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Find care details, insights, and insider perspectives gained from 20+ years of helping seniors and families.
What to know about this topic:
- Why you should move into independent living
- A survey of costs of independent living suites in Ottawa
The move into an independent living retirement home in Ottawa is empowering. “I wanted it to be my decision,” says Margaret, from a community just off the 417 near downtown. “I wanted to move while I was still active and not wait until my family told me it was time.” If that or the desire for other improvements in your life resonates with you, look at this option.
IN-DEPTH REPORTSIndependent living in The National Capital Region
Chartwell New Edinburgh Square Retirement Residence
Experience vibrant, contemporary retirement living in iconic New Edinburgh.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living
Wildpine Retirement Residence
At Wildpine, we strive to provide the very best in accommodations and services, including a continuum of care options, which allow our residents to age in place. We make your decision of where to retire - easy!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Governors Walk Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles
A former monastery and friary, Governors Walk is designed to pay respect to the past while featuring a modern touch. Governors Walk is steps away from the picturesque Rideau River and Stanley park.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Promenade Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Located in Orleans, Promenade is surrounded by walking paths. From Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care, we offer a vibrant community focused on exceeding your expectations. Contact us today 613-229-7973.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Chartwell Stonehaven Retirement Residence
Combining personalized service, beautiful natural surroundings and an engaging lifestyle in South Kanata.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living
Amica The Glebe
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Symphony Senior Living Kanata
Enjoy the natural setting of the surrounding Kanata Lakes with access to all essential amenities. Symphony Senior Living Kanata is community that offers a variety of service packages and suites to fulfill all your needs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Ravines Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Located in Citiplace, Ravines is surrounded by walking paths. From Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care, we offer a vibrant community focused on exceeding your expectations. Contact us today 613-223-8506.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Carp Commons Retirement Village - Verve Senior Living
One visit to Carp Commons Retirement Village and you’ll see the difference in terms of amenities, food, services, programs, and the little touches that make it feel like home.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Park Place Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Located in Central Park, Independent Seniors will find a home in our Seniors' Suites. Those needing more care find comfort in our Retirement Residence. We're focused on exceeding expectations. Call today 613-266-1354.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Symphony Senior Living Orleans
At this park-like setting, seniors are offered the choice between studio, 1 or 2 bedroom suites. Bring along pets while enjoying a variety of customizable options, including a varied menu and recreational programs.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Redwoods Retirement Residence
Redwoods apartment style community offers suite with full kitchens, individual meal plans and valet service. Whether you're meeting friends for a drink or for a swim, you'll love the social life at The Redwoods.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
VIVA Barrhaven
Ottawa's newest all-inclusive retirement community simply includes more! From a saltwater pool to an incredible golf simulator, our impressive amenities are only matched by our commitment to exceptional care & service.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Why you should move into independent living
Independent senior living is a whole new world. And it keeps getting better. Many who make this move come to the realization that it makes their entire lives better.
Here’s a look at the advantages of moving into an independent living community in Ottawa, including some things you might not have considered.
Living alone vs. living in community
In independent living retirement communities, there’s always someone to talk with right outside the door, as people say so often. Another refrain you will hear (and join in with) is, “There’s so much to do here.” Activity calendars in these communities get people together in a slate of fun activities that includes things to do, both within the community and outside.
One of the most acclaimed things about retirement homes is eating together with peers. This is often a time of humour, sharing, and simply great conversation. It’s like going out to dinner with friends every day. For many, dinner time recalls the days when they sat around the table with their own families. Leave loneliness, behind and join in the joy.
Freedom from chores
When you live in your own home, life can seem like one chore after another. Leave all those things behind. People are often amazed by how much fun you can have with all that extra time. In a senior living retirement community, “independence” comes in many different forms, some you might not have anticipated.
Features!
Many independent living retirement communities in Ottawa Region and area serve up five-star dining every night. Communities have onsite pubs and cafes that make eating a varied pleasure again. Swimming pools and exercise rooms are great places to meet up with friends and get moving together! Other features you can find in retirement homes might include a golf course, indoor putting green, onsite bistro, full-featured movie theatre, saltwater pool, hot tub or golf simulator … look around and be amazed!
Not every retirement home in Ottawa comes with those features, and you might feel some of them are extravagant. But you deserve it! When costs are shared by everyone, those features make life very pleasant for all.
Move into a brightly lit, updated space
Independent living retirement homes listed above are regularly updated. Many times, seniors hang onto a traditional family home long after its main features — bedrooms, living space, family neighbourhood, etc. — have outlived their relevance. If your home was built to standards from the 1960’s or earlier, it may have unnecessary hazards, like narrow hallways, steep stairs or an exterior porch prone to icing over. Suburban homes are not designed with the needs of seniors in mind Retirement communities are designed with wide open hallways, copious lighting, accessibility bars, and many other features that make them so much easier to get around in than your current home.
Take a full look at the pros and cons of independent living retirement homes. Before you choose a community, read our complete guide to finding the right retirement home.
A survey of costs of independent living suites in Ottawa
Here’s a quick survey of the costs of independent living suites in a variety of Ottawa Region locations. Remember that many of these communities offer a full slate of activities and feature superb amenities. The monthly cost is an umbrella for all living costs (covering everything from food to taxes to maintenance and everything in between).
This table gives you a broad range, only. Not all suite sizes are included per location or area of the city. Check the listings above for details about different rates charged by communities.
City/neighbourhood |
Suite type |
Size |
Cost/mo (starting) |
Carleton Place |
1 bedroom |
542 sq. feet |
$2,090 |
Redwood |
1 bedroom |
444 sq. feet |
$2,380 |
Orleans |
1 bedroom |
480 sq. feet |
$4,459 |
Fisher Glen |
2 bedroom |
924 sq feet |
$6,522 |