The Best Independent Living Communities in Shelby County, AL

"My boyfriend's father was a resident of Cahaba Ridge Retirement Community. The grounds are beautiful. Everything was decorated for the holiday beautifully. The people there were very friendly. They have a koi pond. They had a library. They had a dining area. They had a movie theater. They had a little mailroom. He didn't have to go off-property to mail letters. They had some outside little areas for the community to have their own garden, which was very nice if they wanted fresh produce. It was very clean, and it felt almost like you were in a fancy mall. The ceilings in the actual rooms were a little low. I was in a one-bedroom and it had a little kitchenette, which was nice. If you wanted to be able to have your own fridge in your own area to cook a little bit, you could. If you didn't want to go to the dining room all the time, and if you wanted to be a little more independent, you could do so. I saw people coming and going. It was easy to get to an area close to Lifetime Fitness Gym and Publix. I mean, almost anything you could think of that you need is within about three miles. The Grandview Hospital is three miles away. So the location was fabulous, too. The staff was extremely nice. When I inquired about what it would cost to live there and if they could show me around, they were gracious about that. They've even called me back a few times to see if we're interested. It's pricey, but the food was fantastic and the living quarters seemed a little small to me."

"My father was at Brookdale University Park Alabama. The room he got there was too small for him, and there was a time he couldn't get help when he needed something in his room. They just weren't quite as attentive, but they have more actual activities. They had parties, like a Mexican night and different things. My father is just not sociable enough, so it didn't really matter. They have more options for the amenities and the place is bigger."

"I toured Skyline Village at Red Mountain. They're all-inclusive. The layout of the apartment was very nice and perfect for one person. They have an outside deck. They have a dining room. They have a common room where you can do arts and crafts, read, or play cards. The food was very good. Beverly was wonderful."

"The staff at St. Martin's are caring and take great care of the residents. You can't ask for a better place for your loved one. "

"Pleasant Villa Independent Living is very good with their people. I went there during lunchtime, and it smells great. They had a piano in there, and they were letting them sing songs. They were socially active, and I liked that. They are a small apartment kind of. The people are super nice. When I visited they were very attentive, and I could not see where they were showing any partiality. It was a good atmosphere, and it was nice and clean."

"Somerby At St. Vincent's One Nineteen was great. I talked to them on the phone to see what their rates were, and then we went before I took my brother in. He liked it a lot. It's really big and walking is difficult for him, but they said he could have a scooter. Things are looking possible with Somerby. He was looking at their independent living for a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment. The rooms were lovely. The one he looked at had a nice little den area that would be great as an office area; it was a nice size. It was very clean and very nice, we liked it a lot. It was lovely and the staff was great. We didn't try the food, but it smelled wonderful. He was invited back for a meal."

"The size of the studio room in Morningside of Vestavia Hills was by far bigger than other ones. There were multiple activities and multiple amenities available as far as meals, transportation, and affordability. The staff was very nice and very courteous too. They had some exercise classes and a library available for the family. Now that COVID restrictions are being lifted, they are making plans to do outside visits and events, like going to zoos, libraries, senior centers, and such."

"We went to the Oaks on Parkwood. The experience was excellent, the place was very clean and neat. What we liked about them is you have 12 apartments in a building, with six buildings in independent living. So you have your own apartment, it's got its own bedroom, living room, bathroom, and you have a half bath for guests who are visiting. In each of these buildings, there's a center area where the people in these apartments eat lunch every day. They have other activities and things to do there. In the main building on campus, on Wednesday morning they have breakfast where people from all six of those buildings plus all the garden homes come up there and eat breakfast together on Wednesday morning. They have a pool, they do water aerobics there, they have a workout center, they have a community activity, arts and crafts, music. My aunt only likes to eat organic food. This place has a full kitchen in the apartment, and she can cook her own breakfast and dinner. She liked that part of the independent side of it. She wouldn't have to change her eating habits. They also take them to doctor's appointments."

"I love Regency. This was a wonderful facility. It was very clean. The staff there were very professional and very warm. I also thought their price was good. I would have chosen it for my sister except it was multi-level and it had elevators. I just thought that might be a little bit confusing to her, but it was a wonderful place. "

"We were trying to make an arrangement with Mount Royal which was near our home. They were very nice folks. They assisted my mother, and she qualified for assisted living except her legs are swelling, so they were afraid to take her. They seemed to have a lot of activities, and they served three meals a day. They took residents shopping and to the doctor if they needed to go. They also did the laundry. It seemed pretty good. The studio apartment was a little small. They had somebody at the door 24/7. The staff was very friendly. "

"I love Episcopal Place. They have lots of activities, provide rides to doctors appointments and they serve lunches. It’s just a lot of camaraderie, very nice place to live and maintenance is excellent. "

Upside is a new category of senior living. We provide flexible services at hundreds of aging-friendly, luxury rental apartment properties. Whether you are looking for day-to-day convenience, an added layer of support, or want to access a range of activities and events, Upside has you covered. Build a lifestyle on your terms, with people of all ages. Birmingham is nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at the cross-section of two major railroads. It is one of the nation’s most livable cities with a vibrant downtown, a burgeoning loft community, a world-class culinary scene and more green space per capita than any other city!

"The facility was pleasantly decorated and had an ambience about it. All of the residents that I saw appeared to be engaged with each other and staff. The staff paid extra attention to the residents. There were many activities available, as well as planned outings and events at the facility itself. When mealtime came, the food appeared appetizing, the residents were eating it eagerly and those that needed some assistance received it. All in all this was a great facility. My only regret is that my grandmother didn't pass an entrance assessment. Her Alzheimer's is too advanced for them to take her on. I understand this is for her own safety, so no hard feelings there. It was a wonderful facility though. "

Project Success House of Love is an Independent Living facility focused on providing a home-like atmosphere. With an on-staff Nurse, we can address limited medical needs and maintenance. Project Success's friendly staff accompanies clients in most of their day-to-day living, being available or on call 24hrs a day seven days a week. Project Success provides three meals a day with snacks included. We also provide safe and comfortable transportation to qualifying doctors' visits and grocery stores. Project Success prides itself on treating our clients like family and making their experience, no matter how long their stay is, both memorable and happy.