Senior Living Apartments in Philadelphia, PA
A city built on a foundation of culture and history, Philadelphia is an optimal city for active seniors to thrive in retirement. There are a variety of senior apartments in Philadelphia to accommodate older adults looking to enjoy an independent lifestyle surrounded by their peers. Unlike assisted living communities, residents of senior apartments typically don’t require caregivers or help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Senior apartments are often confused with other senior living communities. However, senior living communities typically provide more amenities and services to their residents than senior apartments. Sometimes, senior apartments have common areas for socializing and access to add-on services tailored to seniors. But, mostly, you can expect senior apartments in Philadelphia to be similar to regular apartments, aside from the age requirement for residency and some accessibility features.
A Place for Mom partners with several senior apartment communities within a 10-mile radius of Philly’s bustling Center City district. From the active downtown area to the mellow suburban neighborhoods, Philadelphia senior apartments cater to a variety of lifestyles and budgets. There are also several community resources for seniors in Philadelphia to help them live on their own. This guide includes proprietary data from A Place for Mom’s partnered communities to help paint a picture of what to expect from Philadelphia senior apartments. We also include information for prospective residents like apartment features, reviews from real residents, payment tips, senior-specific local demographics, and Pennsylvania laws and regulations for senior apartments in Philadelphia.
Senior Apartments Facilities near Philadelphia, PA
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- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
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- Philadelphia senior apartment costs
- What families are saying about senior apartments in Philadelphia
- How people pay for senior apartments in Philadelphia
- Understand Philadelphia senior apartment laws and regulations
- Types of senior apartments in Philadelphia
- Explore senior care with confidence
- New to Philadelphia? Highlights for seniors
Philadelphia senior apartment costs
Location, size, and amenities can weigh heavily on the cost of senior apartments in Philadelphia. The average cost of our partnered Philadelphia senior apartments runs about $3,198 per month, which includes rent as well as any other fees or add-on services.[01] The following cost figures are baseline rental costs of the area’s senior apartments and don’t account for fees or add-on services and amenities.
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Philadelphia, PA vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Philadelphia, PA vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Philadelphia vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Senior Apartments in Philadelphia, PA by room type
What families are saying about senior apartments in Philadelphia
Recent reviews for senior apartments in Philadelphia
Springfield Crossings
Victorian Village in Hatboro, PA
Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale, PA
How people pay for senior apartments in Philadelphia
Paying for senior apartments ultimately works the same as conventional apartments, in that private funds are the sources of payments for rent and expenses, such as groceries and other household essentials. Some senior apartments may include certain utilities in the monthly rent, as well as other convenient add-on services like housekeeping. And some even organize social events or have concierge services. For seniors in need of care services, in-home care is a common add-on option for residents of senior apartments who don’t want to move to an assisted living community.
Private payment is commonly how people pay for senior apartments in Philadelphia. Long-term care insurance can’t be used to help pay for costs of living, like rent in a senior apartment, but it can help pay for some care services.
Many folks turn to retirement income accrued from Social Security benefits, savings from an IRA or 401k, and pensions. Fortunately, these resources can go a long way in the Keystone State, as Pennsylvania doesn’t tax retirement income for residents ages 59 and a half or older.{{citation: 2}} Seniors and their families can also look into the following private pay options to help pay for senior apartments in Philadelphia:
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (also known as PHA) offers affordable housing for low-income residents through two programs:
- Housing Choice Voucher Program for rental assistance
- Public Housing rental properties
The waitlist for both programs is closed as of December 2022, but you can still submit an application to both programs on the Philadelphia Housing Authority website. It’s uncertain when these waitlists will open back up, so you may want to consider applying to other affordable housing resources in Philadelphia, such as Section 8 subsidized units through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can contact your local HUD office listed below for more information about its programs and the application process.
There are also plenty of community resources that can help provide nutritious meal services and utility assistance. For example, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging has an emergency fund dedicated to helping low-income senior Philadelphians age 60+ cover costs of the following:
- Home heating oil delivery
- Groceries and household essentials
- Utility payments and shutoff assistance
- Medications or medical devices, such as hearing aids
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program can be used to reimburse the monthly rental costs of senior apartments for income-eligible residents over the age of 65. You can also locate and contact your local Social Security Administration office to learn about other rental assistance resources if needed.
Additional resources for seniors
Wallace Building
642 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130-3049
Phone: 215-765-9000
PCA helpline: 215-765-9040
PCA helpline for the hearing impaired: 215-765-9041
801 Market St., 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-560-7226
1000 N. 6th St.
Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: 856-757-7285
2013 Ridge Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Phone: 215-684-4000
801 Market St., 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-656-0500
2021 Watson St., 2nd Floor
Camden, NJ 08105
Phone: 856-968-2700
520 Market St.
Camden, NJ 08102
Phone: 856-614-3300
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers pensions and benefits to assist veterans and their spouses. VA pensions give eligible veterans supplementary income that’s paid on a monthly basis, which can be put towards the cost of rent and utilities. Eligible veterans can receive an additional amount of financial support on top of their pension with the Aid and Attendance benefit. As a plus, this particular VA benefit doesn’t require funds to be used exclusively for care services.
