Best Independent Living in Des Moines, Iowa
9 communities found
Des Moines offers 11 independent living communities, all residential in setting, with 9 of them carrying an average rating of 4.1 based on 336 reviews read. Every community offers wheelchair accessibility, 24-hour staff, social activities, and housekeeping, while 8 of the 11 also offer private rooms and restaurant style dining rooms.
- 9communities
- 4.1average rating, 7 rated
- 240family reviews read
Calvin Community
Des Moines, Iowa
4.8(61)
Independent LivingSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Plymouth Place
Des Moines, Iowa
4.6(14)
Independent Living
From $2,074/moIndependence Village of Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
4.4(71)
Independent Living
Sage Independence
Des Moines, Iowa
5(1)
Assisted LivingIndependent Living
3801 Grand Assisted Living & Memory Care
Des Moines, Iowa
4.3(6)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingMemory Care
Baker Creek Senior Living
Des Moines, Iowa
4(1)
Independent Living
Fort Des Moines Senior Housing
Des Moines, Iowa
3.7(6)
Independent Living
Luther Park Community
Des Moines, Iowa
3.9(56)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Genesis Senior Living Center
Des Moines, Iowa
3.2(25)
Independent LivingSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Best-rated independent living in Des Moines
Ranked by family rating, weighted by how many families have reviewed each one. No community pays to appear here.
- 1
4.8 (61 reviews)· Independent Living, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Families describe Calvin Community as warm and caring, with staff who know residents by name, though some report neglect and understaffing concerns.
- 2
4.6 (14 reviews)· Independent Living
Plymouth Place holds a 4.6 rating from a small number of reviews, though no detailed review text is currently available.
- 3
Independence Village of Des Moines
4.4 (71 reviews)· Independent Living
Independence Village is described as warm and well-kept, with friendly staff and good food, though some cite rising costs and management concerns.
- 4
3801 Grand Assisted Living & Memory Care
4.3 (6 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care
- 5
Fort Des Moines Senior Housing
3.7 (6 reviews)· Independent Living
- 6
3.9 (56 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Luther Park is called a caring, faith-centered community with helpful staff and good food value, though some families report communication lapses and neglect.
- 7
3.2 (25 reviews)· Independent Living, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Reviews of Genesis Senior Living Center are divided, with some praising staff warmth and activities, others describing serious lapses in medical care.
What families say about independent living in Des Moines
Counted across the review summaries of 9 Des Moines communities: the share whose families mention each theme.
Families most often praise caring, attentive staff, food and dining, and activities and social life, each mentioned in 55% of the 11 communities, with value for money noted in 45%. On the concern side, 45% of families raise safety issues, 36% mention staff attitude and communication with families, and 27% point to staffing levels and turnover.
Praised most
- Caring, attentive staff 44%
- Food and dining 44%
- Activities and social life 44%
- Value for money 44%
- Building and grounds 33%
Concerns raised
- Safety 33%
- Staff attitude 22%
- Communication with families 22%
- Cost and billing 22%
“Staff very helpful and answered all of my questions. All staff I met were very friendly and the.meal choices are very many with the emphasis to use fresh ingredients and tailor them when possible to meet my requests.”
“I can’t say enough about the staff at Calvin Community. My mother spent the last weeks of her life there, and the care couldn’t have been better. The nurses and aides are absolutely wonderful; so kind, gentle and caring not only for my mom but for the entire family. Calvin Community was a blessing for our family.”
“I have lived here for 6 months and I am very happy. This place is so unique. It's very well kept and the staff couldn't be any better. Lauren, Sergio and Al are caring, patient and extremely friendly. They work very hard to keep the residents happy. I highly recommend Plymouth Place”
Independent Living in Des Moines: the figures
- •Most common amenities: wheelchair accessible (9), social activities (9), 24-hour staff (9), housekeeping (9), gathering / activity spaces (9), emergency call system (8).
How families pay for independent living in Iowa
Most families in Iowa start by paying privately, drawing on savings, retirement income and often the proceeds from selling a home. For those who planned ahead, long-term care insurance can also help cover assisted living, memory care or independent living costs, though the amount and timing of benefits depend on the policy. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, a benefit that can be applied toward the cost of care, and it is worth asking a veterans service officer whether this applies to your situation.
The full picture for the state: Independent Living in Iowa. Prices by city and the programs that help: what senior living costs in Iowa.
Independent Living near Des Moines
Cities within about 35 miles with senior living inventory, and how families rate it.
| City | Communities | RatingAverage rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale6.2 mi | 19 | 4.3 / 5 | 6.2 mi |
| Johnston6.6 mi | 12 | 4.2 / 5 | 6.6 mi |
| West Des Moines7 mi | 25 | 4.4 / 5 | 7 mi |
| Clive7.3 mi | 5 | 4.9 / 5 | 7.3 mi |
| Norwalk7.5 mi | 6 | 3.9 / 5 | 7.5 mi |
| Ankeny8.7 mi | 16 | 4.4 / 5 | 8.7 mi |
| Indianola17 mi | 10 | 4.4 / 5 | 17 mi |
| Ames30.2 mi | 22 | 4.5 / 5 | 30.2 mi |
All of Iowa: Independent Living in Iowa. Closer to home? Compare independent living near you, sorted by distance.
About these figures
Computed on October 21, 2026 from the 9 communities listed in Des Moines, 240 public family reviews on Google, Yelp and MyLivingChoice, state licensing records and, for nursing homes, CMS Care Compare. The best-rated list ranks communities by average family rating weighted by how many families have reviewed each one, so a 4.9 from three reviews does not outrank a 4.7 from two hundred. No community pays to appear in the best-rated list or in these figures; sponsored and partner listings in the directory results are marked as such. Figures refresh as listings and reviews change; the written summary was last revised September 25, 2026.
Reading on this
Guides from MyLivingChoice that families in Des Moines ask about.
- Home Care in Iowa: Agencies, Medicare Home Health Ratings, and What It Costs
- Complete Independent Living Moving Checklist For Stress-Free Senior Relocation
- How Independent Living Supports An Active Senior Lifestyle
Not in Des Moines? Independent living near me finds communities around wherever you are.
Independent Living in Des Moines: Common Questions
How many independent living communities are in Des Moines, Iowa?
MyLivingChoice lists 9 independent living communities in Des Moines, Iowa, each with photos, care details, and reviews from families.
Which independent living communities in Des Moines are rated highest?
Based on combined ratings across Google, Yelp, and MyLivingChoice reviews, top-rated options include Calvin Community (4.8★, 61 ratings), Plymouth Place (4.6★, 14 ratings), Independence Village of Des Moines (4.4★, 71 ratings).
What types of senior care are available in Des Moines?
Beyond independent living, Des Moines has skilled nursing / long term care (14 communities), assisted living (7 communities), home health (7 communities), memory care (6 communities). Every option is listed with photos, reviews, and contact details.
How do families rate independent living in Des Moines?
Families rate Des Moines independent living communities 4.1 out of 5 on average, across 240 public Google reviews of local communities.
What do families praise, and complain about, in Des Moines independent living communities?
Across the review summaries of 9 Des Moines communities, the most common praise is caring, attentive staff (mentioned for 44%), food and dining (mentioned for 44%), activities and social life (mentioned for 44%). The most common concerns are safety (33%), staff attitude (22%), communication with families (22%).