Senior Living Apartments in San Antonio, TX
In recent years, San Antonio has risen to the top of “Best Cities for Retirement” lists. Its year-round sunshine, walkable downtown, robust health care options, and relatively low cost of living naturally attract seniors from all around. The city is also a hotspot for military families and veterans due to its many military bases. All of these factors have contributed to a rise in the aging population, resulting in many senior living options across San Antonio. Many independent seniors initially look into senior apartments when considering a move because these options often have 55+ age restrictions and convenient amenities. However, senior apartments aren’t particularly common in San Antonio, so local seniors typically turn to independent living communities. Much like senior apartments, these communities enable seniors to enjoy retirement alongside individuals in the same age group, with the added bonus of an engaging environment filled with a rotating calendar of activities and luxurious amenities.
In this guide to San Antonio senior apartments, we use our 20+ years of senior living knowledge to help seniors find their ideal senior apartment. We’ve used our proprietary data and feedback acquired from other seniors and their families to provide you with local senior apartment costs, payment tips, senior apartment features, statewide apartment regulations, and more. You’ll see that each section also includes valuable senior-specific, local resources and demographics.
Senior Apartments Facilities near San Antonio, TX
We are very impressed having a well educated and licensed nurse in the home. Mom’s always busy doing something that she likes: dominos, crochet, painting, singing, and getting all prettied up for onsite...
We chose this facility because of the convenient location, it is a smaller facility with more 1 on 1 care, and it seemed like a warm, welcoming community. They have a chef here who comes in a cooks amazing...
Everyone I have met have been very helpful and welcoming to the community. There are a variety of social activities for all and being among others and staying active helps with your mental and physical...
This is a nice environment for seniors who can take care of their own daily needs-- I would recommend for mobile, self sufficient senior living. The are transportation arrangements available-- which is...
Two of our managers were let go this week. Both were wonderful and worked very hard. They were the reaso for my 5 STAR rating. Corp came in and raised all the rents and many had to move out. We love it here...
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Our methodology
How we rank order the San Antonio community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders San Antonio community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
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We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of senior apartments in the San Antonio area
- What families are saying about senior apartments in San Antonio
- How people pay for senior apartments in San Antonio
- Understand Texas laws and regulations for senior apartment communities
- What to expect from senior apartments in San Antonio
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with San Antonio? Highlights for seniors
Costs of senior apartments in the San Antonio area
The median monthly cost of rent at a senior apartment in San Antonio is $1,029.[01] However, you’ll find that prices vary based on location, amenities, and services. Costs might be as low as $915 or as high as $1,755.{citation:2}} Higher costs tend to mean better location and more on-site amenities included in the rent price. Amenities and services may include:
- On-site fitness center
- On-site pool
- Clubhouse
- Landscaping
- Maintenance
The following figures represent baseline costs for San Antonio senior apartments and don’t necessarily account for any additional fees, such as entrance fees or pet rent:
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in San Antonio, TX vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in San Antonio, TX vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in San Antonio vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Senior Apartments in San Antonio, TX by room type
What families are saying about senior apartments in San Antonio
Recent reviews for senior apartments in San Antonio
Pecan View Senior Care AL in San Antonio, TX
Solea Alamo Ranch in San Antonio, TX
Affinity at Monterrey Village in San Antonio, TX
How people pay for senior apartments in San Antonio
Seniors usually pay for San Antonio senior apartments the same way they pay for any apartment. You’ll likely combine your personal resources to pay rent on your senior apartment.
If you’re also looking to learn about covering costs for future care needs, you might also find it helpful to learn about Medicaid and Medicare. They can both help cover some in-home care or assisted living costs.
Below, you’ll find information on private payment methods and resources that may help you obtain veterans benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and housing assistance vouchers. You’ll also find payment tips that’ll help you figure out how to pay for a senior apartment and any additional care needs that may arise in the future.
