The 10 Best Independent Living Communities in Houston, TX for 2023
Brookdale Memorial City
11900 Barryknoll Lane, Houston, TX, 77024
I have moved into Brookdale Memorial City. What I liked the best is the price, the entrance is free, and the rent is cheap. The staff is okay, they could be better. The cleaning lady was supposed to c
… (read more)
I have moved into Brookdale Memorial City. What I liked the best is the price, the entrance is free, and the rent is cheap. The staff is okay, they could be better. The cleaning lady was supposed to clean the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom. My apartment was messy because I had just moved in, and she only mopped the bathroom, she didn’t clean the toilet. I have been there three weeks now, and they didn’t do a very clean job. I had to clean the toilet myself.
They have a lot of programs here, but I’m just too busy moving. I just had time for Tai Chi, but they have a lot of activities. I just don’t have time to do them all right now.
They provide food three times a day, except on the weekends when they provide food two times a day. The food can be better. The lunch is great, but the dinner is like fast food and it’s not very nutritious. I like the lunches and the breakfast.
(read less)
I have moved into Brookdale Memorial City. What I liked the best is the price, the entrance is free, and the rent is cheap. The staff is okay, they could be better. The cleaning lady was supposed to c
… (read more)
I have moved into Brookdale Memorial City. What I liked the best is the price, the entrance is free, and the rent is cheap. The staff is okay, they could be better. The cleaning lady was supposed to clean the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the bedroom. My apartment was messy because I had just moved in, and she only mopped the bathroom, she didn’t clean the toilet. I have been there three weeks now, and they didn’t do a very clean job. I had to clean the toilet myself.
They have a lot of programs here, but I’m just too busy moving. I just had time for Tai Chi, but they have a lot of activities. I just don’t have time to do them all right now.
They provide food three times a day, except on the weekends when they provide food two times a day. The food can be better. The lunch is great, but the dinner is like fast food and it’s not very nutritious. I like the lunches and the breakfast.
(read less)
Holiday Copperfield Estates
16820 West Rd, Houston, TX, 77095
I’m currently in Holiday Copperfield Estates. I’m here for independent living. I like everything. The food is not bad; it could be better, but it’s OK. I like the activities. The only thing I really d
… (read more)
I’m currently in Holiday Copperfield Estates. I’m here for independent living. I like everything. The food is not bad; it could be better, but it’s OK. I like the activities. The only thing I really don’t like is they’re bringing people in that I feel don’t really need to be here. I understand they want them in a safe place. This is a very safe place and it’s a nice place, but to me with their memory, they really should be in a different place. When my husband and I were here before, I didn’t see all these people that had memory issues, but for the most part, I like it.
We go out to the store on the bus and they’re going to have more activities for us to do, maybe places to go and everything that the pandemic just kind of shut down. Hopefully, we’ll get back to that. We have entertainers that come in, whether guitar or singers or piano players. It is a good place. I’m sure that every place has their hiccups a little bit. They need to screen the residents a little more. They have washers and dryers and I can do my laundry, which is good.
This is all one building. We have three meals a day and you can order off a menu. I can’t eat some of the food right now because I’m missing teeth, so it’s hard to chew, but I make the best decisions that I can. The staff is great. They do good, everyone from the front office to the ladies that clean the rooms. They probably do the best they can with the food.
The activities are pretty good. We’re on our fourth activity director, but they left for other reasons. The activity director does a bang up job in trying to get us doing stuff and having stuff for us to do. There are games we can play. I’ve played dominoes with this one gentleman, and then we can watch TV down there. They have entertainers that come in. When I was here the last time before COVID, they had some little Girl Scouts that came in and they would sell their cookies and they’d have people come in selling jewelry or clothes or whatever. They do a good job at getting people in here whether to entertain us or whatever, because a lot of people can’t get out to do stuff. We go on the bus to the store like Wal-Mart or Kroger. We do that every week and they’ll take us to doctors’ appointments if we need it and that type of thing.
Things could be a little better, but for the most part, it’s good. They should have some kind of security around here at night though. We wear these little call things that if we have an emergency, we can press it and somebody will come on from a dispatch station and say, "Do you need ambulance or police?" Nobody can get in the building unless you’ve got a card that they give you. If it’s after hours, you can swipe that over the little silver thing on the brick post out there and it will open the door. It is a very good place to live.
