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 Santa Cruz, AZ

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Who are you searching for?

If you’re looking for independent living in the Santa Cruz area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in Santa Cruz. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.

Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 22 independent living facilities in Santa Cruz, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.

We are also serving Assisted Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Sunnyslope, Catlin Court Historic District and Alhambra.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe.

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top3CommunitiesWithLinks: Atria Chandler Villas, Mountain Park Senior Living and Sunrise of Chandler
zipAveragecost: $3,551

Santa Cruz Independent Living Facilities | 257 Reviews

Showing 16 communities
Last Updated: 12/24/25
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Photo of Atria Chandler VillasCommunity card badge
11 Video available
1212 Photos available
66 Floor plans available
9.8
Review score
194 reviews
9.8
Review score
194 reviews
5 star
71%
4 star
22%
3 star
5%
2 star
2%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
I would tell a friend, it's a wonderful place to live. Everyone is so friendly. The staff is so helpful and we have a lot of fun.
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.
At Atria Chandler Villas, residents will discover a welcoming independent senior living community nestled in the heart of Chandler, Arizona. The area’s Spanish-style architecture is reflected in the red-tile roofs and soft desert colors throughout each spacious apartment.We have been in business...
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Photo of Mountain Park Senior Living
11 Video available
1010 Photos available
99 Floor plans available
9.8
Review score
83 reviews
9.8
Review score
83 reviews
5 star
70%
4 star
23%
3 star
1%
2 star
1%
1 star
5%
See all reviews
We are so very pleased with the decision to move Mom to Mt. Park Senior Living. The facilities are wonderful and the staff second to none. She has been in both the independent and now assisted living and...
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.
Mountain Park Senior Living is the premier senior living community in Ahwatukee, Arizona. We offer independent living, assisted living and Dementia/Memory Care in Ahwatukee, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.Mountain Park Senior Living puts a new level of affordable luxury within your reach -...
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Photo of Sunrise of Chandler
11 Video available
1212 Photos available
44 Floor plans available
9.2
Review score
70 reviews
9.2
Review score
70 reviews
5 star
71%
4 star
17%
3 star
9%
2 star
3%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
Sunrise is a very warm place. The staff is so friendly and makes you feel wanted. The residents are also very friendly. The food is varied and good. When I need to go to an assisted living residence, I will...
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.
Step into a Sunrise Assisted Living community and you can't help but feel at home. We stop at nothing to make your experience warm and inviting, from our homelike exterior architecture, to our comfortable community areas and choice of suites to our exceptional outdoor gardens and landscaping....
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Photo of The Enclave at Chandler Senior Living
11 Video available
1414 Photos available
88 Floor plans available
9.1
Review score
83 reviews
9.1
Review score
83 reviews
5 star
58%
4 star
28%
3 star
7%
2 star
2%
1 star
5%
See all reviews
The afternoon entertainment was wonderful. The first group was classical and they is my favorite type of music so I truly enjoyed it. The second set was the saxophone Quartet and they have been here several...
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.
You're going to feel right at home here. The Enclave at Chandler Senior Living offers a wonderful blend of urban life with beautiful park-like surroundings. And the contrast between the desert landscape and the city is awe-inspiring. The Arizona Railway Museum, a variety of golf courses, and the...
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Photo of Clearwater Ahwatukee
1212 Photos available
1212 Floor plans available
9.0
Review score
19 reviews
9.0
Review score
19 reviews
5 star
36%
4 star
16%
3 star
5%
2 star
32%
1 star
11%
See all reviews
The facilities and staff are both excellent. Unfortunately it was not a great fit for my mom and we've had to move her out. The biggest problem we had was the medical support she needed wasn't available. She...
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.
Clearwater Ahwatukee offers you a warm and welcoming senior living experience with luxurious services and amenities that put it a cut above the rest. You’ll feel at home right away with our friendly staff and residents, bright and spacious apartments, and community perks like a saltwater pool and...
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Photo of Motherdear's Place II
8.0
Review score
1 review
8.0
Review score
1 review
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
I was given one week’s notice that I had to remove my mother from the skilled nursing facility she had been staying for the past 2 months. I knew I couldn’t bring her home because she was still recovering...
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.
Photo of San Judas Group Home
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.
Photo of Legacy Of Hearts Assisted Living LLC
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.
Photo of Sunland Terrace Ltd - Hud
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 South Mountain Assisted Living
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.
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5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
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 Gibson Lane Assisted Living Care
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.
Photo of Lavie Home
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.
Photo of Memorial Towers Seniors Apts
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 Adult Living at Henson Village
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 Divine Mercy Adult Care
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.

