La Mirada Heights

Independent Living vs. Staying Home: Best Choice After 70

Written by La Mirada Heights | Sep 24, 2026, 12:00:00 AM

Summary

Choosing between independent living vs. staying home alone after 70 depends on how you want to spend your time and energy. Independent Living with supportive services** offers a lifestyle built around autonomy, connection, and convenience—allowing you to trade household responsibilities for more meaningful activities.

  • Maintain your independence while eliminating time-consuming tasks like yard work, repairs, home cleaning, and meal preparation
  • Build everyday connections through chef-prepared meals, social programs, and shared spaces rather than planning social interactions in advance
  • Enjoy simplified routines with housekeeping, scheduled transportation, utilities, and laundry services included
  • Keep choice at the center of your lifestyle—decide which amenities and services work for you without obligation
  • Access optional third-party support services onsite while maintaining control over how you spend your days

Reaching your 70s can change how you think about where and how you want to live. A familiar house offers comfort and privacy, but it can also bring maintenance, cooking and other responsibilities that take time and energy. When comparing independent living vs. staying home alone, the decision often comes down to which setting best supports the lifestyle you want now.

For older adults considering a change, understanding the benefits of moving to independent living can make the options easier to compare.

Consider the Responsibilities of Living Alone

Living alone in a house means managing more than the space itself. Yardwork, cleaning, repairs, and seasonal upkeep all require attention. When something breaks, you are responsible for arranging and overseeing the repair.

It helps to consider how much of your week currently goes toward responsibilities such as:

  • Cleaning, laundry & routine household upkeep
  • Landscaping, repairs & seasonal maintenance
  • Grocery shopping, cooking & cleaning up after meals
  • Driving to errands, appointments & social plans

None of these responsibilities automatically means moving is necessary. But when comparing living alone vs. independent living, consider whether maintaining a house still feels worthwhile or whether you would rather spend that time differently.

Build More Opportunities for Everyday Connection

One of the advantages of senior living communities is proximity to other people. Living alone can require planning most social interactions in advance, while community living creates more opportunities for casual conversation throughout the day.

At La Mirada Heights in La Mirada, residents can connect over three chef-prepared meals each day, join social events, or spend time in shared spaces such as the library, game room, and resident lounge. The community also offers programs such as mahjong, a men's social club, language classes and themed dinners.

These choices allow residents to decide how social they want each day to be. Private apartment homes provide personal space, while programs and common areas make company easier to find when you want it.

Trade Household Upkeep for a Simpler Routine

The benefits of moving to independent living also include having fewer household chores competing for your attention. Instead of coordinating maintenance or spending an afternoon cleaning, you can decide how you would rather use that time.

La Mirada Heights offers conveniences including:

  • Housekeeping & maintenance
  • Complimentary scheduled transportation
  • Utilities, Wi-Fi & basic cable
  • Laundry and linen services

These amenities can simplify everyday routines without dictating how residents spend their time. Apartment homes include options with kitchenettes or full kitchens, so residents can continue preparing their own food while also having chef-prepared dining available.

Keep Choice at the Center of Your Lifestyle

For anyone asking, “Is independent living better than staying home?”, there is no single answer that fits everyone. Some people enjoy managing a house and have strong social networks nearby. Others reach a point where the responsibilities of homeownership take time away from the people and interests they value.

Independent Living with supportive services** at La Mirada Heights is designed around autonomy. Residents set their schedules and choose how they spend their days. 

Our Independent Living with supportive services** community is designed to support your independence while offering access to additional help—only when and if you want it. A choice of third-party providers is available onsite for your convenience, but you are under no obligation to use any particular one. This flexible approach is perfect for individuals or couples with varied needs. Extend your independent lifestyle by choosing to make our community your home.

That distinction is important. The community lifestyle and optional third-party supportive services** are separate, allowing residents to make individual choices about what fits their circumstances.

Make Meals & Transportation More Convenient

Daily routines can also influence why people move to an independent living community. Cooking every meal, grocery shopping, and driving everywhere may become less appealing over time.

Community living can simplify those routines through conveniences such as:

  • Three chef-prepared meals each day
  • Seasonal & rotating dining menus
  • Scheduled transportation for local destinations
  • Private walking trails, scenic gardens & Health & Fitness opportunities

Having these options nearby does not mean giving up familiar routines. Instead, residents can decide when they want the convenience of community amenities and when they prefer to follow their own plans.

Decide Which Lifestyle Fits You

Choosing between staying in your current house and moving to a senior living community is ultimately a lifestyle decision. Consider how much time you want to devote to household responsibilities, how easily you can connect with others and which conveniences would make everyday life simpler. At La Mirada Heights, Independent Living with supportive services** combines private apartment homes with chef-prepared dining, housekeeping, transportation, Health & Fitness programming, outdoor spaces, and social opportunities, giving residents more ways to shape their days around their own priorities.

Schedule a personalized tour of La Mirada Heights to compare your current routine with a maintenance-free lifestyle built around choice, connection, and convenience.

A choice of third-party providers is available onsite for convenience, but residents are under no obligation to use any particular one.