Other senior care options in Des Moines:

Best Independent Living in Des Moines, IA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 22 independent living communities in Des Moines, IA using Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in IA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
22 homes
Other senior care options in Des Moines:
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: 92The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Des Moines, IA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around Des Moines (Metro Area)

Wesley Acres
IL
ADC
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (Greenwood)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 71
Rank #105 / 406
Yes
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 45
Rank #89 / 528
-- 91.3% 21
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 7
Rank #204 / 306
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #258 / 306
Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center
IL
NH
AL
HC
MC
RESC
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 71
Rank #255 / 406
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 45
Rank #2 / 528
-- 60.8% 17
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #171 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Holland Farms
IL
AL
MC
RC
Norwalk
116
Facility 116
IA AVG 71
Rank #45 / 406
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 45
Rank #305 / 528
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 19
Rank #232 / 287
38.8% 7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Edencrest at Beaverdale
IL
AL
MC
RC
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
160
Facility 160
IA AVG 71
Rank #16 / 406
Yes
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 45
Rank #70 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 19
Rank #198 / 287
39.4% 17
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 7
Rank #237 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Edencrest at Pleasant Hill
IL
AL
MC
Pleasant Hill
140
Facility 140
IA AVG 71
Rank #23 / 406
Yes
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 45
Rank #500 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 19
Rank #268 / 287
21.4% 2
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #31 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Edencrest at The Tuscany
IL
AL
MC
RC
Altoona
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #324 / 406
Yes
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 45
Rank #444 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 19
Rank #232 / 287
92.5% 7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #122 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Grand Living At Tower Place
IL
AL
MC
West Des Moines (South 51St Street)
76
Facility 76
IA AVG 71
Rank #125 / 406
Yes
63
Facility 63
IA AVG 45
Rank #134 / 528
Studio / 1 bed / 2 bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 19
Rank #232 / 287
47.4% 7
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #89 / 306
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 306
Edencrest at The Legacy
IL
AL
MC
RC
Norwalk
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 71
Rank #105 / 406
Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 45
Rank #372 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 19
Rank #198 / 287
35.0% 8
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #147 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Valley View Village
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Des Moines (Fairmont Park)
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 71
Rank #117 / 406
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 45
Rank #305 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
54
Facility 54
IA AVG 19
Rank #3 / 287
100.0% 24
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 7
Rank #187 / 306
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #241 / 306
Holiday Beaverdale Estates
IL
AL
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
-Yes
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 45
Rank #125 / 528
------
Fort Des Moines Senior Housing
IL
Des Moines (Fort Des Moines)
-No
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 45
Rank #152 / 528
1 Bed-----
Life Center
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (Waveland Park)
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 71
Rank #143 / 406
No
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 45
Rank #213 / 528
------
3801 Grand
IL
AL
MC
Des Moines (East Village)
106
Facility 106
IA AVG 71
Rank #60 / 406
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 45
Rank #2 / 528
-
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 19
Rank #51 / 287
40.6% 18
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 7
Rank #224 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
Independence Village Of Des Moines (Beaverdale Estates)
IL
AL
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
-Yes
62
Facility 62
IA AVG 45
Rank #140 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 19
Rank #260 / 287
----
Calvin Community AL
IL
AL
MC
SNF
Des Moines (Lower Beaver)
162
Facility 162
IA AVG 71
Rank #15 / 406
No
57
Facility 57
IA AVG 45
Rank #176 / 528
-
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 19
Rank #222 / 287
21.0% 4
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 306
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 306
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Overview of Wesley Acres

A community that strives in exceedingly making its residents comfortable, the Wesley Acres offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  A proud member of the Wesley Senior Living Group, Acres places integrity at the heart of its mission; ensuring that residents can feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Wesley Acres is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

Wesley offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their engaging activities and programs to name a few are the recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or outdoor social areas.

Contact Wesley Acres

Overview of Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center

Owned by Mark Allen, Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center is a nursing home in Des Moines, Iowa. The facility accepts Medicare and private pay, giving families flexibility in how they cover skilled nursing care. With an average stay of 119 days, the 51-bed home accommodates short-term post-acute rehab residents and those needing longer-term care. The facility’s current occupancy is 61%, which is a moderate census.

The center has a substantial clinical backbone. Daily nurse staffing averages nearly 6 hours per resident each day. Registered nurses contributed about 1 hour and 15 minutes of that, supported by nursing aides providing 3 hours and 24 minutes. This staffing structure can support the home’s rehabilitation focus. Other services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The facility also offers respite care for families seeking short-term support, and there’s 24-hour nursing oversight to provide continuous clinical presence.

Amenities and activities are designed for engagement and wellness. Residents can access an indoor walking track and fitness center, a heated pool and hot tub, a fully stocked library, a woodworking shop, and a movie theater. The dining room serves meals from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, so there’s a consistent schedule for daily dining.

The surrounding neighborhood’s Walk Score of 91 is very walkable. This can be convenient for visiting family members navigating the area on foot. The facility’s regulatory standing shows a generally compliant operation, with oversight attention on clinical documentation, care planning, and staff training.

Contact Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center

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 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

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

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, and it covers a lot of ground for one address. Anna Austin administers the property; and it’s got assisted living, independent living, memory care, respite care, all under one roof. That matters if you’re trying to plan for a parent whose needs might shift in a year or two, not just where they are today.

The building itself is two stories and holds 80 beds. It opened 8 years ago, so it’s not brand new but it’s not ancient either. Right now about 28 of those beds are occupied, which works out to 35% occupancy.

Housing comes in studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom layouts, so there’s some flexibility in space. The neighborhood itself isn’t especially walkable. Walk Score puts it at 29, meaning a handful of things might be within walking distance but most trips need a car.

That’s where the on-site transportation service actually earns its keep. If getting around on foot isn’t realistic, having a way to get to appointments without relying on family every time changes the day-to-day math.

Fitness and recreation are available in-house too, and the community accepts pets, which is not nothing if your loved one has a dog or cat they’re not willing to leave behind.

Edencrest at the Legacy is a community built for continuity. Someone could move in needing minimal support and stay through a transition to memory care without switching addresses, with transportation and recreation filling in the gaps a car-dependent neighborhood leaves behind.

Contact Edencrest at The Legacy

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

Overview of Holiday Beaverdale Estates

An Atria senior living community, Holiday Beaverdale Estates has built one of the finest senior living communities in Des Moines– prioritizing its inclusive amenities for the welfare of its residents. Their commitment to making sure that an individual can feel independent while being engaged is one of their utmost priority for a balanced lifestyle; they ensure that their residents are healthy and active. Holiday Beaverdale Estates has ensured a diverse and inclusive environment offering a strong sense of family.
The premier community has boasted an elevated lifestyle through the elevated service that they have provided for residential independent living seniors. Their all-inclusive amenities include daily delicious and nutritious meals by a chef; weekly housekeeping and laundry, and daily fitness activities with their finest gym equipment– among others. They also provide every private apartment with an emergency call system.

Contact Holiday Beaverdale Estates

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.
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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 22 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.