Best Independent Living in South Burlington, VT

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 4 independent living communities in South Burlington, VT using VT Dept. of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in VT
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in South Burlington, VT our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in South Burlington, VT.
4 homes
Other senior care options in South Burlington:

Compare Independent Living around South Burlington (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from the VT Dept. of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL), 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. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. 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.
Mc Kenzie House
IL
Burlington (Old North End)
-Yes
96
Facility 96
VT AVG 44
Rank #1 / 29
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Fern Hill Apartments
IL
Burlington
-No
67
Facility 67
VT AVG 44
Rank #7 / 29
1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vermont Center For Independent Living
IL
Burlington (South End)
-No
91
Facility 91
VT AVG 44
Rank #3 / 29
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Cathedral Square
IL
AL
MC
South Burlington
-Yes
74
Facility 74
VT AVG 44
Rank #5 / 29
-

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other VT independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 4 analyzed for South Burlington. See how we rank facilities

Overview of Mc Kenzie House

Mc Kenzie House provides independent living in Burlington, Vermont. The setting may suit someone who manages daily routines independently and wants private living without daily care.

In Burlington’s Old North End, residents can choose one bedroom or two bedroom housing. A one bedroom residence can suit someone living alone, while a two bedroom home can accommodate a couple moving together or a resident who wants a companion. The area has a Walk Score of 96 out of 100, making it a walker’s paradise where daily errands do not require a car and someone who no longer drives can still get out independently. Pets are allowed, so residents can bring a pet when they move in.

Contact Mc Kenzie House

Overview of Vermont Center for Independent Living

Vermont Center for Independent Living offers independent living in Burlington, VT, with private and semi-private rooms for either an individual room or a shared living arrangement. Independent living here means private living with community services and no daily care, so it may suit someone who can manage daily needs without ongoing personal assistance. Located in the South End, the area has a Walk Score of 91, placing it in the walker’s paradise band, and daily errands do not require a car, allowing a resident who no longer drives to handle those errands independently.

Contact Vermont Center For Independent Living

Overview of Fern Hill Apartments

Enjoying your golden years doesn’t mean having to give up independence and your way of life. At Fern Hill Apartments, independent senior living is made affordable and pleasurable, with your own private abode in a close knit community of fellow retirees. Offering one- to two-bedroom apartments, your sense of style carries on; while the units come equipped with a kitchen, stove, sink and refrigerator, furniture is at your own discretion.

Enjoy your freedom while also having access to a plethora of recreational activities organized by Fern Hill’s courteous staff, led by their Resident Services Coordinator. Mix and mingle at a weekend picnic, make merry during holiday festivities, attend classes and seminars, all while being able to monitor vital signs at clinics. Fancy a by-line or artistic spot in the community newsletter? Seize the opportunity and make the most of your independent living program at Fern Hill.

Contact Fern Hill Apartments

Cathedral Square

412 Farrell St. Suite 100, South Burlington, VT 05403
Overview of Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square, established in 1977 and nestled in South Burlington, Vermont, offers a diverse range of senior living options. These encompass independent living apartments, assisted living homes, and dedicated memory care options. Committed to environmentally sustainable building practices and energy efficiency, Cathedral Square ensures that its facilities maintain high-quality standards while remaining affordable for seniors.
In a dedicated effort to create a healthy, smoke-free environment, Cathedral Square maintains well-maintained premises staffed by dedicated professionals. Residents can take advantage of various amenities, including free on-site parking, a vibrant calendar of social, cultural, and recreational activities, and dedicated garden spaces for their enjoyment. The community welcomes up to two pets and extends cost-effective perks such as discounted cable rates. Notably, utilities like telephone, internet, and cable TV are all included in the rent, enhancing the convenience of living at Cathedral Square. With an array of inviting community spaces, Cathedral Square prioritizes the well-being and comfort of its residents, creating an engaging and professionally managed living environment.

Contact Cathedral Square

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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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in South Burlington, VT

What is the average cost of independent living in South Burlington, VT?

The average monthly cost of independent living in South Burlington, VT is approximately $2,241. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for independent living in South Burlington, VT?

Independent living in South Burlington, VT typically ranges from $891 - $3,561 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

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 4 independent living communities in South Burlington, VT. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in South Burlington, VT?

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 South Burlington, VT, 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 South Burlington, VT?

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.

Independent Living in South Burlington at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 82/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in South Burlington, VT. 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: The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in South Burlington, VT. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90