About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Ames, IA

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The cost of independent living in Ames is about $3,803 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 13 options. Read 138 reviews, see photos, and learn about amenities that make independent living the ideal next step for adults 55+ who wish to enjoy friendships and hobbies without the hassle of cooking and home maintenance.

As you explore independent living near you, you may also want to consider options in areas like You may also consider nearby communities such as Ankeny, Nevada and Johnston.

Ames Independent Living Facilities | 138 Reviews

Showing 9 communities
Last Updated: 12/4/25
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Best of Senior Living

The highest-rated senior living communities stand out for their exceptional care and support of seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care and home care. Our Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top reviewed senior care providers nationwide based on reviews submitted by residents and families.

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Photo of Independence Village of AmesCommunity card badge
4040 Photos available
9.5
Review score
92 reviews
9.5
Review score
92 reviews
5 star
75%
4 star
22%
3 star
1%
2 star
0%
1 star
2%
See all reviews
Very expensive when we didn't require much care. My mom would not leave her apartment so didn't receive a lot of care. Just meds and meals. My dad cleaned and did her laundry at their home. The apartment was...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Welcome to Independence Village of Ames! This isn’t just a place to reside — it’s a place where our community members truly shine, and we are glad to share this experience with them. Our senior living options include assisted living, memory care and respite care. Throughout each service level, we...
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Photo of Bickford of Ames
1616 Photos available
8.0
Review score
12 reviews
8.0
Review score
12 reviews
5 star
50%
4 star
17%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
33%
See all reviews
It’s been a wonderful experience for my grandma. The care for my grandma is priority and Bickford of Ames has continuously shown her exceptionally good care and kindness. I would recommend Bickford of Ames...
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
If you think there’s not much going on in a senior living community, you’ve never been to Bickford. Imagine your loved one enjoying delicious, scratch-made meals, having a friendly caregiver always nearby, and a calendar chock-full of social activities. Our family of caregivers will do whatever...
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Photo of Windsor Manor Nevada
11 Photo available
8.0
Review score
5 reviews
8.0
Review score
5 reviews
5 star
60%
4 star
40%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
Windsor Manor staff feel like family. They get to know you on a personal level. They go above and beyond the expected, always. I would highly recommend them to others looking to place a loved one. Her time...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Live the life at Windsor Manor Nevada! Experience the best of retirement living with the helpful support you need 24 hours a day. Our seniors love their spacious apartment homes with country views. They also enjoy time with their neighbors and friends in our beautiful community and blooming...
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Photo of The Rose of Ames
11 Photo available
7.3
Review score
8 reviews
7.3
Review score
8 reviews
5 star
62%
4 star
13%
3 star
25%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
It's a very nice place. I'm hearing their food is not always the best. It's like a senior living apartment and you add amenities you need for cost beyond your rent. You can add up to 2 meals a day, house...
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
The Rose of Ames Affordable Assisted Living community is located in Ames, Iowa. The community has 56 units situated in a tranquil residential neighborhood on the border of Ames in Story County. It is also located in a part that has low crime rates making it quite safe for residents. The Mary...
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Photo of Northridge Village
5 star
71%
4 star
24%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
5%
See all reviews
Northridge Village has light, cheerful apartments with a convenient kitchen. There is a "family feel" with residents sincerely interested in being helpful and caring. We appreciate people in the medical...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Vintage Cooperative of Ames
11 Photo available
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Northcrest Community
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Green Hills Health Care Center
1717 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Photo of Windsor Oaks
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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Cost of independent living in Ames, IA

The average cost of senior living in Ames is $3,803 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Woodward, IA with an average of $3,122 per month.

Independent living costs in Ames, IA, vs. nearby cities

Ames, IA
$3,803/mo
$3,266/mo
$3,855/mo

Independent living costs in Ames, IA, vs. state and national averages

Ames, IA
$3,803/mo
$3,268/mo
U.S. national average
$4,152/mo

Independent living costs in Ames, IA, vs. other senior living options

$5,164/mo
Independent Living
$3,803/mo

Independent living costs in Ames, IA, by floor plan type

Studio
$5,669/mo
1 Bedroom
$4,914/mo
2 Bedroom
$6,030/mo

Senior living costs in Ames vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: Ames, IA
Column state: Iowa
Column national: U.S.
Community typeAmes, IAIowaU.S.
Independent Living$3,803/mo$3,268/mo$4,152/mo
Assisted Living$5,164/mo$4,480/mo$4,697/mo
Memory Care$5,164/mo$4,485/mo$4,946/mo
Independent Living
Ames, IA:$3,803/mo
Iowa:$3,268/mo
U.S.:$4,152/mo
Assisted Living
Ames, IA:$5,164/mo
Iowa:$4,480/mo
U.S.:$4,697/mo
Memory Care
Ames, IA:$5,164/mo
Iowa:$4,485/mo
U.S.:$4,946/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in Ames

Recent reviews for independent living in Ames

Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, IA

5.0
My dad is doing really good after picking this community from the list we got from A Place For Mom. He is enjoying the meals they make. He has tried some activities and he knows some people who live here. The staff has been great. I cant tell he is happy and when he calls he tells me good ...
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Northridge Village in Ames, IA

5.0
Northridge VIllage is a very professionally run community with compassionate, efficient personnel. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming for residents' demeanors and outlooks. The healthful meals are tasty, nicely varied and attractive and we appreciate the cleanliness of handling foodstuffs. ...
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Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing in Bondurant, IA

5.0
The community at the Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing is wonderful. My loved one is enjoying the variety of meals served. The community has a wide range of great activities for the residents to enjoy and participate in. The community is very welcoming and feels like home. The staff have ...
Read more

Ames independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Ames independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Ames, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in Ames independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of Ames partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Ames, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
22.2%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
22.2%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
11.1%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
33.3%
33.5%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
11.1%
10.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Ames independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of Ames communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Ames, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
22.2%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
22.2%
43.4%
Room service
Room service
22.2%
36.9%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
11.1%
17.2%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Ames independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in Ames offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Ames, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
33.3%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
11.1%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
22.2%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
33.3%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
33.3%
48.8%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
44.4%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
22.2%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
33.3%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
22.2%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
33.3%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
33.3%
46.7%
Dances
Dances
22.2%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
22.2%
39.4%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
22.2%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Independence Village of Ames, Bickford of Ames and Windsor Manor Nevada are the top-rated independent living facilities near Ames, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 13 independent living facilities near Ames, Iowa. See the full list.
The best independent living facility near you in Ames, Iowa is Independence Village of Ames. This independent living community received the highest ranking based on verified family reviews.
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More questions?

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