Independent living · Miami-Dade County
Independent Living in Kendall, FL
Kendall has 8,368 residents aged 65 to 74, the age when many people first consider independent living [1]. Florida doesn't license independent living, so there's no state list to lean on. A local advisor who knows which communities are worth touring is the shortcut.
What independent living is, and who it fits
Independent living communities are apartments, cottages, or condos for older adults who don't need daily hands-on care. Rent usually covers some mix of meals, housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and a calendar of activities. The draw is less upkeep and more company.
It tends to fit when Mom is managing well on her own but the house has become too much, she's lonely, or she has stopped driving. If she needs help with bathing, dressing, or medications, look at assisted living in Kendall instead, or a campus that offers both.
Not sure which level fits?
Our two-minute quiz sorts it out, or talk it through with an advisor.
Why we don't publish a list of independent living communities
For assisted living, we list facilities straight from Florida's records. Independent living has no equivalent: Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration doesn't license it, so there's no official, complete list to draw from. Rather than publish a partial or paid list, we'd rather your advisor tell you which Kendall-area communities are worth your time, based on having been inside them.
One part of the market is state-regulated: continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), which sell contracts that combine housing with access to future care, often with an entrance fee. Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation oversees them under Chapter 651 of the Florida Statutes, including their finances [2]. Before signing a CCRC contract, read it with an attorney or financial advisor you trust.
Continuing care campuses nearest Kendall
These assisted living facilities (state status "Licensed" or "In review") say on their state profile that they are part of a continuing care retirement community [3]. CCRC campuses typically include independent living residences alongside assisted living, but confirm what each one offers and whether it's taking new residents. Only 7 facilities in the three counties carry this flag, so some are a drive away.
| Facility (as licensed) | Address | Distance* | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vi at Aventura License renewal in review | 19333 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180 | 24 mi | AHCA profile |
| Covenant Living of Florida | 9211 West Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL 33324 | 32 mi | AHCA profile |
| John Knox Village of Florida, Inc. | 840 Lakeside Cir, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 | 41 mi | AHCA profile |
| Oakbridge Terrace Assisted Liv Res - Edgewater at Boca Pointe | 23315 Blue Water Cir, Boca Raton, FL 33433 | 47 mi | AHCA profile |
License renewal in review 1 of these facility shows the status "In review" on its AHCA FloridaHealthFinder profile as of October 30, 2026. That is the state's listed status on the day we pulled the data; it usually means a license renewal is being processed. It is not a rating. Select the badge to open the AHCA profile and check the current status.
*Straight-line distance from the Census Bureau's internal point for Kendall [4].
Seniors in Kendall, by the numbers
Kendall is an unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County, counted separately by the Census Bureau. It has 79,562 residents, and 20.6% of them are 65 or older, higher than the county as a whole (16.9%) [1]. Among the 69 cities and communities we cover in Miami-Dade County, it ranks #4 by number of residents aged 65+. About 16% of its 65+ residents are 85 or older.
Local notes from your advisor Advisor to write
[Firsthand notes on Kendall: rental vs. entry-fee communities nearby, what's walkable, transportation to doctors and shopping, and what has changed recently. Written by the advisor who serves this area.]
Questions to ask an independent living community
- What exactly does the monthly fee include? Meals (how many?), utilities, housekeeping, transportation, parking.
- Is there an entrance fee, and is any of it refundable? Get the terms in writing.
- How much have fees gone up in each of the last three years?
- What happens if Mom's needs change? Can she add home care, or move to assisted living on site? Is there priority access?
- What's the hurricane plan? Florida's generator rule applies to licensed assisted living facilities [5]; ask an independent living building what its own backup power covers (elevators, air conditioning, refrigeration).
- Can she bring her car, her pet, her furniture?
Florida's records list 0 assisted living facilities with a Kendall mailing address, for when more help is needed: see them here.
Questions families ask about independent living in Kendall
Is independent living licensed in Florida?
No. Independent living apartments and active-adult communities are housing, not licensed care, so Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration doesn't license or inspect them. Communities that also offer assisted living need a license for that part. Continuing care retirement communities that sell contracts with entrance fees are regulated by the Office of Insurance Regulation.
How much does independent living cost in Kendall?
We haven't found a reliable public survey of independent living prices for South Florida, so we won't quote one. Prices depend on apartment size, what's included (meals, housekeeping, transportation), and whether the community charges an entrance fee. Your advisor can share current pricing from specific communities.
What's the difference between independent living and assisted living?
Independent living is for people who manage daily life on their own and want convenience and company. Assisted living adds help with things like bathing, dressing, and medications, and is licensed by the state. See assisted living in Kendall.
What happens if Mom's needs change?
Ask before she moves. Some communities have assisted living or memory care on the same campus; others will ask her to move out. A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) contract spells out access to higher levels of care.
What does a local advisor cost?
Nothing. A Move for Mom's help is at no cost to your family. Here's how we're paid.
Independent living near Kendall
More care options
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, Table B01001 (Sex by Age). Summary file. Estimates are subject to margins of error.
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (Chapter 651, Florida Statutes). floir.gov.
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), FloridaHealthFinder assisted living facility directory and individual facility profiles. https://quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/Facility-Provider/ALF?type=0. Retrieved October 30, 2026. Facilities shown had the status "Licensed" or "In review" on their state profile that day; "In review" facilities are labeled.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files (city, community, and ZCTA internal points), used for straight-line distances. census.gov gazetteer files.
- Florida Administrative Code Rule 59A-36.025, Emergency environmental control for assisted living facilities. flrules.org; AHCA generator safety brochure: ahca.myflorida.com.
A Move for Mom does not own or operate any community. Facilities listed are drawn from public state records and are not endorsements. Confirm details with each community. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice.