About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Essex County, MA

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The cost of independent living in Essex County is about $6,647 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 22 options. Read 455 reviews, see photos, and learn about amenities that make independent living the ideal next step for adults 55+ who wish to enjoy friendships and hobbies without the hassle of cooking and home maintenance.

As you explore independent living near you, you may also want to consider options in areas like You may also consider nearby communities such as Cambridge, Lexington and Peabody.

Essex County Independent Living Facilities | 455 Reviews

Showing 19 communities
Last Updated: 12/4/25
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Best of Senior Living

The highest-rated senior living communities stand out for their exceptional care and support of seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care and home care. Our Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top reviewed senior care providers nationwide based on reviews submitted by residents and families.

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Photo of Assisted Living Center of Salisbury
1010 Photos available
9.8
Review score
10 reviews
9.8
Review score
10 reviews
5 star
100%
4 star
0%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
The Assisted Living Center of Salisbury is such an unusual place as assisted living places go. It is a non-profit, so it isn't fancy. But in my mother's case that is a great fit. The place is small, with...
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Assisted Living Center, Inc. has been a trusted name on the seacoast for over a decade, providing quality assisted living care to residents from Maine to Massachusetts. Our Salisbury residence – one of the first non-profit assisted living residences in New England – maintains the unique concept...
Photo of Benchmark at North Andover
1010 Photos available
33 Floor plans available
9.7
Review score
41 reviews
9.7
Review score
41 reviews
5 star
74%
4 star
22%
3 star
2%
2 star
2%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
This place is lovely...the folks that are working there are wonderful , their active programs create healthy alternatives and the grounds the facilities are beautifully maintained. It is so much more 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.
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 PlaceCommunity card badge
1717 Photos available
1919 Floor plans available
Pricing promotions expiring soon
9.4
Review score
115 reviews
9.4
Review score
115 reviews
5 star
65%
4 star
23%
3 star
3%
2 star
3%
1 star
6%
See all reviews
We absolutely love Atria Marland Pl.! It is an old mill so it doesn't necessarily feel like an assisted living facility. There's plenty to do my father-in-law loves the food. He has dementia but he is not in...
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
9.2
Review score
61 reviews
9.2
Review score
61 reviews
5 star
47%
4 star
30%
3 star
8%
2 star
5%
1 star
10%
See all reviews
My mother has lived at Charter for a year. All of the staff, including the administration, front desk, dining room, caregivers, cleaning and maintenance are incredibly kind and helpful. My mother enjoys the...
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...
Photo of Colonial Gardens
1414 Photos available
9.0
Review score
71 reviews
9.0
Review score
71 reviews
5 star
47%
4 star
34%
3 star
7%
2 star
4%
1 star
8%
See all reviews
Being able to socialize has been a game changer for my sister. Colonial Gardens has an impressive beautiful dining room with good food. Nicely kept up facility. Lovely apartments all with outside access....
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 Sunrise of Gardner Park
88 Photos available
33 Floor plans available
Pricing promotion expiring soon
8.8
Review score
40 reviews
8.8
Review score
40 reviews
5 star
64%
4 star
20%
3 star
8%
2 star
3%
1 star
5%
See all reviews
Gardner Park was an excellent facility. Staff and building I highly recommend. I found everyone to be so caring. From nurses , to servers, to administrators. Couldn't have been more helpful. Seems to...
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 Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm
1212 Photos available
Pricing promotion
8.4
Review score
33 reviews
8.4
Review score
33 reviews
5 star
67%
4 star
27%
3 star
3%
2 star
0%
1 star
3%
See all reviews
What I saw of the meals and dining - seemed ok. Gramps did not participate in any of the activities. It is expensive with rental furniture. We felt [fee removed] for 30 days was rather high. However, I...
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 The Current Beverly
1212 Photos available
8.4
Review score
3 reviews
8.4
Review score
3 reviews
5 star
67%
4 star
33%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
See all reviews
Quality of care is excellent. Room sizes vary. My sister's room is large. Others are smaller. Activities are fair. They have a guitar player come in several times a week and the staff also keeps them...
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 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...
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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.
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,...
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.
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 Merrivista
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of 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 Ivy Hill Assisted Care
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 $6,647 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Newburyport, MA with an average of $6,285 per month.

Independent living costs in Essex County, MA, vs. nearby counties

Essex County, MA
$6,647/mo
$6,845/mo
$7,006/mo

Independent living costs in Essex County, MA, vs. state and national averages

Essex County, MA
$6,647/mo
U.S. national average
$4,203/mo

Independent living costs in Essex County, MA, vs. other senior living options

$7,256/mo
Independent Living
$6,647/mo

Independent living costs in Essex County, MA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$6,022/mo
Studio
$7,225/mo
1 Bedroom
$7,234/mo
2 Bedroom
$7,867/mo
Detached Cottage/Bungalow
$6,855/mo

Senior living costs in Essex County vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: Essex County, MA
Column state: Massachusetts
Column national: U.S.
Community typeEssex County, MAMassachusettsU.S.
Independent Living$6,647/mo$6,353/mo$4,203/mo
Assisted Living$7,233/mo$7,238/mo$4,740/mo
Memory Care$7,256/mo$7,244/mo$5,004/mo
Independent Living
Essex County, MA:$6,647/mo
Massachusetts:$6,353/mo
U.S.:$4,203/mo
Assisted Living
Essex County, MA:$7,233/mo
Massachusetts:$7,238/mo
U.S.:$4,740/mo
Memory Care
Essex County, MA:$7,256/mo
Massachusetts:$7,244/mo
U.S.:$5,004/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in Essex County, MA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in Essex County and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

Essex County, MAMA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in Essex County, MA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in Essex County have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
Essex County, MA$4,438/mo$4,077/mo+8.9%
Massachusetts$4,102/mo$3,718/mo+10.3%
National$3,246/mo$3,151/mo+3.0%
Essex County, MA
2024 average cost:$4,438/mo
2023 average cost:$4,077/mo
Percent change:+8.9%
Massachusetts
2024 average cost:$4,102/mo
2023 average cost:$3,718/mo
Percent change:+10.3%
National
2024 average cost:$3,246/mo
2023 average cost:$3,151/mo
Percent change:+3.0%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in Essex County

Recent reviews for independent living in Essex County

Brigham House in Watertown, MA

5.0
Watertown is our home town, [name removed] is able to go shopping and take a walk in familiar surroundings. Biggest plus is when her money runs out, they will keep her and she gets a small amount of her social security.

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 ...
Read more

The Gables at Winchester

4.6
The staff has treated me like family since the day I moved in. I have made a lot of great friends. The comforts of home but with freedom to move through activities and accessibility to shopping and dining out as well.

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
27.8%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
33.3%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
27.8%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
22.2%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
11.1%
10.5%
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
38.9%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
44.4%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
44.4%
37%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
22.2%
17.2%
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
44.4%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
27.8%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
33.3%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
44.4%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
44.4%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
61.1%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
44.4%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
27.8%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
44.4%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
33.3%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
44.4%
46.8%
Dances
Dances
22.2%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
33.3%
39.5%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
44.4%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%
Photo cta image

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