(read less)
I’m currently in Holiday Copperfield Estates. I’m here for independent living. I like everything. The food is not bad; it could be better, but it’s OK. I like the activities. The only thing I really d
… (read more)
I’m currently in Holiday Copperfield Estates. I’m here for independent living. I like everything. The food is not bad; it could be better, but it’s OK. I like the activities. The only thing I really don’t like is they’re bringing people in that I feel don’t really need to be here. I understand they want them in a safe place. This is a very safe place and it’s a nice place, but to me with their memory, they really should be in a different place. When my husband and I were here before, I didn’t see all these people that had memory issues, but for the most part, I like it.
We go out to the store on the bus and they’re going to have more activities for us to do, maybe places to go and everything that the pandemic just kind of shut down. Hopefully, we’ll get back to that. We have entertainers that come in, whether guitar or singers or piano players. It is a good place. I’m sure that every place has their hiccups a little bit. They need to screen the residents a little more. They have washers and dryers and I can do my laundry, which is good.
This is all one building. We have three meals a day and you can order off a menu. I can’t eat some of the food right now because I’m missing teeth, so it’s hard to chew, but I make the best decisions that I can. The staff is great. They do good, everyone from the front office to the ladies that clean the rooms. They probably do the best they can with the food.
The activities are pretty good. We’re on our fourth activity director, but they left for other reasons. The activity director does a bang up job in trying to get us doing stuff and having stuff for us to do. There are games we can play. I’ve played dominoes with this one gentleman, and then we can watch TV down there. They have entertainers that come in. When I was here the last time before COVID, they had some little Girl Scouts that came in and they would sell their cookies and they’d have people come in selling jewelry or clothes or whatever. They do a good job at getting people in here whether to entertain us or whatever, because a lot of people can’t get out to do stuff. We go on the bus to the store like Wal-Mart or Kroger. We do that every week and they’ll take us to doctors’ appointments if we need it and that type of thing.
Things could be a little better, but for the most part, it’s good. They should have some kind of security around here at night though. We wear these little call things that if we have an emergency, we can press it and somebody will come on from a dispatch station and say, "Do you need ambulance or police?" Nobody can get in the building unless you’ve got a card that they give you. If it’s after hours, you can swipe that over the little silver thing on the brick post out there and it will open the door. It is a very good place to live.
(read less)
Brookdale West University
5151 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX, 77005
I signed up for Brookdale West University. I chose it because it’s close to my daughter, and it had enough shopping opportunities within walking distance of the community. I also chose them because I
… (read more)
I signed up for Brookdale West University. I chose it because it’s close to my daughter, and it had enough shopping opportunities within walking distance of the community. I also chose them because I was looking for three meals a day being provided, and Brookdale provides that, and it’s included in the rent. So that was important to me. They have scheduled transportation and they have trips off-site like they go shopping at Trader Joe’s and all over the place. They have a full activities calendar and there are lots of activities. It’s up to the individual to choose what he will and won’t do. As far as activities go, the real key for me was the average age of the residents at the Brookdale West University site. The average age was in the 70s, while in other places the average age of the residents was between 85 and 90. So there was a lot of disparity. The apartment that I’m going into has a full kitchen, and the only thing I have to provide is the microwave. They have an electric stove oven, a regular-sized refrigerator, a dishwasher in it, as well as a sink and it has a garbage disposal, too. I was very pleased with what I saw and what I heard, and I was just impressed with them. The staff that gave the tour was very, very good.
(read less)
I signed up for Brookdale West University. I chose it because it’s close to my daughter, and it had enough shopping opportunities within walking distance of the community. I also chose them because I
… (read more)
I signed up for Brookdale West University. I chose it because it’s close to my daughter, and it had enough shopping opportunities within walking distance of the community. I also chose them because I was looking for three meals a day being provided, and Brookdale provides that, and it’s included in the rent. So that was important to me. They have scheduled transportation and they have trips off-site like they go shopping at Trader Joe’s and all over the place. They have a full activities calendar and there are lots of activities. It’s up to the individual to choose what he will and won’t do. As far as activities go, the real key for me was the average age of the residents at the Brookdale West University site. The average age was in the 70s, while in other places the average age of the residents was between 85 and 90. So there was a lot of disparity. The apartment that I’m going into has a full kitchen, and the only thing I have to provide is the microwave. They have an electric stove oven, a regular-sized refrigerator, a dishwasher in it, as well as a sink and it has a garbage disposal, too. I was very pleased with what I saw and what I heard, and I was just impressed with them. The staff that gave the tour was very, very good.
