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 2024 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 2024 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 2024 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 Essex County, MA

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Who are you searching for?

If you’re looking for independent living in the Essex County 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 Essex County. 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 24 independent living facilities in Essex County, 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 Brighton, Allston and Fenway.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Cambridge, Andover and Gloucester.

Essex County Independent Living Facilities | 405 Reviews

Showing 20 communities
Last Updated: 12/23/24
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Photo of Ashland Farm at North Andover
1010 Photos available
33 Floor plans available
9.5
Review score
34 reviews
9.5
Review score
34 reviews
5 star
70%
4 star
24%
3 star
3%
2 star
3%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
The main reason we chose Ashland Farm at North Andover was because of the brightness of the rooms: other places had dark hallways and low natural light - Ashland farms is bright and welcoming. The staff are...
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.
Ashland Farm is the premier assisted living community in the Merrimack Valley offering traditional assisted living as well as the Harbor Program for the memory impaired. Ashland Farm provides residents with personalized service plans tailored to meet their unique needs. If you need help with...
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Photo of Atria Marland Place
1717 Photos available
1919 Floor plans available
Pricing promotion
9.5
Review score
94 reviews
9.5
Review score
94 reviews
5 star
65%
4 star
23%
3 star
3%
2 star
3%
1 star
6%
See all reviews
They had a lot of activities for their community people! I would however there a few things I would like to point out! More training on Dementia patients on the 4th Floor staff, also the language barrier as...
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.
For more than 18 years, Atria Marland Place has been the senior living provider of choice for Andover's wisest older adults. Building on this foundation of trust, they've recently completed a thoughtful, thorough renovation to expand and enhance their community — including the addition of Atria...
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Photo of Charter Senior Living of Danvers
1818 Photos available
9.3
Review score
58 reviews
9.3
Review score
58 reviews
5 star
47%
4 star
29%
3 star
9%
2 star
5%
1 star
10%
See all reviews
[name removed] passed away on [date removed], my experience with Linden, now Charter was excellent and recommend them without reservation. The staff are excellent. Professional, respectful, and...
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.
The Charter at Danvers is a highly regarded senior care community in Danvers, Massachusetts providing assisted living and memory care services. Our stunning and inviting home-like community enjoys a prime location next to the world famous Cherry Hill Creamery and is just minutes from grocery...
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Photo of Sunrise of Gardner Park
1717 Photos available
33 Floor plans available
9.0
Review score
39 reviews
9.0
Review score
39 reviews
5 star
63%
4 star
21%
3 star
8%
2 star
3%
1 star
5%
See all reviews
Sunrise at Garden Park is a good place to live, Most of the staff is very personable and caring. Great friendly feel as you walk in the door. All in all a good safe home for memory care and assisted living.
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.
Sunrise at Gardner Park, which provides both Assisted Living as well as Reminiscence (memory) Care, has been serving the needs of seniors and their families since 1994. Famous for it's 'Bed and Breakfast' ambiance, Gardner Park is housed within a gracious Victorian Mansion. Besides the 55 private...
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Photo of The Residence at Riverbend
44 Photos available
8.9
Review score
11 reviews
8.9
Review score
11 reviews
5 star
73%
4 star
18%
3 star
9%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
I think the nurses are fantastic and go out of their way to notify family if anything of concern with your loved one. Highly recommend!
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.
The Residence at Riverbend is a rental community that has already established an outstanding reputation on the North Shore and beyond! Our dedication to an impeccable standard of quality in every aspect of the Riverbend lifestyle is evident in all we do; for instance our restaurant serves 3 meals...
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Photo of Putnam Farm at Danvers
1212 Photos available
Pricing promotion
8.7
Review score
31 reviews
8.7
Review score
31 reviews
5 star
65%
4 star
29%
3 star
3%
2 star
0%
1 star
3%
See all reviews
Our loved one was only there for 10 days, but the Putnam Farm at Danvers community is beautiful. It is a well kept facility with very very nice personnel working there .
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.
Designed to capture the residential flavor of the neighborhood, Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm boasts features that create the air of a country manor, including a spacious porch with wonderful hilltop views. The community offers residents and families close proximity to the Geriatric Care...
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Photo of Colonial Gardens
1414 Photos available
8.2
Review score
59 reviews
8.2
Review score
59 reviews
5 star
46%
4 star
34%
3 star
7%
2 star
3%
1 star
10%
See all reviews
Colonial Gardens was absolutely wonderful, everything about it! The staff were very accommodating, caring and willing to assist and help...
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.
We believe that Colonial Gardens Gracious Retirement Living is so much more than walls and windows - it's a place to enjoy home-cooked meals, game night, or a quiet evening with family and friends. It's where you always feel comfortable, safe, and secure. At Colonial Gardens Gracious Retirement...
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Photo of Brightview North Andover
1414 Photos available
5 star
57%
4 star
36%
3 star
0%
2 star
7%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
The staff members are always checking on my dad and encouraging him to get up and go to participate in activities. They have a ton of activities provided and they do things like happy hour, they have a pub,...
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.
Most people know Brightview North Andover because we are located at the former Boston Ski Hill. But what they might not know is that in the summer there’s a meadow that’s home to an endangered butterfly preserve, and you have access to many trails in the nearby state park. This is life at...
Photo of Brightview Danvers
2020 Photos available
5 star
46%
4 star
26%
3 star
10%
2 star
0%
1 star
18%
See all reviews
My mom was in Brightview for 8 years before she recently passed away. She was lucky to be able to be there till the end. I live on the West coast and visited mom every 5-6 weeks so I consider Brightview my...
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.
Located in the North Shore/Cape Ann area of Massachusetts, Brightview Danvers brings the best in senior living options all together in one vibrant community. The only rental retirement community in the area, our campus features Independent Living and Assisted Living residences as well as the...
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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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.
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
Provides: Assisted Living, 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.
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 The Herrick House
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
This place is like a 5 star resort, it's prestine, it's brighter, cleaner. It's an upscale place with people at a higher income level. It's a lot more expesnive and doesn't have the PACE program.
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.
The Herrick House has been enriching the lives of seniors on the North Shore since 1994. Located on the upper campus of Beverly Hospital, The Herrick House features traditional assisted living and Spectrum, a dementia care neighborhood. Services include 24-hour on site licensed nursing staff,...
Provides: Assisted Living, 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.
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.
5 star
0%
4 star
50%
3 star
25%
2 star
0%
1 star
25%
See all reviews
Things have worked out well so far for my Mom here. It is a clean, nice looking facility, and they've provided everything she has needed carewise thus far. The staff I've interacted with have been fine, and...
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 Fairweather 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.
Photo of The Current Beverly
1010 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.
See details
Photo of Merrivista
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 Harborlight House Properties
1.0
Review score
1 review
1.0
Review score
1 review
5 star
0%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
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 Stevens-Bennett Home Inc
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 Essex County, MA

