10 Best Independent Living Communities in Brooklyn, NY

The approximate cost of rent at an independent living community is $7,800 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.^[01] This figure doesn’t include additional costs for some luxurious on-site services and amenities.

What’s included in the monthly rent

Amenities and services vary between Brooklyn’s independent living communities, but seniors can typically expect rent to cover the following:

• Housekeeping and laundry services
• A meal plan with three meals and snacks daily
• Building, residence, and grounds maintenance
• A calendar of activities (like fitness classes, art lessons, group outings)
• Access to common amenities (like movie theaters, game rooms, and crafts centers)

Several Brooklyn communities within our network also offer transportation services, salon services, and meal accommodations, but they may incur additional fees.

How Brooklyn independent living costs compare to other boroughs

At $7,800, Brooklyn is not as affordable as some other boroughs within our partnering independent living network but is more affordable than Manhattan. Here are our 2022-2023 proprietary rent estimates to give you a monthly cost comparison of independent living communities in other boroughs:^[01]

• The Bronx: $5,000
• Queens: $7,000
• Manhattan: $13,500

A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with many independent living communities in Staten Island, therefore we don’t have accurate cost data for that borough. Staten Island is generally known to be more affordable than the other boroughs and similar in costs to the Bronx.

Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover independent living community costs in Brooklyn because they are not considered long-term care communities. Therefore, Brooklyn seniors typically use these public programs to fund medical expenses while they combine personal resources to pay for independent living costs.

Private income sources include savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, and investment returns. Depending on their circumstances, seniors may also turn to the following private pay options:

• Selling a home
• Taking out a reverse mortgage
• Borrowing from a life insurance policy
• Using funds from a health savings accounts (HSA)
• Using long-term care insurance

If you’d like an outline of the payment options listed above, you can visit the payment section on our NYC page or view our guide to paying for long-term care to plan for potential care needs in the future.

Additionally, veterans might use public payment methods like VA benefits to offset independent living costs in Brooklyn. Furthermore, all seniors can usually turn to Medicare or Medicaid to save on some health care and long-term care costs. Learn more about all three options below.

VA benefits for Brooklyn independent living

About 31,000 veterans live in Brooklyn and more than half of them are 65 or older.^[02] Brooklyn and New York City provide a great selection of resources to help this growing veteran population cover independent living and long-term care costs. Consider reaching out to a local veterans service organization (VSO) in Brooklyn to receive benefits counseling and learn more about your entitled benefits as a veteran or surviving spouse.

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services recommends the following offices in Brooklyn to any senior veterans searching for veterans service organizations (VSOs) in Brooklyn:

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS)

250 Schermerhorn St., Room 211

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Phone: 718-613-3735

Email: dvsinfo@veterans.ny.gov

Brooklyn Veteran Resource Center

25 Chapel St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

These organizations can connect you with VSOs like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). VSOs help Brooklyn veterans receive and maximize their entitled benefits by putting them in contact with qualified advisors and advocates.

Medicare and Medicaid

Neither Medicaid nor Medicare cover the cost of independent living in Brooklyn, but seniors can use these health insurance programs to save on medical expenses and some long-term care costs. Learn more about both options below.

Medicare for Brooklyn independent living

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to seniors 65 years of age and older. It can pay for medical expenses, but it doesn’t cover room and board costs for independent living in Brooklyn. Medical expenses include doctors’ visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, medical equipment, and other medically prescribed services. It can also cover care costs — like hospice care and home health care — that may become necessary for aging seniors with health conditions.

To receive assistance with Medicare services in Brooklyn, you can use the Social Security Office Locator to contact a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Type in the ZIP code and click on “I Need Other Services” to find the nearest office. You can also contact New York State’s HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Programs) to receive benefits counseling and assistance.

To save on Medicare costs in Brooklyn, you can check out New York State’s consumer guide to community-based long-term care. The guide also includes information about the following in NYC:

• Medicare Savings Programs
• Part D Program

Medicaid for Brooklyn independent living

Medicaid is a health insurance program that’s jointly funded by the federal and New York governments. It provides coverage to low-income seniors and is called New York State Medicaid (NYS Medicaid). The following factors can affect one’s eligibility:^[03]

• Age
• Disability
• Income
• Household/family size
• Place of residence

NYS Medicaid doesn’t pay for room and board in a Brooklyn independent living facility. However, it can cover medical costs provided in or outside of a facility. Medical costs include doctors’ visits, immunizations, medicine, hospital stays, medical supplies, and other medically necessary costs. It can also cover health care services for seniors who need round-the-clock care in an assisted living community through its Assisted Living Program.

Medicaid offices in Brooklyn

To access Medicaid benefits in Brooklyn, seniors can reach out to the following offices:

Coney Island

1912 Mermaid Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

Phone: 929-221-3790

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

East New York

404 Pine St., 2nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11208

Phone: 929-221-8204

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kings County Hospital

441 Clarkson Ave., “T” Building, Nurses’ Residence, 1st Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11203

Phone: 718-221-2300. Extension #2301.

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Brooklyn South

785 Atlantic Ave., 1st Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11238

Phone: 929-221-3502

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Note: Some of these offices offer online appointments, while others may be temporarily closed. Be sure to call before your visit.

Because they’re not care facilities, stand-alone independent living communities are considered to be like any standard apartment complex in Brooklyn, New York. This means they’re not regulated by a state health agency. As such, they only comply with regulations set forth by NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

As a senior who rents in an independent living community in NYC, you have several tenants’ rights and responsibilities. As a tenant, there are many laws that protect you from being discriminated against and work to ensure a safe, well-maintained housing environment. But, you also have a duty to follow apartment rules, like not damaging the building and staying in communication with landlords.

