10 Best Independent Living Communities in St Petersburg, FL
Nicknamed “The Sunshine City,” St. Petersburg, Florida, is a fantastic place for seniors considering independent living. Independent living facilities offer a great quality of life; specifically meant for seniors who are still able to do most things on their own, these facilities are structured to also offer a bit of extra assistance every now and then. With A Place For Mom, you can find 12 different independent living facilities in St. Petersburg.
Aside from low-maintenance living, independent living centers give seniors a chance to reside among their peers. Here you’ll find organized social outings and events, plus dedicated areas for dining, games, and other social gatherings. According to A Place for Mom data, most of these facilities are located close to public transportation or offer their own transport; boast beauty salons, barber shops, and fitness centers; and have recreational spaces such as movie theaters, swimming pools, and cafés. And what better place to do it: St. Petersburg is sunny most of the year, more affordable than people might believe, and close to the beach!
Properties in this guide are all within a 10-mile radius of downtown St. Petersburg, including communities like Sunset Beach and Pasadena. This guide will offer information on St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities, financing options, laws and regulations, and more to help you find the right community.
St Petersburg Independent Living Facilities | 945 Reviews
My loved one is currently a resident at The Villas of Casa Celeste and everything has been very good for her at this facility so far. The sales lady, [name removed], is amazing. They have been wonderful to...
I googled the Vineyard Inn to send to another family. I saw you only put three stars, as a physical therapist and now daughter of somebody who is staying there I must stay it rates much higher!.. there are...
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They have a game room, books to read, movies to watch, and special events that they do once or twice a week. Very friendly staff! She is allowed to have her dog there, so that is a plus. She is in...
Our methodology
How we rank order the St Petersburg community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders St Petersburg 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
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of independent living in the St. Petersburg area
- What families are saying about independent living in Saint Petersburg
- How people pay for independent living in St. Petersburg
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
- Types of independent living in St. Petersburg
- Saint Petersburg independent living services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with St. Petersburg? Highlights for seniors
- Health care for seniors in St. Petersburg
- Transportation for seniors in St. Petersburg
- Senior activities in St. Petersburg
Costs of independent living in the St. Petersburg area
On average, it costs $4,169 per month for independent living in St. Petersburg, according to A Place For Mom proprietary data; this price includes associated fees and service fee add-ons.[01] This number represents what residents actually paid at our network facilities and reflects a variety of floor plans, amenities, and other variables that determine cost of living.
Represented in the following chart is a baseline cost for independent living in St. Petersburg, Florida, without add-on fees.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Saint Petersburg, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Saint Petersburg, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Saint Petersburg vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Saint Petersburg, FL by room type
Average cost of Independent Living in Saint Petersburg over time
What families are saying about independent living in Saint Petersburg
Recent reviews for independent living in Saint Petersburg
The Princess Martha in Saint Petersburg, FL
Sun Towers in Sun City Center, FL
Addington Place of East Lake in Tarpon Springs, FL
Reviews mention these favorite features of communities
How people pay for independent living in St. Petersburg
Independent living communities are not classified as senior care communities and, therefore, cannot be paid for with long-term health care insurance policies, Medicaid, or Medicare. However, seniors can use long-term health care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare to pay for in-home medical services that may be needed.
This section will explain how seniors can pay for independent living through private pay, housing assistance, VA benefits, and/or Medicare and Medicaid resources for seniors.
Private pay is a popular option that seniors use to pay for the costs associated with independent living facilities. There are several ways to do this, including Social Security benefits, pensions, investments, or personal savings. You could also use any on of the following methods for private pay:
Number of veterans who live in St. Petersburg
About 51% of St. Petersburg veterans are 65+
Veterans in St. Petersburg can utilize a number of benefits and resources to help cover the cost of living or the cost of in-home medical care. Disabled veterans can use the Aid and Attendance Benefit to help cover costs; though notoriously tricky to apply for, the Aid and Attendance Benefit is a wonderful resource that can be used for anything that helps improve the quality of life for veterans.
Veterans in St. Petersburg have other ways to connect with resources, such as the VA Pension. To help veterans access benefits, Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg, offers a veteran and military resource guide. Other assistance can be found at one of the two local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts or at the following veterans services organizations, which are all located within the St. Petersburg Regional VA Office: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Vietnam Veterans of America. Whether you believe you qualify or not, contacting VA-vetted and -recognized representatives ensures you don’t miss out on any benefits you may be able to exercise.
Resources for St. Petersburg veterans
St. Petersburg Regional VA Office
9500 Bay Pines Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33744
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 39
2599 Central Ave. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Phone: 727-327-8109
Email: vfwpost39+ContactUs@gmail.com
Post 4364
5773 62nd St. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33709-1735
Phone: 727-546-5525
Medicaid in Florida is known as State Medicaid Management Care (SMMC). This is a state-run program that helps low-income seniors pay for in-home medical services and other medical care. Because independent living communities are not considered senior care communities, Medicaid will not cover the cost of living in an independent living community in Florida. However, SMMC benefits can be used through Home and Community-Based Service waivers (HBCS) for medically necessary in-home health care services.
