Best Independent Living in Hillsborough County, FL

Tucked away in the sunny state of Florida, Hillsborough County is a blissful destination for retirement with its warm climate and variety of outdoor activities. The county’s ideal location provides convenient access to excellent amenities like parks, shops, and restaurants. Quality healthcare services are accessible, making it easy to maintain your health and well-being. With plenty of sunny days and independent living communities, residents can enjoy a carefree retirement amidst a warm and vibrant environment.

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Comparison Chart

Compare Independent Living around Hillsborough County
Bayshore Apartments
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Tampa
Studio / 1 Bed
-
No
-
71
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sun Towers Retirement Community
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Sun City Center
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
286
No
A+
54
SUN CITY CENTER ASSOCIATES, LTD.(L.P.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Freedom Plaza
IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Sun City Center
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
Yes
-
8
FREEDOM PLAZA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP LLLP
50.5%
$12,383,390.00
$7,230,241.00
58.4%
61.10
5/5
4.6739
5/5
5/5
4/5
Allegro Hyde Park
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Tampa
Private Rooms
-
Yes
A+
88
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Ideally located in Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL, Bayshore Apartments is a dynamic senior living community that offers independent living. The community provides an ideal place to call home with their spacious one bedroom and studio apartments that offer access to lush landscaping and breathtaking views. An accommodating manager is available on-site to address any resident concerns and needs, ensuring they enjoy a comfortable living experience.

The community’s ideal location provides convenient access to fine dining, cafes, and shopping centers, encouraging a vibrant living experience. Residents enjoy the convenience brought by free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour laundry center, and a hair salon. The community also provides access to a variety of common areas, including a multipurpose room, conference room, TV room, card room and a library, giving residents plenty of things to do and enjoy within the community.

Overview of Bayshore Apartments

Ideally located in Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL, Bayshore Apartments is a dynamic senior living community that offers independent living. The community provides an ideal place to call home with their spacious one bedroom and studio apartments that offer access to lush landscaping and breathtaking views. An accommodating manager is available on-site to address any resident concerns and needs, ensuring they enjoy a comfortable living experience.

The community’s ideal location provides convenient access to fine dining, cafes, and shopping centers, encouraging a vibrant living experience. Residents enjoy the convenience brought by free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour laundry center, and a hair salon. The community also provides access to a variety of common areas, including a multipurpose room, conference room, TV room, card room and a library, giving residents plenty of things to do and enjoy within the community.

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed

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Building Type: High-rise

Types of Care Available

Independent Living
Contact Bayshore Apartments

Set in a beautiful neighborhood in Hillsborough County, Sun City Center, FL, Sun Towers is an exceptional senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and extended congregate care. The community offers a variety of studio one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, designed for comfort and living efficiency. Residents needing extra help with activities of daily living are met with compassionate care and assistance, provided by a kind and well-trained care team.

Tedious chores like housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation are handled so residents don’t need to worry about keeping up with home maintenance, housework, and other responsibilities. Committed to giving residents plenty of opportunities for social engagement, the community allows residents to participate in various structured and unstructured on-site and off-site activities. Residents can look forward to three professionally prepared meals per day that are tailored specifically to their unique dietary needs, helping improve their health outcomes or manage chronic health conditions that they may have.

Overview of Sun Towers Retirement Community

Set in a beautiful neighborhood in Hillsborough County, Sun City Center, FL, Sun Towers is an exceptional senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and extended congregate care. The community offers a variety of studio one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, designed for comfort and living efficiency. Residents needing extra help with activities of daily living are met with compassionate care and assistance, provided by a kind and well-trained care team.

Tedious chores like housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation are handled so residents don’t need to worry about keeping up with home maintenance, housework, and other responsibilities. Committed to giving residents plenty of opportunities for social engagement, the community allows residents to participate in various structured and unstructured on-site and off-site activities. Residents can look forward to three professionally prepared meals per day that are tailored specifically to their unique dietary needs, helping improve their health outcomes or manage chronic health conditions that they may have.

What does this home offer?

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Room Sizes: 264 / 336 / 406 / 528 / 654 / 684 / 702 / 792 / 1026 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Mid-rise

Types of Care Available

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care
Contact Sun Towers Retirement Community

Freedom Plaza

1010 American Eagle Blvd, Sun City Center, FL 33573

Located in Hillsborough County, Sun City Center, FL, Freedom Plaza is a multi-awarded senior living community that offers premiere assisted living, independent living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. The community offers an array of spacious, beautifully designed apartments with fully equipped kitchen, open-concept dining and living room area, ample closet space, and a private glass window-enclosed lanai. Residents enjoy 24/7 security, emergency response system, and a maintenance-free lifestyle with most of the chores handled by a dedicated team.

