Illinois’ capital city, Springfield, has all of the perks of a Midwest metropolis with the hospitality of a small town. Springfield famously features the home, tomb, and significant sites of the life of 16th President Abraham Lincoln, including the Presidential Library and Museum. It’s also the site of a Frank Lloyd Wright house, sparkling Lake Springfield, and several wildlife preserves and parks. As a stopping point along Route 66, Springfield has a wealth of experiences, stays, and restaurants to enjoy.
Combined with everything there is to see and do in the city, Springfield’s below average cost of living makes it an ideal place for families and retirees. Springfield’s independent living options offer low-maintenance living accommodations with plentiful amenities and on-site dining. In this guide, browse independent living communities within a 10-mile radius of Springfield’s city center, as well as cost information, tips on paying for living and health care expenses, local resources, and life in Springfield.
I enjoy the activities and interaction with other residents. We do gardening, play cards, help each other, and have meals together. There is a good variety of outside activities and Ageility which is the...
My mother refused to go to Montvale. All interactions we had with staff were wonderful! All of the staff at The Montvale Senior Living are professional, compassionate. knowledgeable, friendly and...
Our family chose Cedarhurst four years ago. It is a well-designed facility with nice living and common spaces. Over time, and with Covid, there have been challenges with staffing and management. In the past...
My loved one is currently a resident at Trustwell Living of Springfield and everything about her experience at this facility has been great so far. The cleanliness and friendliness are great. The care...
My dad started off at Centennial Point in March of 2022. The employees did everything possible to welcome dad and accommodate to some of his “set in my way” needs. After a few months, we moved him over to...
The facility was extremely open and friendly to all family members. The facility worked with us to get my mom acclimated to the place and try different solutions.
My mom has been at CC for 1 year. She has dementia and when she went she weighed 85 lbs now she eats 3 healthy meals a day and is so happy there. I don't think there is not anything CC would not do for her...
My mom is very happy there. She loves the food and likes being able to choose which, if any, activities she wishes to join. I would recommend Holly Brook to others. My only suggestion would be that they add...
We picked this community, because of the rural setting first of all. We knew that it would make dad more comfortable. The staff seemed nice and the place appeared clean and did not smell!! It was a nice...
Hickory Glen community is a very clean place, the staff are super friendly and helpful and we really like that they are following the covid protocols pretty closely. The food is good, our loved one always...
When i first came to the community i got a great feeling about it. The staff has been very friendly and they always communicate very well. One thing that i really like is the positive atmosphere felt. My...
It seems like a well run community. The staff seem to be caring and engaging with the residents. They are flexible with the individual needs of each resident and they do not have a " one size fits all"...
We are very pleased with the Villa's assisted living program. I would recommend the facility.
Villas of South Park Chatham is a beautiful facility. The staff is caring and responds quickly to my loved one's needs. They offer a lot of activities, although not a lot to his particular interests. The...
What a great visit I had with my grandma's friend! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The smell was so nice as we entered the building. I was very impressed, as a supportive living establishment it...
I am happy with my choice to move into the Homestead at Montvale. I like that it is independent living, I have my own apartment. I really like that it is secure, you need a code to get into the complex. They...
Works out for myself and my wife and the dog.
I actually stayed at this facility for 4 nights visiting my mother. I was so impressed with the entire staff and medical care given to my mother. The cafeteria ladies were amazing, food was very tasty. ...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Springfield community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, independent living in Springfield costs an average of $2,676 per month.[01] This cost represents the amount paid per month by real seniors referred to our Springfield independent living community partners in 2022 – 2023. This includes not only their baseline rent, but also what they paid for optional amenities.
Optional amenities and features that may affect your independent living costs include the following:
Amenities that will most likely be included in your baseline independent living cost before add-ons include the following:
The costs outlined in the following chart represent baseline costs, and may be affected by add-ons and chosen features. These figures should give an idea of what to expect when paying for a Springfield independent living.
Public funding sources like Medicare or Medicaid won’t cover the costs of independent living, though you may be eligible for assistance in paying for care services in the community. There are many private methods of paying for independent living. Find information on covering independent living and care services below.
Illinois senior apartments and independent living communities are limited to tenants 55 and older, as required by the Illinois Administrative Code.[07] Minimum age requirements help ensure that the independent living community remains relatively insulated, reserved just for seniors who may have similar lifestyle preferences. Assisted living communities are generally more heavily regulated than independent living, though communities that include both support levels may be subject to assisted living regulations. View our Springfield assisted living guide for more information.
Independent living communities are required to uphold Illinois laws for apartments and rental properties. Your landlord or property manager in Illinois independent living is obligated to make sure that as a tenant, you have safe and livable conditions. Your landlord’s responsibilities include the following:[08]
As a resident of Illinois independent living, you’ll also have responsibilities in alignment with state apartment laws. Your obligations as a tenant include the following:[08]
Independent living communities are obligated to maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), just like any other apartment community. Compliance with ADA includes making reasonable accommodations and modifications for individuals who have disabilities. Individuals with disabilities are also protected by federal law from being denied residency.
