---
title: "Retirement Communities: Types, Costs and How to Choose"
description: "Retirement communities explained: 55+ communities, independent living, life plan communities and senior apartments, what each includes, and how to choose."
url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/retirement-communities/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: Senior Transition Assistance
---

Senior living options

# Retirement communities: the types and how to choose one

"Retirement community" covers several quite different kinds of places. Knowing which kind you're looking at makes the search much easier.

Talk it through with a person[  (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)

Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide.

Quick answer

A retirement community is housing designed for older adults. The main types are 55+ communities (homes for active adults, usually no services), senior apartments (age-restricted rentals), independent living (rentals with meals, housekeeping and activities), and life plan communities (several levels of care on one campus). None of these provide daily personal care except the care levels of a life plan community. If your parent needs daily help, look at [assisted living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/assisted-living/). [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) to compare.

**Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently.

## The main types

| Type | What's included | Care | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| [55+ community](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/55-plus-communities/) | Homes, often HOA amenities | No | Active adults who want to own |
| [Senior apartments](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/senior-apartments/) | Rental, sometimes activities | No | People wanting a simpler rental |
| [Independent living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/independent-living/) | Meals, housekeeping, activities, transport | No | People tired of cooking and upkeep, or lonely |
| [Life plan community](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/ccrc/) | Independent living plus care levels on campus | Yes, at higher levels | People planning for future care |

## How to choose

1. Be honest about care needs now and in the next few years.
2. Decide whether owning or renting makes more sense.
3. List what matters: near family, church, doctors, a garden, pets.
4. Compare what each monthly fee covers, not just the price.
5. Visit at mealtime and talk to residents.
6. Ask what happens if your parent later needs care.

## Costs

Retirement community costs vary widely by type and location, and there's no single published median for independent living or 55+ communities. Get written prices from each community. For care costs, see [what senior care costs](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/costs/).

### Not sure which kind fits?

Tell us about your parent and we'll help you sort the options near Kansas City. Free.

[  (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form)

## Questions families ask

### What is the difference between a retirement community and assisted living?

Most retirement communities provide housing and sometimes services, but not daily personal care. Assisted living includes help with bathing, dressing and medications.

### What age can you move into a retirement community?

Many 55+ communities require at least one resident to be 55 or older; many senior apartments use 55 or 62; independent living often has no strict age rule but serves older adults.

### Can my parent get care in a retirement community?

Yes, by bringing in a home care agency, unless it's a life plan community with its own care levels.

### Are retirement communities worth it?

For many people the meals, company and freedom from upkeep are worth it. Compare costs with what staying home really costs.

## Sources

- [CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, Median Cost Data Tables (survey July to November 2025; median cost data tables, published March 2026)](https://pro.genworth.com/riiproweb/productinfo/pdf/282102.pdf)
- [Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living), 1-800-677-1116](https://eldercare.acl.gov/)

## Related guides

- [How we help](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/)
- [55+ communities](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/55-plus-communities/)
- [Independent living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/independent-living/)
- [Life plan communities (CCRCs)](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/ccrc/)
- [Senior apartments](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/senior-apartments/)
- [Adult day care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/adult-day-care/)
- [Geriatric care managers](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/geriatric-care-manager/)
- [Respite care](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/respite-care/)
- [Senior living options](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/senior-living-options/)

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