Your independent living landlord is required to provide you with the following security measures and essential services in a Brooklyn independent living apartment:^[04]

• Heat
• Hot and cold water
• Fresh paint every three years
• Good lighting
• Carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors
• Self-closing entrance doorways

Your landlord is also required to keep your apartment free of hazards, vermin, and leaks. You have the right to request repairs or remediation if your apartment lacks essential services or if you’re living in hazardous conditions. If your landlord refuses to make repairs, you can report a complaint to the HPD.

Independent living with senior care services

If an independent living community offers assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing services on-site, that facility is additionally regulated beyond just residential tenant rights and protections. Such facilities are required to comply with the New York State Department of Health on a variety of regulations.

Learn more about senior care facility regulations in the laws and regulations section of our Brooklyn assisted living page.

Inspections for independent living facilities

In New York, you can find recent information on a building’s licensing, license violations, complaints, litigations, and more using this HDP search tool. You can also learn more about HPD inspections on the website.

Brooklyn offers different types of independent living communities throughout the borough. Some communities like The Waterford on the Bay overlook the captivating Sheepshead Bay, while others prioritize simplicity within the borough’s quieter neighborhoods. There’s even a faith-based community — Ateret Avot — that accepts seniors of all faiths.

Learn about how Brooklyn’s charming, brownstone-lined streets offer a unique retirement for seniors through independent living below.

Conveniences to minimize daily stresses

Brooklyn independent living communities offer a variety of on-site services and amenities that make day-to-day life easier for seniors. For instance, seniors don’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or driving, unless it’s something they wish to do. The following independent living services and amenities offer seniors safety and convenience:

• 24-hour concierge services
• Regular housekeeping and laundry services
• Three meals and refreshments daily
• Emergency call system

Most of our partner communities don’t have kitchenettes, but they do offer cooking classes or shared kitchens for those who enjoy cooking. Some communities even offer conveniences like prescription ordering, on-call doctors, and transportation for medical appointments.

Assisted living units for when care needs arise

Aging sometimes comes with conditions that require some light nursing services. In anticipation of such needs, some of our Brooklyn independent living partners offer different types of care within a different section of the same building. For instance, some of our partners offer on-site assisted living services like the following:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, etc.)
• Medication management
• Nursing staff
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Visiting doctors

On-site activities and amenities for a fulfilling retirement

One of the biggest draws of independent living in Brooklyn is the robust entertainment and social environment. These communities are known to provide seniors with activities and amenities that nourish the mind, body, and soul. From group activities like bingo and trivia to wellness activities like yoga and lifelong learning lectures, seniors have the opportunity to flourish in new ways.

Common activities and amenities found in our partner Brooklyn independent living communities include the following:

• Fitness centers and classes
• Crafts centers and classes
• Libraries or reading rooms
• TV lounges or movie theaters
• Cafes or bistros
• Courtyards
• Salon and barber services
• Group activities (game nights, musical activities, lectures, happy hours, and more)
• Holiday and birthday celebrations
• Outings to local attractions and events (museums, festivals, theatrical performances, etc.)

Some luxurious partners — like The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights — also offer lavish amenities like a rooftop terrace garden area, resident bar areas, and live entertainment rooms for local artists.

Brooklyn has some accessible medical centers to meet the various health care needs of seniors. The borough’s top-rated hospitals provide impressive care services — see the highlights below.^[05]

• NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. This hospital ranks No. 9 in New York and nationally in five specialties — cardiology, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology, urology, and geriatrics. Patients benefit from the hospital’s award-winning physicians and innovative approach to health care.
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. This hospital is home to a world-renowned Level 1 trauma center. It has over 600 beds and is known for its diabetes care, heart failure treatment, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.
• University Hospital at Downstate. This hospital ranks well in four specialties — heart failure treatment, diabetes care, stroke care, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care.

Approximately half of our independent living community partners in Brooklyn offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services for residents. Seniors can schedule a ride with the on-site concierge. Do remember that some communities may limit rides to medical appointments and essential errands, while others allow rides for social occasions and personal events.

For visiting loved ones and independent seniors, the city offers a variety of public transportation options including subways, buses, taxis, and more. Seniors 65+ can receive a discount on NYC’s transportation services. To obtain a Reduced Fare Metro Card from the New York City Department of Aging, seniors can show their Medicare card or call 3-1-1. You can learn more about local senior transportation options in Brooklyn on the NYC 311 website.

Brooklyn offers plenty of entertainment and culture for seniors to enjoy. Seniors can enjoy local attractions and festivities during group outings scheduled by most of our partner independent living communities. Or, they can explore the borough on their own. Below, we’ve highlighted some of Brooklyn’s senior-favored activities to give you a snapshot of the borough’s entertainment options.

• Brooklyn boat tours. With its close proximity to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn has a ton of waterfront activities. For seniors who enjoy being out on the water, Brooklyn Sail offers private sailboats for rent, group sailing tours, and even sailing lessons. Seniors can enjoy views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and more of NYC’s wonders.
• Golf courses in Brooklyn. Brooklyn offers a few gorgeous golf courses. Golf lovers especially love the stunning, 18-hole Marine Park Golf Course in southern Brooklyn. The expansive courses feature green rolling hills, sand traps, and small ponds. Some courses even offer a senior discount, so be sure to inquire about discounts before visiting.
• Brooklyn Museum. This extravagant museum displays over 500,000 works of art in various mediums and it’s home to unique, immersive art experiences. The artworks enable visitors to feel the power of social change through history. The museum even offers a senior discount and generous accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This blooming, 52-acre garden has unique flowers and plants from all around the world. Browse vibrant gardens like the rock garden, herb garden, Japanese garden, fragrance garden, and more. Seniors are offered a discount and it’s easily accessible to individuals with disabilities. It offers guided tours and wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.