Lists of reports on this page:
Find care details, insights, and insider perspectives gained from 20+ years of helping seniors and families.
What to know about this topic:
- The advantages of moving into an independent living home
- What to consider when choosing a retirement home
- Moving to British Columbia from out of the area
Independent living homes are designed for self-sufficient, well, and, active seniors. They often include wellness programs onsite, and there will also be hobby rooms, games, activities, and and other features that create a wonderful community. Communal areas in these residences increase your social life and open up new activities and opportunities for growth. Homes may also have nurses on staff, especially if there are other care options on the site, such as assisted living care.
IN-DEPTH REPORTSIndependent living in British Columbia
Arbourside Court
13751 - 74th Avenue, Surrey,
British Columbia, V3W 1A8
Welcome to Arbourside Court, a retirement home in the heart of Surrey, BC. Proudly serving our senior residents since 2001. Many activities to enjoy and new friendships to be made, we are always bustling with laughter.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Concorde Retirement Residence - Verve Senior Living
3235 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton,
British Columbia, V2A 6G5
The Concorde has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with comfortable dining & excellent views of the mountains, along with extensive program activities; The Concorde is perfect for an active living & entertaining lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Camelot
455 Kingston Street, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8V 1V8
The Camelot offers Boutique Independent Retirement Living with Supportive Services. With fresh homemade meals, caring staff, fun activities in the exquisite and peaceful James Bay neighbourhood.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Wexford
1737 56 Street, Tsawwassen,
British Columbia, V4L 0A5
The Wexford offers all-inclusive, independent senior living one km from Tsawwassen town centre. Bright and spacious suites and costal-inspired living areas are beautifully accented by a rooftop garden and courtyard.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Agassiz Seniors Community
MacKay Cres, Agassiz,
British Columbia, V0M 1A3
Agassiz Seniors Community offers peaceful living in the Cheam Mountains. With a close-knit community and serene surroundings, this residence prioritizes personal connections and a relaxed lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Long-term care
The Heritage - Verve Senior Living
3630 Brown Rd, West Kelowna,
British Columbia, V4T7Y9
The Heritage Retirement Residence encompasses an active living & entertaining lifestyle with supportive & assisted living measures, Our highly skilled registered health care team will provide assistance when you need it.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
OPAL Vancouver
438 West King Edward Ave, Vancouver,
British Columbia, V5Y 05M
OPAL Vancouver offers luxurious senior living with 30,000+ sq. ft. of amenities and a full continuum of care, creating a vibrant, connected community designed for comfort, wellness, and aging in place.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Long-term care
Berwick Parksville
180 Jensen Ave East, Parksville,
British Columbia, V9P 0G9
At Berwick Parksville, we strive to change the perception of retirement living by empowering our Residents to live their best life with us. We think of it as inspired retirement living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Greystone Manor Retirement Residence
11657 Ritchie Avenue, Maple Ridge,
British Columbia, V2X 8X3
Named one of the top 3 retirement communities in Maple Ridge, Greystone is a premier Park Place residence, with the comfort and services you need to maintain your active lifestyle in a warm and welcoming community.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Courtyard Gardens - Verve Senior Living
7051 Moffat Road, Richmond,
British Columbia, V6Y 3W2
Courtyard Gardens offers an enriching community, with quality staff & friendly & caring environment. 107 Private & Subsidized suites in Assisted Living, 31 Private Pay Extended Care studio suites & 1 Respite Suite.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
Athens Creek Retirement Lodge
170 Warren Avenue West, Penticton,
British Columbia, V2A 8R6
Athens Creek Retirement Lodge offers independent living in Penticton amid mountain and creekside surroundings. This is a welcoming community where comfort, convenience, and connection combine in a relaxed setting.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Cristalina PARC
3101 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna,
British Columbia, V1W 1J5
Cristalina PARC brings refined independent senior living to Kelowna’s Pandosy Village. With stunning lake and mountain views, and a modern design, it’s a place that invites you to live fully and in style.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick On The Park
60 Whiteshield Crescent, South Kamloops,
British Columbia, V2E 2S9
Nestled on the hillside, Berwick on the Park offers stunning panoramic mountain, valley and river views and flexible retirement lifestyles, including independent living and assisted living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Thornebridge Gardens - Verve Senior Living