Under ADA, reasonable accommodations mean adjusting community policies so that residents with disabilities can still be included in any activities or amenities offered to the other residents. Reasonable accommodations may include the following, for which the property manager is responsible:
Modifications typically mean making alterations to the apartment unit and/or property to provide more access to residents who have disabilities. Modifications may include installation of things like the following:
The property owner is responsible for incurring the costs of these modifications, rather than the tenant with disabilities.[09]
[1] IDH Home Page
[2] 535 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: 217-782-4977
[3] 825 N. Rutledge St.
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-782-6562
[4] 422 S. 5th St.
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-558-0560
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations in place for Springfield independent living.
Springfield independent living communities are thoughtfully designed with elegant shared spaces, cozy private apartments, and luxurious amenities. You won’t have to worry about lawn care or home maintenance. In fact, thanks to on-site dining services, you’ll only have to cook if and when you want to. On-site amenities will cut down your errand running hours to nearly nothing, but you can venture out into the beautiful city just for your own pleasure and Springfield’s exciting offerings.
Some of Springfield’s independent living communities are on campuses that combine multiple types of senior living, including assisted living, and some even providing memory care. Communities with multiple levels of support available can be an ideal arrangement for couples with differing needs, or for aging in place.
As a resident of Springfield independent living, you can attend fitness classes, enjoy pampering spa services, keep up your favorite hairstyle, get coffee with a friend, and more, all without leaving the property. You’ll enjoy an array of luxurious community amenities like the following:
Springfield independent living communities offer services to ease your day-to-day so you can enjoy worry-free retirement. Let the staff in your independent living take care of the details, so you can kick back and enjoy your golden years. Services offered in our Springfield independent living partners typically include the following:
In Springfield independent living, you’ll enjoy your own private apartment with inviting features and cozy living areas. Most of our independent living partners in the area offer private apartments with features such as the following:
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Springfield is home to several exceptional medical centers, including a top notch teaching hospital and specialty clinics offering expert cardiovascular care. Find more on Springfield hospitals below.
In addition to having a good public transit system, downtown Springfield is bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. If your independent living community is in or near downtown, getting around should be pretty easy even without a vehicle. All of our Springfield independent living communities offer complimentary transportation services if you need to get around other parts of the city.
The public transit system in Springfield is called Sangamon Mass Transit District, or SMTD. The SMTD has fixed-route bus services that run Monday through Saturday. The daytime bus routes run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the nighttime routes from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Each SMTD bus is designed with ADA-compliant features, but for individuals whose disabilities cause them to require additional accommodations, the SMTD offers Access Sangamon rides. To use Access Sangamon, you will need to apply for the service.
Walk Score, which ranks cities by their accessibility and transportation provisions, gives downtown Springfield the following transportation scores, out of 100:[11]
Springfield is a hub of activity, with historical landmarks and sites, beautiful parks, plenty of shopping and dining, and more. Whether you’re entertaining the grandkids or just enjoying the freedom of retirement, you’ll never run out of things to do in Springfield.
From arts and entertainment to historic sites, Springfield has many one-of-a-kind attractions fit for all ages. In addition to being Abe Lincoln’s hometown, Springfield was also the home of poet Vachel Lindsay. Both men’s homes are available for tours. Perhaps the most popular historical attraction in the city is Presidential Library and Museum. History buffs and patriots alike will enjoy visiting the following Springfield offerings:
Springfield is a famous pit stop on Route 66. Here are a few fun places where the whole family can get their kicks, and have even more adventures:
Springfield is perfect for nature lovers and fur babies alike. Go for a boat ride or a dip in beautiful Lake Springfield, or take a refreshing and scenic walk in one of Springfield’s many nature centers. Several of Springfield’s most popular parks include the following:
If having the time to hit the golf course is what you’ve most been looking forward to about retirement, Springfield is the place to be. Choose from Springfield’s most popular golf courses, including the following:
Springfield has a few famous dishes to try, including their specialty chilli (yes, spelled with two Ls), the piled-high-with-fries horseshoe sandwich, the cozy dog, and more. A few places to try these local bites include the following:
Of course, that’s just the beginning of places to eat in Springfield. Springfield has a wealth of local options, from breweries and wineries to coffee roasteries. In addition to good ol’ Midwestern pubs, you’ll find mom-and-pop sushi parlors and taquerias, barbecues, cafes, sandwich shops, and more.
Carriage Crossing Rochester, Brenden Gardens and The Montvale Senior Living are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Springfield, IL. 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 Springfield is $3,245 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Illinois Department of Human Services. Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD).
Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services. Illinois Supportive Living Program.
Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services. Illinois Persons who are Elderly waiver.
Public Buildings, Facilities, & Real Property, 71 IL Admin Code § 2300.35 (2008 & rev. 2022).
Office of the Illinois Attorney General. (2022). Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2022). Living in Downtown Springfield.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Springfield [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Illinois Department of Human Services. Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD).
Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services. Illinois Supportive Living Program.
Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services. Illinois Persons who are Elderly waiver.
Public Buildings, Facilities, & Real Property, 71 IL Admin Code § 2300.35 (2008 & rev. 2022).
Office of the Illinois Attorney General. (2022). Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Springfield. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2022). Living in Downtown Springfield.