10 Best Independent Living Communities in St Petersburg, FL
Nicknamed “The Sunshine City,” St. Petersburg, Florida, is a fantastic place for seniors considering independent living. Independent living facilities offer a great quality of life; specifically meant for seniors who are still able to do most things on their own, these facilities are structured to also offer a bit of extra assistance every now and then. With A Place For Mom, you can find 12 different independent living facilities in St. Petersburg.
Aside from low-maintenance living, independent living centers give seniors a chance to reside among their peers. Here you’ll find organized social outings and events, plus dedicated areas for dining, games, and other social gatherings. According to A Place for Mom data, most of these facilities are located close to public transportation or offer their own transport; boast beauty salons, barber shops, and fitness centers; and have recreational spaces such as movie theaters, swimming pools, and cafés. And what better place to do it: St. Petersburg is sunny most of the year, more affordable than people might believe, and close to the beach!
Properties in this guide are all within a 10-mile radius of downtown St. Petersburg, including communities like Sunset Beach and Pasadena. This guide will offer information on St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities, financing options, laws and regulations, and more to help you find the right community.
St Petersburg Independent Living Facilities | 888 Reviews
My loved one is currently a resident at The Villas of Casa Celeste and everything has been very good for her at this facility so far. The sales lady, [name removed], is amazing. They have been wonderful to...
Our free advisors can help
- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
- Schedule tours
- Evaluate pricing
They have a game room, books to read, movies to watch, and special events that they do once or twice a week. Very friendly staff! She is allowed to have her dog there, so that is a plus. She is in...
Our methodology
How we rank order the St Petersburg community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders St Petersburg community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of independent living in the St. Petersburg area
- How people pay for independent living in St. Petersburg
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
- Types of independent living in St. Petersburg
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with St. Petersburg? Highlights for seniors
- Health care for seniors in St. Petersburg
- Transportation for seniors in St. Petersburg
- Senior activities in St. Petersburg
Costs of independent living in the St. Petersburg area
On average, it costs $4,169 per month for independent living in St. Petersburg, according to A Place For Mom proprietary data; this price includes associated fees and service fee add-ons.[01] This number represents what residents actually paid at our network facilities and reflects a variety of floor plans, amenities, and other variables that determine cost of living.
Represented in the following chart is a baseline cost for independent living in St. Petersburg, Florida, without add-on fees.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in St Petersburg, FL by room type
Average cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg over time
How people pay for independent living in St. Petersburg
Independent living communities are not classified as senior care communities and, therefore, cannot be paid for with long-term health care insurance policies, Medicaid, or Medicare. However, seniors can use long-term health care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare to pay for in-home medical services that may be needed.
This section will explain how seniors can pay for independent living through private pay, housing assistance, VA benefits, and/or Medicare and Medicaid resources for seniors.
Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
Because independent living communities are not classified as senior care communities, they are not required to be inspected as often as senior care communities. However, they must follow Florida laws and regulations, which includes mandatory inspections once a building reaches a certain age and every 10 years after that.[02]
All housing in Florida must abide by the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.[03] These laws offer protections for tenants and landlords. Some of these protections are specifically relevant for seniors, such as:
- Landlords must make available close parking spaces for tenants with mobility issues
- Allowing tenants with mobility issues or disabilities to mail their rent
- Allowing tenants to break their lease with no charge if they need to move for health reasons
- Offering tenants more suitable housing if it were to become available
Under these laws, landlords cannot deny housing to someone specifically because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, religion, familial status, or disability.
While inspections are only required every 10 years once a building hits a certain age, tenants can request an inspection. Inspection reports can be searched for at the FloridaHealthFinder site, a service of the Agency for Health Care Administration.
For a community to be classified as a senior community in Florida, 80% of the population must be over the age of 55, and no one in the community can be under 45 years old.
Florida Department of Health contact information
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for St. Petersburg independent living communities
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations for independent living facilities to follow in the state of Florida or in St. Petersburg; however, the city recommends following these Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Types of independent living in St. Petersburg
Seniors looking to live in an independent living community in St. Petersburg will find a wide array of different types of living facilities. From converted grand hotels to sprawling villas, A Place For Mom has several wonderful options in our network. Because these communities are meant specifically for seniors, you will be surrounded by peers in the same stage of life.
Within the St. Petersburg area, A Place for Mom has 12 partner independent living facilities. One is a standalone independent living facility, while five offer a combination of assisted living and independent living. Six offer a combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care; this can be appealing to families and seniors seeking a residence that can accommodate a senior’s needs across many stages of life.
