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Independent Living in Wisconsin

Overview of Independent Living in Wisconsin

Wisconsin sits in the northern portion of the Midwest and is often referred to as “America’s Dairyland,” due to the state’s large number of dairy farms. Besides having great cheese, Wisconsin is known as a northern oasis, with many lakes and streams throughout the state – Wisconsin has some of the highest concentrations of fresh water in the country. Popular local pastimes include fishing, boating, hunting, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Whether you prefer spending time outdoors or enjoy living in a major city like Milwaukee, Wisconsin has got you covered.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 120 independent living communities in Wisconsin. The median monthly cost of independent living in Wisconsin is about $2,400.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Wisconsin

Parkwood Highlands Apartments 55+

13800 West Park Central Blvd, New Berlin, WI 53151
10
Review Score
18 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
#237 - I live or lived in this community

1-6: I give a 5+ (#4 doesn't really apply I don't think, as we are independent). This is a phenomenal residence. The Resident Services & Maintenance staff are top notch. They are really focused on us. We...

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15
15 Photos available
1
1 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Park Falls

354 Linden St, Park Falls, WI 54552
9.8
Review Score
62 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Doesn't care to do activities, he's a farmer don't care but ma enjoys them. Dad comes from not much money so everything costs to him.

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30
30 Photos available

Oak Hill Terrace

1805 Kensington Dr., Waukesha, WI 53188
9.8
Review Score
65 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Carole T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My direct experience is with the dementia care floor where my dad lives but my Aunt and Uncle live in the senior housing which are apartments but also offer all meals and activities. And they LOVE it and...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Milwaukee

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22
22 Photos available

Laurel Oaks

1700 W. Bender Rd., Glendale, WI 53209
9.6
Review Score
22 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Facility has been recently updated inside, and it is very tastefully done. (Supposedly their are plans for the outside) The staff are very helpful and friendly and seem to enjoy their jobs. There are loads...

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18
18 Photos available

Discovery Commons North Shore

100 W. River Woods Parkway, Glendale, WI 53212
9.2
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It's been a positive experience. We picked this community because it was recommended by friends. We toured the community and had what I was looking for.

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13
13 Photos available

Hickory Park Senior Living

3933 S Prairie Hill Lane, Greenfield, WI 53228
9.2
Review Score
47 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ted G - I'm a current/former resident or client

After visiting more than six communities, I determined that Hickory Park was the best fit for me. I was impressed with the Director of Sales and Marketing and the entire management team. They made an...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Madison

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13
13 Photos available

Park Glen Apartments

201 N Walbridge Ave, Madison, WI 53714
9.8
Review Score
12 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
KH - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Just to clarify its my Mother in law living there, but she seems to really like it and is very happy with her apartment and the people she's met.

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20
20 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

The Waterford at Fitchburg

5440 Caddis Bend, Fitchburg, WI 53711
9.7
Review Score
116 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Marlene H - I'm a current/former resident or client

My husband and I have lived here now for 15 months. All the residents seem happy and we enjoy being with people our own age. We appreciate the free transportation they give us to our many clinic appointment...

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

The Ridge at Madison

2879 Fish Hatchery, Madison, WI 53713
9.6
Review Score
68 reviews
Julieta H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The Ridge at Madison is a very nice community. Everyone seems very friendly. The staff here do as an excellent job with the residents.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Appleton

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Dimensions Living Appleton

5800 Pennsylvania Ave, Appleton, WI 54914
9.0
Review Score
54 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Robert K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would certainly recommend. As with that industry as a whole, Dimensions was occasionally short staffed. The people that worked there were extremely dedicated and compassionate.

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36
36 Photos available

Ballard Glenn

2100 E Glenhurst Ln, Appleton, WI 54913
8.4
Review Score
28 reviews
Paula H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom has lived in Century Oaks nearly 3 years. She entered in a medical state of needing care; recovering from broken ankles, surgery, in treatment for cancer also, struggling physically, weak, and...

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4
4 Photos available

Appleton Retirement Community

200 W Packard St, Appleton, WI 54911
8.0
Review Score
22 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Mom has been very very happy there their closest thing to being and feeling independent but having constant care and not having to worry about taking her meds. Overall very very impressed with everything...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Green Bay

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16
16 Photos available

Bellevue Senior Living

1660 Hoffman Road, Green Bay, WI 54311
9.6
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Christina F - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We love that everything is included. Definitely feels safe and well-cared for. My mother-in-law can be very particular...but she's been happy there. Lots of activities to do if she chooses. She's in a...

