After helping my mother and mother-in-law navigate this journey, I plan to start in a situation that has the most independence that I can handle with graduated steps toward assisted living. Some of the decisions also depend on the state of my finances at the time I need assistance.
We found that if you start out in a very nice facility, if/when your money runs out they will often let you stay there under Medicaid. Many facilities have at least a few Medicaid assigned beds/rooms because they get government funds. You can then stay in a great facility with little money. If you approach the nicer facility when you’re already on Medicaid they often will turn you down because they save their limited beds for current residents who may need them.

I’d start looking at independent living facilities - some of these are great, with add on services as needed. To me it’s the best of all worlds if I don’t need medical assist 24/7 and if I can afford it.
If I thought my money might run out, then I’d look for an IL that also has an AL. Some concept as above - find the better facility with the hope that they will keep me there, move me to AL and I’m at a nicer facility than if I picked a place that didn’t have graduated services.
The other thing I learned, is to get a mindset now that I may need to hire help at home so I can stay at home as long as possible. It’s expensive, but I think I’d run down my money for a few more years to stay at home. But I’d also look to move to a neighborhood like those built by Del Webb where there is a whole community of like residents - with easier access to everything. The Sun City by Del Webb residents in our area drive their golf carts to exercise, hobby groups, on-site restaurant, and stop-and-go store. There is a special path to take a golf cart to Walgreens and a medical clinic facility. With grocery home delivery and Amazon, they’re all set.