Leisure-geared amenities offer an array of choices
With many facilities located on St. Petersburg’s waterfront area, independent living communities in the area provide easy access to the beautiful beaches of St. Petersburg, as well as the downtown area of Gulfport, offering both businesses and cultural events. From movie theaters to bars to libraries, St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities offer on-site features to help residents relax at their leisure. These are amenities you can expect from independent living facilities in the St. Petersburg area:
- Swimming pools, fitness centers, and billiards lounges
- Cafés, bars, and bistros
- Arts and crafts centers, libraries, and TV lounges
Range of options for safety and low-maintenance living
Many independent living facilities in the St. Petersburg area offer maintenance, giving residents peace of mind. Common safety features in these communities ensure seniors have a safety net, should it be needed; many units are designed with elevators and wide doorways. To heighten the low-maintenance lifestyle, the vast majority of St. Petersburg’s independent living communities have their own barber shop and/or beauty salon.
Transportation options make on-site and off-site living possible
Seniors in independent living communities often are eager to experience off-site activities, as well as opportunities for fun within their communities’ own walls. St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities take this into account, with nearly all boasting a location close to public transit. For those who prefer community-provided transportation, more than two-thirds of the independent living facilities we partner with in St. Petersburg offer complimentary transportation; most also offer at-cost transport.
Explore senior care with confidence
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Unfamiliar with St. Petersburg? Highlights for seniors
Health care for seniors in St. Petersburg
Transportation for seniors in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city where you can get by without a car, but it certainly helps to have one. If you don’t, you can get a ride from the independent living facility as 83% of our partners offer free transportation and 75% offer it at-cost.
There are areas in St. Petersburg that are walkable or bike-friendly, but the city as a whole is not connected in a way that makes vehicle-free travel entirely possible. Taking into account infrastructure and accessibility, St. Petersburg has a walk score of 43 (out of 100, meaning a car is necessary) and a bike score of 59 (out of 100, meaning a car is needed in some situations instead of a bike).[05]
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PTSA) is the local public transit option. It offers accessible bussing options and also extends discounts to anyone over the age of 65. Those with disabilities can look into the Disabled Special Citizen Program, which offers discounts to those with disabilities.
Senior activities in St. Petersburg
Those who live in independent living communities are people who still like to get out and about. Getting out and about in a place nicknamed The Sunshine City sure gives you lots of options! You can see local nature by going on a guided kayak trip at the Shell Key Preserve. For those looking to camp or hike, you’ll be right at home at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. If you like bird watching, you’ll love Sawgrass Lake Park. After spending a day in the sun, watch the day come to an end at the Island Sunset and Skywalk Light Show; cruises are available for those who prefer the waterway.
Perhaps you are looking for something that stimulates your intellectual side. With plenty of museums in St. Petersburg, there is something for everyone. If you love Salvador Dalí, you’ll certainly love the Dalí Museum, featuring artwork that spans his entire lifetime. For impressive glasswork, you can check out the Duncan McClellan Gallery. Admission is free, and there is artwork both outdoors and indoors. Also contemporary and cool is the Morean Art Center. This is another free museum, and you can even sign up to take classes. For more classes, Charlie Parker Pottery is a great place to learn some new skills and make some new friends.
Another great place to make new friends in the Sunshine Center, a senior center hosted by St. Petersburg’s Parks & Recreation Department. The Sunshine Center offers a bevy of recreational activities, educational classes, wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, and support groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Princess Martha, Cloudberry Lodge at Brandon and Weinberg Village are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near St Petersburg, FL. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg is $3,651 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place For Mom (2023) A Place For Mom Proprietary Data
Collier County. (March 2023.) Milestone Inspections. Colliercountyfl.gov
Pinellas County. (March 2023). Fair Housing Discrimination. Pinellas.gov
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in St. Petersburg.
More questions?
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
- Tampa, Florida
- Bradenton, Florida
- Dunedin, Florida
- Riverview, Florida
- Palm Harbor, Florida
- Safety Harbor, Florida
- Largo, Florida
- Sun City Center, Florida
- Parrish, Florida
- Apollo Beach, Florida
- Oldsmar, Florida
- Carrollwood, Florida
- Seminole, Florida
- Anna Maria, Florida
- Ruskin, Florida
- Clearwater, Florida
- Westchase, Florida
- Palmetto, Florida
- Temple Terrace, Florida
- Treasure Island, Florida