Page 20 of Best Independent Living in Massachusetts

Other senior care options in Massachusetts:
Overview of Welch Senior Living

Welch Senior Living has been part of Rockland, Massachusetts since 1949. That’s more than 75 years, family-owned the whole time, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care at 1050 Hingham Street. Housing comes in one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts.

The area is somewhat walkable; the walk Score sits at 39, so a few errands are doable on foot, but most trips still need a car. Care runs on a full daily rhythm: respite stays for short-term needs, therapy and rehabilitation, and 24-hour staffing from licensed nurses and CNAs. Meals are chef-prepared and served daily in a social setting, not just functional. Life-enrichment activities and on-site fitness and recreation fill out the rest of the schedule.

One detail stands out for independent living residents specifically: a choice between cooperative ownership and monthly rental. That’s not the norm everywhere, and it gives residents more control over how they structure their stay.

On the leadership side, Thomas Nolan handles HR policy and employee benefits for Welch Senior Living, though his main role is running a sister community, Allerton House at Central Park in Weymouth, backed by 35-plus years in senior living management.

Put together, this is a long-running, family-owned South Shore community built around flexible independent living options and a steady daily rhythm of care, dining, and activity, with more than seven decades behind how it runs.

Contact Welch Senior Living

Overview of The James Apartments

Cherish every moment of your golden years at The James Apartments, a distinguished community in Haverhill, MA, offering independent living. The community features beautifully furnished and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents are comfortable and safe. With round-the-clock emergency maintenance and management, residents have a hassle-free living.

Residents will not run out of things to do, accompanied by a variety of wellness opportunities and cozy gathering spaces. With a fully equipped kitchen, residents can prepare meals based on their dietary needs and preferences. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents to ease their loneliness. The community is a great option for those aiming to downsize in retirement, especially with its warm and inviting setting.

Contact The James Apartments

Overview of Walker School Apartments

Live a blissful retirement at Walker School Apartments, a distinguished 62+ community in Taunton, MA, offering independent living. The community has 40 beautifully furnished and cozy one-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents are comfortable and safe. 24-hour emergency maintenance, management, and laundry spaces are also available, so residents have a hassle-free lifestyle.

A thoughtfully planned slate of engaging activities and enriching programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections. With a fully-equipped kitchen in each unit, residents can prepare meals that best suit their tastes and dietary needs. Pets are also welcome, as long as they follow community guidelines, to ease residents’ loneliness. The community is a good option for those aiming to downsize in retirement, especially with its bright and friendly environment.

Contact Walker School Apartments

Overview of Holiday Quail Run Estates

An independent living community on Cardinal Drive in Agawam, Massachusetts, is Holiday Quail Run Estates. It sits roughly a mile from the city center and a short drive from Mercy Medical Center. The home is housed in a three-story building and offers a choice of floor plans to fit different preferences and needs, including studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments that span from studios around 325 square feet to larger two-bedroom units exceeding 1,200 square feet.

Residents in the area can access transportation services and fitness and recreation amenities. The community welcomes pets, which can be a vital factor for many seniors wanting to keep their companions with them. With a Walk Score of 25, the neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable, so most errands and trips require a car, but some nearby services and shops are reachable on foot. The location offers a residential setting with good proximity to Agawam’s key services and medical facilities.

For families checking out independent living options in Agawam, touring Holiday Quail Run Estates will provide a firsthand look at the offered floor plans, amenities, and daily community life. That in-person visit is the best way to examine if the space and setting match what a potential occupant is looking for.

Starting Price $2,900/Month Info Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Contact Holiday Quail Run Estates

Overview of The Woods at Merrimack

Peacefully set near Merrimack Valley Golf Club in Methuen, MA, The Woods at Merrimack is an idyllic haven that offers independent living. Here, residents experience a luxurious lifestyle, especially with sophisticated one- and two-bedroom accommodations that are designed for their comfort. Concierge services are also provided for convenience, alongside door-to-door transportation.

There is no dull moment with a well-thought-out calendar of engaging activities and enriching events that aims to keep residents active and socially connected. With 24/ restaurant-style dining, residents enjoy mealtimes that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. Promoting an active and vibrant lifestyle, this award-winning community strives to help residents flourish in their golden years.