To apply for SMMC, you can visit this website or call 866-762-2237. Those who need assistance with the application process will want to contact their local ombudsman. The local ombudsman can help determine eligibility and guide seniors through the Medicaid process. Florida offers a Medicaid guide to help seniors get started.
Seniors can also utilize the Area Agency on Aging, a state-run department that offers the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program. SHINE offers one-on-one consultations to seniors who need help accessing Medicaid benefits. The long-term care ombudsman can also answer questions about Medicaid.
St. Petersburg resident Medicaid resources
Medicaid Office – St. Petersburg
525 Mirror Lake Drive N, Suite 510
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3219
Phone: 727-552-1900 or 800-299-4844
Fax: 727-552-1216
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Local Area Agency on Aging
9549 Koger Blvd. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Phone: 727-570-9696
Helpline: 800-963-5337
Out-of-area callers: 727-217-8111
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Florida Ombudsman Program
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Toll-Free: 800-963-5337
TTD/TTY: 800-955-8770
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Toll-Free: 800-96-ELDER (800-963-5337)
TTD/TTY: 800-955-8770
Fax: 850-414-2150
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
Unlike state-run Medicaid, Medicare is a federal program specifically for low-income seniors. Individuals 65 and older who need help covering the cost of medically necessary in-home care for short-term medical needs can use Medicare. Because independent living communities are not classified as senior care facilities, Medicare will not cover living expenses. There are several Medicare programs that Florida seniors can use, however, to offset medical costs.
The Medicare Buy-In Program can be applied for through the Florida ACCESS system. You can also apply via the Medicare Buy-In Program at the local Department of Children and Families Center.
Florida’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is called Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE). While this is a Medicare program, it is run through the Medicaid department. Those needing medical or holistic care can utilize the Suncoast PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
Applying for any one of these programs can be complex, so it’s good to have someone with knowledge of the process walk you through it. For this, you will want to contact your local ombudsman or use resources available to you through your local Social Security office or local Area Agency on Aging.
St. Petersburg resident Medicare resources
Florida Department of Children and Families
2415 N. Monroe St., Suite 400
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Phone: 850-487-1111
Customer call center phone: 850-300-4323
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Area Agency On Aging of Pasco-Pinellas
9549 Koger Blvd.
Saint Petersburg, FL 33702
Helpline: 800-963-5337
Office phone: 727-570-9696
Email: info@aaapp.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SHINE
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 800-963-5337
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
St. Petersburg Social Security Office
30 Dr. MLK St. S
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Prescription Health Program
5501 Fourth St. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-327-0333
Hours: Appointment only; please call to schedule
Suncoast PACE (Pinellas County)
6774 102nd Ave.
North Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Phone: 727-289-0062
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-414-2323
Email: LTCOPInformer@elderaffairs.org
Florida Medicare Savings Program
North Pinellas Service Center (Pinellas County)
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 130
Largo, FL 33778
Phone: 866-762-2237
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
Because independent living communities are not classified as senior care communities, they are not required to be inspected as often as senior care communities. However, they must follow Florida laws and regulations, which includes mandatory inspections once a building reaches a certain age and every 10 years after that.[02]
All housing in Florida must abide by the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.[03] These laws offer protections for tenants and landlords. Some of these protections are specifically relevant for seniors, such as:
- Landlords must make available close parking spaces for tenants with mobility issues
- Allowing tenants with mobility issues or disabilities to mail their rent
- Allowing tenants to break their lease with no charge if they need to move for health reasons
- Offering tenants more suitable housing if it were to become available
Under these laws, landlords cannot deny housing to someone specifically because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, religion, familial status, or disability.
While inspections are only required every 10 years once a building hits a certain age, tenants can request an inspection. Inspection reports can be searched for at the FloridaHealthFinder site, a service of the Agency for Health Care Administration.
For a community to be classified as a senior community in Florida, 80% of the population must be over the age of 55, and no one in the community can be under 45 years old.
Florida Department of Health contact information
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for St. Petersburg independent living communities
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations for independent living facilities to follow in the state of Florida or in St. Petersburg; however, the city recommends following these Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Vaccinations.
Vaccinations are recommended for all Florida residents.
Social distancing.
Anyone feeling ill should avoid contact with others. It is recommended that you cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Masking.
Masks are not required.
Types of independent living in St. Petersburg
Seniors looking to live in an independent living community in St. Petersburg will find a wide array of different types of living facilities. From converted grand hotels to sprawling villas, A Place For Mom has several wonderful options in our network. Because these communities are meant specifically for seniors, you will be surrounded by peers in the same stage of life.
