Page 3 of Best Independent Living in Washington State

Overview of Murano Senior Living

Murano Senior Living is a senior living community located at 620 Terry Avenue in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Operated by Merrill Gardens LLC under Executive Director Eric Piekarz, the modern 24-story tower offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short-term respite stays.

The community is licensed for up to 117 beds, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, as well as spacious penthouse layouts. Wellness and recreation amenities include 24-hour support, a fitness center with personal training, massage therapy, concierge services, and gourmet dining. The surrounding neighborhood has a walk score of 98, placing downtown shopping, dining, and daily errands within easy walking distance.

Reviews have focused on minor administrative updates, specifically centering on the timely filing of employee background checks and internal documented procedures for monitoring caregiver conduct.

Prospective residents can reach out to the Terry Avenue community office directly to check current apartment availability or to schedule an in-person tour.

Overview of Mary Schwartz Summit

Nestled in the neighborhood of Seattle, WA, Mary Schwartz Summit is an exceptional senior living community, offering various residential options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Known as the only Jewish senior living community in Washington, the community provides a supportive environment that not only nurtures residents’ well-being but also embraces Jewish culture. Here, residents enjoy the comfort of having round the clock nurses and caregivers devoted to helping them uphold their dignity and independence even as their needs continue to change.

The community thoughtfully designed its environment to foster connections, staying active, and vibrant living – offering an array of interesting and enriching social, educational, and recreational activities, such as wellness programs, in-house lectures, music lessons, and more. Three gourmet meals are served daily in an elegant dining room that encourages residents to bond over meals and share meaningful conversations. With comprehensive care, friendly care professionals, and a nurturing environment, Mary Schwartz Summit makes an ideal choice for those seeking an exceptional retirement experience.

Overview of Kenmore Senior Living

Kenmore Senior Living occupies 100 beds in Kenmore, Washington, at 7221 Ne 182Nd St., and is part of the Aura Collection. It offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Licensed as a boarding home, led by Kathleen Katie Aldrich. Five years operating.

Occupancy is low at 53% (53 of 100 beds). Medicaid is accepted.

Walk Score 71 means most errands on foot. Downtown is 0.5 miles away. Nearest hospital is 4.32 miles.

Respite care and 24-hour staffing available. Amenities: library, salon/spa, fitness center, outdoor spaces, on-site dining, transportation. Chef-prepared daily meals.

Pets are allowed. Financial planning is offered. This is a standard mid-size community offering.

Five years of data show 56 deficiencies against a Washington average of 31; 81% above normal. That’s 11.2 per year versus the state average of 6.2. The facility received 31 inspections in five years versus Washington’s average of 9; that’s 244% above baseline. Regulators were paying a lot of attention.

Average deficiencies per inspection were 1.8 versus Washington’s 3.4, so they spread findings across many visits rather than concentrating violations into a few intense inspections. Still, 244% more inspections is significant regulatory scrutiny.

A January 2025 inspection found zero deficiencies and confirmed correction of seven prior issues: resident assessments, food sanitation, background checks, emergency preparedness. A follow-up verified they’d fixed respiratory protection program deficiencies. That’s rapid correction across multiple problem areas.

November 2024 cited failure to fit-test healthcare workers annually for respirators. Earlier in 2023 and 2024, the facility repeatedly failed to implement negotiated agreements about daily compression stocking use, which triggered civil fines.

Kenmore Senior Living has been under heavy regulatory scrutiny across 31 inspections over five years, documenting deficiencies 81% above the state average. But the facility pivoted sharply in January 2025 with rapid correction across seven significant operational areas and no deficiencies in the most recent inspection. The recent clean inspection is good; the historical pattern is cautionary.

Franke Tobey Jones is a stunning English Tudor-style retirement community in Tacoma, Washington, offering independent living, memory care, skilled nursing care, and assisted living. The community creates a cozy and encouraging atmosphere for seniors by guaranteeing excellent care, weekly housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining. Residents can engage in diverse activities, from educational to recreational pursuits, and even bring along their pets, fostering a home-like atmosphere.

Committed to creating a supportive atmosphere where residents can thrive, the community provides top-notch amenities akin to a luxury hotel while ensuring comprehensive care services. Residents can enjoy refreshments while chatting with their friends at the cafe, attend various exercise classes at the state-of-the-art wellness center, and participate in lifelong learning programs at the community’s senior university. With a focus on resident well-being and comfort, the community strives to make the transition to retirement living seamless and enriching, ensuring seniors feel valued and cared for regardless of their journey.

Part of the Koelsch family of senior living communities, Cascade Inn is an assisted living and independent living community in Vancouver, Washington. The 120-bed community is housed in a two-story building with studio and one-bedroom residences. It has an occupancy rate of 84%.

Care includes medication management, transfer assistance, and a dedicated memory care program. Residents who need more support with daily routines and those living with memory loss can remain in the same community. Housekeeping, laundry, and transportation services are also available. Cascade Inn accepts Medicaid, giving eligible families a payment option for the cost of care.