When seniors begin to craft a payment plan for a senior apartment, they typically start with their personal income sources: savings, pensions, investment returns, and Social Security benefits. And with Texas being one of the few states without personal income tax, you’re saved from paying taxes on these income sources.[03,04]
You can also turn to the following payment methods to fund your senior apartment:
San Antonio is known as the Texan city with the largest veteran population. It houses many military bases and job opportunities for veterans, resulting in a higher population of retired veterans within the city. To help this large percentage of veterans maintain their quality of life, San Antonio offers an abundance of veteran resources and support services. Learn about some veterans benefits and resources below:
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (or VA) benefits
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may use their pensions from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (more commonly referred to as the VA) to cover costs for San Antonio senior living apartments. Additionally, if a veteran has a disability that requires them to spend most of their time within their senior apartment, they may apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can provide additional funds to offset some in-home care costs.
San Antonio veteran support services
The city offers over 200 veteran resources and support services. This large number of resources may pose a challenge as you try to find the most suitable ones. That is precisely why the staff at Texas Veterans Network – San Antonio (commonly known as TVN) are trained to evaluate a veteran’s current situation and individual needs before recommending the most relevant services. They then go a step further and communicate with recommended veteran organizations to confirm these solutions will work for you. TVN may connect you to the following services and centers for assistance:
- The Military and Veteran Affairs Department assists San Antonio veterans through service recognition and support services.
- The Bexar County Military and Veterans Services Center can help San Antonio veterans apply for their veterans benefits and file for claims.
- The Alamo Area Council of Governments (or AACOG) works with nonprofit organizations and programs to support veterans.
- The Texas Veterans Commission advocates for Texas veterans, their families, and their surviving spouses. They offer eight programs dedicated to helping veterans obtain their benefits, file claims, and advocate for their physical and mental health. Below, you’ll find addresses and websites to access these resources.
Number of veterans who live in San Antonio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Nearly 42% of San Antonio veterans are 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Resources for San Antonio veterans
Military and Veterans Affairs Department home page
100 W. Houston St., Suite 1008
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-207-3995
Military and Veterans Services Center (MVSC) home page
1422 E. Grayson St., 4th Floor
San Antonio, TX 78208
Phone: 210-335-6775
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Alamo Area Council on Governments (AACOG) veteran services
Phone: 888-724-8387
Email: txveteransnetwork@aacog.com
Medicaid is a public health insurance program jointly funded by the federal and Texas governments. Even though it cannot be used to pay rent on a senior apartment, it can be used to cover medically necessary in-home care services received within the apartment.
Seniors receiving Medicaid in Texas typically collect their coverage through STAR+PLUS, Texas’ managed care program specifically for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. Seniors’ income must not exceed $2,523 as an individual or $5,046 as a couple to qualify for this program, as of 2022.[06] STAR+PLUS covers routine health care costs and long-term services, such as assistance with activities of daily living, respite care, nursing services, rehabilitative therapies, and nutrition services. It’s important to note that STAR+PLUS is overseen by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or the HHSC), and health care and long-term care services will only be covered through agencies licensed and certified by the HHSC.
For Medicaid to cover any additional in-home care or assisted living costs, seniors must be eligible and apply for the Home and Community Based Services (also referred to as HCBS) waiver program. While this program won’t pay for the cost of rent in a senior apartment, it can cover equipment and care services that are medically approved. The HCBS program enables seniors to receive necessary care while living in a senior apartment, as long as the services are administered by an approved in-home care provider. Should the need arise, these services can also be provided in an assisted living facility contracted with a resident’s managed care provider. The following services and equipment are approved by the STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver program:
- Adaptive aids, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, orthotic devices, and orthopedic shoes
- Medical supplies
- Minor home modifications
- Nursing services
- Personal and respite care services[06]
The Health and Human Services Commission will assess an individual’s need for the HCBS waiver when they apply for Medicaid. To qualify for HCBS, seniors must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Require an institutional level of care, commonly found in a nursing facility
- Earn less than $2,523 per month as an individual or $5,046 as a couple[07]
For help understanding the Medicaid benefits you are eligible for, find a Texas Health and Human Services office near you or search for local programs through their services search portal. You can also contact your local area agencies on aging (or AAAs) for assistance in accessing local programs. Below, you’ll find more resources to help you better understand Medicaid benefits for seniors along with search tools that’ll help you locate Medicaid benefits offices in San Antonio.
