Best Independent Living in Des Moines, IA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 26 independent living communities in Des Moines, IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in IA
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Des Moines, IA our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in Des Moines, IA.
26 homes
Other senior care options in Des Moines:

Compare Independent Living around Des Moines (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Inspection events categorized as complaint-related by the state regulator.
Count of incident-based investigations (e.g. reported events) in the regulatory record for the reporting period.
Valley View Village
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Des Moines (Fairmont Park)
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 76
Rank #53 / 165
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 15
Rank #1 / 131
96.2%
Facility 96.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #1 / 154
27
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #104 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
Trinity Center at Luther Park
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
120
Facility 120
IA AVG 76
Rank #25 / 165
Yes
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
--
90.8%
Facility 90.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #25 / 154
24
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 7
Rank #140 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edencrest at Beaverdale
IL
AL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
160
Facility 160
IA AVG 76
Rank #10 / 165
Yes
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 43
Rank #24 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 15
Rank #75 / 131
30.0%
Facility 30.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #130 / 154
13
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #128 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
Edencrest at The Legacy
IL
AL
MC
RC
Norwalk
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 76
Rank #48 / 165
Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 43
Rank #152 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 15
Rank #75 / 131
33.8%
Facility 33.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #138 / 154
7
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Holland Farms
IL
AL
MC
RC
Norwalk
116
Facility 116
IA AVG 76
Rank #29 / 165
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 15
Rank #94 / 131
46.6%
Facility 46.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #135 / 154
8
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edencrest at The Tuscany
IL
AL
MC
RC
Altoona
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
Yes
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 43
Rank #189 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 15
Rank #94 / 131
92.5%
Facility 92.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #18 / 154
7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #77 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Grand Living At Tower Place
IL
AL
MC
West Des Moines
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 76
Rank #58 / 165
Yes
63
Facility 63
IA AVG 43
Rank #49 / 222
Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 15
Rank #94 / 131
47.4%
Facility 47.4%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #104 / 154
7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
Edencrest at Pleasant Hill
IL
AL
MC
Pleasant Hill
140
Facility 140
IA AVG 76
Rank #15 / 165
Yes
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 43
Rank #218 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
21.4%
Facility 21.4%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #153 / 154
2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #21 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Calvin Community AL
IL
AL
MC
SNF
Des Moines (Lower Beaver)
162
Facility 162
IA AVG 76
Rank #9 / 165
No
57
Facility 57
IA AVG 43
Rank #70 / 222
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 15
Rank #81 / 131
21.0%
Facility 21.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #154 / 154
3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
3801 Grand
IL
AL
MC
Des Moines (East Village)
106
Facility 106
IA AVG 76
Rank #33 / 165
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 15
Rank #15 / 131
40.6%
Facility 40.6%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #124 / 154
6
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #124 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other IA independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 26 analyzed for Des Moines. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Valley View Village

Valley View Village 2571 is a high-standard nursing home in Des Moines, IA, that offers a wide range of care options, from independent living to rehabilitation. Promoting a welcoming environment, the community strives to maintain connections for older adults’ happiness and wellness. Delicious dining, recreational activities, and pet-friendly spaces are among the community’s unique features that make it an ideal retirement destination. With its dedication to residents’ welfare, personalized care plans are crafted to meet their healthcare needs and lifestyle preferences.

Hobby groups, fun excursions, and spiritual activities are just some of the activities that residents can join for leisure and wellness. The community also features a variety of amenities, including a library, well-maintained gardens, and walking paths, dedicated to enriching residents’ living experiences. As a community of its own, Valley View Village has all the local amenities needed for residents’ needs and leisure. This retirement community is one of Iowa’s finest choices for senior living, especially for its wide range of care options and extensive amenities.

Contact Valley View Village

Edencrest at Beaverdale

3410 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Overview of Edencrest at Beaverdale

Lead a meaningful life with the idyllic senior living community of Edencrest at Beaverdale in Des Moines, IA, providing assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Individuals with dementia and other memory-related needs are well-cared for through different levels of care provided to meet their unique needs. With its commitment to understanding residents, the community crafts personalized care plans for their comfort.

Residents receive the utmost care and support with a care team attending to them 24/7, ensuring they enjoy every moment of their best years. With fun recreation and wellness programs, residents experience fun-filled days. The community promotes a pet-friendly and welcoming environment, making it ideal for those aiming to optimize their independence.

Contact Edencrest at Beaverdale

Overview of Holland Farms

Located on Sunset Drive in Norwalk, Iowa, Holland Farms is a three-story community that has been in operation for five years. It offers 116 private and semi-private apartments and currently serves 45 residents, giving older adults a choice of living arrangements based on their preferences for privacy or shared space.

The surrounding neighborhood has a walkability score of 38, so while a few nearby destinations can be reached on foot, most errands and family visits require a vehicle. The quieter setting may appeal to those who prefer a less urban environment.

State inspections have identified areas for improvement in medication management procedures and service planning documentation. Interested families are encouraged to schedule a tour to discuss these findings with staff and learn more about the safeguards and care practices in place.

Contact Holland Farms

Edencrest at The Tuscany

1600 8Th St Se, Altoona, IA 50009
Overview of Edencrest at the Tuscany

Have a peaceful retirement with Edencrest at the Tuscany, an outstanding senior living community in Altoona, IA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. With its commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life, a reliable and highly skilled team cares for their personal needs and other responsibilities 24/7. A resident-centered approach is also utilized for residents to live their lives to the fullest.