649 8th Avenue, New Westminster,
British Columbia, V3M 2R2
Thornebridge Gardens is one of New Westminster’s finest retirement residences, providing luxurious, worry-free surroundings with life enriching services that inspire healthy senior living. Many options are available!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Berwick Royal Oak
4680 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8Z 0B4
Luxurious, Resort-Style Retirement Living where you can age in place; You’re Home at Last at Berwick Royal Oak on Vancouver Island in beautiful Victoria, BC.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
The Residence at Orchards Walk
#100 3300 Valleyview Drive, Kamloops,
British Columbia, V2C 0G9
The Residence offers service-oriented living at its finest. With a shopping plaza and stunning views, Orchards Walk is Kamloops’ premier new neighbourhood. Choose between spacious studios and one or two bedroom suites.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Hawthorn Park Retirement Community - Verve Senior Living
867 KLO Road, Kelowna,
British Columbia, V1Y 9G5
Living at Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence means you have choices & can customize the services you need, as you need them. We offer three lifestyle opportunities; supportive living, assisted living & complex care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Sherwood House
280 Government Street, Duncan,
British Columbia, V9L 0B5
At Sherwood House we offer active adult independent retirement living, pet friendly, featuring delicious homemade meals, daily activities, weekly housekeeping, safely connected in the heart of Duncan, Vancouver Island
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Granville Gardens - Verve Senior Living
1550 West 49th Avenue,, Vancouver,
British Columbia, V6M 0B3
Located in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood, Granville Gardens offers residents the opportunity to stay active and live in a well-appointed urban community, surrounded by shopping centres, parks, community centres.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Gilmore Gardens - Verve Senior Living
4088 Blundell Road, Richmond,
British Columbia, V7C 5V1
Like a condominium, you furnish your suite with the comforts from your home, including pets. At Gilmore Gardens, it's the people, residents and staff alike, that make this independent senior living community so special.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick On The Lake
3201 Ross Road, Nanaimo,
British Columbia, V9T 6L9
At Berwick on the Lake, residents enjoy red seal chef prepared meals in their choice of 3 dining rooms. Beyond our beautiful amenities, our residents also enjoy a full wellness program. Resort style living at it's best!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Berwick House
4062 Shelbourne Street, Victoria,
British Columbia, V8N 3E6
Berwick House offers comfort, security and our usual high standard of affordable luxury. Steps away from a mall, cinema and other conveniences, you’ll find everything you need for an independent and active lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care
Berwick Comox Valley
1700 Comox Avenue, Comox,
British Columbia, V9M 4H4
Berwick Comox Valley offers a resort-style retirement residence in a convenient downtown setting. This is West Coast living at its finest, truly affordable luxury.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Magnolia Gardens
5840 Glover Rd, Langley,
British Columbia, V3A 9K3
An oasis in the heart of Langley City, Magnolia Gardens features bright, spacious suites and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Two choices in senior living: 115 independent living suites, and a 40-suite licensed Care Centre.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Sunstone Apartments
10775 Delsom Crescent, Delta,
British Columbia, V4C 0A8
Sunstone Rentals is the newest retirement community located in North Delta. A 70 unit independent living facility for those 55+, offers retirement community living for those downsizing.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living
Bolivar Creek Retirement Residence
10928 132 street, Surrey,
British Columbia, V3T0R3
Discover vibrant, independent senior living at Bolivar Creek—modern design, natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows, flexible dining, and personalized care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Berwick by the Sea
1353 16th Ave., Campbell River,
British Columbia, V9W 0C4
Berwick by the Sea offers you the freedom to spend your time doing the things you love most. Every area of the community has been carefully designed to offer something for everyone. Come join us on your next adventure!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Berwick Qualicum Beach
120 First Ave W, Qualicum Beach,
British Columbia, V9K 0B4
Berwick Qualicum Beach offers an array of amenities and engaging programs in our beautifully appointed community. Join our vibrant community today and enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle with some new friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The advantages of moving into an independent living home
Let's consider how an independent living home is a better option than aging in your own home.