San Antonio resident Medicaid resources
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people over age 65. While Medicare doesn’t cover any senior living or senior apartment costs, qualifying seniors can use it to cover some medical costs listed below. The following Texas Medicare programs can help those who qualify save on costs and apply for additional benefits:
- The Texas Medicare Savings Program covers some Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, copayments, and/or coinsurance. Part A covers hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care services. Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
To qualify, seniors mustn’t exceed a monthly income of $1,133 individually or $1,526 as a couple, as of 2022.[08]
- The Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (more commonly referred to as HICAP) provides Texans 60+ with legal advice, referrals, and assistance with qualifying for Medicare.
For assistance with your eligible benefits and enrollment, contact your local long-term care ombudsman. An ombudsman advocates for the health care rights of senior living facility residents and helps families learn about senior living options and payment methods. The Alamo Area Council of Governments also helps San Antonio seniors access the long-term care they need. It provides benefits counseling, care coordination, and caregiver support to aging San Antonio residents.
San Antonio resident Medicare resources
Long-term care ombudsman
Cindy Boyum, Managing Local Ombudsman at AAA of Bexar County
2700 NE. Loop 410, Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78217
Phone: 210-362-5236
Email: cboyum@aacog.com
Aging Services for Bexar County and Alamo Area
Phone: 210-477-3275
Email: info@askasc.org
Medicare website
Phone: 2-1-1
Because Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover senior apartment costs, many seniors turn to housing assistance programs and/or Social Security benefits. These assistance programs can help seniors pay for their living expenses in a senior apartment. Learn more about both below:
Housing assistance programs and resources
Some senior apartments will accept housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (or HUD). Seniors in need of help most commonly use the Housing Choice Voucher program, formerly known as Section 8, to offset senior apartment costs. This voucher enables low-income seniors to receive rent assistance within their senior apartment. It’s highly recommended that interested individuals contact their local Public Housing Agency (or PHA) about eligibility. It’s important to note that this voucher can be used at any type of housing as long as it meets the program’s requirements and the landlord agrees to rent under the Housing Choice Voucher program. So, be sure to check with the prospective senior apartment community before signing a lease.
Social Security benefits
Seniors can use their Social Security benefits to pay for any costs of living, including rent in a senior apartment. There are many types of Social Security benefits, and the ones available to you will depend on your work history and current situation. Here’s an overview of each Social Security benefit:
- Social Security Retirement benefit (or SSR): A senior 62+ can receive retirement benefits once they’ve retired or reduced their working hours. Eligibility is dependent on your work history, and payments are received on a monthly basis.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI): If an individual has a qualifying disability and wants to continue working past retirement age, they may be eligible to receive monthly benefits through the SSDI program. In addition to having worked long and recently enough, you must have also paid Social Security taxes in order to qualify. Some family members may also be entitled to these benefits.
- Supplemental Security Income (or SSI): The SSI program provides monthly payments to qualifying individuals with a disability or to seniors 65+ regardless of work history. These payments may be received in addition to SSR and SSDI payments. Eligibility requirements include having limited income and resources.
- Social Security survivors benefits: The survivors benefits plan pays a monthly benefit to provide financial support for widows, widowers, and dependents. This monthly payment is known as an annuity and is meant to ensure a reliable income stream for the survivors of a deceased family member who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
You can find more Texas housing assistance and Social Security benefits resources below. These websites will point you to Texas agencies, organizations, and departments that’ll connect you to relevant housing programs that can help you defray some senior apartment costs. You’ll also find more information on Social Security benefits, including online services and an office locator search.
Additional San Antonio resident public assistance resources
Understand Texas laws and regulations for senior apartment communities
In Texas, senior apartments are not regulated by a state agency. They’re regulated the same as any ordinary apartment complex and are required to comply with general Texas housing laws, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act. The laws aim to prevent discrimination against senior apartment residents as well as provide them with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas senior apartments have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some apartments raising it to 62.
