Best Independent Living in Exton, PA

Overview of Merrill Gardens at West Chester

Located in West Chester, PA, Merrill Gardens at West Chester offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community supports private living while assisting residents with daily tasks. Licensed nurses and CNAs also oversee care to meet residents’ needs.

The 94 residences include studios, one-, and two-bedroom homes, with a starting price of $3,350 per month. Residents can use the fitness center, wellness program, salon, spa, courtyard, garden, and movie theater. A restaurant and private dining areas also offer different settings for meals. The pet-friendly policy also allows residents to continue living with a pet. Shireen Kline serves as director, and West Chester PA Senior Property operates the community.

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Starting Price $3,350/Month Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Overview of The Hickman

The Hickman offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and residential care in West Chester, PA. Assisted living includes help with dressing, bathing, and medication, while independent living supports private living with community services and no daily care. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Residential care provides a residential setting with personal care.

The Hickman opened in 1891 and has 125 beds. The community is operated by The Hickman Friends Senior Community Of West Chester. Several care levels may allow a resident’s needs to grow over time while remaining in the community, rather than requiring a move elsewhere. Residents enjoy chef-prepared meals, and the Independent Plus+ program is available.

The Short Term Respite Stay offers temporary care when a usual caregiver needs time away or is recovering. A Walk Score of 98 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, so daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. The Hickman may be a good fit for someone whose needs may change over time and who may be able to move between care settings without leaving the community.

Overview of Echo Lake – SageLife Senior Living

Echo Lake – SageLife Senior Living is located on North Atwater Drive in Malvern, which is part of Chester County. The location is very car-dependent, as shown by its low Walk Score of 11. The building is a mid-rise structure with 104 total beds. These are divided into studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Right now, 74 of these beds are occupied, which means the building is running at a 71 percent occupancy rate.

The facility offers four different types of care in one location. These include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short-term respite stays. The memory care program has 38 units specifically for Alzheimer’s patients, which shows it is a major part of the facility’s operations. The services list also includes specialized Parkinson’s care. Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants provide care on the premises.

Recent state inspections have often focused on things like fire safety systems, plans for emergencies, and resident rights. These reports have not typically focused on the quality of direct clinical care provided to the residents.

For older adults whose health needs may change over time, or for families who are helping a loved one manage a dementia diagnosis, having these different levels of care in one place can be helpful. This structure helps families avoid the stress of having to move to a new location if care needs increase later on. This ability to provide consistent care is the foundation of how Echo Lake is organized.

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Starting Price $4,050/Month Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Overview of Highgate at Paoli Pointe

Highgate at Paoli Pointe offers independent living, memory care, and respite care in Paoli, PA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Respite care is a short stay that can suit a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover. The community may be a good fit for someone living with dementia who needs a secured, supervised setting.

The community has 124 beds. Private rooms give one resident a room of their own, while semi-private rooms are shared accommodations. The starting price is $5,425 per month, giving families a monthly baseline for budgeting. Highgate at Paoli Pointe is operated by 600 Paoli Pointe Drive Operations.

A Walk Score of 53 makes the area somewhat walkable, meaning some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to handle some nearby errands independently. Pets are allowed, so a resident may be able to keep a pet in the community. Excursions provide opportunities for residents to participate in outings, while beauty salon and barber services provide personal grooming on site. Maintenance-free living means residents do not handle routine home maintenance themselves.

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Starting Price $5,425/Month Pricing updated on February 27th, 2026

Bellingham at West Chester offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in West Chester, PA. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having several care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. Respite care is also available through short term stays, which can give a family caregiver time to travel or recover. There are 80 beds, with a 70% occupancy rate, so the full bed capacity is not occupied.

Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families two payment methods for covered care or private payment. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 2 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident. LCS Bellingham Tenant operates the community.

A Walk Score of 98 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, meaning daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. The 15 acres of grounds provide space for outdoor time, while a pool, salon and spa, and restaurant style dining with chef prepared meals offer on site options for recreation, personal grooming, and meals. Activities focus on continued learning, physical fitness, and social connections.

Overview of Freedom Village at Brandywine

Freedom Village at Brandywine is a continuing care retirement community in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing. Independent living provides a private home without daily care, while assisted living includes help with dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Respite care gives a family a short term option when the usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. Because several care levels are available, a resident whose needs grow over time may be able to move to another level without leaving the community.

Housing includes one bedroom and two bedroom layouts. A two bedroom home can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion. The community has 60 beds, accepts Medicare and private pay, and allows families to use Medicare for eligible short term skilled care after a hospital stay or pay directly for care. Nurse staffing totals 4 hours and 14 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily amount of nurse time counted for each resident.

Residents can spend time outdoors at a gazebo or along extensive trails, and regularly scheduled transportation provides planned travel beyond the community. Rehabilitation services are available. Pets are allowed for residents who want to live with their animals.

Overview of Wellington at Hershey’s Mill

Peacefully settled in West Chester, PA, Wellington at Hershey’s Mill is a blissful senior living community that offers a range of care options including Independent Living, Personal Care, Memory Care, and Respite Care. For over 15 years, the community has been a pillar of comfort and convenience with their well-designed accommodations and comprehensive services. With 24-hour support and assistance provided by a dedicated team, residents enjoy immediate response to their needs.

Residents here can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with amenities such as an aquatic center, fitness center, and various social activities, ensuring they remain active and engaged. With on-site physicians, a beauty and barber shop, a bistro, and a library, residents have everything they need within reach. The award-winning Embrace Memory Care program offers specialized support for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, while the Personal Care service provides assistance with daily activities, ensuring every resident’s well-being.

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Starting Price $5,000/Month Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026