Many seniors try to remain in a home that was not built with seniors in mind. Many homes built in the mid to late 20th century will have a variety of problems that make them less than accessible. Stairs may have old railings, counters and other such household items may be designed under very old standards. Familiar furniture items like rocking chairs and other items can become hazardous. Common household amenities like floor mats and carpeting can also become hazards as you age.
TOOLS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE
Contemporary independent senior living homes are designed with safety and security in mind. Accessible features are everywhere, including ramps, handrails, adequate lighting, flat floors and many other modern design features. All of this works together to create a community of people with the same needs as you. Many people find that life is so much better than it is living alone in your own home; as they say, there’s nothing more independent than life in an independent seniors’ living home.
These homes offer a social aspect that cannot be appreciated until you go in and look at what it's like. This often has a way of reviving seniors' enthusiasm and giving them new life. One senior in Vancouver, Jean, says her move into a retirement home there, opened her up to community activities. "I'm not just sitting around, here. It seems like I'm getting out and meeting new people all the time." Improvements in well-being created by the lean, well-appointed independent living residences cannot be measured.
Other newly moved seniors proclaim a renewed joy of living. Jeannine moved into a North Vancouver retirement home and tells Comfort Life how glad she is to have moved there. "I hope to stay for ages… Friends, safety, my own place, good food and lots to do…. this is home."
Common features of independent living homes automatically make your life better. Communal dining rooms mean that you no longer have to prepare your own food (or even buy your own groceries), eat alone or clean up dishes when you are done. It's far more enjoyable to share a meal with peers and to have a good time while you are eating; some homes have outdoor dining areas where you can enjoy the natural environment while you eat. Housekeeping and other mundane tasks are also taken care of. Homes are designed for optimal comfort, both in communal areas and in your suite. All of this works together to improve your life immensely over living on your own.
What to consider when choosing a retirement home
Check out our checklist of things to look for in a retirement home. Here's a brief overview of things to consider.
- How much of my own furniture can I bring?
- What, if any, hidden costs does the home have?
- Does it have a good reputation? What do reviews of the home say? Do residents seem happy?
- What are the qualifications of management and staff?
- Has it been well maintained? How old are the buildings and/or homes?
- Do the services and amenities the community offers appeal to you?
- How many people live there?
- What is included in the cost? Are there any extra costs (i.e. laundry service, maintenance)?
Be sure to speak to a home’s administrators, staff, residents, and even residents’ family members for a complete profile of a given independent living home.
Of course, you will want to consider several options. Use the checklist to compare several homes; it's a great resource that will remind you of many aspects to look at, that you may not have thought of on your own. Make a list of your own personal preferences, must-haves and nice-to-haves then compare and contrast what individual homes offer.
Download The Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist. It will remind you of things you may not think of on your own, with a comprehensive list of things to note. It's a personal guidebook to make your tour more focused and enjoyable, and the note-taking process much easier.
Moving to British Columbia from out of the area
If you are considering homes here from out of the province, B.C. is a particularly great place to live in your retirement.There is certainly a lot to do in British Columbia! Its two largest cities, Vancouver and Victoria, are full of cultural diversity, lively streets, and great shopping. And, its seemingly ubiquitous natural riches are great for hiking or if you merely want to be in a soothing atmosphere.
Further interior cities such as Kamloops, Chilliwack and even homes in towns as far north as Thornhill, offer lower cost real estate and all the beauty and relaxation you could want. Many of the residences listed here very appropriately brag about the spectacular views of local scenery you will have. BC's temperate climate also has beneficial effects for seniors and those suffering from ailments such as heart disease and lung problems.