(read less)
Ella Springs Senior Living Community
16700 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX, 77090
We toured Ella Springs Senior Living Community. The thing that I liked the least was the size of the closet in the living units; they were quite small. The lady who toured us was very, very helpful an
… (read more)
We toured Ella Springs Senior Living Community. The thing that I liked the least was the size of the closet in the living units; they were quite small. The lady who toured us was very, very helpful and very nice. We had lunch, and the food was pretty good. Mine was not so good, but I was dining with two other people who had excellent experiences. I wouldn’t want to criticize the cooking, but it was not to my taste. They have a nice courtyard with walking paths. There’s laundry in the facility, though not in the apartments.
The price was more reasonable than anything else I’ve seen. It’s very nicely maintained. You can age in place, and you don’t have to get up and move when you suddenly need assisted living. In the dining room, the staff was very courteous, very on the ball, and very helpful. Also in the hallways, if I needed directions the maintenance people were very helpful.
(read less)
We toured Ella Springs Senior Living Community. The thing that I liked the least was the size of the closet in the living units; they were quite small. The lady who toured us was very, very helpful an
… (read more)
We toured Ella Springs Senior Living Community. The thing that I liked the least was the size of the closet in the living units; they were quite small. The lady who toured us was very, very helpful and very nice. We had lunch, and the food was pretty good. Mine was not so good, but I was dining with two other people who had excellent experiences. I wouldn’t want to criticize the cooking, but it was not to my taste. They have a nice courtyard with walking paths. There’s laundry in the facility, though not in the apartments.
The price was more reasonable than anything else I’ve seen. It’s very nicely maintained. You can age in place, and you don’t have to get up and move when you suddenly need assisted living. In the dining room, the staff was very courteous, very on the ball, and very helpful. Also in the hallways, if I needed directions the maintenance people were very helpful.
(read less)
Elison Independent Living at Willowbrook
7575 Willowchase Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77070
The tour I had of Elison Independent Living at Willowbrook was fine. Samantha gave me a full tour of the facility and she was very informative. It’s close to transportation, with a bus stop right down
… (read more)
The tour I had of Elison Independent Living at Willowbrook was fine. Samantha gave me a full tour of the facility and she was very informative. It’s close to transportation, with a bus stop right down the corner. They also provide transportation to appointments. I saw some residents doing some activities. I saw the dining hall and the laundry area. The place seemed well-kept and secured. They have their own staff security at night.
(read less)
The tour I had of Elison Independent Living at Willowbrook was fine. Samantha gave me a full tour of the facility and she was very informative. It’s close to transportation, with a bus stop right down
… (read more)
The tour I had of Elison Independent Living at Willowbrook was fine. Samantha gave me a full tour of the facility and she was very informative. It’s close to transportation, with a bus stop right down the corner. They also provide transportation to appointments. I saw some residents doing some activities. I saw the dining hall and the laundry area. The place seemed well-kept and secured. They have their own staff security at night.
(read less)
Brookdale Galleria
2929 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX, 77056
The apartments at Brookdale Galleria apartments were very spacious, very well laid out, and had big closets and balconies. They were right next door to a nice urban park, so there was greenery around
… (read more)
The apartments at Brookdale Galleria apartments were very spacious, very well laid out, and had big closets and balconies. They were right next door to a nice urban park, so there was greenery around it. They had valet parking. They had a swimming pool. The furnishings were nice, and the apartments were nice. They have very good food.
(read less)
The apartments at Brookdale Galleria apartments were very spacious, very well laid out, and had big closets and balconies. They were right next door to a nice urban park, so there was greenery around
… (read more)
The apartments at Brookdale Galleria apartments were very spacious, very well laid out, and had big closets and balconies. They were right next door to a nice urban park, so there was greenery around it. They had valet parking. They had a swimming pool. The furnishings were nice, and the apartments were nice. They have very good food.