Residents can take part in social and recreational activities. There are also regular exercise programs that add structure and social interaction to daily life. Residents can bring their pets, which can make the transition easier for those who do not want to leave a companion animal behind.

State inspectors with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services have most often identified fire safety systems as an area needing attention, including corridor fire ratings and fire door maintenance. A separate documentation issue involved a missing signed policy but was corrected during the inspection.

Families touring Cascade Inn should ask how fire safety systems and documentation are being maintained. Cascade Inn has a Walk Score of 70 out of 100, which is very walkable. Many everyday errands can be handled on foot rather than driving. The community’s walkable location, dedicated memory care program, and pet-friendly policy can suit families looking for a larger community with both structure and daily flexibility.

Queen Anne Manor is a retirement community located at 100 Crockett Street on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington. The mid-rise building offers assisted living, memory care, and short-term respite care.

The 103-bed property currently operates at approximately 78 percent occupancy. Accommodations include studio, one-bedroom, and penthouse floor plans. Daily life includes structured fitness programs, recreational activities, and common social spaces. The property is pet-friendly and accepts Medicaid funding pathways for eligible care costs. Sited in East Queen Anne, the neighborhood carries a walk score of 94, allowing residents and visiting families to reach local transit, retail, and daily errands on foot.

Interested individuals can contact the Crockett Street community office directly to verify apartment availability, request current monthly service rates, or arrange an in-person tour.

Overview of Brookdale Allenmore

Experience vacation-style senior living at Brookdale Allenmore, a luxury senior living community offering independent living in Tacoma, Washington. Residents can live comfortably in their thoughtfully designed apartments, ranging from studios to 1 and 2-bedroom apartments. Conveniently located near the area’s best shopping, restaurants, banking, and physicians’ offices, residents enjoy the best that Tacoma has to offer.

Committed to giving its residents the best senior living experience free of worry, the community provides housekeeping services and chef-prepared meals. Residents can work out with friends at the fitness center, bond at the hair salon, or craft together in the art studio. The community also offers a fun-filled calendar of activities that changes monthly, from entertainment and creative pursuits to shopping trips and group outings, ensuring residents live their lives to the fullest in an environment that encourages exploring new passions and interests.

Overview of Bonaventure of Salmon Creek

Tucked in the ethereal setting of Northeast Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA, Bonaventure of Salmon Creek is an outstanding senior living community offering assisted living, retirement living, and memory care. With cozy and specially designed studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences, seniors enjoy unmatched comfort and convenience. The community boasts a team of experienced and highly skilled professionals delivering top-notch care and assistance 24/7 for seniors to thrive and reach their full potential.

Featuring extensive amenities, the community encourages residents to mingle with friends and create unforgettable moments. With nutritious and delightful meals satisfying dietary needs and tastes, residents enjoy the finest dining experience. Bonaventure of Salmon Creek is ideal for seniors looking to optimize their independence with its excellent services and senior-friendly spaces.

Overview of Van Mall Retirement

Nestled in the picturesque setting of Vancouver, WA, this retirement community offers an exquisite blend of independent and assisted living, where convenience and comfort harmoniously intertwine. The devoted team is passionate about elevating senior care, ensuring residents are surrounded by exceptional service and a nurturing environment. The community boasts elegantly designed studio alcoves, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, each featuring full kitchens or kitchenettes, luxuriously upgraded appliances, individually controlled heating and air-conditioning units, and state-of-the-art emergency communication systems.

Residents can indulge in a range of splendid amenities, including serene private walking paths, charming gardening spaces, a dynamic fitness program, and an engaging brain fitness program. Seasonal menus with delectable and healthy choices enhance the dining experience, while the vibrant, supportive community fosters both wellness and enjoyment. Here, every day is a celebration of life, where comfort meets elegance, and every moment is an opportunity for joy and fulfillment

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Tacoma

Merrill Gardens at Tacoma sits in the West End neighborhood at 7290 Rosemount Cir, a 65-bed, three-story building with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. It covers three levels of care under one roof: assisted living, independent living, and memory care.

Walkability is a real strength here; the Walk Score hits 80, very walkable, which means most errands don’t require a car at all. Pets are welcome too, so a move here doesn’t mean giving up a dog or cat.

Day to day, staffing runs 24 hours, with respite care available and a resident call system in place for safety. Transportation services and fitness and recreation options handle the logistics and activity side without leaning entirely on family. Robert Brock is the listed contact for the community.

The amenities aim for comfort over flash: a game room, a library, salon services, and garage parking. Pricing starts at $3,700 a month for assisted living, and Medicaid is accepted, which opens up coverage options that not every community offers.

On the inspection side, state reviews here have tended to center on staffing and staff credentials, a theme that shows up across assisted living facilities broadly and isn’t specific to this one.

Put together, this is a walkable, pet-friendly community with three care levels, Medicaid acceptance, and a comfort-focused amenity list, the kind of combination that works well for families who want flexibility without sacrificing convenience.