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The Best Retirement Home Communities in Columbus Locals Recommend

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Living Options & Care Services: We examined the availability of various care tiers like independent living and specialized medical support. This ensures residents can smoothly transition between different levels of assistance as their needs change.

Facilities & Amenities: Our team evaluated the daily lifestyle perks, including dining options, recreational activities, and wellness programs. We looked for welcoming spaces that promote an active and engaging lifestyle for seniors.

Staff Qualifications & Support: We looked closely at the professionalism, responsiveness, and overall attitude of the care teams. High-quality support requires attentive staff who treat residents with dignity and respect.

Safety & Accessibility: We analyzed the community security features and overall ease of mobility throughout the campus. It’s crucial for senior environments to provide secure grounds and accessible pathways.

Finding a reliable retirement home that Columbus residents can trust for their golden years involves balancing top-tier care with a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. 

It’s tough trying to navigate all the options across the city while figuring out the best fit for yourself or an aging family member. 

Fortunately, several standout communities in the area make this transition incredibly smooth by providing great independence, robust medical support, and comfortable living spaces. 

To help make your decision easier and stress-free, we spent time checking out local facilities to bring you the top choices around town.

How much does going to a retirement home cost in Columbus?

Senior living rates across Ohio’s capital vary quite a bit based on the specific type of care your family needs.

Level of CareMonthly Cost Range
Independent Living$2,945 – $3,950
Assisted Living$4,085 – $6,042
Memory Care$4,190 – $5,900

1. Mayfair Village Retirement Center

mayfair-village-retirement-center

Website: https://www.centurypa.com/senior-living/mayfair-village/

Address: 3011 Hayden Road

Contact: (614) 810-4380

Hours: 24 Hours

Mayfair Village Retirement Center stands out as a top care facility in Franklin County with over forty years of trusted service. They make it incredibly easy to transition between assisted living and skilled nursing care without moving to a new community. 

For families who might also be considering home health care services in Columbus, having comprehensive on-site support like this is an excellent alternative.

I love how they host wonderful outings to spots like the local zoo and art museum, which keep everyone socially active. But while the social calendar is packed, you have to get used to the bustling environment.

Because this is a larger campus, the communal spaces can occasionally feel a bit crowded during peak hours. 

Pros

  • Combined assisted living and skilled nursing
  • Frequent resident outings to local landmarks
  • Accushield safety system for visitor tracking
  • Pet-friendly rooms and enrichment programs

Cons

  • Crowded communal spaces during peak hours

Customer Reviews:

The staff to resident ratio allows for quick response times

Mayfair is an excellent community that offers both traditional Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing under one roof. A true home-like feel. The staff to resident ratio allows for quick response times and engagement. Brittany, Director of Sales is compassionate and a true advocate. The community events are well attended and family oriented.

Angie Buerger | Google Review

Caring staff

Our brother has lived at Mayfair for 6 years and in that time, we have not had one complaint or issue about his care or about the staff. They treat our brother like family and we appreciate all the staff and the care he receives!

Jean Cesario | Google Review

2. The Woodlands of Columbus

the-woodlands-of-columbus

Website: https://www.sonidaseniorliving.com/community/the-woodlands-of-columbus/

Address: 5380 East Broad Street 

Contact: (380) 333-5896

Hours: 24 Hours

Earning recognition as one of the best senior living communities for 2025 by U.S. News, The Woodlands of Columbus provides a full continuum of support from independent living to specialized memory care. 

They cover all your core daily needs within the monthly rent, including housekeeping, maintenance, and three daily meals. I also love the active lifestyle amenities, like their brain fitness program and walking club, which keep residents highly engaged.

Plus, the convenient location near major interstates makes family visits completely stress-free. 

But you should keep in mind that their financial policies require a bit of forward planning. Specifically, Medicaid benefits are completely unavailable until a resident completes a mandatory twelve-month private pay period first. 

This strict rule can catch some families off guard if they expect immediate assistance.

Pros

  • Rent includes meals, housekeeping, and maintenance
  • Certified for Medicaid-accepted assisted living care
  • Features an on-site beauty salon and walking club
  • Near major interstates and the international airport

Cons

  • Mandatory twelve-month private pay before Medicaid

Customer Reviews:

Kind staff

I visited my Uncle at The Woodlands. He is in his later years. The staff, Mr Jones and Ms. Carol were kind enough to set up the  sound system in the dining room so my Uncle and I could enjoy some “Steppin” (dancing Chicago style) My uncle was able to get his movement in for the day. Their kindness helped me put a smile on my uncle’s face and also in my heart. Thank you, K

K DeGrasse | Google Review

The atmosphere is really upbeat

My Dad has been living at the Woodlands since May of 2023. He has had a wonderful experience! The staff are attentive and caring and the residents are great. He has activities to participate in to keep him busy and the food is delicious! I have eaten many meals with him. The atmosphere is really upbeat and the have a nice area in the lobby with a tv and couches that make you feel at home. It is nicely decorated for the holidays and they invite family to visit and participate in holiday meals.

LeeAnne McKee | Google Review

3. Harrison on 5th by Senior Star

harrison-on-5th-by-senior-star

Website: https://www.seniorstar.com/harrison-on-5th-by-senior-star

Address: 579 W 5th Ave

Contact: 380-205-3620

Hours: 24 Hours

Seniors looking for a vibrant city lifestyle will appreciate Harrison on 5th by Senior Star.  They’re an innovative urban senior living community recognized as a top-tier provider for assisted living by U.S. News & World Report. 

