Page 6 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:

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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. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
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.
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.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
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.
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.
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.
Holy Spirit Retirement Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Sioux City
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 76
Rank #112 / 165
No
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
-
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 15
Rank #18 / 131
28.8%
Facility 28.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #148 / 154
?7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 6
Rank #134 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Rotary Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
Eagle Grove
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 76
Rank #127 / 165
No
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 43
Rank #168 / 222
Private Rooms
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 15
Rank #81 / 131
77.5%
Facility 77.5%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #58 / 154
?4
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #21 / 155
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 1
Rank #104 / 155
Ramsey Village Continuing Care
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
RC
SNF
Des Moines (Drake)
78
Facility 78
IA AVG 76
Rank #55 / 165
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 43
Rank #124 / 222
1 bed / 2 bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
87.7%
Facility 87.7%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #32 / 154
?25
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
Trinity Center at Luther Park
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Des Moines (East Village)
120
Facility 120
IA AVG 76
Rank #25 / 165
Yes
91
Facility 91
IA AVG 43
Rank #1 / 222
--
90.8%
Facility 90.8%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #25 / 154
C-24
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 6
Rank #140 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Ridgecrest Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Davenport
82
Facility 82
IA AVG 76
Rank #45 / 165
Yes
41
Facility 41
IA AVG 43
Rank #111 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
67.1%
Facility 67.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #73 / 154
?23
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 6
Rank #100 / 155
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 1
Rank #130 / 155
Elm Crest Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Harlan
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 76
Rank #86 / 165
No
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 43
Rank #91 / 222
-
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 15
Rank #9 / 131
39.1%
Facility 39.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #131 / 154
-3
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #111 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Maple Heights
IL
Sioux City
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 76
Rank #102 / 165
Yes
17
Facility 17
IA AVG 43
Rank #185 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 15
Rank #121 / 131
79.3%
Facility 79.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #53 / 154
C+15
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
Meth Wick Health Center
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Cedar Rapids (Oakhill Jackson)
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 76
Rank #74 / 165
No
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 43
Rank #18 / 222
--
88.4%
Facility 88.4%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #30 / 154
-15
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #38 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Assisi Village by Stonehill
IL
AL
MC
Dubuque
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 76
Rank #161 / 165
Yes
12
Facility 12
IA AVG 43
Rank #194 / 222
1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 15
Rank #94 / 131
50.0%
Facility 50.0%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #96 / 154
A+4
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #21 / 155
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 1
Rank #1 / 155
Meadowview of Clive
IL
AL
MC
Clive
164
Facility 164
IA AVG 76
Rank #8 / 165
Yes
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 43
Rank #163 / 222
-
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 15
Rank #108 / 131
42.1%
Facility 42.1%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #143 / 154
-3
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #21 / 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

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Overview of Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Opened in 1999, Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, IA, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Along with support with daily tasks, residents receive ongoing clinical support from licensed nurses on-site. The community also provides specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

With 52 beds, the community allows staff and residents to get to know each other. Residents also receive a total of 4 hours and 41 minutes of nursing care daily. Meanwhile, a Walk Score of 91 out of 100 places the area in the walker’s paradise band. This also suggests that daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can get out independently.

Rehabilitation services, spiritual life programming, and religious services are available for residents who need rehabilitation support or want to participate in spiritual activities. Payment options also include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families public and direct payment routes for eligible care.

Contact Holy Spirit Retirement Home

Overview of Rotary Senior Living

Find all the care you need with the astounding senior living community of Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, IA, which offers an array of care options including assisted living, independent living, memory care, long-term care, and rehabilitation. With its dedication to delivering the highest quality of care and support, the community provides a team of licensed and well-trained professionals helping seniors with their needs 24/7. Families can also rest easy with the knowledge that their loved ones are well-cared for.

The community fosters a vibrant and welcoming environment, ensuring residents have the freedom to live as they please. Healthy and delicious meals await residents every mealtime for a delightful dining experience. Rotary Senior Living is great for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in one place.

Contact Rotary Senior Living

Overview of Elm Crest Retirement Community

Elm Crest Retirement Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Harlan, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available here. That may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time and who may be able to move between types of care without leaving the community. Elm Crest has 64 beds, giving families a clear sense of its licensed capacity.

Rehabilitation therapy is available through the community’s Skilled Care and Health Center, allowing residents to receive rehabilitation services within the community’s care offerings. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and Leah Muhlbauer serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 50 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently.

Contact Elm Crest Retirement Community

Overview of Assisi Village by Stonehill

Assisi Village, located in Dubuque, Iowa, aims to create a supportive and independent community for seniors, offering Assisted Living as the perfect choice for those seeking a balance between autonomy and assistance. The mission is to provide a welcoming environment where residents feel comfortable and content. A full-time Registered Nurse customizes programs, ensuring safety and independence. The community values individual needs, offering a continuum of care services and priority access to higher levels of assisted living care. 

Assisi Village boasts a range of amenities to enrich residents’ lives. With a compassionate staff available 24/7, personalized services include assistance with daily activities. Amenities include restaurant-style dining, daily mass, and wellness programs. The community provides social, educational, and cultural spaces, ensuring a vibrant and engaging environment. Residents enjoy access to a fully equipped Wellness Center, while the outdoor areas, including patio and gardens, contribute to a pleasant living experience at Assisi Village.