Tenants’ rights
It’s important that seniors and their families learn about their tenants’ rights. A better understanding of these rights can help you find a safe, sufficient living situation as you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some relevant tenants’ rights in Texas:
- Residents have the right to ask their landlord to repair problems that risk their health and safety, unless the problem was caused by the tenant. 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 and within a reasonable time period (usually seven days).
- Residents may hire an external contractor to correct the problems at hand, if their landlord fails to resolve issues that affect residents’ health after two notices within the reasonable time period. The tenant may then submit the expenses to their landlord to deduct the expense from their rent.[09]
Before you move forward with terminating a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that you reach out to an attorney or a local tenants association. Consulting a housing expert will help ensure that you don’t breach any lease agreements, and it may ultimately help you get the end result you desire. It’s also recommended for tenants to provide written notices to their landlord and to keep a copy of each notice as proof.[09]
For more information on your rights as a tenant in a senior apartment, read the Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
Accommodations and modifications for disabled seniors
If you’re a tenant with a disability, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect you from being refused housing due to the disability. Moreover, these laws require housing providers to provide you with reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities.
If you’re a disabled individual, you hold the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications from the property owner. Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to community policies and could include the following examples:
- Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the tenant’s apartment building
- Allowing a service animal to reside with a tenant even when there’s a no-pets policy in place
- Changing the due date of rent to reflect disability income payment dates[10]
Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units and could include the following:
- Installing specialized smoke detectors for tenants with a hearing impairment
- Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable tenants with disabilities to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
- Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a tenant’s apartment[10]
These nondiscrimination laws apply to all senior apartments in San Antonio. Senior apartment property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them poses an undue financial or administrative burden. For more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications.
COVID-19 regulations for San Antonio senior apartments
San Antonio has not set forth COVID-19 regulations specific to senior apartments. If you have any concerns about COVID-19, you can find general COVID-19 updates and information regarding testing, vaccinations, and more on the City of San Antonio COVID-19 website.
What to expect from senior apartments in San Antonio
San Antonio’s 60+ population is projected to grow by roughly 20% by 2040.[11] The city has developed a Senior Services Strategic Plan to better support this aging population and evolve existing senior services. In this plan, the city includes initiatives to rebrand senior centers, expand medical services, and enhance social opportunities.
To keep up with this aging-friendly initiative, the senior living scene has also expanded. In San Antonio, independent living facilities tend to dominate over senior apartments, but there are still a few great options out there. Check out some ways senior apartments are enhancing on-site services and amenities below:
Amenities provide entertainment and convenience
Senior apartments in San Antonio tend to have many luxurious amenities on-site to provide seniors with a higher level of convenience. Some amenities are designed to help seniors remain physically active, including swimming pools, fitness centers, or walking paths that weave throughout the complex. Other shared spaces, such as picnic areas and clubhouses, promote socialization and enable seniors to enjoy a sense of community. Some senior apartments even have a beauty salon or a business center on-site. In some of the more affluent neighborhoods, senior apartments also tend to be gated and have high-tech security systems.
Activities and events promote socialization
Seniors often choose senior apartments to surround themselves with like-minded individuals. To support this aging group, some senior apartments promote social interactions among seniors by hosting a range of activities throughout the year. Residents mingle during apartment-coordinated holiday parties, barbecues, and more. Some senior apartment complexes even host birthday parties and allow seniors to rent out their clubhouse to host their own events. These events and celebrations enable seniors to feel like a family, which is especially important to residents who have lost loved ones and/or live far from their family members.
Range of floor plans and apartment amenities for an ideal living situation
Many San Antonio senior apartments offer a variety of floor plans and conveniences within each unit. Most apartments have one- and two-bedroom options, while some even have three-bedroom cottages. These options enable residents to live with their partner or roommate and house all their cherished belongings from a former house. In each unit, you’ll typically find a fully equipped kitchen, a full-size washer and dryer, a generous walk-in closet, and a private patio or balcony. Some senior apartments also have grab bars in bathrooms and convenient wheelchair-accessibility features to accommodate the needs of aging and/or disabled adults. Some luxury apartments will even offer 9-foot ceilings, extra closet space, and covered parking.
