Best Senior Living Communities and Residences in NYC

New York City’s reputation as the “city that never sleeps” may make it seem like a city for young people, but the senior population of New York City has been steadily growing over the past decade. Seniors now make up 18% of the NYC population. As the senior population grows, housing options have needed to expand. There are now a multitude of options for senior housing, from high-end luxury housing to affordable Section 8 apartments. 

Senior Housing in the Lap of Luxury

Senior living doesn’t need to be boring – these high-end residences have completely reimagined senior housing, providing tailored services, plentiful amenities, and creating a community for residents. 

The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights

Founder David Freshwater wanted to re-envision senior living when creating The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights. Instead of keeping residents to strict schedules, he wanted to create a community where residents were encouraged and assisted with following their own schedules. The Watermark offers four types of living accommodations: 

• Independent Living offers studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms with designer kitchens, bathrooms with walk-in showers, and spectacular water views. Prices for independent living begin at $8,795 per month. 
• Assisted Living grants access to care and help with activities and daily living, with three meals included, housekeeping, and transportation included. The monthly fee for Assisted Living starts at $10,795. 
• Memory Care offers a sanctuary for residents in need of memory care and is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association for “incorporating the evidenced-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations” for Alzheimer’s and dementia, daily living, behavior, and communication for residents. This includes circadian lighting and around-the-clock care. Prices for Memory Care start at $11,495 per month.
• For seniors looking to recover from illness, surgery, or seeking a “staycation”, Short-Term Living at The Watermark is ideal. Short-term residents can benefit from medication management, laundry, housekeeping, personal grooming services, and gourmet meals three times a day. Short-term residents stay in studios priced at $438 per night. For inquiries regarding larger apartments for short-term stays, you can call for pricing.  

Some amenities and services offered at The Watermark include: 

• Art studio and gallery 
• Bar, bistro, and cafe
• Computer and technology center
• Virtual Reality Program
• Greenhouse
• Library
• Performing Arts Center
• Resident Wine Cellar
• Spa and Salon
• Yoga, pilates, and movement studio

RentHop spoke with Michael, a representative from The Watermark, who broke down the cost of living at The Watermark. While Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Short-Term Living at The Watermark are “all-inclusive” (with the monthly rate), the price for Independent Living provides residents with a $1000 monthly credit for activities and amenities. For example, you can spend this credit on anything from cooking classes to a massage at the spa to a fine-dining experience. This flexibility allows residents to be in the “driver’s seat” and customize their living experience. 

Coterie at Hudson Yards

For luxurious living in the heart of Manhattan, seniors should look no further than Coterie at Hudson Yards. Coterie offers multiple residential options at various price points: 

• Studios (starting at $11,100 per month) are between 399 to 426 square feet and have full-size kitchens with Miele appliances, washer/dryer in-unit, walk-in showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. 
• One-bedroom residences ($22,800 per month) offer 866 square feet of luxurious living with a walk-in closet, eat-in kitchen, and custom vanity. 
• Two-bedroom residences ($27,000 per month) are 713 square feet and have two bathrooms, a spacious living area, an eat-in kitchen, a mudroom with laundry facilities, and two walk-in closets. 
• Memory care studios ($20,000 per month) have “integrated circadian lighting” and a custom entryway with a glass memory box. There are also corkboards to display pictures of family and friends. Certain floors are designated for memory care residents, with a terrace and walking paths encouraging socialization and exercise. 

Amenities and services offered at Coterie go above and beyond traditional senior care. When staying at Coterie, residents benefit from:

• Housekeeping
• Transportation (including oil changes and car washes)
• Pet care services (such as dog walking and grooming)
• A fitness center and yoga studio
• Premium salon
• Fresh juice bar
• Club room (with art classes and library) 
• Cinema 
• Physician and physical therapy suite
• For Assisted Living residents, Coterie offers medication reminders, help with grooming and bathing, regular safety checks, and more. 

The amenities at Coterie make it possible for residents to never leave the premises, but Coterie also offers outings and events for residents to take advantage of the lively Hudson Yards neighborhood. 

