The Western North Carolina mountains have a way of enchanting individuals who come into contact with their natural beauty and tranquility. From waterfalls and hiking trails to the Biltmore Estate and award-winning food, it’s no surprise that so many retirees chose this location to spend their golden years. The area has several communities to choose from, depending on your specific needs. There are active adult communities, retirement communities that offer independent living and other types of care, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing communities. Many retirement communities can be found in Asheville and adjacent areas such as the Black Mountains, Hendersonville, and Weaverville. This post will include information on the best gay retirement communities in North Carolina, Asheville, and the surrounding mountains.
Retirement Communities In North Carolina Asheville
Asheville is a small town in North Carolina with beautiful rolling hills and calm mountains, as well as thriving arts and cultural scene, making it a top pick for one of the best retirement communities. Its mild-all-year climate and nice people make it a popular choice among retirees and seniors. Discover the best retirement communities in North Carolina
Independent living communities in Asheville enjoy the comfort and tranquility of home while fully embracing the sights and sounds of urban life outside their gates. Our retirement communities in North Carolina Asheville range from affluent to affordable lush environments, as well as food scenes, entertainment areas, and historical places.
Best Retirement Communities in North Carolina
The following are our top Retirement Communities in Asheville, North Carolina:
#1. Givens Estates
It’s a lovely 215-acre community surrounded by lush evergreen landscapes that go all the way up and over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Givens Estates has grown to become a Continuing Care Retirement Community since its initial residents in 1979. While they provide independent living in their flats, cottages, and duplexes, they also provide assisted living, nursing care, and rehabilitation in their other neighborhoods.
#2. Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community
Deerfield Retirement Community is a not-for-profit Life Care community that provides a full continuum of care, including independent and assisted living, as well as skilled nursing on a 125-acre property.
They have elegantly decorated 253 apartment houses ranging in size from 800 to 2500 square feet for independent living. Prices begin at $1,740. Through enclosed hookups, they are linked to the community center and the health and wellness facility.
#3. Ardenwoods Retirement Community
Welcome to Ardenwoods Retirement Community, which is only 19 minutes (9.9 miles) from Asheville via US-25 S/Hendersonville Rd. The small-town closeness provided by 48 acres of woodland grandeur and the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains is impossible to resist.
Senior living at Ardenwoods, whether independent or assisted living, ensures access to all of its amenities. They have one, two, and three-bedroom options starting at $2,500, with conventional but first-rate amenities and services. You’ll enjoy the heated indoor pool, pottery area and kiln, herb, vegetable, and flower garden, and three wooded nature walks.
#4. Vista at Blacksmith Run
Vista at Blacksmith Run is a great option for gated retirement communities in Asheville, North Carolina. This Hendersonville active lifestyle community offers 180 craftsman-style single-family homes ranging in price from the early $300s to the mid $500s. The gated neighborhood began construction in 2007 with various floor plans starting at 1,200 square feet.
#5. Harmony at Reynolds Mountains
This new 169-unit complex contains 90 independent living units and the remainder are dedicated to assisted living and memory care services, with large 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, companion suites, and studios.
#6. Pinebrook Farms
Pinebrook Farms is a 40-acre neighborhood of single-family houses built to resemble 1950s America. The townhouses transport you to the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American Arts & Crafts movement.
#7. Cummings Cove
Cummings Grove, a gated and award-winning community located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, has a climate like no other, with lengthy springs and falls and short summers and winters, making it a retirement paradise you’ll never want to leave.
#8. Bella Vista Gracious Retirement
Bella Vista Retirement is set against the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains communities of North Carolina. The monthly rent starts at $2,545 and includes both independent living and ongoing care. They provide studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes in various floor plans.
#9. Biltmore Lake
Biltmore Lake is an excellent choice for retirement communities in Asheville, North Carolina. A gorgeous and picturesque mountain lake village flourishes on 1,300 acres at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville.
#10. Connestee Falls
If you want to retire to a larger master-planned community with more home-site options and a private club atmosphere, the gated Connestee Falls community near Brevard is a good option. There are 1,300 residences on 3,900 acres of magnificent natural beauty and first-rate recreational activities.
#11. Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community
The community is located in Hendersonville and stands on 50 manicured acres with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a background. With its beautiful interiors, exquisite halls and corridors, and lush to fine furniture, Lake Pointe Landing emits a five-star hotel-like aura.