This spot offers incredibly spacious three-bedroom apartments featuring beautiful city views, which is a rare find. They also have an anytime dining program and unique, specialized fitness classes to keep seniors active. 

For residents who regularly visit orthopedic specialists in Columbus, the central location makes navigating to medical appointments across town highly convenient.

But their position right in the middle of a bustling area on Fifth Avenue also means dealing with a high-traffic environment. The urban setting might not suit seniors who prefer a quiet, secluded suburban retreat. 

Pros

  • Spacious three-bedroom apartments with city views
  • Highly flexible anytime dining program for schedules
  • Features specialized boxing and mobility exercise sessions
  • Uses interactive sensory tables in memory care

Cons

  • High-traffic area near busy city streets

Customer Reviews:

The staff has been kind and attentive

My father moved into Harrison on 5th for Memory Care a month ago and so far it has been great. The building and spaces are new and modern, and it feels like a nice hotel, yet it was not more expensive than other facilities I looked at. The staff has been kind and attentive, and they seem very accommodating with various requests. They helped me get his new TV hung just hours before he moved in so he would have something to watch. I haven’t tried the food myself yet but it looks good. I’m very glad I found Harrison!

megan cavanaugh | Google Review

Simply amazing

I have been looking for an assisted living facility for my mother since February of 2024. Once I visited Harrison on 5th I just knew this was the place. I was given a tour (and very warm welcome) by team member Leslie Joseph. She is simply amazing! May I add, when my mother was in the hospital she sent her flowers. It brightened her day beyond words😊

Brian King | Google Review

4. First Community Village

first-community-village

Website: https://www.nationalchurchresidences.org/communities/first-community-village/

Address: 1800 Riverside Drive

Contact: 877-364-2570

Hours: 24 Hours

Backed by a trusted nonprofit with over sixty years of experience, First Community Village is a beautiful continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that provides an exceptional continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing. 

I like how the personalized care assessments they conduct here make the initial transition smooth for incoming families.

The facility sits on a lovely campus in Upper Arlington that features gorgeous outdoor spaces and scenic walking paths. They even offer an on-site chaplaincy service to support spiritual wellness. 

However, one major operational detail to watch out for involves their healthcare billing system. 

The community facility and its in-house physicians handle their billing completely separately, which can sometimes create complicated insurance issues if your secondary coverage doesn’t perfectly overlap. 

You’ll want to review your policies closely before moving in. 

Pros

  • Seamless care from independent living to nursing
  • Scenic Upper Arlington campus with walking paths
  • On-site chaplaincy service for spiritual support
  • Partners with Roobrik for custom care assessments

Cons

  • Separate billing for facility and house physicians
  • Potential insurance overlaps require careful verification

Customer Reviews:

The best choice

Aubrey was amazing and was 1000% percent right! My Mom loves this facility! So glad we didn’t choose anywhere else! Please if your thinking of a residence or you really need to make the change First Community is the Best Choice

Kara Lambert | Google Review

Best place for retirement

After visiting a half dozen other places, I knew First Community Village was/is the best place for me to spend my retirement years. Beautiful campus, paved walking paths, heated indoor pool with aquatic classes, other choices for exercise classes, transportation to grocery stores and other off-campus activities — and medical/dental appointments, entertainers coming to campus, daily activities, lots of excellent food choices in our dining room.  Your Ambassador gives you lots of information and helps you to get oriented.

Madelyn Fisher | Google Review

5. Claremont Retirement Village

claremont-retirement-village

Website: http://www.crvillage.com/

Address: 7041 Bent Tree Blvd 

Contact: 614-761-2011

Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Staying informed and connected is simple at Claremont Retirement Village. They’re an affordable senior living community, which features their own internal television station to keep everyone updated on daily campus events. 

I love how the team does an amazing job with resident safety by using a mandatory morning check-in button system right in the independent living kitchens. They also host wonderful daily activities like retail runs and live music dinners. 

However, safety rules here mean making some practical adjustments if you use walking aids. Because of strict local fire marshal regulations, residents are absolutely forbidden from temporarily parking any scooters or wheelchairs in the hallways. 

When I chatted with a resident’s daughter during my tour, she noted this policy took some getting used to during the first few weeks, but the peace of mind from their dedicated medical transit makes it worthwhile.

Pros

  • Internal TV station keeps residents updated
  • Daily check-in button system ensures safety
  • Specialized medical transportation on set weekdays
  • Active partnership for veteran medical transit

Cons

  • Strict ban on parking mobility devices in hallways

Customer Reviews:

Helpful and responsive

My Mom is in independent living at the Claremont and loves her apartment.  The staff has been very helpful and responsive.  She is really enjoying the food there as well.  The Claremont has a “family” feel and I like that.  They even bake a cake for each resident on their Birthday.  Thank you Claremont staff for taking such great care of my Mom.

Patty Hoyer | Google Review

Very welcoming to new residents

Claremont Village Independent Living is like living in a small neighborhood with neighbors just a few steps away across the hall. My husband and I especially like having a screened in porch and wonderful view of the the lovely garden spaces at each apartment and enjoy the wonderful menu selections.   There are a wide variety of activities, bus trips for errands, shopping or dining out. Each day provides something to enjoy and the staff are very welcoming to new residents into the Claremont “Family”.

Mary Zapp | Google Review