Page 21 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
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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:
Overview of TimberCrest at Glen Oaks

Live the retirement of your dreams with TimberCrest at Glen Oaks, a specially designed senior living community in Clear Lake, IA, providing independent living. Adults aged 55 and older can find the accommodation that best fits their needs and preferences with its array of cozy and elegant floor plans. Moreover, seniors enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with a responsive and highly skilled team keeping their surroundings clean.

With its warm and welcoming environment, residents are encouraged to meet various people and gain meaningful experiences. Exciting events and fun programs are also conducted to foster a sense of belonging and friendships. TimberCrest at Glen Oaks is great for relaxation with its serene campus surrounded by scenic views and convenient local amenities.

Contact TimberCrest at Glen Oaks

Glen Meadows Retirement Community

850 S 60Th St Building 1000, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Overview of Glen Meadows Retirement Community

Glen Meadows Retirement Community offers independent living in West Des Moines, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services for residents who do not need daily care, making the community potentially suitable for someone seeking that arrangement.

Housing options include studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes. A studio provides a single private space, while the larger layouts offer additional living or sleeping areas, and pets are allowed for residents who want to bring a pet with them.

Contact Glen Meadows Retirement Community

Overview of Nex Senior Apartments

Experience a vibrant lifestyle at Nex Senior Apartments, a distinguished community in Iowa City, IA, offering independent living. The community is dedicated to those 55+, providing beautifully furnished and spacious two-bedroom floor plans for comfort and safety. With plenty of convenient apartment features, residents can feel at ease during their stay.

Residents have easy access to their necessities and leisure opportunities, especially with unique shops and recreational spaces nearby. With a fully furnished kitchen in each unit, residents can prepare meals according to their dietary needs and preferences. The community is a great option for those aiming to downsize in retirement, especially with its nurturing and welcoming environment.

Contact NEX Senior Apartments

Villas at Stoney Point

1818 Stoney Point Rd Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Overview of Villas at Stoney Point

Experience a worry-free retirement at Villas at Stoney Point, an astounding community in Cedar Rapids, IA, offering independent living. Dedicated to the comfort of those 55+, the community features cozy and specially designed one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Residents can also keep their peace of mind with plenty of convenient apartment features and maintenance services.

Exciting events and engaging programs are conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Continental breakfast is also served daily, ensuring residents start their days with a delightful meal. The community is equipped with a bistro, a movie theater, an arts studio, a heated indoor pool, a physical therapy room, a fitness studio, pickleball courts, a putting green, a fishing pond, and serene walking paths, creating the perfect setting for residents’ recreation and wellness.

Contact Villas at Stoney Point

Overview of Commonwealth Senior Apartments

Surrounded by delightful local amenities in Cedar Rapids, IA, Commonwealth Senior Apartments is an idyllic haven that offers independent living. With spacious and well-thought-out studio to two-bedroom floor plans, residents can rest assured of finding the accommodation that best matches their preferences. On-site maintenance, management, and laundry spaces are also provided, so residents have more time to do the things they love.

Residents gain easy access to thriving shops and recreational spaces, ensuring they can spend their days as they please. With a full kitchen in each unit, residents can prepare meals based on their dietary needs and preferences. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents to ease their loneliness. The community’s state-of-the-art amenities and exceptional services create the ideal setting for a blissful retirement.

Contact Commonwealth Senior Apartments

Overview of The Lindens at Green Hills

Operated by the Green Hills Residents’ Association, The Lindens at Green Hills is a senior living community in the Green Hills neighborhood of Ames, Iowa. It offers nursing home care, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. The community is housed in a mid-rise building about 2.7 miles from Mary Greeley Medical Center, providing residents and families with convenient access to nearby hospital care.

The care team helps residents with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, and medication management while emphasizing personal choice and maintaining independence. Residents can choose from one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences ranging from about 536 to 1,489 square feet. Residents can access transportation services, fitness and recreation programs, and a pet-friendly environment.