(read less)
The Village of River Oaks
1015 S Shepherd, Houston, TX, 77019
My parents will be moving to The Village of River Oaks. I once was invited to a barbecue there, so I went. The people there and the director, Laura, she was very nice and offered to show me if I wante
… (read more)
My parents will be moving to The Village of River Oaks. I once was invited to a barbecue there, so I went. The people there and the director, Laura, she was very nice and offered to show me if I wanted to see the apartment. I said I just want to meet the residents, and so she took me around and introduced me to more than a dozen people who were just so nice. The residents there, the staff, everybody was just really nice people. It had a good home feeling to it. It wasn’t super duper fancy or crazy, but it was really nice and kept up clean. All the residents were clean, they were all well taken care of, so it’s more the feel of it that I really liked. My dad was not in the best of health and I explained that to the directing nurse, and I asked whether they can go in as independent or assisted. She asked me to write up some information about his medications and prognosis, and they accepted him and his mom. I don’t know how long they’re going to be independent, but that’s a good place to start. They have the option to make their own meals or go to the dining room that serves three meals a day. We stayed for lunch and it was so good. They also have a full kitchen, a full refrigerator, and everything in their own apartment. Every Friday night they have happy hour down in the main guestroom or ballroom or living room, and so they get together and they have drinks, and they have a band or something every Friday. Once a month, they do a big event out on the patio, which is really nice. It just brings everybody together; that was the barbecue thing that I went to. They also have daily exercise classes every day, a pool, and they have an activities room. The facility is eight stories, it’s very nice. The monthly fee is a bit high compared to some of the other places we looked at. The company is currently painting their apartment and they’ll be moving in.
(read less)
My parents will be moving to The Village of River Oaks. I once was invited to a barbecue there, so I went. The people there and the director, Laura, she was very nice and offered to show me if I wante
… (read more)
My parents will be moving to The Village of River Oaks. I once was invited to a barbecue there, so I went. The people there and the director, Laura, she was very nice and offered to show me if I wanted to see the apartment. I said I just want to meet the residents, and so she took me around and introduced me to more than a dozen people who were just so nice. The residents there, the staff, everybody was just really nice people. It had a good home feeling to it. It wasn’t super duper fancy or crazy, but it was really nice and kept up clean. All the residents were clean, they were all well taken care of, so it’s more the feel of it that I really liked. My dad was not in the best of health and I explained that to the directing nurse, and I asked whether they can go in as independent or assisted. She asked me to write up some information about his medications and prognosis, and they accepted him and his mom. I don’t know how long they’re going to be independent, but that’s a good place to start. They have the option to make their own meals or go to the dining room that serves three meals a day. We stayed for lunch and it was so good. They also have a full kitchen, a full refrigerator, and everything in their own apartment. Every Friday night they have happy hour down in the main guestroom or ballroom or living room, and so they get together and they have drinks, and they have a band or something every Friday. Once a month, they do a big event out on the patio, which is really nice. It just brings everybody together; that was the barbecue thing that I went to. They also have daily exercise classes every day, a pool, and they have an activities room. The facility is eight stories, it’s very nice. The monthly fee is a bit high compared to some of the other places we looked at. The company is currently painting their apartment and they’ll be moving in.
(read less)
St. Dominic Village
2401 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77021
St. Dominic Village was a small living arrangement, but the grounds, the dining room, and the rooms were nice. It’s in a very nice location. I got to meet one of the placement coordinators and she was
… (read more)
St. Dominic Village was a small living arrangement, but the grounds, the dining room, and the rooms were nice. It’s in a very nice location. I got to meet one of the placement coordinators and she was very helpful. I saw residents playing board games and cards.
(read less)
St. Dominic Village was a small living arrangement, but the grounds, the dining room, and the rooms were nice. It’s in a very nice location. I got to meet one of the placement coordinators and she was
… (read more)
St. Dominic Village was a small living arrangement, but the grounds, the dining room, and the rooms were nice. It’s in a very nice location. I got to meet one of the placement coordinators and she was very helpful. I saw residents playing board games and cards.
