10 Best Independent Living Communities in Los Angeles, CA

Most people combine their income sources to cover their independent living costs, e.g., personal income sources with options such as veterans benefits. Because independent living communities don’t provide care services, this type of senior living isn’t covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, or long-term care insurance. However, health care insurance may help you pay for your medically necessary home health care services if you ever grow to need such.

Browse the sections below to learn about your options, including private pay, veterans benefits, Medi-Cal, and Medicare.

Independent living communities are essentially senior apartments with more amenities and services, so they don’t need to be licensed as a senior care community. The exception is if an independent living community shares a campus with other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care.

In California, if your independent living community shares the same campus with a senior care facility, it must have a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license through the California Department of Social Services, also known as the CDSS. With this license, the senior care facility must comply with the following regulations:

• It must house a maximum of two residents per bedroom.
• It must provide individual privacy in each bathroom.
• It must ensure bedrooms have enough room to accommodate equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• It must provide clean and accessible common rooms for residents.
• It must provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills.^[04]

If you would like to learn more about assisted living regulations and the Residential Care Facility license in California, visit the Regulations section of our Los Angeles assisted living page.

Independent living residents and their rights

The owners of independent living communities must provide their renters with safe and well-maintained housing, just as they would for seniors renting a house or apartment. The following are some examples of the regulations you can expect at a stand-alone independent living community rental in California:

• Senior independent living communities typically have a minimum age requirement of 62 years.^[05]
• Tenants have a right to basic services, such as maintenance, landscaping, and fully functioning utilities, when they rent a unit in these communities.
• It’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
• Seniors with disabilities have protections under the law when renting.^[06]

Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords must consent to reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities. Landlords must pay for accommodations and certain structural modifications of common areas, while the renter should pay for certain structural modifications to their individual unit.^[08]

Accommodations involve changes to community procedures that might restrict disabled individuals from access if not changed. Some examples of accommodations include the following:

• Offering designated parking spaces close to the building
• Allowing residents to have a service animal even if a no-pet policy is in place
• Changing the due date of rent to accommodate a tenant’s disability payments

Modifications involve changes to the structure of the building, common areas, or individual units. Here are some examples of such modifications:

• Installing easy-to-reach appliances
• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Putting a ramp at the building’s entrance

The following are some other protections granted to renters under the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA):

• Independent living communities must make modifications and accommodations to enable seniors with disabilities to participate in all activities and programs.
• Buildings must be accessible with elements such as curb ramps, restrooms that accommodate wheelchairs, and doors that accommodate wheelchairs.
• If a community has an elevator, it must be designed or modified to fit a wheelchair and placed in a spot that’s commonly accessed by residents.^[06]

Inspection reports

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) inspects Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RFCE) annually and within 10 days of receiving a complaint.^[06] While the inspections won’t apply to the independent living area of the RCFE, they will apply to the areas that are licensed as assisted living communities.

Assisted living communities that are licensed as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly have public inspection reports in the CDSS Care Facility Search. To use this search, scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and “Los Angeles County,” and then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.

California Department of Health contact information

California Department of Public Health

1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784

COVID-19 regulations for Los Angeles independent living communities

Los Angeles asks residents to stay up to date with vaccines, to get tested if symptoms are suspected, and to wear a mask in public. Read Los Angeles County Public Health’s current COVID-19 guidelines for frequently updated information.

Stand-alone independent living communities may have their own COVID-19 guidelines in place, so contact your prospective community directly if you want to learn more. If you’d like to learn about the guidelines for the assisted living wings in a shared independent living community you’re considering, check out the Regulations section of the Los Angeles assisted living page.

You have many wonderful options for your Los Angeles retirement. A Place for Mom’s network of Los Angeles independent living partners range from stand-alone communities to those with a full scope of personal care services. With A Place for Mom, you’ll easily find local communities with unique offerings — like boutique hotel living with plenty of tailored, resort-style amenities, services, and dining options. For example, some communities are completely Kosher-certified.

Stand-alone independent living complexes

Los Angeles stand-alone independent living communities are similar to senior apartments regarding the layout, the freedom to come and go as you please, and the senior-specific amenities. These exclusive senior living communities typically don’t provide personal care services directly, though they may offer on-site access to third-party home care agencies. Among our partner independent living communities in Los Angeles, three of them are stand-alone — for truly independent seniors without current need for personal home care services.