The Lindens at Green Hills has 56 beds, with an occupancy rate of 79%, with an average daily census of approximately 44 residents. Nursing staff provides nearly 6 hours of direct nursing care per resident each day, giving families a useful measure of the hands-on support available within the community.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 18, which is car-dependent. Most errands and outings require a vehicle rather than a walk. Families considering The Lindens at Green Hills should ask about current apartment availability, especially for the one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.

Contact The Lindens at Green Hills

Overview of Atrium Village

Atrium Village is a haven of tranquility and exceptional senior care in Saint Hills, Iowa. This warm and inviting home offers a range of services, including nursing home care and independent living options. What sets Atrium Village apart is its intimate size, ensuring that residents receive the utmost attention and care they rightfully deserve. With a dedicated and friendly staff, as well as licensed nursing professionals, residents can rest assured that their well-being is in capable hands.

From convenient van services to specialized podiatry and pharmacy care, every aspect of comfort and health is meticulously considered. The community boasts a variety of amenities that contribute to residents’ well-rounded experience, including an exercise room for maintaining vitality, an on-site beautician and barber for personal grooming needs, and even a chapel for moments of reflection and spirituality. At Atrium Village, seniors can embrace their golden years in an environment that prioritizes their comfort, safety, and overall well-being.

Contact Atrium Village

Overview of Vintage Cooperative of Iowa City

Enjoy the best of your retirement at Vintage Cooperative of Iowa City, a distinct community in Iowa City, IA, offering cooperative living. Featuring thoughtfully furnished and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Residents also have a convenient lifestyle with convenient apartment features and maintenance services.

A variety of engaging activities and communal spaces are available, ensuring residents can interact with their surroundings and live actively. Residents enjoy delectable and healthy dining options with friends in the community room with a kitchen and a cafe. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents to ease their loneliness. The community’s vibrant and welcoming environment, alongside state-of-the-art amenities, creates the ideal setting for residents to thrive in their golden years.

Contact Vintage Cooperative of Iowa City

Overview of Scottish Rite Park

Scottish Rite Park is an independent living community nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. For over 50 years, this nonprofit community has thrived, offering a warm and sociable atmosphere that welcomes all who enter. Scottish Rite Park provides comprehensive healthcare services that cater to varying needs. With offerings that include memory care, long-term skilled nursing, and rehabilitative care, residents can rest assured that their well-being is in capable hands. Spanning an expansive 10 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Scottish Rite Park boasts meticulously designed spaces and a myriad of opportunities for residents to connect and thrive.
Each amenity has been thoughtfully curated to cater to diverse interests and ensure that residents have ample opportunities for leisure and entertainment. From a state-of-the-art fitness center to a cozy movie theater, a penthouse for special gatherings, a delightful restaurant, and an art gallery showcasing captivating works, there is no shortage of options for residents to indulge for exciting small group activities. For a nursing home, this place exceeds expectations. Its team works hard to give residents the highest quality of life possible in their golden years.

Contact Scottish Rite Park

Overview of Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Des Moines, Iowa, is a 150-bed nursing home run by Sylvania Franciscan Health. The community admits short-term rehabilitation patients and long-term residents, accepting payment through Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds. The facility maintains an average occupancy rate of 72 percent, with typical resident stays lasting around 172 days.

Clinical care includes specialized orthopedic therapy and skilled nursing, with staff on-site 24 hours a day. Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 58 minutes of direct nursing attention daily, under the supervision of registered nurses who perform regular health assessments. For local seniors who live at home, the campus offers daytime adult care programs and short-term respite stays.

The neighborhood has a walkability score of 67 out of 100, indicating that the surrounding area is moderately walkable for visitors and families.

Prospective residents looking for a community that offers a full continuum of nursing care and daytime programming can call Bishop Drumm Retirement Center directly to verify bed availability or discuss enrollment details.

Contact Bishop Drumm Retirement Center

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
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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
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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.