Page 12 of Best Independent Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 226 independent living communities in 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
Reviewed by
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in Iowa.
226 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

Compare Independent Living around Iowa

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. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
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.
Birkwood Village of Tama-Toledo
IL
AL
MC
Toledo
74
Facility 74
IA AVG 76
Rank #61 / 165
-No
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 15
Rank #105 / 131
37.8%
Facility 37.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #118 / 154
3
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edencrest at Kettlestone
IL
AL
MC
Waukee (Walnut Township)
120
Facility 120
IA AVG 76
Rank #25 / 165
-Yes
29
Facility 29
IA AVG 43
Rank #152 / 222
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 15
Rank #115 / 131
24.2%
Facility 24.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #150 / 154
1
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Wesley Acres
IL
ADC
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (Greenwood)
80
Facility 80
IA AVG 76
Rank #48 / 165
?Yes
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 43
Rank #32 / 222
-
73.8%
Facility 73.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #22 / 154
23
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 1
Rank #130 / 155
Solon Nursing Care Center
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Solon
96
Facility 96
IA AVG 76
Rank #40 / 165
?No
54
Facility 54
IA AVG 43
Rank #77 / 222
-
68.8%
Facility 68.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #71 / 154
28
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 6
Rank #144 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Linn Manor Care Center
IL
NH
SNF
Marion
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 76
Rank #144 / 165
B-No
89
Facility 89
IA AVG 43
Rank #8 / 222
-
92.1%
Facility 92.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #20 / 154
22
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 6
Rank #140 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Garnett Place
IL
AL
MC
RC
Cedar Rapids
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 76
Rank #118 / 165
DYes
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 43
Rank #39 / 222
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 15
Rank #25 / 131
49.0%
Facility 49.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #147 / 154
8
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 6
Rank #137 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
Gardens at Ridgecrest Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Davenport
30
Facility 30
IA AVG 76
Rank #157 / 165
-Yes
90
Facility 90
IA AVG 43
Rank #7 / 222
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 15
Rank #28 / 131
46.7%
Facility 46.7%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #126 / 154
4
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #154 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments
IL
AL
MC
Eldridge
36
Facility 36
IA AVG 76
Rank #147 / 165
-Yes
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 43
Rank #68 / 222
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 15
Rank #48 / 131
38.9%
Facility 38.9%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #132 / 154
7
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 6
Rank #150 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Meadowview of Johnston
IL
AL
MC
Johnston
170
Facility 170
IA AVG 76
Rank #5 / 165
-Yes-
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 15
Rank #105 / 131
48.2%
Facility 48.2%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #103 / 154
4
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #57 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Edencrest at Adel
IL
AL
MC
Adel
88
Facility 88
IA AVG 76
Rank #44 / 165
-No
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 43
Rank #61 / 222
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
-2
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 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 226 on this page. See how we rank facilities

Rows per page:
View all Nearby Homes
1...111213...23
Overview of Birkwood Village of Tama-Toledo

Birkwood Village of Tama-Toledo is an assisted living, independent living, and memory care community in Toledo, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision, and the combination of care levels can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time.

Respite care is available for short stays, which can suit a family caregiver who needs to travel or recover. Residents can have access to a salon and spa, a courtyard, and made-to-order breakfast with lunch and dinner menus that include alternate options. Transportation is also available for residents who need a ride.

The community has 74 beds and is administered by Kaleigh Sieck. A Walk Score of 38 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk. Birkwood Village of Tama-Toledo may be a good fit for someone who needs a choice among independent living, assisted living, memory care, or a short-term respite stay.

Contact Birkwood Village of Tama-Toledo

Overview of Edencrest at Kettlestone

Edencrest at Kettlestone in Waukee, IA offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Independent living gives residents private living space along with community services, without daily care. Assisted living supports everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for a resident who may be at risk of wandering. Having several care levels may suit someone whose support needs grow over time.

The community has 120 beds. Monthly starting prices are $2,900 for independent living, $2,900 for assisted living, and $5,600 for memory care. The higher memory care rate corresponds to the secured setting and supervision that care includes.

Private apartments give residents individual living space, and pets are allowed for someone who wants to bring a pet when moving in. Transportation options and outings can support participation in activities away from the community. Outdoor gardens, patios, and walking trails offer places to spend time outside. A salon and spa, fitness center, health classes, and rehabilitation services on site give residents access to personal care, exercise, and therapy without arranging separate transportation. Respite care offers short stays for a family caregiver who needs to travel or recover, while short term rehabilitation provides a temporary setting for recovery focused therapy. Miah Baum serves as the administrator.

$2,900/Month

Contact Edencrest at Kettlestone

Overview of Wesley Acres

Wesley Acres functions as a continuing care retirement community in Des Moines, Iowa, featuring independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and adult day services. Independent living pairs private housing with community perks, while assisted living helps with personal daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and managing medication. Secured memory care supplies supervision for individuals prone to wandering, while 24-hour skilled nursing delivers continuous medical support.

Administrator Jack Brokaw and Director Damon Buskohl oversee the 80-bed property. On-site facilities include an aquatic center, a fitness center, and a personal grooming salon. Services extend to short-term respite stays, daytime care programs, physical rehabilitation, and pet-friendly accommodations. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 10 minutes per resident.

Payment methods cover Medicare for eligible post-acute care, Medicaid for long-term support, and private funds. Outside the property, a walk score of 72 marks a highly walkable area where non-driving residents can complete most daily errands on foot.

Individuals evaluating versatile care options or adult day programs in Des Moines can contact Wesley Acres to request availability or book a tour.