The community removes the distraction of everyday chores so residents can focus on living their lives to the fullest and engage in various activities and events that enrich their well-being. Residents can choose to participate in group fitness, including yoga and water fitness, and lifelong learning opportunities, such as arts and crafts. A wide array of indoor and outdoor amenities, such as a heated indoor pool, auditorium with dance floor, full-service salon and spa, 18-hole executive golf course and putting green, and tennis courts, provide ample opportunities for leisure and entertainment.

Overview of Freedom Plaza

Located in Hillsborough County, Sun City Center, FL, Freedom Plaza is a multi-awarded senior living community that offers premiere assisted living, independent living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. The community offers an array of spacious, beautifully designed apartments with fully equipped kitchen, open-concept dining and living room area, ample closet space, and a private glass window-enclosed lanai. Residents enjoy 24/7 security, emergency response system, and a maintenance-free lifestyle with most of the chores handled by a dedicated team.

The community removes the distraction of everyday chores so residents can focus on living their lives to the fullest and engage in various activities and events that enrich their well-being. Residents can choose to participate in group fitness, including yoga and water fitness, and lifelong learning opportunities, such as arts and crafts. A wide array of indoor and outdoor amenities, such as a heated indoor pool, auditorium with dance floor, full-service salon and spa, 18-hole executive golf course and putting green, and tennis courts, provide ample opportunities for leisure and entertainment.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: Mid-rise

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Types of Care Available

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Skilled Nursing
Contact Freedom Plaza

A multi-awarded independent living and assisted living community, seniors thrive in this Allegro location in Hyde Park. Stamping their services as affordable luxury, residents can live a comfortable and independent lifestyle with the right level of assistance in this community.

The Allegro Hyde Senior Living experience is unlike no other. Complete with joyful activities such as on-site happy hours in the beautiful Sky Lounge, lunging in the heated pool, indulging in five-star cuisine outside the residences, and watching films in the movie theater, seniors can achieve a high quality of life at Hyde Park Senior Living.

Overview of Allegro Hyde Park

A multi-awarded independent living and assisted living community, seniors thrive in this Allegro location in Hyde Park. Stamping their services as affordable luxury, residents can live a comfortable and independent lifestyle with the right level of assistance in this community.

The Allegro Hyde Senior Living experience is unlike no other. Complete with joyful activities such as on-site happy hours in the beautiful Sky Lounge, lunging in the heated pool, indulging in five-star cuisine outside the residences, and watching films in the movie theater, seniors can achieve a high quality of life at Hyde Park Senior Living.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Room Sizes: 540 / 560 / 643 / 648 / 684 / 698 / 703 / 779 / 842 / 926 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Private Rooms

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Building Type: Mid-rise

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Independent Living
Contact Allegro Hyde Park

Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology

View Full Ranking Methodology

How We Score & Rank Senior Living Communities

At Assisted Living Magazine, our rankings are designed to help families compare senior living communities with clarity and confidence.
Each community is evaluated and ranked based on reputation, transparency, digital trust, and on-site quality signals.
Below is the full explanation of every factor and the exact weight it contributes to the final score.

Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.

What We Prioritize Most

The largest portion of every community’s score comes from resident feedback and online reputation (40%), which reflects real experiences shared by families and caregivers.
An additional 45% of the score comes from a combination of transparency and operational quality signals, including:

  • Photos, videos, and virtual tours (visual transparency)
  • Website quality and digital trust indicators
  • Occupancy levels and number of units (community scale & stability)

These factors help us evaluate how well a community presents itself and how consistently it meets resident needs.

Balancing Additional Factors

The final 15% of the score comes from supportive context data, including:

  • Walkability and local accessibility
  • Estimated property value
  • Pricing information

These elements provide helpful context but carry less weight because our rankings prioritize real-world satisfaction and care consistency first.
The result is a fair, clear, and data-driven ranking system for families researching senior living options.

What Families Search for Most in Hillsborough County

A quick look at the senior living and care categories people explore the most. Find the options that matter to you in one place.

Best Assisted Living in Hillsborough County
Best Nursing Homes in Hillsborough County
Best Memory Care in Hillsborough County
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions from families.
What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews