Last Updated on: 26th December 2023, 09:07 am
Is Rhode Island a good place to retire? Yes, retirement in Rhode Island is comfortable and affordable, thanks to the state’s beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and vibrant cities! But before you retire in Rhode Island or hire senior movers, you need to do your research on the best retirement communities in Rhode Island. Rhode Island may seem small, but you have many options for Rhode Island retirement communities. Here’s what you should know about independent living in Rhode Island.
What Is a 55+ Community?
Over 55 communities in Rhode Island are apartment complexes, neighborhoods, or gated communities reserved for people who are at least 55. Your household must contain at least one person over the age of 55, but you can bring your children and pets. You may read about Rhode Island retirement communities and active adult communities. These communities are similar to 55 plus communities in Rhode Island, but they may not have formal age restrictions.
Independent and assisted living communities, as well as nursing homes, are for people who need assistance with daily life tasks. If you’re an active adult looking for independence or pursuing a low maintenance lifestyle, you should opt for 55+ communities in RI. Most retirement communities in RI offer a mixture of services, so it can be hard to find active retirement communities in Rhode Island without assisted living options.
Benefits of Living in Rhode Island Retirement Communities
There are many benefits of living in retirement communities in RI, including:
- Low maintenance or maintenance-free housing options
- Free landscaping, transportation, and maintenance services
- Safety; many over 55 communities in Rhode Island have 24/7 security and emergency response teams
- Convenient access to Rhode Island attractions, restaurants, stores, and other points of interest; many Rhode Island 55+ communities offer free rides
- A full social calendar with parties, community outings, and networking events
- Resort style amenities like heated swimming pools, community gardens, fishing ponds, and paved walking trails
- Strong sense of community
- An active and healthy lifestyle with access to fitness centers, gyms, and yoga studios
Not all 55+ communities in RI are the same, and some have unique amenities like personal chefs who can plan meals for you. Make sure to compare 55 and over communities in RI to find the one with the amenities and services you want.
Brightview Commons (Wakefield, RI) | Top-Ranked Rhode Island Retirement Community
US News considers Brightview Commons in Wakefield to be the best 55+ community in Rhode Island, praising it for its independent living in Rhode Island and assisted living services. Brightview Commons has also received positive reviews from Fortune Magazine and other outlets. The retirement community has over 20 years of experience in Rhode Island senior living, unlike other retirement communities in Rhode Island that have only opened recently.
Residents of Brightview Commons Wakefield RI, who order independent living, can receive free housekeeping, prepared meals, and valet parking.
Each apartment contains a full kitchen and a washer/dryer, and you can choose from seven different floor plans. Residents of Brightview Commons RI who need assisted living receive a personalized care plan from a team of experienced Rhode Island senior living associates. Brightview Commons also offers memory care, which can help people with dementia and memory loss. The memory care floor is designed to have a village aesthetic, creating a cozy and secure environment for all residents.
- Address: 57 Grandeville Court, Wakefield, RI, 02879
- Phone: 401-622-0074
- Amenities: Billiards room, chef-prepared meals, common spaces, free fitness and wellness programs, communal gardens, housekeeping and linen services, library, movie theater, pub, putting greens
- Housing: Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom 55 plus apartments in Rhode Island for rent
- Pricing: Average monthly cost is $7,800; contact for exact rates
South Shore Village (South Kingstown, RI) | Best Rhode Island 55+ Community for Golf and Luxury Homes for Sale
South Shore Village is the best Rhode Island retirement community for golf. Unlike other 55 plus communities in Rhode Island, South Shore Village has its own nine-hole golf course with bent grass, pine forests, and sandy loam soils, similar to championship golf courses at major resorts. South Shore Village RI is also within driving distance of several golf courses, including Meadowbrook Golf RI, which has an 18-hole golf course. South Shore Village RI is located in South Kingstown, a quaint beach town bordering Block Island Sound, making it one of the best Rhode Island 55+ communities for beachgoers.
South Shore Village South Kingstown RI offers two-bedroom homes between 1,400 and 2,028 square feet. All South Shore Village homes contain full basements, two-car attached garages, and open floor plans. You can select from four different home styles, giving you complete independence for your property. All homes have luxurious features like nine-foot ceilings, wood laminate floors, and R-38 insulation.
- Address: 5 Birdie Court, South Kingstown, RI, 02879
- Phone: 401-601-0074
- Amenities: Bar, community center/clubhouse, fitness center, nine-hole golf course, hiking path, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, walking trails
- Housing: Two-bedroom over 55 condos in RI for sale
- Pricing: Homes start at $733,400; South Shore Village Homeowners Association monthly fee is $340
Laurelmead (Providence, RI) | Comfortable and Friendly Resident-Owned 55+ Community in Rhode Island
Laurelmead is in East Providence, which is home to some of the best schools in Providence, including Brown University, Moses Brown School, and Wheeler School. Laurelmead has 152 apartments, including 600-square-foot studio units and 2,400-square-foot penthouse suites. You can stay at model Laurelmead apartments for sale, visit the community for a meal or social event, or participate in a virtual tour before moving in. It is the best Providence retirement community and one of the few Providence senior living communities located inside the city limits.
Laurelmead Providence is the only resident-owned retirement community in Rhode Island. Each resident is a shareholder in the community and can join committees or the Board of Directors, making management decisions about activities, dining services, and health and fitness programs. The Laurelmead Providence Board of Directors plans special events, oversees clubs, and ensures that all residents have access to Laurelmead amenities, including one chef-prepared meal every day.
