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Independent Living in Texas

Overview of Independent Living in Texas

For families considering senior living options, Texas has plenty to offer. The Lone Star State’s warm temperatures, rich history, and blend of cultures attract tourists from all over the world and make Texas an ideal retirement destination. Visit the art museums in Houston, catch a Cowboys game in Dallas, experience the Alamo in San Antonio, or see a show in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” turns out to be true: With several of the largest cities in the country, as well as plenty of wide-open space, there’s truly something for everyone here.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 430 independent living communities, also known simply as retirement communities, in Texas.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Texas

17
17 Photos available

Serenity Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care

6684 Randolph Blvd, Live Oak, TX 78233
10
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Gina Shakir - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I began a journey to find the right facility for my 109 year old GOD-Aunt; not due to convenience but out of necessity. We literally ran out of money for 24 hour around the clock care. Thankfully, my...

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8
8 Photos available

Gemstone at Bulverde

1396 Bulverde Rd, Bulverde, TX 78163
10
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
J R - I'm a current/former resident or client

Caring and on top of it. Someone is always checking on my mom and there for her needs. They respond promptly when alerted. Staff is always letter her know what activities are going and seeing if she wants...

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11
11 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Watercrest at Shadow Creek Ranch

11745 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77584
10
Review Score
78 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

I like the activities and trips very much. The staff are wonderful. My only immediate concern is that I saw a lot of people leave after only a year here when it came time to renew their lease. I heard the...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Dallas

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22
22 Photos available

Five Star Premier Residences of Dallas

5455 La Sierra Dr, Dallas, TX 75231
10
Review Score
19 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Alison K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father recently passed away and I needed to move my mom to a location where she could have company. We know someone who lives at 5 Star so that seemed the logical place to go. The service from everyone...

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9
9 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available
1
1 Video available

Brookdale Lake Highlands

9715 Plano Road, Dallas, TX 75238
9.9
Review Score
75 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very nice facility. The staff is very friendly, they care a lot about the residents and they take care of them really well. They're very knowledgeable when it comes to the needs of residents and if families...

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17
17 Photos available

Meadowstone Place

10410 Stone Canyon Rd, Dallas, TX 75230
9.9
Review Score
200 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Catherine P - I'm a current/former resident or client

Meadowstone is a perfect home! I have a lot of friends and everyone is so nice. We have fun things to do and the staff is so nice too. I enjoy the gardens and the beautiful grounds and love to walk around...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Plano

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13
13 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Plano

3401 Premier Drive, Plano, TX 75023
9.7
Review Score
161 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Caroline J - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My dad lives there and he loves it! He is so complimentary regarding how kind and helpful the front office staff are. He really enjoys the live entertainment as well as all of the other activities available.

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15
15 Photos available

Preston Place

5000 Old Shepard Place, Plano, TX 75093
9.6
Review Score
84 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a current/former resident or client

I moved here about 5 months ago after selling my home of 30 years. I could not be happier. This is a true community neighborly, friendly and supportive without being intrusive.

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22
22 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Atria Canyon Creek

440 Independence Parkway, Plano, TX 75075
9.6
Review Score
89 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

What impressed me most was how friendly the people are. Another plus is they have a wood shop. We would recommend Atria Canyon Creek to other families based on the experience we have had so far.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Houston

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12
12 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

Atria Westchase

11424 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77082
9.9
Review Score
105 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Timothy K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I will review Atria in 3 areas: the staff, the facility and the food. The staff has been wonderful. They are attentive and professional. They knew my wife's name on the first day. She was in need of more...

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14
14 Photos available
13
13 Floor plans available

Watercrest at Kingwood

24109 Kingwood Place Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339
9.8
Review Score
50 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Trevor A - I'm a current/former resident or client

At Watercrest at Kingwood, I enjoy a perfect balance of luxury and independence. My residence, adorned with high-end amenities, offers a lifestyle that feels like an indulgence while providing me with the...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Fort Worth

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8
8 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Fort Worth

6151 Bryant Irvin, Fort Worth, TX 76132
10
Review Score
89 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

So far Sunrise has been a good fit for my friend. Not perfect but so far it's working for us. My friend has made several reliable and dependable friends with staff. They periodically come to check on her and...