The average cost of senior living in Essex County is $6,374 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Amesbury, MA with an average of $5,906 per month.

Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Essex County, MA vs. nearby counties

Essex County, MA
$6,374/mo
$6,565/mo
$6,852/mo

Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Essex County, MA vs. the state and national average

Essex County, MA
$6,374/mo
U.S. national average
$4,019/mo

Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Essex County vs. other types of senior living

$7,029/mo
Independent Living
$6,374/mo

Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Essex County, MA by room type

Semi-Private
$6,123/mo
Studio
$7,299/mo
1 Bedroom
$7,219/mo
2 Bedroom
$8,619/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$6,435/mo

Average cost of Independent Living in Essex County over time

Essex County, MAMA stateNational

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 Essex County

Recent reviews for independent living in Essex County

Putnam Farm at Danvers

4.9
Staff is really nice. They look out for my mother. Like if she misses a meal, they check in on her. Oh the appt transportation is a pain. It's only available 2 days a week half day. Have to get approval ahead of time. And the they drive you but do not assist into building. When it's a large ...
Read more

Cadbury Commons in Cambridge, MA

3.8
Our experience with this community was good, overall it is kept pretty clean. The care services are pretty reliable, the activities were however a little bit weaker. The food at this community was very good, and we really liked the responsiveness of the staff and the availability the memory care ...
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Benchmark Senior Living at Waltham Crossings

5.0
Benchmark at Waltham Crossing was great. My wife has since died but they still reach out to me. Benchmark had helpful ideas for any issue we encountered during the stay there. My wife was there 13 months and I was happy with the care.

Essex County independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in Essex County independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in Essex County, 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 Essex County 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 Essex County partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
Essex County, MANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
30%
20%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
30%
33.4%
No sugar
No sugar
30%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
25%
32.8%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
10%
7.7%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in Essex County 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 Essex County communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
Essex County, MANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
35%
35.8%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
40%
42.6%
Room service
Room service
40%
36.1%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
25%
16.9%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in Essex County 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 Essex County offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
Essex County, MANational
Activity director
Activity director
40%
44.4%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
25%
27.7%
Community service programs
Community service programs
30%
32.1%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
45%
48.3%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
40%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
55%
53.9%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
40%
42.2%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
25%
36.9%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
40%
40.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
35%
46.6%
Live performances
Live performances
40%
46.3%
Dances
Dances
25%
31.8%
Fitness center
Fitness center
30%
38.9%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
40%
46.1%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Atria Longmeadow Place, Summer Place and The Gables at Winchester are the top-rated independent living facilities near Essex County, Massachusetts. See full list of communities.

There are 24 independent living facilities near Essex County, Massachusetts. See the full list.

The best independent living facilities near you in Essex County, Massachusetts are Atria Longmeadow Place, Summer Place and The Residence at Freeman Lake. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.

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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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