Independent Living

Independent Living Homes and Apartments in Rockford, IL

Moving into a senior living community doesn’t have to mean sacrificing an independent lifestyle. At Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows, the opposite is true! Rather than feeling restricted, our residents find more space to relax and enjoy their retirement years. They have their own private, maintenance-free living spaces, and their days are full of exciting adventures with amenities and activities right outside their front door! We welcome you to visit our campuses to experience what extraordinary independent living in Rockford, IL, is all about.

Schedule a Tour
  • Independent living home in Rockford, IL

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Senior living apartment

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Independent senior living home

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Retirement living suite bedroom

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
America's Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024
CARF International Certification
Equal Housing Opportunity Logo

Explore Our Independent Senior Living Options

Our homes and apartments are modern, customizable spaces for a joyful senior lifestyle. As you will see, they feature the most spacious floorplans you can find at an independent living community in the Rockford region. Plus, they come with a long list of amenities, accommodations, and services for your convenience.


We have independent living homes and apartments on both of our campuses. Below you will see options for Wesley Willows on Rockford’s northwest side and Peterson Meadows on the southeast side of Rockford:


Willow Ridge Homes

Main sitting room in a Willow Ridge Home at Wesley Willows

Located on our sprawling Wesley Willows campus, these duplex homes are available in multiple two-bedroom floor plans between 1,190 and 2,350 square feet. They can be customized to meet your specific wants, needs, and budget.

View Floor Plans

Willows Suites

Interior of a Willows Suite at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL

Our one- and two-bedroom suites are conveniently attached to our Castle Town Center, the central hub for all the programs and amenities on the Wesley Willows campus. The contemporary apartments range from 800-1,300 square feet.

View Floor Plans

Peterson Meadows Homes

Kitchen area in a Peterson Meadows Home

Our 34-acre Peterson Meadows campus contains peaceful neighborhoods full of beautiful, private, and maintenance-free homes. Our single-family and duplex homes feature floor plans ranging from 1,100 to over 1,800 square feet.

View Floor Plans

Peterson Meadows Apartments

Living room in a Peterson Meadows apartment in Rockford, IL

Life in a Peterson Meadows apartment features privacy, convenience, and comfort with plenty of social events right outside your front door. Our single- and double-bedroom suites come in several styles ranging from 440 to 1,600 square feet.

View Floor Plans

Amenities in Our Independent Living Facilities

Whether you choose a home or an apartment, you will enjoy several independent senior housing amenities. Here is just a sampling of the conveniences you can expect while living here:

Home Amenities

  • Full kitchen with appliances, quality cabinetry, and plenty of counter space
  • Convenient main floor laundry including a washer and dryer
  • Spacious master bedroom suite complete with bathroom and generous closet space
  • Beautiful outdoor space with patio options for entertaining
  • Attached private one- or two-car garage
  • Some options are completely ADA accessible
  • Pet-friendly
  • Ample storage space
  • Upgrades available for patio, loft, sunroom, fireplace, and finished basements
  • Allowances for flooring, window treatments, light fixtures, and paint to personalize your new home


Apartment Amenities

  • Fully-equipped kitchens with full-size appliances and premium cabinets
  • Washer and dryer in each unit for Willows Suites
  • Free laundry facilities on each floor for Peterson Meadows Apartments
  • Walk-in closets
  • Private balcony or patio with beautiful views
  • Ample indoor storage space for each unit
  • Completely ADA accessible
  • Heated underground parking garage available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Heating and air conditioning units controlled individually by each apartment


Enjoy Carefree Living with Excellent Service

Our residents chose independent living in Rockford because they value living on their own but have a hard time keeping up with all the responsibilities that come with it. The hardworking teams at Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows make carefree independent senior living possible with a variety of convenient services, including:

Interior Maintenance

Never worry about repairing or replacing your appliances again.


Exterior Maintenance

We handle snow removal, lawn care, window washing and more.


Concierge Service

Get all the support and assistance you need with almost anything. 


Fine Dining Options

Enjoy a gourmet meal in the dining room or casual dining at our bistro.

Transportation Service

We'll drive you to your activities, shopping, and entertainment.


Housekeeping Service

We handle snow removal, lawn care, window washing and more.


Safety and Security 

Our community has 24/7 security staff and emergency call system. 


Guest Accommodation

Residents can access guest suites for visiting family and friends.

Pricing for Our Independent Living Options

Lobby of the Castle Town Center at Wesley Willows

When you join one of our 55-and-older communities, there are financial options to fit your needs. It’s important to understand you cannot purchase our homes or apartments to own them. Instead, we require an entrance fee along with ongoing monthly fees to live here.


The entrance fee is a one-time payment. You can select a 70% refundable, 95% refundable, or 36-month declining balance entrance fee.


The monthly fee not only goes toward your living space, but it also covers the amenities, variety of programs, and services listed on this page, as well as property taxes.