Fostering a nurturing and inviting environment, enriching social programs, and fun activities are orchestrated for residents’ happiness and wellness. Here, delectable and nutritious meals are served to meet dietary needs and tastes. Filled with beautiful scenery and tranquil walking trails, residents live a serene lifestyle while receiving the utmost care they deserve.

Contact Edencrest at The Tuscany

Overview of Grand Living at Tower Place

Grand Living at Tower Place is an assisted living community in West Des Moines, Iowa, in an average walkable neighborhood where some daily errands can be finished on foot. Operating for five years, it’s housed in a mid-rise building. It offers an array of housing configurations: studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units to cater to different preferences and care needs. The 76-bed facility currently maintains a 47 percent occupancy rate, with 36 residents in place. This lower occupancy may give new families a chance to tour the home and experience the setting with more availability and attention to queries.

The Iowa authorities’ regulatory inspections have identified areas for improvement across policies and procedures, including medication management, emergency response protocols, background verification processes, and activity programming. These are operational areas that families must discuss directly with management during a tour to know how it’s addressing and fortifying such practices.

An in-person visit by prospective residents and their families would be valuable to learn about the specific services, care offerings, amenities, dining, and daily activities offered at Grand Living at Tower Place, plus to better understand its approach to resident support and engagement.

Contact Grand Living At Tower Place

Edencrest at The Legacy

2901 Cedar St, Norwalk, IA 50211
Overview of Edencrest at the Legacy

Edencrest at the Legacy sits in Norwalk, Iowa, offering a full care continuum under one roof. It provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care, giving families flexibility if a loved one’s needs shift over time. Administrator Anna Austin leads the operation, which opened in 2018. The two-story building holds 80 beds with housing in studio, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. With 28 beds occupied, current occupancy is at 35 percent.

While the neighborhood isn’t especially walkable, with a Walk Score of 29, the home operates an on-site transportation service so occupants don’t need to rely on family or personal vehicles for appointments and outings. Fitness and recreation are offered in-house, and the facility welcomes pets, so residents can bring along a beloved dog or cat. That matters more than it might seem if a pet is part of someone’s daily life and comfort. Built for continuity is Edencrest at the Legacy. An occupant can move in needing minimal support for daily activities and stay through a transition to memory care without changing addresses. Between on-site transportation and organized recreation, the community fills gaps that a car-dependent neighborhood would otherwise create.

The breadth of care levels in one location simplifies future planning, noteworthy for families exploring choices in central Iowa.

Contact Edencrest at The Legacy

3801 Grand

3801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312-2800
Overview of 3801 Grand

3801 Grand offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Des Moines, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident maintains their own apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering.

Having all three care types in one community may make 3801 Grand a good fit for a resident whose needs could grow over time, because a move to another care level may not require leaving the community. The community has 106 beds, and Angie Wadle serves as administrator.

A Walk Score of 91 out of 100 makes the area a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Social, dining, and wellness programming gives residents organized activities connected to those parts of daily life.

Contact 3801 Grand

Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

6151 Martha L. Miller Dr, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Overview of Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

Take in the beauty of Pleasant Hill, IA, with the astounding senior living community of Edencrest at Pleasant Hill, which provides assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Here, residents are well-cared for, with a kind and highly trained team attending to their needs and aspirations 24/7. Promoting a bright and friendly environment, the community strives to provide a haven where residents are comfortable and well-cared for.

Alongside cozy amenities and pet-friendly spaces, a robust calendar of events and activities is also conducted for residents to make the most out of their days. Delight with delectable and healthy meals for the finest dining experience. Residents create unforgettable moments with the community’s warmth and dedication.

Contact Edencrest at Pleasant Hill

Overview of Trinity Center at Luther Park

Trinity Center at Luther Park offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Des Moines, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living helps with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing offers licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since changing care needs can be addressed within the same community. The community has 120 beds. Its 91 / 100 Walk Score places it in a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover care depending on eligibility and financial resources. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 39 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Pets are allowed, so a resident may continue living with a pet, while rehabilitation services and religious services provide access to therapy and worship within the care setting. Rick Colby serves as the administrator.

Contact Trinity Center at Luther Park

Overview of Calvin Community Al

Calvin Community Al provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Des Moines, IA. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily tasks. Memory care is secured and supervised for someone at risk of wandering, and skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available here. That may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move to another community. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. With 162 beds, the community includes more residents and staff than a smaller residence, along with usually more programming. Rehabilitation services are available on site, so residents can receive rehabilitation within the community rather than arranging care with an outside provider.

Pam’s Kitchen and the Wellness Team are named programs, and weekly worship services provide a scheduled religious activity. Meals are served in a dining room, with special dietary accommodations for residents with specific food needs. A Walk Score of 57 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Jeanette Perdue serves as the administrator, and the community opened in 1965.

Contact Calvin Community AL

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
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in Des Moines, IA

What is the average cost of independent living in Des Moines, IA?

The average monthly cost of independent living in Des Moines, IA is approximately $1,879. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for independent living in Des Moines, IA?

Independent living in Des Moines, IA typically ranges from $511 - $4,741 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 26 independent living communities in Des Moines, IA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in Des Moines, IA?

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 Des Moines, IA, 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 Des Moines, IA?

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.

Independent Living in Des Moines at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 52/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Des Moines, IA. 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: 88The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Des Moines, IA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90