Contact Assisi Village by Stonehill

Overview of Meadowview of Clive

Meadowview of Clive offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Clive, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services rather than daily care, and memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering.

All three care levels are on one campus. That may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since the resident can move to a different level without leaving the community. With 164 beds, Meadowview of Clive is a larger community with more staff and usually more programming.

Meals are served in a restaurant format, and the fitness center gives residents an on site place to exercise. A salon and barber shop provide grooming services within the community. The courtyard patio, with its fire pit, offers an outdoor gathering space, while the movie theater gives residents a dedicated place to watch films. Activities and arts and crafts rooms provide designated areas for organized activities and creative projects. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet to the community. Idonis Curtis serves as the administrator.

Contact Meadowview of Clive

Overview of Ramsey Village Continuing Care

Situated in the welcoming town of Des Moines, IA, Ramsey Village Continuing Care is a respected senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, and rehabilitation services. A wide array of spacious and cozy accomodations are available including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom are available for its residents. With a competent and empathetic team, this community provides 24/7 care and support to ensure comfort and security within the place.

With its top-of-the-line amenities and services, residents can enjoy 3 well-balanced meals and snacks daily, community library, game room, and a parlor with a fireplace. Explore its beautifully made shared spaces such as the landscaped interior courtyard. Engage in life enrichment programs in the crafts and activity center to gain more knowledge and experiences. Meet new companions and create unforgettable memories together. Equipped with the right tools and people, seniors can enjoy a glorious retirement with Ramsey Village Continuing Care.

Contact Ramsey Village Continuing Care

Overview of Trinity Center at Luther Park

Trinity Center at Luther Park offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Des Moines, IA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living helps with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing offers 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 needs can be addressed within the same community. The community has 120 beds. Its 91 / 100 Walk Score places it in a walker’s paradise, meaning daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover care depending on eligibility and financial resources. Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 39 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident. Pets are allowed, so a resident may continue living with a pet, while rehabilitation services and religious services provide access to therapy and worship within the care setting. Rick Colby serves as the administrator.

Contact Trinity Center at Luther Park

Overview of Ridgecrest Village

Ridgecrest Village opened recently in a three-story building on Northwest Boulevard in Davenport, Iowa, and is still filling out its 82-bed capacity. At 67% occupancy, with 55 of 82 beds filled, it is in the early stages of establishing its census. The average resident stay is 174 days, which puts it squarely in the territory of both post-acute rehab and longer-term skilled nursing.

Total nursing care runs close to four hours per resident per day, with registered nurses contributing 59 minutes of that directly. Nurse aides account for another 2 hours and 26 minutes. For families evaluating nursing coverage as a primary criterion, that’s a concrete number to work with.

The care model centers on rehabilitation and skilled nursing: short-term rehab, respite care, and 24-hour staffing are all confirmed services. Chef-prepared meals are served daily, and the activity calendar addresses varying resident interests. A spa, cafe, and garden round out the on-site amenities. The neighborhood is only somewhat walkable (Walk Score 41), so most outside trips will require transportation.

State inspections have focused primarily on medication management, infection control, dietary practices, and resident rights. The payment picture is straightforward: Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted.

For a facility still building its census, Ridgecrest Village offers a credible staffing foundation and a flexible payment base. It is most directly suited to residents seeking short-term post-acute rehabilitation or structured skilled nursing care in a newer building with a modest amenity set.

Contact Ridgecrest Village

Overview of Maple Heights

Live your best years at Maple Heights, a distinguished community in Sioux City, IA, offering independent living. Those 62+ can keep their peace of mind with beautifully designed accommodations and round-the-clock emergency maintenance. The community also strives to maintain affordability with income-based rents to ease financial burdens.

A jam-packed calendar of fun recreational activities and engaging programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections. A continental breakfast is provided, alongside fully furnished kitchens, ensuring residents have a hassle-free dining experience that caters to their dietary needs and preferences. Transportation services are also provided for residents’ convenience. With its wide range of amenities and exceptional services, residents are guaranteed the finest retirement experience.

Contact Maple Heights

Meth Wick Health Center

1625 Brendelwood Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-2499
Overview of Meth Wick Health Center

Meth Wick Health Center offers nursing home care, assisted living, independent living, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Cedar Rapids’s Oakhill Jackson neighborhood. Independent living means having a private living space with community services but no daily care, while assisted living adds help with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication.

Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Respite care offers a short stay when a family caregiver needs to travel or recover.

Several care levels are available within one community. That may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because moving to another level does not require leaving the community. The community has 69 beds, and Nicholas Jedlicka serves as administrator.

Rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy, while Transportation Services provide transportation through the community. A Walk Score of 79 out of 100 places the area in the very walkable band, where most errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Meth Wick Health Center may be a good fit for someone who wants private independent living, needs increasing daily support, requires secured memory care, or may benefit from skilled nursing or a short respite stay.

Contact Meth Wick Health 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.