(read less)
Morada Cy-Fair
11500 Fallbrook Drive, Houston, TX, 77065
I’m in the independent living while my husband is in memory care. I’m very pleased with the caregivers, and the staff here is wonderful and caring. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, it’s very pleasant, they
… (read more)
I’m in the independent living while my husband is in memory care. I’m very pleased with the caregivers, and the staff here is wonderful and caring. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, it’s very pleasant, they do a good job. My apartment is a 1-bedroom and since he’s in memory care, he just has a plain room with a bathroom. The independent living is separate from assisted living and memory care. But all I have to do is walk across the driveway and I’m there. They have wonderful meals. We haven’t gotten used to all the activities yet, they keep the memory care residents busy. One thing I would like to say is that I have searched all over Houston, and this is the only community that met our needs. They have a library, and it’s all very convenient. We enjoy all of the group activities so far.
(read less)
I’m in the independent living while my husband is in memory care. I’m very pleased with the caregivers, and the staff here is wonderful and caring. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, it’s very pleasant, they
… (read more)
I’m in the independent living while my husband is in memory care. I’m very pleased with the caregivers, and the staff here is wonderful and caring. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, it’s very pleasant, they do a good job. My apartment is a 1-bedroom and since he’s in memory care, he just has a plain room with a bathroom. The independent living is separate from assisted living and memory care. But all I have to do is walk across the driveway and I’m there. They have wonderful meals. We haven’t gotten used to all the activities yet, they keep the memory care residents busy. One thing I would like to say is that I have searched all over Houston, and this is the only community that met our needs. They have a library, and it’s all very convenient. We enjoy all of the group activities so far.
(read less)
Holly Hall Retirement Community
2000 Holly Hall Street, Houston, TX, 77054
Holly Hall Retirement Community is the Number 2 selection for me. They had a 1-bedroom 1-bath, and they were good-sized. They had full kitchens, they were nice apartments and the facility was nice. It
… (read more)
Holly Hall Retirement Community is the Number 2 selection for me. They had a 1-bedroom 1-bath, and they were good-sized. They had full kitchens, they were nice apartments and the facility was nice. It’s been taken care of very well. They utilize the latest technology to help manage the entire place. I was impressed with the way that they implemented technology into the apartments, there were a lot of good things about that. They did not have three meals a day. They had an option for a day, but that was more money, and it was a little steep cost-wise.
The location was right next to the football stadium that’s down here, this goes right up to the parking lot of Energy Field. They had like 10 acres of land there and they built it up, so that was nice. The grounds are very nice and nicely taken care of. So on one hand, it was problematic that it was close, but if you are a sports fan and like to watch the Texans, then you had a good place to park there. The apartment was nice-sized, they had weekly housekeeping and they scheduled transportation. They all had full kitchens, a full-sized refrigerator, and electric stoves and I think they required the residents to bring a microwave if they wanted one. The staff that gave the tour was very patient. He offered for us to come back at lunchtime to check out the food. The dining area was very nice and everything there was nice, like upgraded luxury apartments.
(read less)
Holly Hall Retirement Community is the Number 2 selection for me. They had a 1-bedroom 1-bath, and they were good-sized. They had full kitchens, they were nice apartments and the facility was nice. It
… (read more)
Holly Hall Retirement Community is the Number 2 selection for me. They had a 1-bedroom 1-bath, and they were good-sized. They had full kitchens, they were nice apartments and the facility was nice. It’s been taken care of very well. They utilize the latest technology to help manage the entire place. I was impressed with the way that they implemented technology into the apartments, there were a lot of good things about that. They did not have three meals a day. They had an option for a day, but that was more money, and it was a little steep cost-wise.
The location was right next to the football stadium that’s down here, this goes right up to the parking lot of Energy Field. They had like 10 acres of land there and they built it up, so that was nice. The grounds are very nice and nicely taken care of. So on one hand, it was problematic that it was close, but if you are a sports fan and like to watch the Texans, then you had a good place to park there. The apartment was nice-sized, they had weekly housekeeping and they scheduled transportation. They all had full kitchens, a full-sized refrigerator, and electric stoves and I think they required the residents to bring a microwave if they wanted one. The staff that gave the tour was very patient. He offered for us to come back at lunchtime to check out the food. The dining area was very nice and everything there was nice, like upgraded luxury apartments.
