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 West Des Moines, IA

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If you’re looking for independent living in the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines. 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 76 independent living facilities in West Des Moines, 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 Waveland Park, Merle Hay and Waveland Woods.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Des Moines, Ankeny and Waukee.

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top3CommunitiesWithLinks: Attivo Trail Waukee, Independence Village of Waukee and Glen Meadows Retirement
zipAveragecost: $3,071

West Des Moines Independent Living Facilities | 792 Reviews

Showing 63 communities
Last Updated: 12/30/25
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Shelly Rose Estates is a high-quality senior housing community located in the Midwestern city of Des Moines, Polk County, Ohio. Des Moines offers many opportunities to experience cultural activities and events, such as attending the Des Moines Symphony and visiting the many local art galleries...
Photo of Fort Des Moines Senior Housing
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Walden Point
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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.
Walden Point promotes choice, dignity and independence by providing a quality affordable assisted living housing option for persons age 65 and older. Walden Point offers private full sized apartments paired with the support of 24 hour on-site staff. Some of the amenities available at Walden Point...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
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.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Photo of City View Residential
Provides: Assisted Living, 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.
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 Prime Towers Apartments and Nursing Home
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Provides: Independent Living, Senior Apartments
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.
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Located in the heart of the East Village, Prime Nursing and Rehabilitation is a 44-bed skilled facility with views of the Des Moines skyline, capital and our private courtyard. We offer private and semi-private rooms with each room averaging 200 square feet. We have nursing staff onsite 24/7...
Photo of Ahepa 192 Apartments
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Cummins Village is nestled away from the hectic mainstream on a quiet cul-de-sac, yet just minutes away from all your needs. We offer spacious one-bedroom apartments designed for comfortably accommodating those who are 55+. Income restrictions do apply.Apartments are approximately 562 sq.ft.,...
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So far I'm completely pleased with everything here, I'd give them top marks across the board. It's a nice looking place, they keep it very clean, and the staff all seem friendly. It's a good environment, and...
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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I've lived here less than a year, which has been an interesting year for everyone. It was handled well by everyone. I plan to live here the rest of my life.
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.
Kennybrook Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Grimes, Iowa. Located near the entrance of the Kennybrook Estates Subdivision, Kennybrook Village is the first community of its kind in the Grimes area. A CCRC is a campus that is tailored to the needs of senior adults who...
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My mom has been thrilled with the staff and all of the social activities! She's made many new friends and enjoys her time there.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Designed for persons: 62+ Southridge Village II, located on a quiet cul-de-sac, is convenient to grocery shopping, and within blocks of a regional mall and a local pharmacy. Enjoy your independence in a great apartment home that includes utilities, plus air conditioning, generous closet space and...
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Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Designed for persons: 62+ An affordable apartment community located on a quiet cul-de-sac in Des Moines. Each apartment home features generous closet space, great views, plus all utilities and air conditioning are included. Southridge Village is within blocks of shopping, a regional mall and a...
Photo of Highland Park Manor
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.

Cost of independent living in West Des Moines, IA

The average cost of senior living in West Des Moines is $3,071 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Patterson, IA with an average of $2,804 per month.

Independent living costs in West Des Moines, IA, vs. nearby cities

West Des Moines, IA
$3,071/mo
$3,046/mo
$3,044/mo

Independent living costs in West Des Moines, IA, vs. state and national averages

West Des Moines, IA
$3,071/mo
$3,220/mo
U.S. national average
$4,016/mo

Independent living costs in West Des Moines, IA, vs. other senior living options

$4,625/mo
Independent Living
$3,071/mo

Independent living costs in West Des Moines, IA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$5,884/mo
Studio
$5,133/mo
1 Bedroom
$4,589/mo
2 Bedroom
$4,931/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$3,229/mo

Senior living costs in West Des Moines 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: West Des Moines, IA
Column state: Iowa
Column national: U.S.
Community typeWest Des Moines, IAIowaU.S.
Independent Living$3,071/mo$3,220/mo$4,016/mo
Assisted Living$4,613/mo$4,392/mo$4,558/mo
Memory Care$4,625/mo$4,394/mo$4,794/mo
Independent Living
West Des Moines, IA:$3,071/mo
Iowa:$3,220/mo
U.S.:$4,016/mo
Assisted Living
West Des Moines, IA:$4,613/mo
Iowa:$4,392/mo
U.S.:$4,558/mo
Memory Care
West Des Moines, IA:$4,625/mo
Iowa:$4,394/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 West Des Moines, IA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in West Des Moines 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.

West Des Moines, IAIA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in West Des Moines, IA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in West Des Moines 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
West Des Moines, IA$2,476/mo$2,614/mo-5.3%
Iowa$2,739/mo$2,661/mo+2.9%
National$3,261/mo$3,166/mo+3.0%
West Des Moines, IA
2024 average cost:$2,476/mo
2023 average cost:$2,614/mo
Percent change:-5.3%
Iowa
2024 average cost:$2,739/mo
2023 average cost:$2,661/mo
Percent change:+2.9%
National
2024 average cost:$3,261/mo
2023 average cost:$3,166/mo
Percent change:+3.0%
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 West Des Moines

Recent reviews for independent living in West Des Moines

Elite Lodge of Ashworth in West Des Moines, IA

3.8
We chose The Lodge of Ashworth Inc. because during the tour we were impressed with how clean it was and they had availability at the perfect time. They also remodeled her apartment before she moved in so she was able to pick things like her paint colors. The best part about the community is that ...
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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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Thomas Place at Waukee

5.0
A Place for Mom was very empathetic and determined to find a solution for my Mom. They were extremely helpful throughout the entire process. Thank you so much!

West Des Moines independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in West Des Moines independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
West Des Moines, IANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
16.1%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
17.7%
34.1%
No sugar
No sugar
16.1%
31.5%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
16.1%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
1.6%
8.1%
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Availability of select dining options in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
West Des Moines, IANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
22.6%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
27.4%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
24.2%
36.9%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
12.9%
17.4%
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Availability of select programs and activities in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
West Des Moines, IANational
Activity director
Activity director
30.6%
45.3%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
14.5%
28.4%
Community service programs
Community service programs
25.8%
32.8%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
40.3%
49.3%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
35.5%
49.8%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
40.3%
54.9%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
30.6%
43.1%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
29%
37.7%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
27.4%
41.7%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
35.5%
47.5%
Live performances
Live performances
35.5%
47.3%
Dances
Dances
21%
32.6%
Fitness center
Fitness center
33.9%
39.8%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
33.9%
47%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Attivo Trail Waukee, Independence Village of Waukee and Glen Meadows Retirement are the top-rated independent living facilities near West Des Moines, Iowa. See full list of communities.
There are 76 independent living facilities near West Des Moines, Iowa. See the full list.
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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.
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