. The rooms in assisted living were pretty good sized. They had 3 different options in assisted living, and I went for a studio. There was a kitchenette in the room, and the bathroom had a step-in shower, which was incredibly important for me. The room itself was a good size for one person. They had 1-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom units as well. It was a rather small community, so people got to know each other very well. They had a lot of activities. I met one of the activity directors and he was asking me about some things I'd like to do. When I told him I play mahjong, he said he didn't know anybody else who did, but I could teach people how to play mahjong and start a group. They would take you shopping once a week. The food was delicious. They call their dining area a restaurant, and it very much is. We had a waiter come to the table. There were a couple of specials for each meal, but they also had quite a comprehensive menu that you can order from if you don't want the specials."

"I thought Autumn Green at Wright Campus was a very nice facility. I thought it was probably a notch below the one that I also visited. They provided meals, they had activities, and there were games so I liked it."

"I visited American House Oak Park's independent living. The pricing was just way out of line for me, so I can't afford it. Other than that, it was very nice and very impressive. The services they offered were good, and the rooms were nice spaces. They also supply housekeeping, but I don't recall if it's once or twice a month. They provide meals, and everything they eat is actually in the building, and that was actually rather impressive. Mainly, it was breakfast and dinner that they actually served. The apartments were nice, clean, and spacious, and they looked very comfortable. I would have no complaints about them. I believe there was also a gym inside the building. Parking was a let-down, though. It was an extra $100 a month for a parking space. They have a courtyard that was nice and a little picnic area that was available for you. There was a laundry facility, but it did not have laundry in the room, so that's always a letdown to me, especially when you put in that kind of money. I always prefer to do my own laundry. The staff members who gave the tour were nice and courteous, and very informative. It's a beautiful building with very nice amenities. It's well kept and everything."

"My husband is going to go to Belmont Village Lincoln Park. Why we chose that one, was because of their more aggressive approach to involving residents in activities, getting them out of their rooms, making sure they're up and dressed and using their hearing aids and glasses, and staying up and dressed during the day. The person who gave me the tour was very knowledgeable, very helpful, and very thorough. The rooms were quite adequate. They're very nice and brand new. They have closets and drawers. The place is a very nice physical plan, and it is brand new. I like the fact that it had some outdoor space so that residents could be taken outside to get some fresh air. The dining area looked very pleasant, it smelled good, and the people seemed quite content eating there. With regard to activities, they all seemed engaged and involved in group activities when I was there. I don't know what specific activities were, but there was stuff going on in the common room. The atmosphere was very upbeat. It was brand new, so everything just looked very nice and seemed solidly built. On the change of residents, they refreshed the room and repainted it. Everybody seemed very involved and very friendly. Everyone seemed to know all the residents."

"I took a tour of Sunrise. I thought it was a very nice environment, but it wasn't appropriate for the level of care that we need. I thought the rooms were nice, spacious, and bright. It was a very nice, homey environment. It seem like they're very caring people. They have a very nice area for more than dementia patients. They also had a room where people could de-stress. They seem very involved in activities. They were sitting in a table engaging people in games. They seem very caring and attentive. There was follow up from the administration to see if there was an additional need for their assistance. The little bit of exposure with them was very good. It would have been a place I would definitely move my father if it would have been appropriate. I just wasn't able to travel to come back to Chicago. "

"I live at The Clare in a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony and a beautiful view. The layout is excellent. The dining here is exceptional. Our chef is internationally recognized, but more importantly, he is committed to using high-quality, healthy ingredients. The meals are varied and gourmet every day, with multiple options—not just one fish, one chicken, or one beef dish. I actually prefer eating here to dining out. What stands out most is how carefully they accommodate individual needs. In my case, my dietary requirements are clearly noted—low sodium, olive oil only, and specific preparation due to GERD—and they follow this consistently and thoughtfully. The staff throughout the building are outstanding. They are well trained and, just as important, they are warm and attentive. Whether it is the front desk, concierge, dining staff, or maintenance, everyone greets residents kindly. There is also a wide range of activities, from music of different eras to classical performances and many other programs. There is truly something for everyone. It feels like living on a luxury cruise ship with excellent amenities, except you also have the freedom to come and go as you please. The Clare is a continuing care community, offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. That became very important to me shortly after I moved in. Within six weeks of arriving, I became seriously ill and was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. I spent several months in the skilled nursing area, where I received extraordinary care. They managed my medications, my very specific dietary needs, and provided physical therapy, all while ensuring my safety during a time when my immune system was severely compromised. I am now in remission, nine years later and I am deeply grateful for the care I received here. The Clare is not a place you come because you are sick—it is a place you come to live well. It offers security, community, and support at every level of care. I would highly recommend it."

"We were able to visit The Hallmark of Chicago and the facility was very nice, well kept, and the staff were very friendly. The dining room was beautiful. We had lunch there and the food was good. With the activities, they have outings and they provide transportation. They also have a workout area like a fitness facility. "

StoryPoint La Grange is a new Assisted Living and Memory Support Community. Wellness is at the heart of everything we will do at StoryPoint La Grange. Award-winning programming that inspires each resident every day to live engaged, connected and fulfilled. Plus, which brings coordinated health care right to our residents' apartments, we do all we can to ensure that our residents Live Well. Age Well. Be Well. Every day is filled with opportunities to learn, share, laugh, grow and thrive. And no two days look the same. Friends gather for delicious meals and lively conversation in our restaurant that features all day dining, or delight in a more low-key meal in the Bistro. Our Salon and Spa invites residents to relax and rejuvenate with a spa treatment or massage. The Be Well Fitness Center is staffed with personal trainers to help residents work out safely with optimal results. Our residents will lead programs, share their talents, experience and skills. From woodworking to watercolors, there are no limits to what is possible. To learn more about this provider's license and review other available state reports, please visit: Illinois Department of Public Health - Health Care Regulation

"I absolutely love this place. My family found out about this place soon after we learned that the previous facility failed to care for her properly. This place really knows how to take care of their residents. They are super attentive, friendly and upbeat in personality. My aunt loves to talk and whenever she's engaging in conversation or group activities, her face lights up. The staff seemed eager to involve her in as many group activities as possible. My aunt has made several good friends and she seems happy. So I am very happy with the current situation. "

"The Amazing Grace Senior Living seemed like a nice place to take care of the medical needs that my mother-in-law would need. It's assisted living and there are nurses there 24/7. It's close to home and it's religious. So we could go see her and it will make it convenient for us. It's a little homey and it looks clean. We had pizza, salad, and a fruit cocktail during our tour, and it was all good."

"My mother has severe Alzheimers and has been residing at the Self Help home for the past 4 years.She entered with only mild dementia and living independently until she became more and more impaired. Her 85th birthday is in a few weeks , and although she doesnt appear to know who we are anymore. at least shes around to celebrate it. Self Help home has made us,her family, feel safe .My mom has had excellent care there all these years , and the administration and staff there have been very warm and nurturing throughout these very difficult years. Mom cant do anything for herself anymore , but is well-taken care of, and we know this excellent standard of care will continue as long as she is there. "

"Concord Place staff was good and helpful. They have various rooms, like studios, even up to 2 bedrooms. But my mom didn't need anything bigger than the studio. The food was surprisingly good. They have a variety of activities, like bingo, or if they're able and they're younger, they probably take them out to stores, on trips to Meyer Jewels, or to various grocery stores. I think Walgreens too, and occasional fishing trips. They have an excellent nursing agency on the premises. They're pretty good for a big place. "