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:

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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Assisi Village by Stonehill
IL
AL
MC
Dubuque
28
Facility 28
IA AVG 76
Rank #161 / 165
A+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
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
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
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
Maple Heights
IL
Sioux City
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 76
Rank #102 / 165
CYes
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
15
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 6
Rank #1 / 155
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 1
Rank #119 / 155
The Heritage At Northern Hills
IL
AL
RC
Sioux City (Teton Trace)
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 76
Rank #21 / 165
D+Yes
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 43
Rank #182 / 222
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 15
Rank #18 / 131
45.3%
Facility 45.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #100 / 154
6
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #128 / 155
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 1
Rank #143 / 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
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
Better Living of Walcott
IL
AL
MC
RC
Walcott
67
Facility 67
IA AVG 76
Rank #83 / 165
-No
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 43
Rank #117 / 222
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 15
Rank #81 / 131
34.3%
Facility 34.3%
IA AVG 63.2%
Rank #139 / 154
4
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 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 Assisi Village by Stonehill

Assisi Village by Stonehill offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Dubuque, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication, while independent living provides private living without daily care. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision. The range of care can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, allowing them to remain in the community as care needs change.

The community has 28 beds, placing it in the smaller-community range where staff and residents get to know each other. Half of the beds are occupied, so the community is not filled to capacity. Residents can choose one-bedroom or two-bedroom residences, with options for someone living alone or two people moving together. Pets are allowed, and Rachel Finn serves as the administrator.

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 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

Maple Heights offers independent living in Sioux City, IA, with private living for someone who does not need daily assistance. The community has 58 beds and is 79% occupied, so not every bed is currently occupied.

Housing includes studios and one-bedroom options. A studio provides one private living space, while a one-bedroom layout separates the bedroom from the living area; pets are allowed, and Thomas Swanson serves as the administrator.

Contact Maple Heights

Overview of The Heritage at Northern Hills

The Heritage at Northern Hills sits on the north side of Sioux City, in the Teton Trace neighborhood of Woodbury County, at 4002 Teton Trace. It’s a two-story, 128-bed community that’s been open for 26 years, offering independent living, assisted living, and respite care under one administrator, Christy Nikkel. The neighborhood is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 18: most errands mean getting in a car rather than walking down the block.

Inside, residents choose from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Right now 63 of the community’s 128 beds are filled, putting occupancy at 49 percent, well below full capacity. Care comes from a team that includes a registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, and certified medication aides, with support available around the clock.

Daily life includes a movie theater, a game room, a salon and barbershop, and a café, plus a restaurant-style dining room for meals. Transportation services help residents get to appointments or run errands without needing a car of their own. Pets are welcome here, so a move doesn’t have to mean parting with a dog or cat.

Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing reviews long-term care communities like this one for health and safety compliance. At The Heritage at Northern Hills, the themes that have come up in that process include medication management, staffing and staff credentials, and care planning and documentation.

With a mix of independent living, assisted living, and respite options in one place, this is a community built for families who want room to shift the level of care as needs change, without having to relocate to a different facility altogether.

Contact The Heritage At Northern Hills

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

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

Overview of Better Living of Walcott

Better Living of Walcott provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care in Walcott, IA. Having several care levels in one community can allow a resident whose needs grow to move to a different level without leaving the community or starting over socially.

Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. 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. Respite care offers a short stay for a resident whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, and the community may be a good fit for a family needing that temporary support.

The community has 67 beds. A Walk Score of 40 places Better Living of Walcott in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride. Taylor Thorpe serves as the administrator.

Contact Better Living of Walcott

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.