(read less)
Emerson Pines
10100 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX, 77080
I toured Emerson Pines and I liked the location of it. It’s very close to my work. The apartment the gentleman showed me was very nice. It’s a one-bedroom apartment. He didn’t show me much of the comp
… (read more)
I toured Emerson Pines and I liked the location of it. It’s very close to my work. The apartment the gentleman showed me was very nice. It’s a one-bedroom apartment. He didn’t show me much of the complex and I’m going to go back to see a two-bedroom just to compare and to see what else they have. It’s an older facility, but it was clean. They have a place you can sit with a little putting green.
(read less)
I toured Emerson Pines and I liked the location of it. It’s very close to my work. The apartment the gentleman showed me was very nice. It’s a one-bedroom apartment. He didn’t show me much of the comp
… (read more)
I toured Emerson Pines and I liked the location of it. It’s very close to my work. The apartment the gentleman showed me was very nice. It’s a one-bedroom apartment. He didn’t show me much of the complex and I’m going to go back to see a two-bedroom just to compare and to see what else they have. It’s an older facility, but it was clean. They have a place you can sit with a little putting green.
(read less)
The Solana Preserve Vintage Park
14221 Vintage Preserve Parkway, Houston, TX, 77070
I toured The Solana Preserve Vintage Park, and it was awesome. It was amazing. It just wasn’t what we needed. I physically went in and I spoke with Sierra but we didn’t go very far other than the lobb
… (read more)
I toured The Solana Preserve Vintage Park, and it was awesome. It was amazing. It just wasn’t what we needed. I physically went in and I spoke with Sierra but we didn’t go very far other than the lobby, the eating area, and the little bar area because sitting and talking with her, we realized that what my mom needed, the facility wasn’t going to suffice, unfortunately.
They were all very friendly, mild-mannered when you were speaking with them, very easy to talk to, eager to help, wanted to make sure that they were trying to find a way to meet my parents’ needs, I thought that was great. It’s beautiful. It’s like a higher-end hotel. It looks like an amazing facility. It looks very nice when you walk in, it’s very nicely decorated, and you’re greeted by a nice person at the front desk. It’s very bright.
(read less)
I toured The Solana Preserve Vintage Park, and it was awesome. It was amazing. It just wasn’t what we needed. I physically went in and I spoke with Sierra but we didn’t go very far other than the lobb
… (read more)
I toured The Solana Preserve Vintage Park, and it was awesome. It was amazing. It just wasn’t what we needed. I physically went in and I spoke with Sierra but we didn’t go very far other than the lobby, the eating area, and the little bar area because sitting and talking with her, we realized that what my mom needed, the facility wasn’t going to suffice, unfortunately.
They were all very friendly, mild-mannered when you were speaking with them, very easy to talk to, eager to help, wanted to make sure that they were trying to find a way to meet my parents’ needs, I thought that was great. It’s beautiful. It’s like a higher-end hotel. It looks like an amazing facility. It looks very nice when you walk in, it’s very nicely decorated, and you’re greeted by a nice person at the front desk. It’s very bright.
(read less)
The Village of Tanglewood
1600 Augusta Dr, Houston, TX, 77057
My parents have already been in The Village of Tanglewood for three years now. They like where they are. It’s "grade A" all the way. It’s very, very nice and a great place. They have people who come i
… (read more)
My parents have already been in The Village of Tanglewood for three years now. They like where they are. It’s "grade A" all the way. It’s very, very nice and a great place. They have people who come in and sing at Christmastime, they play bingo, and there’s a calendar of events on display, like in the elevator, and it tells you what’s going on throughout the day. They also have a recreation room, a swimming pool, and a fitness center, and they do special things during Easter, Memorial Day, and all that.
(read less)
My parents have already been in The Village of Tanglewood for three years now. They like where they are. It’s "grade A" all the way. It’s very, very nice and a great place. They have people who come i
… (read more)
My parents have already been in The Village of Tanglewood for three years now. They like where they are. It’s "grade A" all the way. It’s very, very nice and a great place. They have people who come in and sing at Christmastime, they play bingo, and there’s a calendar of events on display, like in the elevator, and it tells you what’s going on throughout the day. They also have a recreation room, a swimming pool, and a fitness center, and they do special things during Easter, Memorial Day, and all that.
