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    Retirement Community Finder

    Find the right home for the next chapter.

    A Place for Mom

    FREE for seniors

    Largest senior placement service. Free advisor matched to you.

    Best free advisor.

    Caring.com

    FREE

    Reviews + ratings. Owned by AARP.

    Best reviews.

    SeniorAdvisor.com

    FREE

    Search senior living + reviews.

    Best community search.

    After55.com

    FREE

    55+ active adult communities (independent living).

    Best for active.

    AARP Community Map

    FREE

    Maps senior-friendly + accessible communities.

    Best senior-friendly cities.

    Levels of senior living

    • Active adult / 55+ community — own home, age-restricted. $200K-$2M to buy.
    • Independent living — apartment + meals + activities. $2K-$5K/mo.
    • Assisted living — apartment + meals + medication management + bathing help. $4K-$8K/mo.
    • Memory care — for dementia. Higher staffing. $6K-$10K/mo.
    • Skilled nursing / nursing home — 24/7 medical. $8K-$12K/mo.
    • CCRC (Continuing Care) — all levels in one community. Buy-in $200K-$2M + monthly.

    Important questions to ask

    • Pricing: ALL fees. (Many hide "level of care" surcharges.)
    • Staffing ratio.
    • Recent state inspection report. (Ask for it.)
    • Annual rate increases (typical 3-8%).
    • What happens if money runs out?
    • Memory care upgrade path?
    • Visiting hours + family policy.
    • COVID / outbreak protocols.

    "A Place for Mom" warning

    A Place for Mom is FREE because communities pay them when you move in. They're not unbiased. Use them as ONE tool — but also research independently. Same with most "free" placement services.

    Get state inspection reports

    Every state inspects assisted living + nursing homes. Reports public. Search "[your state] assisted living inspection". OR Medicare.gov/care-compare for nursing homes specifically. Star ratings + violations.