With its stunning ocean scenery, Virginia Beach provides seniors looking for independent living options with a tranquil East Coast setting. Virginia Beach is a popular year-round destination where seniors can enjoy a three-mile oceanfront boardwalk. It’s known for its thriving dining scene, arts and entertainment, maritime history, and family-friendly attractions. The city also has its own distinct districts that offer experiences everyone can enjoy.
Independent living in Virginia Beach includes various features and activities that support a relaxing, social lifestyle for seniors searching for this type of housing — and these communities provide upkeep, security, and emergency third-party medical services.
We’ll help you locate your ideal residence with this comprehensive guide covering everything from pricing options to the attractions Virginia Beach has to offer. We’ll also look at health care and transportation options available. From exclusive independent living communities to highly affordable options, we will take a look at A Place for Mom’s partner independent living communities.
Bay Lake is truly the best in Virginia Beach. Staff are responsive and caring. It is a smaller community, which is very beneficial because it provides a more family-like environment and feel. We are pleased...
The staff is great! There might be a couple of people having a bad day on certain days, but overall very good. Housekeeping is great. I wish they would provide toilet paper and tissues so I did not have to...
Maintenance-when there is something I have asked for help with, I have gotten the quickest response. She had a problem with her toilet and it was addressed immediately. Even had a problem with her walker...
My mom doesn't take advantage of the activities accept the occasional Bingo. I think she is slipping in her cognitive abilities which has nothing to do with the staff. I feel she is taken care of better...
We chose Commonwealth Senior Living at Kings Grant House because of the location, size of facility, cleanliness of both facility and patients, and the atmosphere of the facility. They are very caring,...
The staff care about what they do and who they are doing it for. The food is outstanding. The facility is not too big and overwhelming. The rooms are a very good size. It is an older facility, but they...
Initial move in went well. No guidance regarding laundry services. No orientation. No buddy system. No response to voice messages. Friendly and helpful staff. Staff checks on resident during day and reminds...
The staff is excellent. I would like to see some of the common areas spruced up like the outside breeze way needs to be pressure washed. Hallway paint colors and décor is out dated.
The staff are very wonderful. They are patient with newcomers, friendly, and cooperative. They have lots of activities like a continental breakfast, or monthly birthday celebrations to name a few. ...
The communication is excellent, they call frequently to give updates and let us know anything we need to. The room sizes are wonderful, and the food is very good. I would recommend this facility to...
The Villages of Rosemont went above and beyond with helping our mother when she was a resident here. The staff was very friendly: from housekeeping, food service and nursing. The move in process was very...
The community has been in the area for a very long time. The aesthetics don't have the newer decorations like new communities, and it is a little bit on the older side for decor. I believe they should have...
They are great! We are very happy with them. They are clean and friendly. And they do a good job taking care of my loved one. I can breathe easy at night knowing that he is well cared for.
Staff was really friendly and helpful. It's a great place to live. Home environment based, safe and secure establishment. We are happy with the choice we made.
I love living here and with the comment below , if you don't like then leave. No one is holding here. We are grateful for everything The Russell House does for us. The staff here are grate. They do anything...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that ranks communities based on factors
we know are important to seniors and their families:
We’ve collected data from and about our network of more than 14,000 senior living communities in the U.S. for over twenty years, and we update this information at least once a year.
Additionally, we’ve gathered over 350,000 reviews from senior living residents and family members to provide first-hand accounts of what senior living communities are really like.
We never manipulate the data we collect from communities, residents, or families, or enter into paid marketing partnerships with communities in our network.
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, independent living in Virginia Beach costs an average of $4,626 monthly.[01] This number covers amenities and service fee add-ons, but may not cover additional costs like pet rents or parking fees.
Many of Virginia Beach’s independent living communities offer amenities such as complimentary transportation, wheelchair-accessible showers, salons, housekeeping services, and more.[01]
The numbers shown below are average baseline costs only and do not include any additional fees.
For those looking for independent living options in Virginia Beach, there are a variety of ways to afford it. These include private funding, public assistance, and veteran-specific benefits.
Independent living communities are not technically health care communities, so they aren’t covered by programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance. However, these programs may help seniors in paying for medically necessary in-home care services at their places of residence.