- Address: 355 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI, 02906
- Phone: 401-273-9550
- Amenities: Art room, chef-prepared meals, four dining venues, health and fitness center, game room, general store, library, private gardens, salon, swimming pool and hot tub, spa, theater, walking trails
- Housing: Studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and penthouse 55 plus apartments in Rhode Island for rent
- Laurelmead cost: One-bedroom units start at $3,100 a month; two-bedroom units start at $4,000 a month; monthly service fee required for all residents, based on apartment style and size
Villages on Mount Hope Bay (Tiverton, RI) | Best Rhode Island Retirement Community for an Active Lifestyle
Villages on Mount Hope Bay is in Tiverton, a riverside community along the Mount Hope Bay and one of the best places to live in Rhode Island. Villages on Mount Hope Bay has top riverfront condos near walking trails that lead to the water and nearby beaches. The walking trails lead to nearby ponds, parks, and nature preserves, giving you plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities.
When the weather is bad, you can use the on-site fitness center, which contains treadmills, stationary bikes, weight machines, and other equipment. Mount Hope Bay has an active social calendar with billiards, pickleball, and tennis games throughout the week. You can also play cards, poker, and mahjong in the community’s 10,000-square-foot community center.
The Villages on Mount Hope Bay caters to people over the age of 55 looking for a vacation home and looking to retire, unlike other 55 and over communities in RI that cater only to retirees. You have many options for townhomes and midrise condominiums, and each option is customizable. Most properties contain open floorplans, oversized offices, wide patios and decks with waterfront views, and spacious dens.
- Address: 120 Schooner Drive, Tiverton, RI, 02878
- Phone: 401-624-1300
- Amenities: Clubhouse, fitness center, tennis court, ponds, swimming pool, walking trails
- Housing: Townhomes and condos for sale
- Pricing: Prices start at $750,000
Village at Waterman Lake (Greenville, RI) | Resort Style and Quiet 55+ Community in RI
Village at Waterman Lake is in a 31-acre wooded campus in Greenville, creating a quaint and quiet environment for your retirement in Rhode Island. You can enjoy independent living, assisted living, and memory care with assistance from on-site physicians and mental health professionals. You can transition between services at The Village at Waterman Lake if your lifestyle or health ever changes. Village at Waterman Lake has over 30 years of experience in offering services to seniors.
The Village at Waterman Lake is a resort-style community with some of the best amenities in any retirement community in Rhode Island. The Village employs professional chefs who serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts in classy dining rooms. You can receive chauffered transportation to and from any location, including churches and doctors’ offices. You can enjoy a comprehensive activities program and participate in dozens of different clubs.
- Address: 715 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI, 02828
- Phone: 401-949-1333
- Amenities: Bocce court, chauffeured transportation, chef-prepared meals, general store, nine-hole golf course, housekeeping and linen services, nature trail, libraries, physician services, picnic area, pub, putting green, salon, snack bar
- Housing: Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for rent
- Village at Waterman Lake costs: Contact for pricing; costs depend on room type, level of care, and services
Brookdale Sakonnet Bay (Tiverton, RI) | Best Rhode Island Retirement Home for Chef-Prepared Meals
Brookdale Sakonnet Bay is a continuing care retirement community, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Brookdale Tiberton RI is well known for its dining programs, with chefs preparing seasonal and healthy menus that vary from day to day. Residents can enjoy snacks and desserts throughout the day, including pastries and salads. If you’d like to cook meals for yourself, you can prepare food in your apartment and hone your cooking skills with cooking classes.
Brookdale Tiberton also has an active activity calendar. Activities are announced well in advance so you can decide what to do every day. You have several options for activities and services and complete control over your social and activities schedule.
- Address: 1215 Main Road, Tiverton, RI, 02878
- Brookdale phone number: 401-624-1880
- Amenities: Beauty and barber shop, billiards room, chapel, community gardens and greenhouses, concierge service, fitness center, game room, indoor pool, library, pub and sports bar, walking paths
- Housing: Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for rent
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
Atria Lincoln Place (Lincoln, RI) | Best 55+ Community in RI for Social and Arts Events
Atria Lincoln Place in Lincoln offers upscale independent living, assisted living, and memory care. All residents have access to medical staff 24/7 who can offer special services like assistance getting out of beds and chairs and medication administration. Atria Lincoln RI apartments are compact, letting you get around easily, and most apartments can accommodate pets, including large dogs. Atria Lincoln RI is one of the few pet-friendly 55+ communities in Rhode Island.
Atria Lincoln creates an active and diverse social calendar for all residents. You can participate in the arts, religious and spiritual events, and social mixers, including luaus, beer tastings, and holiday parties. If you want some time away from Atria Lincoln Place, you can go to Lincoln Commons and Bally’s Twin River Lincoln or travel to Providence RI, which is less than 10 miles away.
- Address: 612 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, RI, 02865
- Phone: 401-334-1686
- Amenities: Cognitive learning center, private dining room, doctor’s offices, outdoor dining space, fitness center, game room, garden, hot tub, library, media room, patio, salon, indoor swimming pool
- Housing: Studio and one-bedroom apartments for rent
- Pricing: Starting at $6,095 a month
Map of the Best Retirement Communities in Rhode Island
You can use this handy map to find the best retirement communities in Rhode Island.
55+ communities in Rhode Island are great places for a fun, safe, and active retirement! If you want complete independence, you should find active retirement communities in Rhode Island, like Laurelmead and South Shore Village Rhode Island. If you need help from staffers or medical professionals, you can try out independent or assisted living from Brookdale Sakonnet Bay and Atria Lincoln Place.
But before you retire in Rhode Island, you should find the best movers in Rhode Island. Correira Brothers has over ten years of experience in helping people move to the best places to retire in Rhode Island. Get a free moving estimate by calling 401-648-6683.