Contact Wesley Acres

Overview of Solon Nursing Care Center

Outpatient Therapy is a listed program at Solon Nursing Care Center, which means rehabilitation without checking in. Physician Services, Skilled Rehabilitation Nursing, and Long-Term Nursing Care are named on the same list. Five care types operate across 96 beds in Solon. A resident can move up a level as needs grow without leaving the community, which is the practical reason a building carries this many care types.

Independent living is defined by what nobody does for you. No one sets the day’s schedule, and community services replace errands rather than the routine.

Assisted living picks up bathing, dressing, and medication. Memory care goes further, for a person who can get lost on a route they’ve known for their whole life.

Licensed nursing support runs continuously, so what shapes a resident’s day is the care they need rather than the hour on the clock. Nursing time lands at 4 hours and 57 minutes per resident daily.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Melissa Reed serves as administrator. The area scores 54 for walkability, which puts a few errands within reach for a resident who’s given up driving, with the rest left to getting help from a relative with a car.

Contact Solon Nursing Care Center

Overview of Linn Manor Care Center

A Walk Score of 89 puts Linn Manor Care Center in Mario, IA, in the very walkable category of communities. Most errands here can be done entirely on foot, which is pretty useful. A resident who has given up driving is not stuck helpless indoors because of it.

The building carries nursing home care, skilled nursing care, and independent living accommodations. Licensed nursing works on-site at all hours, and independent living sits at the other end with no managed daily care attached. A resident moving from one regimen of care to another can do so without having to move to a different address.

Thirty-eight beds is a small count for these types of facilities. Nursing time runs 4 hours per resident per day, spread across that short list of people rather than the crowds larger communities accommodate.

Private pay is what the home bills, so families only have the option to pay directly. Teresia Kanini is the administrator.

Contact Linn Manor Care Center

Garnett Place

202 35Th St Dr Se, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Overview of Garnett Place

Garnett Place is a retirement community in Iowa that strives to create magical experiences in the lives of retirees. Situated near Elmcrest Country Club and Golf Course and Riverside Park, this community offers unique mundane retirement living amidst the changing seasons of Cedar Rapids. Garnett Place offers a range of senior lifestyles, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. The open layout of the living spaces creates a personalized feel, with private bathrooms for added privacy. They also give access to a beautiful landscaped courtyard, allowing seniors to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. 

This home offers housekeeping, transportation, and dining services to make life easier for residents. They also provide wireless emergency pendants, 24-hour emergency response, garbage removal, and laundry services for added convenience. Seniors can even bring their furry friends along! Other amenities include a cinema, salon, and barber. The living spaces come equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a full kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave oven, and window coverings. If one wishes to live a meaningful and hassle free life, Garnett Place is the place to be.

Contact Garnett Place

Overview of Gardens at Ridgecrest Village

Gardens at Ridgecrest Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care in Davenport, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, and skilled nursing provides 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 levels can happen without leaving the community. The community has 30 beds, making it a smaller setting where staff and residents can get to know each other. Gardens at Ridgecrest Village opened in 1966 and is administered by Lorrie Blumberg. A Walk Score of 90 is classified as a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Named programs include Oakwood Place Assisted Living, Oakwood Gardens Memory Care, and Crest Health Care Skilled, identifying the community’s assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing settings. Chef-prepared meals are served daily, so residents have prepared dining without cooking each meal themselves, and rehabilitation services are available for recovery or ongoing therapy needs. Respite care offers a short stay for someone whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, while the pet policy allows residents to bring pets.

Contact Gardens at Ridgecrest Village

Overview of Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments

Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Eldridge, IA. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care. Because the community offers multiple care levels, it may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to move care levels without leaving the community.

The memory care program provides a secure setting and additional support for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The community has 36 beds, and Daniel Collins serves as administrator. Pets are allowed, so a resident can keep a pet at the community. Scheduled transportation is available for planned trips.

A Walk Score of 58 is somewhat walkable, meaning some errands can be done on foot, giving a resident who no longer drives the option to handle some errands independently.

Contact Grand Haven Retirement Community Moments

Overview of Meadowview of Johnston

Meadowview of Johnston offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Johnston, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident maintains a private living space; Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care; and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having all three care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. The community has 170 beds, placing it among larger communities with more residents, staff, and usually more programming.

Restaurant style dining with chef inspired meals gives residents an on site dining setting, while the fitness center, movie theater, and salon or barber shop support exercise, entertainment, and personal grooming within the community. Residents can use the courtyard patio with a fire pit as an outdoor gathering space, and pets are allowed, so residents with pets can keep them with them; Michele Forbes serves as the administrator.

Contact Meadowview of Johnston

Overview of Edencrest at Adel

Edencrest at Adel offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Adel, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living space with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering. Having all three care levels in one community can allow a resident’s needs to grow over time without requiring a move.

Respite care is also available for short stays. This can suit a family caregiver who needs time to travel or recover. The community has 88 beds and private apartments, so residents have their own living space within the larger setting. Edencrest at Adel may be a good fit for someone who wants independent living, assisted living, memory care, or a short respite stay in one community.

Starting prices are $2,900 per month for independent living, $2,900 for assisted living, and $5,600 for memory care. The higher memory care rate reflects the secured setting and supervision required for that level of care, while the independent living and assisted living rates correspond to their different daily support needs. Costs begin at different levels.

Outdoor gardens and patios provide space to spend time outside on the property, while transportation options and outings offer scheduled trips without requiring residents to arrange each outing independently. A salon and spa room, along with a fitness center, provide on site places for personal care and exercise. Maria Pimentel serves as the administrator, and a Walk Score of 60 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot for a resident who wants to get out independently.

$2,900/Month

Contact Edencrest at Adel

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
Submit a correction

Independent Living in Iowa at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 43/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Iowa. 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: 76The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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 about Independent Living in Iowa

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 226 independent living communities in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in Iowa?

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 Iowa, 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 Iowa?

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.