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4
4 Photos available

Christian Care Communities and Services Fort Worth

5100 Randol Mill Road, Fort Worth, TX 76112
9.9
Review Score
16 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My loved one is currently a resident at Christian Care Communities and Services Fort Worth and the experience has been great for him. He is loving it there, it is just what he needed. Based on our...

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10
10 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available
1
1 Video available

Brookdale Tanglewood Oaks

2698 South Hulen Street, Fort Worth, TX 76109
9.8
Review Score
53 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Will P - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Last month the amazing staff at Brookdale helped me transition my father to assisted living. There’s a lot to it. [name removed] and her team texted after hours and through the weekend helping square things...

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Texas laws and regulations for independent living communities

In Texas, independent living communities are not regulated by a state agency, unless they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. This means that stand-alone independent living facilities must comply with general housing and rental standards, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.

Housing laws and regulations like these help ensure that residents of any rental community are not discriminated against and are provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas independent living communities have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some raising it to 62.

Regulations for independent living facilities on a senior care campus

If an independent living community shares its building or campus with an assisted living and/or memory care unit, the area designated for senior care and any shared areas must follow Texas assisted living regulations and memory care regulations set by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).

 Regulations for stand-alone independent living facilities

In Texas, stand-alone independent living communities are only required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. This means landlords must grant tenants some specific rights, provide disability accommodations, and maintain all facilities. Below, you’ll learn about your rights as a resident in an independent living rental community.

Tenant rights in Texas

Knowing your rights as a tenant will help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some important tenants’ rights:[01]

  • Residents have the right to ask their landlord to repair structural problems that risk their health and safety. And, landlords must make a diligent effort to repair the problems at hand.
  • Residents may terminate their lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after two notices to the landlord within a reasonable timeframe — usually seven days.
  • Residents may hire an external contractor to fix the problems at hand, if their landlord fails to resolve issues after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe. Residents can then submit their expenses to the landlord to deduct from their rent.

Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that tenants reach out to an attorney or a local tenants association for advice. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and will ultimately lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide multiple written notices to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.[01]

If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Accommodation and modification laws for seniors with disabilities

In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to their disability. These laws also require independent living landlords to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:[02]

  • Allowing a service animal regardless of a no-pets policy
  • Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the building
  • Changing the due date of rent to reflect disability income payment dates

Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units, and may include:[02]

  • Installing a specialized smoke detector for a resident with a hearing impairment
  • Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable a disabled resident to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
  • Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a resident’s unit to accommodate wheelchair users

Property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. For more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.

Tenant resources in Texas

For Texas residents having general issues while renting, the Texas State Law Library offers a list of resources around the state for common problems. You can also look up local rental associations, tenants’ councils, and housing programs for further assistance.

Texas Department of Health contact information

Texas Health and Human Services
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751

Phone: 512-424-6500

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

How to find Texas independent living facility inspection reports

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) performs physical inspections of rental properties to ensure they are habitable, well maintained, ready for occupancy, follow accessibility standards, and comply with applicable program rules and regulations.

The TDHCA doesn’t publicly publish statewide inspection reports, but you can try calling 512-475-3800 or emailing info@tdhca.texas.gov for more information. Many cities in Texas also have their own inspection agencies where you can look up rental inspection reports to find the most recent inspection date, score, and deficiencies found.

References

  1. Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

  2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Top cities in Texas for independent living

8.7
San Antonio, TX
91 facilities
8.5
Austin, TX
52 facilities
8.3
Plano, TX
90 facilities
8.2
Dallas, TX
61 facilities
8.2
Fort Worth, TX
46 facilities
7.7
Houston, TX
95 facilities

Find independent living in other states

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The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.