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20
20 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Dimensions Living Green Bay

246 Berger St, Green Bay, WI 54302
9.2
Review Score
32 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jana - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom and I got excellent care during her stay and especially while she was passing away. The staff were compassionate and attentive. The building is beautiful and well taken care of. I highly recommend...

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8
8 Photos available

Berkshire Ashwaubenon Apartments

689 Mike McCarthy Way, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
8.5
Review Score
2 reviews
Teresa - I'm a current/former resident or client

Looking for a great place? You've found it with friendly neighbors, excellent management, and in tandem with Bellin Home Health, couldn't say enough of the great support recuperating from the hospital and...

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Wisconsin laws and regulations for independent living communities

Wisconsin only regulates independent living communities if they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. Though some communities have their own residency requirements, like residents needing to be 55+, stand-alone independent living communities otherwise only follow general housing and rental regulations.

Regulations for independent living communities on a senior care campus

Independent living communities must follow assisted living and/or memory care regulations if they share a building or campus with them. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance licenses and inspects these facilities to confirm they meet the state’s standards.

Regulations for stand-alone independent living communities

Since Wisconsin doesn’t regulate stand-alone independent living communities, landlords and tenants only need to comply with general housing and apartment guidelines. Landlords’ obligations to tenants include:[01]

  • Disclosing any building or housing code violations associated with the property in question
  • Informing tenants if they’re responsible for utilities and how utility charges will be divided if the residence is not individually metered
  • Providing the name and address of the contact person for maintenance problems
  • Making any necessary repairs to comply with local housing codes and to keep the premises safe
  • Giving 12 hours’ advance notice if they wish to inspect, repair, or show the dwelling to another prospective tenant

Likewise, tenants are responsible for:[01]

  • Paying rent on time
  • Reporting any damage or maintenance requests as soon as possible
  • Routine minor repairs
  • Complying with any maintenance and sanitation requirements local housing codes impose
  • Paying for any damage they or their guests cause

Protections against discrimination

The Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act aim to protect prospective residents from prejudice. The Wisconsin Fair Housing Law further protects people from discrimination based on:[02]

  • Race
  • Color
  • Family status
  • Disability
  • Sex
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • Marital status
  • Ancestry
  • Source of income
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking

Landlords must also make reasonable accommodations and modifications when necessary. Reasonable accommodations are changes in rules, policies, practices, or services that allow someone with a disability to fully use and enjoy the dwelling. Examples such as allowing service animals despite having a no-pets policy and reserving a parking space near the entrance of the building qualify.

Reasonable modifications are similar but refer to physical changes to a property to allow someone to fully enjoy and access it. Modifications are made at the expense of the person with a disability and include things like installing adding grab bars to a bathroom or lowering the entry threshold of a unit.[03]

Let our care assessment guide you

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

How to find independent living community inspection reports

State-mandated inspections don’t occur for stand-alone independent living communities. However, the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection advises tenants to inspect the property before renting and seven days after the lease begins to notify the landlord of any defects.[01]

State inspections and complaint investigations

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Division of Quality Assurance inspects and monitors assisted living and memory care facilities. Wisconsin has three types of assisted living facilities the department inspects: residential care apartment complexes (RCACs), adult family homes (AFHs), and community-based residential facilities (CBRFs).

You can dive into more detail on our Wisconsin assisted living page.

Finding state inspection reports

The department’s online provider search tool is available to locate a regulated facility’s inspection, violation, complaint, and SoD reports. You can find a specific facility by its geographical information or using the provider/facility type category and selecting any of the boxes under the “assisted living facilities” button. The long-term care ombudsman service is also available if you have any questions about a facility’s violation history.

Wisconsin Department of Health contact information

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608-266-1865

References

  1. State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. (2024). Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities.

  2. Department of Workforce Development. (2024). Wisconsin’s Fair Housing Law & Complaint Process.

  3. Wisconsin State Legislature. (2024). Apprentice, Employment, and Equal Rights Programs.

Top cities in Wisconsin for independent living

7.7
Green Bay, WI
54 facilities
7.3
Milwaukee, WI
152 facilities
7.3
Eau Claire, WI
20 facilities
7.3
Appleton, WI
67 facilities
6.6
La Crosse, WI
17 facilities
6.5
Madison, WI
100 facilities

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in Wisconsin cities

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.