Starting Price $4,200/Month Info Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Contact The Woods at Merrimack

Overview of Holiday Devonshire Estates

Holiday Devonshire Estates is an independent living community in Lenox, Massachusetts, with private residences and community services rather than daily care. Residents can choose a studio, one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom apartment or cottage, giving them several housing layouts to consider. Respite care is also available for a short stay, which can give a family caregiver time to travel or recover.

The starting monthly price is $2,100. Meals are chef-prepared, and a private dining room is available for family events. Pets are allowed, so a resident can move in with a pet.

Residents have access to a theater, fitness equipment, a resident kitchen and a community center, providing onsite spaces for entertainment, exercise and food preparation. The community also offers Engage Life® Events and Home Health. A resident who wants independent living with the option of a short-term stay may find the combination of housing choices and respite care suitable.

Holiday by Atria operates Holiday Devonshire Estates. With a Walk Score of 30 out of 100, the area is car-dependent, so most errands require a car or a ride.

Starting Price $2,100/Month Info Pricing updated on October 7th, 2026

Contact Holiday Devonshire Estates

Overview of Coleman House

Owned by 2Life Communities, Coleman House provides income-based independent living for adults aged 62 and older in Newton, Massachusetts. The property focuses on private one-bedroom apartments paired with communal services rather than daily clinical supervision. Guided by Jewish cultural values, the residence welcomes pets and features wheelchair-accessible layouts throughout the building.

Shared resources through neighboring Opus Newton expand daily options to include patio gardens, walking paths, fitness spaces, and cultural studios. Structured community programming encompasses lifelong learning workshops, educational lectures, fitness classes, and holiday events.

An onsite salon handles personal grooming, and the Grand Café supplies themed meals and retail dining. Staff members also assist tenants with transit planning, rideshare access, technology classes, and outside healthcare coordination.

Interested individuals considering independent housing in Newton can connect with Coleman House and view available floor plans.

Contact Coleman House

Overview of McKinley House

Experience a vibrant lifestyle at McKinley House, a distinct community in Chicopee, MA, offering independent living. Featuring sophisticated and spacious studio to two-bedroom floor plans, the community ensures residents are comfortable and safe. Compassionate management and laundry spaces are also provided for residents’ convenience.

With a carefully curated calendar of engaging activities and stimulating programs, residents can spend their days as they please. Delightful restaurants and shops surround the area, providing residents with a variety of dining options that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. The community strives to help residents flourish in retirement, promoting a vibrant and friendly setting.

Contact McKinley House

Overview of Diamond Spring Gardens

Experience a worry-free retirement at Diamond Spring Gardens, a blissful retreat situated in the quiet setting of Lawrence, MA, offering independent living. The community has beautifully designed and spacious studio and one-bedroom floor plans, dedicated to those 62+ or adults with disability. With income restrictions, those with lower incomes can downsize without hassles.

Thriving local amenities and leisure sites are available in proximity, providing residents with easy access to recreation and wellness. Residents can also enjoy mealtimes based on their preferences and dietary needs with restaurants and shops in the area. The community is ideal for those looking to live independently in retirement, especially with its vibrant and welcoming setting.

Contact Diamond Spring Gardens

Overview of Colonial Gardens

Colonial Gardens is an independent living community in Beverly, MA, operated by Hawthorn Senior Living. Independent living provides private living with community services for residents who do not need daily care, making Colonial Gardens a possible fit for someone seeking that level of support. Housing options include studios, cottages, one-bedroom residences and two-bedroom residences.

A studio provides a single private living space. A two-bedroom residence can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion. The starting price is $4,195 per month, with meals included in the monthly rate, so daily dining is part of the listed starting arrangement.

Restaurant-style dining includes chef-prepared meals, with low-sodium and heart-healthy options available. A private dining room can accommodate family events. Residents can join group outings to museums, theaters and local attractions, along with creative workshops, health and wellness programs, board games and trivia contests.

Pets are allowed, so a resident may bring a pet when moving in.

Starting Price $4,195/Month Info Pricing updated on October 8th, 2026

Contact Colonial Gardens

Rankings on this page follow the same method as page 1: see how we rank these communities.

Independent Living in Massachusetts at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 57/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Massachusetts. 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: 91The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Massachusetts. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90