Cost of independent living in Santa Cruz, AZ

The average cost of senior living in Santa Cruz is $3,551 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Goodyear, AZ with an average of $2,816 per month.

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, AZ, vs. nearby cities

Santa Cruz, AZ
$3,551/mo
$2,816/mo

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, AZ, vs. state and national averages

Santa Cruz, AZ
$3,551/mo
$3,744/mo
U.S. national average
$4,016/mo

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, AZ, vs. other senior living options

$4,291/mo
Independent Living
$3,551/mo

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, AZ, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$4,242/mo
Studio
$4,451/mo
1 Bedroom
$5,262/mo
2 Bedroom
$5,976/mo

Senior living costs in Santa Cruz 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: Santa Cruz, AZ
Column state: Arizona
Column national: U.S.
Community typeSanta Cruz, AZArizonaU.S.
Independent Living$3,551/mo$3,744/mo$4,016/mo
Assisted Living$3,449/mo$3,762/mo$4,558/mo
Memory Care$4,291/mo$4,493/mo$4,794/mo
Independent Living
Santa Cruz, AZ:$3,551/mo
Arizona:$3,744/mo
U.S.:$4,016/mo
Assisted Living
Santa Cruz, AZ:$3,449/mo
Arizona:$3,762/mo
U.S.:$4,558/mo
Memory Care
Santa Cruz, AZ:$4,291/mo
Arizona:$4,493/mo
U.S.:$4,794/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in Santa Cruz, AZ, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Santa Cruz and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

Santa Cruz, AZAZ stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Santa Cruz, AZ

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Santa Cruz have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
Santa Cruz, AZ$3,621/mo$3,899/mo-7.1%
Arizona$2,760/mo$2,629/mo+5.0%
National$3,144/mo$2,978/mo+5.6%
Santa Cruz, AZ
2024 average cost:$3,621/mo
2023 average cost:$3,899/mo
Percent change:-7.1%
Arizona
2024 average cost:$2,760/mo
2023 average cost:$2,629/mo
Percent change:+5.0%
National
2024 average cost:$3,144/mo
2023 average cost:$2,978/mo
Percent change:+5.6%
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 Santa Cruz

Recent reviews for independent living in Santa Cruz

Robson Reserve at Sun Lakes

5.0
Their meals were outstanding! We love love love The Renaissance! Unfortunately my mother-in-law couldn't get along with her neighbor so it was her problem, not the communities, but we decided to move her out. We're still sad that it didn't work out.

Solterra Senior Living in Chandler, AZ

4.0
My loved one was only here for a short respite stay. The only thing that she really complained about is that they didn't always knock before they came in. We had arranged for a female to come and do the shower on a certain day, and a male showed up on a different day to help her. She liked the ...
Read more

Ridge at The Stratford in Phoenix, AZ

4.8
Staff is very caring very accommodating for special needs and always available to help. They're also very encouraging the resident I feel it could be more nutrition based foods, like more fresh veggies and fruit.

Santa Cruz independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Santa Cruz independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Santa Cruz, AZNational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
13.3%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
13.3%
34.1%
No sugar
No sugar
13.3%
31.5%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
6.7%
33.6%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Santa Cruz, AZNational
Professional chef
Professional chef
20%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
26.7%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
13.3%
36.9%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
13.3%
17.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Santa Cruz, AZNational
Activity director
Activity director
26.7%
45.3%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
13.3%
28.4%
Community service programs
Community service programs
20%
32.8%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
26.7%
49.3%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
20%
49.8%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
26.7%
54.9%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
20%
43.1%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
13.3%
37.7%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
26.7%
41.7%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
26.7%
47.5%
Live performances
Live performances
20%
47.3%
Dances
Dances
20%
32.6%
Fitness center
Fitness center
20%
39.8%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
26.7%
47%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Atria Chandler Villas, Mountain Park Senior Living and Sunrise of Chandler are the top-rated independent living facilities near Santa Cruz, Arizona. See full list of communities.
There are 22 independent living facilities near Santa Cruz, Arizona. See the full list.
The best independent living facilities near you in Santa Cruz, Arizona are McDowell Village, Atria Chandler Villas and The Oaks. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.
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