Independent living with senior care options

Choosing a community with tiered care options means you’ll have access to senior care services without having to move to a new community when your needs change. You may only need to move to a different wing on the same campus to receive care services. In A Place for Mom’s Los Angeles network, there are 28 independent living communities that also offer assisted living and memory care services on the same campus.

Communities with character

After budgeting for retirement in this expensive city, you can be as specific as you want when choosing your ideal independent living community. Regarding the physical layout, our in-network offerings look similar to senior apartment communities. You can choose ground- or upper-level apartment-style rooms that range from studio to one-bedroom floor plans.

Los Angeles is home to independent living facilities that rise above the senior living stereotype. You can find communities for all walks of life, interests, and even denominations. For instance, Los Angeles has several Jewish independent living communities, with Kosher-certified kitchens, cuisine, and religious services.

There are also communities located in historic districts and some that offer boutique hotel-like senior living. Or, you can opt for a laid-back apartment style setting. You can choose from communities in desirable, upscale neighborhoods, like Beverly Hills and the heart of Los Angeles, for a more prestigious, resort-style experience. And for budget-friendly options, you can choose from communities in more affordable neighborhoods, like Santa Monica and Glendale. Wherever you choose to settle, never-ending beaches, vistas, and breathtaking West Coast sunsets are never far away.

Resort-style amenities

Seniors can enjoy an abundance of senior-specific amenities in Los Angeles independent living communities. These communities lend themselves to building new relationships, staying active, and enjoying a maintenance-free retirement among peers. Pet friends are also invited to join your retirement, as 90% of A Place for Mom’s in-network Los Angeles independent living communities are pet-friendly.

Full-service beauty salons, barber shops, pools, gyms, and spas are among the most common features in Los Angeles independent living communities. Relax after taking a dip in heated outdoor swimming pools, or break a sweat in the professionally supervised fitness center. Some communities even offer manicures, private massages, and facials as part of their spa and salon experiences. Beloved pups are also welcome to enjoy a pampered lifestyle with features like dog wash stations.

Your future independent living community grounds have much to offer. Enjoy a gourmet meal on a covered restaurant-style patio, get cozy by the outdoor fireplace, or stroll along paved walking paths through the landscaped courtyards. When it’s time to explore off campus, access the community’s own transportation options, which might even include a personal limousine service. This is Los Angeles after all.

Health care for seniors in Los Angeles

Seniors in Los Angeles are near a number of nationally ranked hospitals and medical centers. Several of these centers also have specific programs for seniors or are nationally ranked in geriatric care.

Transportation for seniors in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, 90% of A Place for Mom’s partner independent living facilities offer either at-cost or complimentary transportation services. These transportation services provide a secure and convenient way for you to run errands and get around the city without having to drive. Driving in Los Angeles is notoriously stressful due to the heavy traffic at all hours, so these services are especially valued.

And on days when driving isn’t necessary, you can easily access bike-friendly routes and walkable areas in Los Angeles from our partner communities. You can also access Los Angeles’ popular public transportation hubs, some with senior-specific services. Both Union Station Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Metro are popular public transportation hubs, and many of their options have senior discounts. Browse the following transportation options offered at each of these locations:

• There are over 165 Metro bus routes available.
• Los Angeles has seven rail lines, each with a connection to one of the bus stops.
• Metro bikes are available to rent in intervals ranging from one ride to one year.
• The Metro micro is Los Angeles’ on-demand rideshare option, serving many of the city’s subdivisions as well.
• Union Station West has a designated taxi pick-up and drop-off location.
• The Dodger Stadium Express is a bus available at Union Station for passengers attending home games.

Los Angeles also has senior-specific transportation options:

• Seniors with disabilities may be eligible for Access, the Metro’s rideshare paratransit service.
• CityRide is designed for seniors over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. It offers discounted rates and curbside service.
• Transport Seniors LA provides wheelchair-accessible transportation for seniors who need to travel to and from medical appointments, errands, and more.

The figures below represent the ease of Los Angeles’ transportation methods, according to WalkScore. Scores range from zero to 100, with higher numbers indicating a more accessible method of transportation.