The Housebound benefit, on the other hand, is exclusively for in-home care services. In the event a veteran or surviving spouse is unable to leave their home because of a permanent disability, Housebound benefits can be paid in addition to VA pensions to help with the cost of home care services. It’s worth noting that veterans can’t receive both the Housebound allowance and the Aid and Attendance benefits at the same time, and they need to already be receiving VA pensions in order to qualify for either one.
You can find more information about those benefits for Philadelphia veterans in the resources below. New Jersey veterans can reach out to their local Joint Military and Family Assistance Center, which can help provide information about available benefits and entitlements.
Philadelphia’s veteran population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of Philadelphia veterans between the ages of 65 and 74, per the U.S. Census Bureau
Veteran resources
5000 Wissahickon Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 800-827-1000
City Hall #127
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: 215-686-3256
1048 US Highway 206 South
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Phone: 609-496-9242
Woodbury Armory
658 N. Evergreen Ave.
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: 856-853-4184
856-853-4185
856-853-4186
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, Medical Assistance (MA), and Medicare can’t be used to pay for the cost of senior apartments in Philadelphia. However, if a medical need arises for in-home care services, there are programs that can help provide those resources to someone living in a senior apartment community. Philadelphia programs like Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE), part of the greater Medicare and Medicaid Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), can help seniors access care services in their home. These programs are available for seniors ages 55+ who meet income and medical care requirements. It provides access to health care and personal care services so seniors can remain living in their homes safely and independently.
Resources for Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents
1400 Spring Garden St., 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
19130
Phone: 215-560-2900
Camden Medicaid office
2 Riverside Drive, #401
Camden, NJ 08103
Phone: 856-614-2870
642 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-765-9000
Phone: 1-800-783-7067
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 1-877-792-8820
Understand Philadelphia senior apartment laws and regulations
Owners of Philadelphia senior apartments are required to have a Commercial Activity License, also known as CAL, and a rental license to rent out a property long-term. All high-rise apartments need to have an additional license if there is a floor 75 feet or more above ground level.[03] These licenses are issued through Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, which is also responsible for conducting housing inspections. Landlords are required to follow the minimum safety, maintenance, and health standards addressed in the Partners for Good Housing handbook:
- Create and implement a bed bug control plan.
- Ensure properties are lead-free with inspection reports to verify building is safe.
- Make all necessary repairs to keep the building in good condition.
- Conduct fair and uniform tenant screening that complies with the Renters’ Access Act.
- Install all plumbing and heating equipment properly and maintain them.
- Provide new tenants a copy of the Partners for Good Housing handbook and the building’s smoking policy.
Philadelphia senior apartments may have their own rules in force to determine who is eligible to live there. They typically have a minimum age requirement and some apartments may require income eligibility, if it’s a subsidized housing community.
Philadelphia’s Fair Housing Commission is in charge of making sure housing laws and the city’s Fair Housing Ordinance are followed. The Commission also provides access to information about rights and responsibilities for renters, ensures owners have proper licenses, and holds hearings on any property claimed to be in bad condition or unsafe. Renters can file complaints through the Fair Housing Commission intake form if they feel subject to unfair rental practices or hazardous living conditions.
Additional housing resources for Philadelphia and New Jersey residents
Department of Licenses and Inspections
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-686-8686
Philadelphia’s Fair Housing Commission
601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-686-4670
Email: fairhousingcomm@phila.gov
Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey
145 W. Hanover St.
Trenton, NJ 08618
Phone: 609-393-3752
New Jersey Apartment Association
162 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: 732-992-0600
COVID-19 regulations for Philadelphia senior apartment communities
There currently aren’t any COVID-19 mandates or restrictions in place for senior apartments in Philadelphia. However, private owners of buildings can set their own masking and vaccine policies that may be stricter than the city’s. You can find out what preventative measures are in place by contacting a senior apartment community directly.
COVID-19 resources for Philadelphia and New Jersey residents:
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
1101 Market St., 13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-686-5200
Division of Disease Control
1101 Market St., 13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-685-5488
Burlington County Health Department
15 Pioneer Blvd.
Westhampton, NJ 08060
Phone: 609-265-5548
New Jersey Department of Health
369 S. Warren St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: 800-367-6543
While COVID-19 restrictions continue to evolve, the Department of Public Health continues to recommend guidelines in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for apartment settings, like the following:
Masking. Managers should promote mask usage in indoor common spaces.