Information about various private payment methods, public housing assistance, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and Medicare or Medicaid resources for seniors can all be found here.
Those looking to fund an independent living stay in Virginia Beach can do so privately. Seniors and their families can consider their or their loved ones’ personal savings; pensions; Social Security benefits; or even investment returns from real estate, the stock market, or something similar.
Any of the following options can also be used to fund a stay privately:
There are benefits and resources available in Virginia Beach to assist senior veterans with housing support. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program provides rental assistance vouchers to eligible low-income veterans. Eligible veterans who served during wartime and require assistance with daily living activities can take advantage of VA Aid and Attendance benefits, which is an additional payment on top of the VA Pension.
Local Veteran Services Organizations (VSOs) can help seniors in Virginia Beach understand and apply for VA benefits.
Approximately 52,354 veterans live in Virginia Beach, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Roughly 34% of Virginia Beach veterans are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Resources for Virginia Beach veterans
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Virginia Beach – Oceana Benefits Office
1232 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 202
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-689-3729
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Veterans will be seen 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Walk-in hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appointments: Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (Regional Office)
James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th St., 17th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-0286
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
4896 Kempsville Greens Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-519-9931
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
American Legion, Princess Anne Post 113
Phone: 757-635-1552
Virginia’s Medicaid program is known as Cardinal Care, and it can pay for some or all of the health care costs for low-income seniors depending on the type of care and the individual’s income. The program does not cover costs related to independent living facility room and board, but it may cover medically necessary in-home health care services via the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program.
You can easily apply for the Virginia Medicaid program using these three methods:
Besides this, your local Area Agency on Aging can help you access long-term care services offered by the state and city of Virginia Beach. There is also an ombudsman on staff to help.
Virginia Beach resident Medicaid and Medicare resources
Cardinal Care
600 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 833-522-5582
TDD: 888-221-1590
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (Local Area Agency on Aging)
2551 Eltham Ave., Suite Q
Norfolk, VA 23513
Phone: 757-461-9481
Fax: 757-461-1068
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Senior Advocate Ombudsman
Willie Alston
Phone: 800-766-8059
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors 65+ and people with certain considerations who are younger. Covered costs might include hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical equipment, but Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial costs (such as rent) in independent living communities. However, Medicare does assist with medical-specific services that could be useful for seniors in independent living.
It’s worth noting that Medicare Savings Programs can assist with funding for independent living stays and can be applied for through this application form or the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. The Virginia Medication Assistance Program program also helps with specific medications for low-income people. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is another potential option for getting medical care. The program is for seniors who qualify for a skilled nursing facility but want to remain more independent. You can apply for PACE here.
Virginia Beach offers a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) in the form of the state’s Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP). This program provides free counseling and assistance to help you determine eligibility and answer questions. You can contact your local Area Agency on Aging for this service.
You can also visit the program’s official website, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or visit a nearby Social Security office.
Virginia Beach resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
2875 Sabre St., Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
Ombudsman: Willie Alston
2551 Eltham Ave., Suite Q
Norfolk, Virginia 23513
Phone: 757-222-4542
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Email: walston@ssseva.org
Offices for Aging Services (VICAP)
1610 Forest Ave., Suite 100
Henrico, VA 23229
Phone: 804-662-9333
Sentara Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 260
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: 757-252-7800
Fax: 757-390-4375
Virginia Medication Assistance Program
Virginia Department of Public Health
4452 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-518-2700
Independent living communities in Virginia are not subject to regulations right now. However, legislation passed that asked the Department of Social Services to complete a study that could lead to regulations for independent living (but hasn’t yet).
Standalone independent living communities in Virginia are unregulated because they do not provide any care. However, some independent living communities are also combined with assisted living or memory care, which means they must be licensed and meet certain standards. The Virginia Department of Health allows you to search facilities on their website to ensure they are in compliance.
These regulations protect the safety and welfare of residents. The rules cover training for staff, minimum qualifications for staff, as well as administration requirements. Emergency preparedness, adherence to medication management requirements and infection control procedures are also covered.
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 800-533-4148
The Virginia Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend keeping updated with vaccinations to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Vaccinations. Those who received their second vaccine dose six-plus months ago, are 65 or older, have underlying medical conditions, or work in a high-risk setting can schedule a free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster in Norfolk, Virginia.
