Ames Retirement Communities

Ames is located in the central part of Iowa, about 30 miles north of the state capital, Des Moines. The city is has a populace of slightly more than 48,000 and was recently ranked the ninth best place to live in the U.S. To find an Ames assisted living facility, the comprehensive directory of options at AssistedSeniorLiving.net can aid all your research needs. Ames is a rapidly growing city that is adding more and more senior care facilities. Even though the city is relatively small, Ames has many neighborhoods with cafes, shopping, dining, and cultural landmarks. The city contains Iowa State University, a leading public research institution. Ames has a less than average cost of living, which makes it an excellent place for retirees who want to enjoy a high standard of living at an affordable price.

The monthly cost for a private bedroom in an ALF, $4,063, is more than $700 higher than the national average and over $1000 more than the state median. A room in an Ames nursing home is around $700 more than the state median, running $5,703 per month. The March 2012 cost of living index ranks Ames at 93.1 versus the U.S. average of 100, which counteracts some of the relatively high assisted living facility costs. The city does not have very much crime either, rated at a crime index of 210.4, which is well under the 319.1 national average. The city is serviced by Mary Greeley Medical Center, and there are three other hospitals in surrounding Boone County.

For senior golf enthusiasts, there are a few golf courses in the city; Veenker Memorial Golf Course, Ames Country Club, and Homewood Golf Course. There are ample cultural attractions for seniors as well, including the Ames Historical Society, the Brunnier Art Museum, the Octagon Center for the Arts, and The Space for Ames, a community gathering space for concerts, festivals, and art. Retirees active in outdoor pursuits will enjoy the large parks network. There are many parks the city, including the ISU Arboretum, and the larger Ada Hayden Heritage Park just north of the city. Outside the city lies Peterson Pits, a recreational area with mountain biking, boating, hiking and walking trails, and splendid nature.

Ames has a strong senior community, of which Heartland Senior Services is the focal point. The center serves all of Story County and has many programs for exercising, learning and socializing, as well as outreach programs which do home visits and telephone calls. The center enlists a large network of over 700 volunteers that aid the city’s and county’s elderly. Heartland even runs its own adult day center. Their facilities include the main center in Ames, and satellites placed throughout Story County. Their mission is to bring life-enriching opportunities to older adults and their families.