Vaccines. Managers should encourage vaccinations among apartment staff and residents.
Staff safety. Apartment staff needs to isolate in accordance with the CDC guidelines if exposed or test positive for COVID-19.
Cleanliness. Management should increase cleaning and disinfection practices of common areas.
Types of senior apartments in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has an abundance of affordable, 55+ and 62+ senior apartment communities. High-rise, metro communities promise picturesque views and are central to nearby shopping, restaurants, and museums. Suburban, residential areas offer a more laid-back environment and are close to a wealth of outdoor spaces — for seniors seeking a more peaceful lifestyle. Many senior apartment communities include amenities like dedicated common spaces, on-site or in-unit laundry, activity schedules, and sometimes even add-on services like transportation or housekeeping.
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New to Philadelphia? Highlights for seniors
Percentage of seniors age 65+ without a disability
Number of seniors living in Philadelphia ages 75+
Percentage of employed Philadelphian seniors age 65+
Health care for seniors in Philadelphia
From complex specialties to everyday procedures, seniors in Philadelphia have ample access to top-notch medical care. The city is home to some of the best hospitals in the country:
Main Line Health Lankenau Medical Center
Lankenau Medical Center is ranked as the No. 3 hospital in Philadelphia and the No. 6 hospital in Pennsylvania. Main Line Health is nationally ranked in one adult specialty and is highly rated for its performance in specialties that include cardiology and hip and knee replacements.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital-Jefferson Health
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is nationally recognized in nine adult specialties and is distinguished for providing an unmatched level of care to older adults. It currently ranks as the No. 2 hospital in Philadelphia and No. 3 in Pennsylvania.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is the top hospital in both Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. This highly acclaimed facility is nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties and as No. 13 on the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals Honor Roll,” which lists the 20 top-rated hospitals in the country.
Main Line Health Paoli Hospital
Home to the only trauma center in Chester County, Paoli Hospital offers numerous health services and is ranked the No. 5 hospital in Philadelphia and among the top 15 hospitals in Pennsylvania. It’s received top ratings for its excellent performance in specialties and procedures that include lung cancer surgery, knee replacements, and heart failure.
Senior-friendly transportation in Philadelphia
Whether you own a car, opt for walking, or prefer public transportation, Philadelphia offers easy accessibility for seniors to go out and do the things they enjoy the most. The city’s neighborhoods and suburbs are very walkable, and its public transportation system is convenient and senior-friendly.
Seniors ages 65+ can travel on all city buses, trolleys, and subway lines for free with a SEPTA senior fare card. Seniors with a SEPTA senior fare card also enjoy free transit across Pennsylvania on SEPTA’s Regional Rail line and receive a 50% discount on travel to and from Delaware and New Jersey stations.
On top of the convenient public transportation system, Philadelphia also boasts an excellent walkability score. Many errands can be done on foot, and an average of three restaurants, coffee houses, and bars are accessible within a five-minute walk.[02]
Transportation resources
Mayor’s Commission on Aging
100 S. Broad St., 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19110
Phone: 215-686-8450
SEPTA
1234 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-580-7800
NJ Transit
1 Penn Plaza East
Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: 973-491-7000
You can learn more about transportation resources for seniors in this convenient transportation guide from the Mayor’s Commission on Aging.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Things to do for seniors in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s flourishing cultural scene can be found throughout the City of Brotherly Love’s vibrant neighborhoods. Renowned art exhibits await at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, as well as in the mosaic works found at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Foodies can indulge in Philly’s diverse culinary scene, which offers authentic Mexican dishes, Italian cuisine, Chinese fare, Ethiopian meals, and more.
The historic city has witnessed many significant events, from the signing of the Nation’s founding documents at Independence Hall to defining moments in sports history — NBA Championships, World Series wins, and a historic Super Bowl victory are just a few that come to mind. Philadelphia sports traditions are a unifying force for the city’s dedicated fans, from Eagles tailgates to cheering on the Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers at one of Center City’s famed sports bars.
Although Philadelphia ranks among the most populated U.S. cities, its urban park system offers expansive green spaces consisting of over 300 neighborhood parks and 166 miles of trails to stroll through. The Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium can be especially popular attractions to visit when grandkids and family come into town. There are also various programs and activities for older adults to be found at one of the city’s many senior centers. Find more senior-specific activities with this helpful senior community center search tool provided by Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Harrison Hill Apartments, St. Mary Villa, a CCRC and Pewter Village at Collingswood are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Philadelphia, PA. 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 Philadelphia is $1,860 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
SmartAsset. (2021). Pennsylvania retirement tax friendliness.
City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. (2022, June 01). Rent your property (long-term).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101). American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2022). Living in Philadelphia.
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