(read less)
Village on The Park Steeplechase
12102 Steepleway Blvd, Houston, TX, 77065
I did a real tour of Village on The Park Steeplechase and it’s a good place for us. They have what I want, they have the independent care and the little cottages, and independent care apartments. Then
… (read more)
I did a real tour of Village on The Park Steeplechase and it’s a good place for us. They have what I want, they have the independent care and the little cottages, and independent care apartments. Then when we eventually need it, they have assisted living and memory care. I like that the individual cottages are like duplexes, one wall of your cottage connects to another but it feels like a separate little home. It’s got this little carport, garage, and front door. It feels very much like an individual home. They have well-kept grounds, a nice little dining area, and an ice cream parlor area. There is more than just ice cream socials and it’s very nice. I had a meal there and it was good, my husband was able to order his hamburger. They offer quite a few activities. We met a lot of the people there, basically the business people, the gym person who does the exercise things and the lady for the hair care. The staff was very nice and very kind.
(read less)
I did a real tour of Village on The Park Steeplechase and it’s a good place for us. They have what I want, they have the independent care and the little cottages, and independent care apartments. Then
… (read more)
I did a real tour of Village on The Park Steeplechase and it’s a good place for us. They have what I want, they have the independent care and the little cottages, and independent care apartments. Then when we eventually need it, they have assisted living and memory care. I like that the individual cottages are like duplexes, one wall of your cottage connects to another but it feels like a separate little home. It’s got this little carport, garage, and front door. It feels very much like an individual home. They have well-kept grounds, a nice little dining area, and an ice cream parlor area. There is more than just ice cream socials and it’s very nice. I had a meal there and it was good, my husband was able to order his hamburger. They offer quite a few activities. We met a lot of the people there, basically the business people, the gym person who does the exercise things and the lady for the hair care. The staff was very nice and very kind.
(read less)
The Village At Southampton
5020 Kelvin Dr, Houston, TX, 77005
Our bright and expansive floor plans offer an array of sophisticated features in every home, including sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinets, individual climate controls, floor to ceiling windows,
… (read more)
Our bright and expansive floor plans offer an array of sophisticated features in every home, including sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinets, individual climate controls, floor to ceiling windows, multiple dining venues, indoor heated pool & spa, fitness center, on-site therapy & home health services. Complimentary supportive services, including housekeeping and weekly linen service, garage parking & valet, 24 hr. concierge service & transportation to and from the Houston Medical Center & Rice Village Shopping District.
(read less)
Our bright and expansive floor plans offer an array of sophisticated features in every home, including sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinets, individual climate controls, floor to ceiling windows,
… (read more)
Our bright and expansive floor plans offer an array of sophisticated features in every home, including sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinets, individual climate controls, floor to ceiling windows, multiple dining venues, indoor heated pool & spa, fitness center, on-site therapy & home health services. Complimentary supportive services, including housekeeping and weekly linen service, garage parking & valet, 24 hr. concierge service & transportation to and from the Houston Medical Center & Rice Village Shopping District.
(read less)
Anthology of Tanglewood
504 Bering Drive, Houston, TX, 77057
Anthology of Tanglewood was a nice place. The room was pretty nice and the price was reasonable. The people were friendly and it was clean. They had an outside area and a restaurant for the residents
… (read more)
Anthology of Tanglewood was a nice place. The room was pretty nice and the price was reasonable. The people were friendly and it was clean. They had an outside area and a restaurant for the residents to use.
(read less)
Anthology of Tanglewood was a nice place. The room was pretty nice and the price was reasonable. The people were friendly and it was clean. They had an outside area and a restaurant for the residents
… (read more)
Anthology of Tanglewood was a nice place. The room was pretty nice and the price was reasonable. The people were friendly and it was clean. They had an outside area and a restaurant for the residents to use.
(read less)
Oak Tree Manor Apartments
14603 Fonmeadow Dr, Houston, TX, 77035
My sister is at Oak Tree Manor Apartments. It is good. The staff is good. It’s really big. The apartments inside are really huge. The set-up is nice. They have all kinds of activities and gatherings o
… (read more)
My sister is at Oak Tree Manor Apartments. It is good. The staff is good. It’s really big. The apartments inside are really huge. The set-up is nice. They have all kinds of activities and gatherings on holidays. They have a small church community that goes there, and it looks like they help each other a lot. Everybody helps each other. When one of the tenants is sick or something, they get together to cook for them and stuff like that. It’s pretty good.