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Unfamiliar with San Antonio? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors 65+ in San Antonio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of San Antonio seniors 65+ who have a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Median annual retirement income for 65+ seniors in San Antonio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Health care for seniors in San Antonio
San Antonio has several health care options for seniors and veterans. Here’s some information on the city’s top-rated medical care facilities:
Methodist Hospital — San Antonio
This hospital is No. 1 in San Antonio and No. 13 in Texas, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s high performing in 11 procedures and conditions, including diabetic care, kidney failure, and post-stroke care.
Baptist Medical Center
This hospital is No. 2 in San Antonio. It’s high performing in nine procedures and conditions, including some cancer surgeries, heart failure, and diabetes.
Brooke Army Medical Center
This hospital is the largest and most robust military health care organization in the U.S. It serves military service members, veterans and their families, as well as civilian emergency patients. It is known for its exceptional patient-centered care and for treating combat causalities and trauma.
Transportation for seniors in San Antonio
San Antonio’s downtown is praised for its walkability; however, the large sprawl of San Antonio makes it challenging to easily get around the entire city. Plus, most seniors don’t live near the city’s downtown area, so they typically use their own cars to get around. As an alternative, seniors can use public transportation options provided by VIA Metropolitan Transit to explore the city’s outskirts or get dropped off in the downtown area, where they can walk, bike, or use public buses. Seniors 62+ can ride for only a quarter Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they also receive free rides on Saturday and Sunday. Seniors must obtain a VIA Reduced Fair ID to receive these senior discounts.
Older adults can also receive free rides to and from their local senior centers during each center’s business hours using senior center transportation services. To qualify for rides, seniors must be enrolled at one of the city-operated senior centers and live within a 5-mile radius of the center. Be sure to contact your local senior center to learn about accessibility options and hours.
These scores from WalkScore might help you get a better feel of San Antonio’s downtown. Each score is out of 100 and is based on the downtown’s public density, transportation system, walking routes, and biking infrastructure:
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Diverse activities for seniors in San Antonio
San Antonio is a hub for senior-friendly activities. It offers an array of pastimes for seniors with varying levels of mobility. From museums and parks within the city limits to beaches and caverns located within a two-hour drive of San Antonio, residents have access to many different landscapes and activities. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most favored senior activities:
- The Alamo. This San Antonio attraction has to be on every “best of San Antonio” list. It’s enjoyable for all ages, but seniors in particular love taking in the beauty of the historic fortress compound. Take time to explore its historic church, view priceless artifacts, or stroll the ground’s gorgeous gardens.
- Brackenridge Park. Known as San Antonio’s most famous park, this destination offers several activities for older adults. Seniors can explore the San Antonio Zoo, hit the putting greens of an 18-hole golf course, enjoy a picnic, stroll along the walking trails, or attend live musical events.
- Texas Hill Country. For residents looking for a day trip or weekend getaway, this Texas region is about an hour and a half away from San Antonio. It offers activities for anyone and everyone: Take a hike in the rolling hills, go for a dip in one of the swimming holes, tour the caverns, enjoy drinks at a winery, or take in stunning views on a river cruise.
San Antonio is also home to many cardrooms and bingo halls, which are scattered throughout the city. They’re popular among seniors looking to pass some time and potentially win some money. Remember that many of these attractions are happy to accommodate seniors with a disability — just make sure to inquire with each specific place when planning your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Affinity at Monterrey Village, Pecan View Senior Care AL and Beehive Homes of Babcock are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near San Antonio, TX. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in San Antonio is $2,973 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Apartments.com. (2023). San Antonio, TX: Senior housing.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
TurboTax. (2022, September 7). States with the lowest taxes and the highest taxes.
Fritts, J. (2020, August 9). Does your state tax social security benefits? Tax Foundation.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022, September 1). Appendix VIII, monthly income/resource limits. In STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2016, March 1). A-3300, Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022, June 1). Appendix IX, Medicare Savings Program Information. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services & The University of North Texas. (2019). 2019 Senior services strategic plan.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
WalkScore. (2023). Downtown San Antonio.
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