Inspīr at Carnegie Hill

Inspīr at Carnegie Hill revolves around nine founding principles: Engagement, Purpose, Movement and Mobility, Art and Music, Belonging, Family, Brain Health, Nature, and Laughter. Through these principles, Inspīr connects residents to faith-based communities and social networks, encourages familial involvement, and nurtures the creative spirits and life purposes of residents. Common spaces are furnished with plants and gardens, and all meals are made with whole foods and plant-based diets in mind. Inspīr offers Sol Assisted Living, Terra Enhanced Care, and Oceana Memory Care. 

• Sol Assisted Living is perfect for residents who need varying levels of personal care. Sol offers three levels of medication management (depending on the needs and abilities of the resident). Sol Assisted Living includes all utilities, amenities, technology, housekeeping, laundry, meals, and transportation to events and outside locations. 
• Terra offers residents who need higher levels of care, including 24/7 nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medication management. While Terra residents have access to the full building and facilities, they benefit from a smaller and more intimate community with higher staff-to-resident ratios. Terra floors are designed with 12 apartments on each floor with a common living room, kitchen, and dining room to promote a sense of community. 
• Oceana Memory Care gives residents a personalized experience tailored to their needs and abilities, with care adapting over time as needs change. Staff are trained in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other types of dementia, and living communities are designed to be small and give residents consistency and security. 

Units starting at 400 square feet each are priced starting at $13,500 each month. Inspīr’s activities and amenities include: 

• A 24-seat movie theatre
• Art classes
• Wine cellar
• Three restaurants
• A private terrace
• Visiting author series and book signings 

Inspīr residents also participate in regular excursions to Upper East Side locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and the Guggenheim Museum. 

Affordable Senior Housing

If you’re on a fixed income from social security or pension, there are affordable options that won’t break the bank. NYC has a program, SARA (Senior Affordable Rental Apartments), where the government provides subsidies to developers in exchange for designating a portion or all of the housing to low-income individuals. To qualify for affordable housing in New York City, you must meet certain income requirements, and there are often waiting lists for these types of residences. For those willing to wait, however, these affordable apartments can be a great option. 

Scholes Senior Housing 

Scholes Senior Housing, located at 64 Scholes Street in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn is an affordable option that still offers amenities and community space. This eight-story building has 100% of its apartments dedicated to senior (62+) housing. The building has over 9,000 square feet of community space, making it easy to engage with other residents. Scholes Senior Housing has exclusively studio apartments with upgraded appliances, hardwood floors, and plentiful natural light. Amenities in the building include: 

• Laundry room 
• Outdoor and indoor recreational areas
• Bicycle storage
• Tenant storage area
• Onsite services are also available to help tenants “age in place.” 

Rent for a studio is $1,041 per month, but to qualify for Scholes Senior Housing, residents must make 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). For more information on qualifying, you can visit the NYC Housing Preservation Department website. 

Stonewall House

Located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, Stonewall House is New York City’s first LGBTQ+ Friendly Elder Housing and the largest residence of its kind in the country. The advocacy organization SAGE NYC operates a community center on the ground floor, where residents can take part in activities and community events. Stonewall House has 145 units and offers both studio and one-bedroom apartments, all of which have updated appliances, hardwood floors, and large closets. Amenities at Stonewall House include: 

• A lounge 
• Reading/card room 
• Laundry facility 
• Outdoor roof deck 
• Resident storage
• Bicycle storage

Stonewall House is a part of Section 8 Housing, so residents only pay 30% of their rent. You can learn more about Section 8 Housing and the financial qualifications on the NYC.gov website. 

What Residence is Right for You? 

Many seniors and aging adults don’t want to move out of their residences and into a senior living community, but these communities can provide the necessary care, community, and resources to age comfortably in place. From high-rises overlooking Central Park to cozy, affordable apartments in Brooklyn, New York City has a myriad of options for seniors, depending on your needs. Whether you’re seeking an independent living situation with freedom and flexibility or around-the-clock care for a family member with dementia, New York City has options for you.