Below is an overview of the current price ranges* for living in our homes and apartments:

Type of Residence Entrance Fee Price Range Monthly Fee Price Range
Willow Ridge Homes $69,000 - $229,500 $1,710 - $2,195
Willows Suites $95,000 - $215,000 $3,420 - $5,495
Peterson Meadows Homes $75,000 - $239,500 $1,785 - $2,350
Peterson Meadows Apartments $25,000 - $175,000 $2,350 - $5,090

*Price ranges current as of July 1, 2023

Activities and Amenities

  • Aquatic Center at Wesley Willows

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Library at Peterson Meadows

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Community Garden at Wesley Willows

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Fitness Center at Peterson Meadows

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

What makes Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows the premier 55 and over communities in Rockford? Aside from our beautiful living spaces, we also offer an extensive list of amenities and activities for active seniors to enjoy every day! You will have total access to all of the following and more at our centrally-located community centers:


  • Fitness center with equipment and classes
  • Salon services
  • Art studio
  • Gaming rooms
  • Library and media center
  • Weekly chapel services
  • Weekly life enrichment activities

Independent Living Testimonials

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

My parents have been living in independent living at Wesley Willows for just over 3 months. Despite the limitations COVID has created their move in went smoothly and my parents are happy and comfortable. In talking to others whose parents are in a similar situation I feel Wesley Willows has worked very hard to keep their residents happy, healthy and safe while still offering them a little freedom within their building. The facilities are absolutely beautiful and well maintained, it very impressive.

~Christy Niemeyer

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

Today we moved my Aunt from her cottage to her new apartment in the main building. The maintenance guys were awesome, so kind and so helpful. The move couldn’t have gone more smoothly. It was a lot of work but all her furniture was moved in before lunch. I loved how the guys came in after their lunch and set up my Aunt's TVs and set them to music. You could tell they were there and did their thing. They left their mark! Thank you so much for all you men did today!

~Karen Holmes

Frequently Asked Questions

We want to help you make the best decision for your retirement living. Here are answers to questions prospective residents typically ask:

  • What is independent living for seniors?

    Senior independent living is an opportunity for people over the age of 55 to live in a private home or apartment while also receiving the extra support they need. This living arrangement allows residents to maintain their active lifestyles without having to worry about tasks they no longer wish to handle on their own. For example, you can live in a home without having to shovel your driveway or mow your lawn. 


    Our independent living facility also provides more opportunities for active living than you would have access to on your own. We have a wide variety of amenities and activities centrally located on campus. It’s the best way to enjoy a comfortable and socially active retirement!


  • What’s the difference between senior independent living and assisted living?

    Assisted living is for seniors who need extra help with daily tasks beyond what is provided in an independent living arrangement. This includes laundry, three daily meals, nursing care, and more. In contrast, independent living residents largely take care of these tasks on their own, though the extra help is available should they need it. 

  • What is CCRC senior living?

    CCRC stands for Continuing Care Retirement Community. CCRC senior living organizations provide a full continuum of care for their residents, so they have all the support they need for each stage of the aging process. This continuum of care includes independent living, assisted living, a health and rehab center, and a memory care center.


    Wesley Willows is the only accredited CCRC in the Rockford area. Furthermore, we guarantee our residents a lifetime of ongoing care even if they outlive their financial resources. We are able to do this because we are a not-for-profit organization that receives donations from generous individuals and organizations in our region. 


  • How do seniors pay for independent living?

    Seniors have many different ways of paying for residency in over 55 communities. Many retirees use savings from their pensions, investments, or retirement accounts. Other methods of paying include the funds earned from selling a home or life insurance policy. 

  • Who qualifies for senior independent living?

    Independent living communities are also known as 55 and over communities because you have to be at least 55 years old to live there. Residents also need to be able to live independently and pass a financial screening to ensure they are able to afford the monthly fees.  

  • What if I can no longer live independently at Wesley Willows or Peterson Meadows?

    We want you to be able to live as independently as you can for as long as you can. However, we also know the amount of care seniors need tends to increase over time. For this reason, we strive to support each resident through every stage of the aging process. If a point comes when you are unable to live independently anymore, our expert team will help you and your family understand your options, such as our assisted living communities in Willows Arbor or Hunt Terrace. We also offer residency in our Health and Rehab Center if you need extra health support for a time. 

  • Is Rockford, IL, a good place to retire?

    Yes! Rockford is one of the best places to retire in the state of Illinois and even the entire country for multiple reasons. First, Newsweek named Wesley Willows of Rockford the fourth best continuing care retirement community in Illinois and the 60th best in the country. Furthermore, Rockford is a large city with many stores and attractions for seniors. The cost of living in Rockford is also much more affordable than the price in major cities like Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. 

Tour Our Independent Living Communities in Rockford

The best way to experience what makes Wesley Willows and Peterson Meadows so extraordinary is in person. We welcome you to schedule a tour of our independent living options and get all your questions answered by one of our friendly Senior Living Counselors. Please call 815-316-6001 or click below to schedule your appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

Schedule a Tour
Share by: