The Best Independent Living Communities in Kern County, CA

"Columbus Estates was nice and clean. The people that lived there looked pretty happy. They're very communicative. The only thing my mom didn't like was they didn't have a stove and they only had one refrigerator because they would provide meals to their residents 3 times a day. She likes to cook, so that was the only reason she didn't like it. But she liked the place, she said it was beautiful. Alex was very nice, very presentable, and very professional. He took us to the places and showed us what they do every day. They had hobbies. He was very patient."

Real Care Living, located at 818 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309, is a vibrant assisted living and memory care community known as Real Care Luxury Assisted Living. Nestled in a spacious, inviting campus offering private studios, one‑bedroom units, and semi‑private rooms, this community provides 24/7 supervision, medication management, and nursing care (12–16 hours/day), ensuring peace of mind for both residents and families. Services extend beyond daily assistance to include respite stays, memory care programming, and coordination with healthcare professionals. Residents at Real Care Living enjoy a rich array of amenities designed for engagement, wellness, and comfort. On-site offerings include a beauty/barber shop, spa and sauna facilities, a game and activity room, library, fitness center, saltwater pool with aqua therapy, garden and patio spaces, and communal bistro or coffee shop . Housekeeping and laundry services (both linens and clothing), as well as resident and guest parking, ensure a convenient lifestyle. Organized programs span music, games, book clubs, arts and crafts, yoga, gardening, fitness classes, and regular off-site excursions to promote social connection and an active lifestyle. Dining is equally thoughtful, featuring room service, shared meals, dietary accommodations (including diabetic, kosher, vegetarian, pureed, low/no‑sodium), and guest dining options. What truly sets Real Care Living apart is its thoughtful blend of mid‑century design and intentional programming tailored for those with memory care needs. The facility features secure, engaging spaces that foster comfort and connection, including personalized cognitive and emotional support. Staff are bilingual in English and Spanish, reflecting a commitment to inclusive, culturally sensitive care. Situated near downtown Bakersfield with convenient access to local attractions like Dutch Bros Coffee, The Habit, Jastro Park, and Beale Park, residents can stay connected to the community. Complementing its amenities, Real Care Living is noted for its beautiful, well‑decorated rooms, manicured walking paths, and warm, safety‑focused environment—all underscored by excellent reviews from families and industry professionals. To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services Licensed Facility Search

"My mom is here. The location is amazing. The facility is beautiful, new, clean, and smells amazing. My mom is in the memory care section, and it is very nice, clean, and well taken care of. Also, my mom has been taken care of very well. I'm very pleased with the care she gets there. They get her up every morning and get her out into the center. I like that their memory care section is one big, open section in the middle where all their rooms open into the middle. So they get all the residents out into the center where they have their breakfast and do activities. They're able to interact and see all the residents in the middle. They have an outside area where they can go and sit. They also have different games that they play all day. They have TVs where they can watch movies, do arts and crafts, and do gardening. They have nice rooms, which have a nice closets. The bedroom is nice, wide, and long. Everybody gets a separate bathroom there. It has a walk-in shower, and it's handicapped-accessible all around with pull tags, poles, and handrails. It has two windows that look out, so it's a very nice room. They don't have any shared rooms. Each resident gets their own room. They call me all the time, give me updates, and let me know things that are going on with my mom. There are always daily specials, and you can also order off a menu."

"Solstice Senior Living at Bakersfield was a lovely facility. The grounds were immaculate and very pretty. They were pet-friendly. The people I saw there looked content and happy. There were no people sitting around in wheelchairs sleeping. It was like everyone was genuinely cared for. The staff members were good. They were patient. They did not talk down to me. I'm short and overweight, and a lot of people look at me like I'm half a person, and they didn't make me feel like that. There were walking paths outside. I didn't see a gym or a library, but I was not looking for it."

"I loved everything about Brookdale Riverwalk. It would be a very nice place to retire. The apartment was very spacious, very bright, and very clean. They had everything you would expect in an independent living place for seniors. The staff who gave the tour was very helpful. Brookdale Riverwalk looked like a very high-end hotel. It's very nice. However, its location is close to the freeway."

"Ivy Park at Seven Oaks was outstanding. It's beautifully clean and the staff was wonderful. The residents were very friendly. I was able to talk with them quite a bit. They were allowed to bring their dog, and I think that is fundamental when you're older. They were very attentive to everyone too."