The Best Independent Living Communities in Manatee County, FL

"I have already moved into Sky Active Desoto Beach Club two weeks ago. I chose it because my mother had been here for about 3 1/2 years, and I already knew the facility, so that's why I moved here. It was absolutely flawless and the community is a beautiful place. Everyone here is so delightful. I could not have been treated more welcome and treated better. Everything has just gone flawlessly, it's a great place. I love the apartment, they clean the room once a week. It's just wonderful here. The staff was more than accommodating. They're just wonderful. The dining area is incredible, and well set up. The chef is outstanding. The food is good, and I have no complaints whatsoever. I don't do any of the activities yet, but I will. I've been up to the library, sat up there, and read books. But they have activities all day long."

"I moved into Desoto Palms because of the location and size. We can sit outside in the sun, and a lot of people play bingo. They serve three meals a day and have a library, a game room, activities room, living room, a beauty salon, and laundry. The staff is quick to respond, always pleasant, and smiling. They anticipate your needs and will provide transportation for your doctors' appointments. However, they have very rigid meal time. "

"I went to Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living. It looked like it was clean. It has a very nice ambiance about it. It's a warm, friendly place. They were professional and pleasant staff members. They have outdoor spaces, too."

"Alderman Oaks Retirement Center is a locally run facility. It is a fairly small 3-story building. They provide meals. They have limited care as far as nursing backup, but they do have monitoring capability on a 20-minute basis. They are very warm and friendly people. "

"I've visited the Grand Villa of Sarasota. The floor plans in the rooms were excellent, with kitchenettes that were nice. I was looking at a two-bedroom and they were very nicely laid out. The staff was excellent and the activities and their program plans were full. So there wasn't a lack there. I like the idea that if you go from independent living to assisted living, you don't move, but their assisted living comes to you. I like its location, it's close to town, and they have transportation services available to go to the grocery store or places. If you're ambulatory, it's an easy walking distance from the town with outdoor cafes and stuff. So it was quite nice. It was under relatively new ownership and the facility was being renovated."

"My mother is a resident for 2 months now. Everything has been great. She is in the assisted living area, in her own apartment, with a large bedroom and closets. The staff is caring and attentive. They have numerous activities in their calendar too. It's an old building and slightly outdate but still a clean and nice facility. "

"Addington was nice, clean, and the food was good, but the rooms were a little too small. They have dances and people come together for picnics and Bingo. The staff was pleasant and they serve three meals in assisted living."

"Seaside Springs Retirement Community is satisfactory. What I like the most about this place is the camaraderie. My apartment is quite pleasant. I have my own patio. The food they serve is ample. The dining area is also very pleasant. The activities are just enough to keep you busy every day, all week. You can go to the swimming pool or out to the walking area. They just take care all of our needs."

"The one place we were really interested in was Freedom Plaza. It was very nice. There was an apartment there that we were interested in with a room that was much bigger than what we expected. Everything was new and had the latest appliances. It was really nice. We ate there, and it was wonderful. It was more than one building. I liked that they offered transportation to take you to the doctor. They had a bus service that went all over the place. I really liked the place. They even had nursing home. They had whatever you needed. "

"I looked at the independent living of The Goldton at Venice and had a very pleasant conversation with the marketing person. I got a thorough look at the facility, and what they offered. I also learned about the cost. They have smaller rooms. They have 2 meals a day, as part of their package. It's brand new and in the middle of a highly developed area. The person who gave the tour was great. I saw their dining area and I would say it was adequate, it wasn't exceptional. The upkeep and maintenance seemed very good."

"I've been in American House St. Petersburg's independent living for 2 days now. It's a brand-new facility that looks like a luxury hotel. The room I'm in is very spacious and well-priced. It's a very nice environment and it's very well decorated. The food is well-prepared too. There is a library, an exercise room, a swimming pool, very large lobby areas, and there are elevators. It has just about everything you'd expect. The room comes with all utilities like Wi-fi and cable. The staff is also friendly and attentive. "

"I saw a two-bedroom and the layout was good. The dining area was normal with tablecloths. The staff was excellent. The residents were playing a card game. They had a pool and a library."

Sunstar Village, located at 7575 65th Way in Pinellas Park, Florida, is a welcoming assisted living community dedicated to compassionate, family-centered care. Designed to support seniors who need assistance with daily living while preserving their independence, Sunstar Village offers a safe and comfortable environment where residents feel at home. The community provides personalized services tailored to each resident's unique needs, with a mission focused on dignity, peace of mind, and well-being. Whether transitioning from independent living or seeking a supportive long-term home, residents and families can trust in the warm, attentive care that defines Sunstar Village. Set within a charming residential area, Sunstar Village features thoughtfully designed apartments, including the popular "SunBeam Single," nestled around beautifully maintained garden courtyards. Residents benefit from a secure, gated setting with ample guest and resident parking, along with housekeeping, linen and laundry services, and private cleaning options. The shared dining room encourages social connection during nutritious meals, with accommodations for diabetic, kosher, vegetarian, and other special diets. Daily life is enriched through a diverse calendar of activities, including music, games, book clubs, arts and crafts, gardening, and organized offsite excursions-all promoting engagement and enjoyment. What makes Sunstar Village truly stand out is its homelike atmosphere and devoted staff, who treat every resident like family. Safety is a top priority, with trained caregivers providing support around the clock and medication assistance as needed. The community's location in central Pinellas Park offers proximity to local attractions such as Sawgrass Lake Park, Heritage Village, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, and Fort De Soto Park-perfect for family visits and resident outings. With a strong reputation for excellence, Sunstar Village is a trusted choice for seniors seeking comfort, care, and community. To learn more about this provider's license and review other available state reports, please visit: Florida Agency of Health Care Administration

"I visited Sky Active the Venetian Gardens. The place was very nice. The staff was great and friendly. They had a few religious things that appealed to my mother. They had an entertainment coordinator. They also had a shuttle bus available."