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Best Independent Living in Burlington, VT

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 4 independent living communities in Burlington, VT using Vermont Dept. of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in VT
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
4 homes
Other senior care options in Burlington:
Avg Walk Score: 48/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Burlington, VT. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Burlington, VT. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around Burlington (Metro Area)

Three Cathedral Square
IL
AL
Burlington (Old North End)
-Yes
93
Facility 93
VT AVG 44
Rank #2 / 70
1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Residence at Quarry Hill
IL
AL
MC
RC
South Burlington
-No
30
Facility 30
VT AVG 44
Rank #42 / 70
-
The Residence at Shelburne Bay
IL
AL
MC
RC
Shelburne
-No
42
Facility 42
VT AVG 44
Rank #33 / 70
-
Harbor Village Senior Communities
IL
AL
RESC
RC
South Burlington
-Yes
25
Facility 25
VT AVG 44
Rank #48 / 70
-
Overview of Three Cathedral Square

Established in 1977, Three Cathedral Square is an assisted living and independent living community in Burlington’s Old North End. The community offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, which range from 450 to 570 square feet. It provides independent living and assisted housing. There are also dedicated memory care services in a smoke-free and well-maintained setting.

The community emphasizes environmental responsibility through sustainable building practices and energy-efficient features. Residents have access to free on-site parking, dedicated garden spaces, and a full calendar of social, cultural, and recreational activities that encourage engagement. Pets are also welcome in the community. Two pets are allowed per home in recognition of the companionship they provide.

Telephone, internet, and cable television are included in the rental rate, so it’s easier for residents to manage their monthly expenses. The community has a Walk Score of 93. It’s a walker’s paradise where daily errands and many shops can be reached on foot. It is also just 0. 4 miles from Burlington’s city center, providing convenient access to downtown dining and cultural attractions.

Three Cathedral Square participates in Vermont’s state-supported care programs. These include the ACCS Program for personal care and homemaker services and the ERC Program, which provides nursing-level care as an alternative to traditional nursing home placement. The community also offers memory care for residents whose needs change over time. Its continued existence since 1977 and its dedication to sustainable practices are evidence of its long term, considered stewardship.

Contact Three Cathedral Square

Overview of The Residence at Quarry Hill

South Burlington’s Residence at Quarry Hill covers a lot of ground. It offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care under one roof. That range matters because it means a family doesn’t necessarily have to move a loved one to a new building if their needs change over time.

The location sits about 2.1 miles from the city center, with a Walk Score of 30. Some errands are walkable. Plan on a car for regular trips out.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy happen on site, so residents working through an injury or a chronic condition don’t have to coordinate outside appointments just to get care. For residents who need memory support, dementia and memory care services are part of what’s offered, not an add-on.

Money matters, and Quarry Hill has two Vermont programs working in its favor. ACCS is Medicaid-funded and covers personal care and homemaker help. ERC is also Medicaid-funded, and it functions as a nursing-level care option for people who’d otherwise be looking at a nursing home.

Outside, there’s a fitness center, vegetable and herb gardens, an outdoor pool with a separate lap pool, and tennis courts. That’s a fairly active outdoor footprint for a senior living community, and it points to a resident population that’s expected to stay engaged physically, not just socially. Respite care rounds things out, giving families a short-term option when a regular caregiver needs a break.

Residence at Quarry Hill is a community built for flexibility: multiple care levels, active outdoor amenities, and two distinct funding pathways through the state.

Contact The Residence at Quarry Hill

Overview of The Residence at Shelburne Bay

The Residence at Shelburne Bay is a premier senior living community located in the scenic town of Shelburne, Vermont. With options like independent living, assisted living, and memory care, The Residence offers a range of living choices to suit different needs. The apartments are beautifully appointed and equipped with modern facilities, ensuring a cozy and personalized living space. The Residence at Shelburne Bay apart is committed to creating a vibrant and engaging environment.
From wellness programs and fitness classes to social events and educational opportunities, there are always fun and engaging activities to get involved in. The compassionate staff is available around the clock, providing personalized care and support to residents. If you’re looking for a senior living community that offers a welcoming atmosphere, modern amenities, and a fulfilling lifestyle, The Residence at Shelburne Bay stands out.

Contact The Residence at Shelburne Bay

Overview of Harbor Village Senior Communities

South Burlington’s Harbor Village Senior Communities sits at 90 Allen Rd, offering four things at once: assisted living, independent living, residential care, and respite care. The Walk Score is 25, so a car is going to be part of daily life for most residents’ families, even if a handful of nearby spots are reachable on foot.

What Harbor Village actually looks like day to day is apartment-style housing. Residents get their own private space, but round-the-clock support is built into the structure. That’s part of why the community can serve such a wide range of people under one roof: someone who mostly wants independence with a safety net, and someone who needs more consistent, hands-on residential care.

Transportation services cover the gap when someone needs to get somewhere off-site. Activity coordinators run a regular schedule of things to do. Meals come restaurant-style, and the grounds have walking paths and gardens tucked among wooded areas.

Pets are welcome too, for people who don’t want to give up an animal companion just to move somewhere with more support. It’s a walkable-limited but nature-adjacent property, with apartment-style privacy, and four care types under one address; Harbor Village is a community that can hold someone through several different stages of need without forcing a move somewhere else.

Contact Harbor Village Senior Communities

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in Burlington, VT

What is the average cost of independent living in Burlington, VT?

The average monthly cost of independent living in Burlington, VT is approximately $2,241. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for independent living in Burlington, VT?

Independent living in Burlington, VT typically ranges from $891 - $3,561 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 4 independent living communities in Burlington, VT. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in Burlington, VT?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Burlington, VT, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in Burlington, VT?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.