Within the St. Petersburg area, A Place for Mom has 12 partner independent living facilities. One is a standalone independent living facility, while five offer a combination of assisted living and independent living. Six offer a combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care; this can be appealing to families and seniors seeking a residence that can accommodate a senior’s needs across many stages of life.
Leisure-geared amenities offer an array of choices
With many facilities located on St. Petersburg’s waterfront area, independent living communities in the area provide easy access to the beautiful beaches of St. Petersburg, as well as the downtown area of Gulfport, offering both businesses and cultural events. From movie theaters to bars to libraries, St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities offer on-site features to help residents relax at their leisure. These are amenities you can expect from independent living facilities in the St. Petersburg area:
- Swimming pools, fitness centers, and billiards lounges
- Cafés, bars, and bistros
- Arts and crafts centers, libraries, and TV lounges
Range of options for safety and low-maintenance living
Many independent living facilities in the St. Petersburg area offer maintenance, giving residents peace of mind. Common safety features in these communities ensure seniors have a safety net, should it be needed; many units are designed with elevators and wide doorways. To heighten the low-maintenance lifestyle, the vast majority of St. Petersburg’s independent living communities have their own barber shop and/or beauty salon.
Transportation options make on-site and off-site living possible
Seniors in independent living communities often are eager to experience off-site activities, as well as opportunities for fun within their communities’ own walls. St. Petersburg’s independent living facilities take this into account, with nearly all boasting a location close to public transit. For those who prefer community-provided transportation, more than two-thirds of the independent living facilities we partner with in St. Petersburg offer complimentary transportation; most also offer at-cost transport.
Saint Petersburg independent living services and amenities
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Saint Petersburg independent living
Availability of select dining options in Saint Petersburg independent living
Availability of select programs and activities in Saint Petersburg independent living
Explore senior care with confidence
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Unfamiliar with St. Petersburg? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in St. Petersburg
Median annual income for St. Petersburg seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in St. Petersburg
Since its founding in 1931, St Anthony’s has prided itself on combining the latest in medical technology with a wide range of exceptional health care services.
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
After having been around for more than 100 years, Bayfront Health has made a name for itself as one of America’s 100 best hospitals for spinal surgery, according to U.S. News & World Report.
HCA Florida Northside Hospital
HCA Florida Northside Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke center and an advanced radiology department and specializes in multi-generational care. This 288-bed hospital offers a 24/7 ER that handles everything from heart care to generalized surgery.
Transportation for seniors in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city where you can get by without a car, but it certainly helps to have one. If you don’t, you can get a ride from the independent living facility as 83% of our partners offer free transportation and 75% offer it at-cost.
There are areas in St. Petersburg that are walkable or bike-friendly, but the city as a whole is not connected in a way that makes vehicle-free travel entirely possible. Taking into account infrastructure and accessibility, St. Petersburg has a walk score of 43 (out of 100, meaning a car is necessary) and a bike score of 59 (out of 100, meaning a car is needed in some situations instead of a bike).[05]
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PTSA) is the local public transit option. It offers accessible bussing options and also extends discounts to anyone over the age of 65. Those with disabilities can look into the Disabled Special Citizen Program, which offers discounts to those with disabilities.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in St. Petersburg
Those who live in independent living communities are people who still like to get out and about. Getting out and about in a place nicknamed The Sunshine City sure gives you lots of options! You can see local nature by going on a guided kayak trip at the Shell Key Preserve. For those looking to camp or hike, you’ll be right at home at the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. If you like bird watching, you’ll love Sawgrass Lake Park. After spending a day in the sun, watch the day come to an end at the Island Sunset and Skywalk Light Show; cruises are available for those who prefer the waterway.
Perhaps you are looking for something that stimulates your intellectual side. With plenty of museums in St. Petersburg, there is something for everyone. If you love Salvador Dalí, you’ll certainly love the Dalí Museum, featuring artwork that spans his entire lifetime. For impressive glasswork, you can check out the Duncan McClellan Gallery. Admission is free, and there is artwork both outdoors and indoors. Also contemporary and cool is the Morean Art Center. This is another free museum, and you can even sign up to take classes. For more classes, Charlie Parker Pottery is a great place to learn some new skills and make some new friends.
Another great place to make new friends in the Sunshine Center, a senior center hosted by St. Petersburg’s Parks & Recreation Department. The Sunshine Center offers a bevy of recreational activities, educational classes, wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, and support groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Princess Martha, Weinberg Village and Cloudberry Lodge at Brandon are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near St Petersburg, FL. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in St Petersburg is $3,752 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place For Mom (2023) A Place For Mom Proprietary Data
Collier County. (March 2023.) Milestone Inspections. Colliercountyfl.gov
Pinellas County. (March 2023). Fair Housing Discrimination. Pinellas.gov
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in St. Petersburg.
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