Masking. The CDC recommends wearing a mask for 10 days if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Within a 10-mile market radius of downtown Virginia Beach, there are three A Place for Mom-partnered facilities classified as independent living. One is a self-contained independent living facility, and the other facilities combine assisted living, memory care, and independent living offerings.
When the search is broadened 25 miles beyond downtown Virginia Beach, more options are available. Seniors can find a total of seven independent living facilities, and four of those offer a combination of assisted living, memory care, and independent living offerings.
These communities often offer amenities such as wheelchair-accessible showers, housekeeping, and complimentary transportation. All of them are pet-friendly — so you can enjoy your time with your furry friend! Those interested in more creative hobbies might be able to indulge with arts and craft centers, enjoy movie or theater rooms, and even billiards tables. Clearly, there’s no shortage of what these facilities can offer you.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Virginia Beach
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Virginia Beach population
The median annual income for Virginia Beach seniors 65 and older
Virginia Beach has easy access to high-quality medical care that promotes a healthy environment and aims to prevent diseases. You’ll find everything you need from specialty hospitals and clinics to home health care options in order to live a healthy and happy life.
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital offers general medical and surgical services. It’s also highly rated for eight adult procedures and conditions.
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, located in Chesapeake, Virginia, is a general medical and surgical facility. It has a high rating across seven adult procedures and conditions.
With 8 in 10 of its households owning a car, Virginia Beach residents rely on their own vehicles for getting around town. However, the city also provides public transportation via the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) service. This includes buses and light rail service that connects Virginia Beach and nearby Norfolk.
Seniors and residents with disabilities in Virginia Beach can use HRT’s paratransit services for door-to-door transportation as well as a low-cost shuttle service through the region’s senior services transportation program. The shuttle service requires preregistration and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Walk Score statistics for Virginia Beach are determined by the city’s density, walking routes, public transportation options, biking trails, and other factors. While not highly walkable in all areas, there are certain neighborhoods that are as well as the resort area of Virginia Beach.
Despite Virginia Beach’s suburban setting, it’s a resort town at heart. There are a variety of exciting things to do, including free activities.
Beautiful nature trails and wheelchair-accessible scenic overlooks are available at First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Even the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is fully accessible and has stunning ocean views. You can people- and nature-watch while strolling, eating, or enjoying a beverage.
Additionally, garden sights and smells can be therapeutic and calming for seniors. With accessible walking paths, flower displays, and special events, the Norfolk Botanical Garden is a lovely destination.
For those looking for a more immersive experience, The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center features marine animal exhibits, touch tanks, and educational programs. It’s completely accessible, with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
Seniors interested in learning about aviation history can also visit the Military Aviation Museum.
The Cultural Affairs Department of Virginia Beach offers seniors a variety of cultural activities such as concerts, theater performances, and art exhibits. Most of the events are free or of low-cost at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts or the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Here, seniors can also engage in other creative activities such as taking cooking classes, attending outdoor music concerts, attending festivals (such as the Neptune Festival and the American Music Festival), or spending a day on a fishing trip. For a more relaxing and accessible setting, wineries — such as the Mermaid — in Virginia beach offer free tastings as well.
Apart from the city’s sights and scenery, senior centers and programs such as the Forever Young Senior Centers, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Senior Programs, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, and Primeplus Norfolk Senior Center offer to improve the lives of seniors through advocacy, education, and comprehensive services.
Acclaim at East Beach, Bay Lake Community and Chesapeake Place Senior Living are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Virginia Beach, VA. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Virginia Beach is $3,353 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
City of Virginia Beach. (n.d.). Virginia Department of Health Opens Community Vaccination Center for Booster Shots.
News 3 WTKR Norfolk. (2021, August 19). Local nursing homes respond to the federal requirement to vaccinate staff.
U.S. News. (2023). U.S. News Best Hospitals. U.S. News & World Report L.P.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
City of Virginia Beach. (n.d.). Virginia Department of Health Opens Community Vaccination Center for Booster Shots.
News 3 WTKR Norfolk. (2021, August 19). Local nursing homes respond to the federal requirement to vaccinate staff.
U.S. News. (2023). U.S. News Best Hospitals. U.S. News & World Report L.P.