When you walk in the front door, you have the kitchen to your right. Then you have a big open living room. My sister has a huge bathroom. I’m just really shocked by that. She has good storage space and a washer and dryer. It’s really nice. My sister is really excited all the time. The activities keep her busy, and it really helps her. The place looks pretty clean.
(read less)
My sister is at Oak Tree Manor Apartments. It is good. The staff is good. It’s really big. The apartments inside are really huge. The set-up is nice. They have all kinds of activities and gatherings o
… (read more)
My sister is at Oak Tree Manor Apartments. It is good. The staff is good. It’s really big. The apartments inside are really huge. The set-up is nice. They have all kinds of activities and gatherings on holidays. They have a small church community that goes there, and it looks like they help each other a lot. Everybody helps each other. When one of the tenants is sick or something, they get together to cook for them and stuff like that. It’s pretty good.
When you walk in the front door, you have the kitchen to your right. Then you have a big open living room. My sister has a huge bathroom. I’m just really shocked by that. She has good storage space and a washer and dryer. It’s really nice. My sister is really excited all the time. The activities keep her busy, and it really helps her. The place looks pretty clean.
(read less)
See Pricing for
is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Expect in an Independent Living Community
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:
- Numerous opportunities for socializing and exploring new activities
- Easy access to public or community-provided transportation
- Meal plans for community dining as well as kitchens for seniors who like preparing their own meals
- The ability to keep small- and medium-size pets such as dogs and cats
- Housekeeping, laundry and groundskeeping services
- 24-hour staff on-site who can be contacted if a problem arises
For a more detailed look at common amenities, check out our guide to independent living communities.
What Couples Should Know About Independent Living in Houston, TX
Seniors who enjoy big city living may consider retiring in Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country. News and World Report recently ranked Houston 29th on its list of the best places to retire, and the city has much to offer its senior residents.
Compared to other major metropolitan areas, Houston is relatively affordable — its cost of living is only 4.8% higher than the national average — so it may appeal to senior couples on a budget. The city has 85 hospitals to accommodate seniors’ future health needs, including the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center.
With plenty of attractions, seniors can enjoy an active retirement in Houston. The city’s museum district is home to 19 museums, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. At the 155-acre Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, seniors can admire the gardens and explore five miles of trails.
Paying for Independent Living in Houston, TX
Compared to the nationwide average of $2,550 per month, Houston’s independent living facilities are slightly more affordable. Seniors who retire in Houston can expect to pay an average of $2,472 per month for independent living.
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.
Independent Living Resources in Houston, TX
There are many other resources and activities for seniors in Houston. Use the table below to learn about the options available for older adults in the area.
| Resource | Phone Number | Description |
| Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Southeast Texas | (713) 595-8195 | RSVP of Southeast Texas connects seniors with local volunteer opportunities and helps them make a difference in their communities. Houston seniors can help children, needy families, homebound seniors and other community members. The program provides free volunteer training to help seniors succeed, as well as supplemental volunteer insurance to protect them as they work. |
| Houston’s Community Centers | (832) 395-7000 | Senior programming is available at the 60 community centers located throughout Houston. These centers offer ceramics, quilting, painting, photography and other arts and crafts classes. They also provide opportunities for seniors to get active through walking clubs or group fitness classes. Most activities are free. |
| Houston Community College | (713) 718-2000 | At Houston Community College, older adults receive free or discounted tuition. Adults who are 55 years or older enjoy half-price tuition, while those who are 65 or older receive free tuition for up to six credit hours per semester. Some of the areas of study that seniors can pursue include anthropology, philosophy and world languages. |
| India House Houston | (713) 929-1900 | India House Houston is a nonprofit organization that provides many free or low-cost services. Every week, it offers a free one-hour technology class for seniors. During this interactive class, seniors can learn how to send messages and pictures to their loved ones; they can also learn how to use social media. The organization also offers free legal consultations. |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Houston | (713) 970-4419 | NAMI Greater Houston provides free mental health support. Seniors can enroll in its free peer support groups to learn practical tips for managing their mental illnesses. The organization also offers family-to-family education classes for seniors who want to learn how to better support their loved ones with mental illnesses. |