#12. Crowfields Condominiums
Crowfields has been the leader in Western North Carolina condominium living since its inception in the early 1970s in Asheville. A creek runs through this hamlet to the French Broad River, and 192 attached homes sit on 72 acres of woodlands, meadows, and ponds. This parkland is surrounded by wildlife, mature oaks, and pines, making it a diverse and thriving location for independent living.
#13. Eden
Eden is a pretty tiny town located just outside of Greensboro. Furthermore, Eden will be the ideal haven for you if you want to enjoy peace throughout your retirement. Eden’s low cost of living, affordable median home prices, and low crime rate appeal to retirees.
#14. Spring Lake
Spring Lake is a charming village just outside of Fayetteville and Fort Bragg. This charming community allows seniors on a fixed income to make the most of their newfound independence without blowing their budget. Begin your search for the ideal retirement home in Spring Lake right now.
#15. Henderson
This hamlet, located just outside of Raleigh, is ideal for seniors seeking a small-town atmosphere. Bowling, watching a movie at an outdoor theater, and going on exciting rides at an amusement park are just a few of the things available in Henderson. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy spending time at Kerr Lake, where they may camp, boat, and fish. It’s a beautiful setting for family or community events.
#16. Kinston, North Carolina
Kinston, North Carolina, is ideal for retirees seeking a relaxed retirement. This lovely riverside community allows energetic individuals to unwind in an amazingly affordable city. Start looking for your new house in Kinston today if you’re ready to live life on your terms.
#17. Laurinburg
Laurinburg provides something for every sort of retiree—not to mention a low cost of living! Art and history lovers who want to go back in time will enjoy the city’s beautiful history and architecture. Spend a day with friends, connect with their community, and enjoy a simple life. Retirees yearning for high-octane excitement might visit the ATV park.
#18. Reidville
Reidsville, North Carolina is ideal for active folks. Miles of hiking paths wind through this historic hamlet on the Haw River’s banks. Hiking is a great way for retirees to stay active in their golden years while still taking in the surroundings. Lake Reidsville and Haw River State Park are both excellent places to enjoy riverfront entertainment and Mother Nature at their best.
#19. Lexington
If you want to live in a calm and historic community while still being close to major urban areas, Lexington, NC is the place to be. This quaint Greensboro suburb provides retirees with a nice community and a moderate cost of living without requiring them to forfeit their lifestyle.
#20. Newton
Newton is a lovely Charlotte suburb where energetic individuals may unwind, recuperate, and reconnect with nature in their senior years. Furthermore, Newton is ideal for those wishing to invest in a comfortable lifestyle while yet having convenient access to urban regions.
#21. Lumberton
Lumberton is a lovely community tucked in the center of North Carolina’s natural beauty. Retirees who want to keep active and explore the outdoors in their golden years can do so in Lumberton. A safe atmosphere and a low cost of living round out this lovely neighborhood.
Retirement Communities In North Carolina Mountains
North and South Carolina are two states that have everything. The Carolinas have something for everyone, from soaring mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains to stunning Atlantic beaches and sandy lakeshores, making it the ideal location for retirement communities in North Carolina.
This section looks at the best luxury retirement communities in the North Carolina Mountains that will keep you busy, both physically and socially, as you approach this exciting stage of your life.
#22. The Walnut Cove Cliffs
It’s no wonder that Asheville is not only one of the best places to visit but also one of the best areas for retirement communities in the North Carolina Mountains, given its moderate climate, spectacular views, and artistic energy.
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a private luxury neighborhood set right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is located just a short drive from downtown Asheville.
#23. The Cliffs at Mountain Park
The Cliffs at Mountain Park are another community to consider at The Cliffs. This private, high-end neighborhood is only 25 minutes from Greenville and is known as one of the best places to live in the United States. It is filled with the mountain spirit. There are snug homes tucked away in the forest, mountain-top estates, and huge home sites to build your luxury mountain home exactly to your specifications.
#24. The Ocean Isle Beach Retreat
If you like the sound of waves breaking, you might want to retire in The Retreat at Ocean Isle Beach, which is in the North Carolina mountains near the Atlantic. The community is walkable and is only a mile from the ocean. Architecturally, the homes are a mix of custom-built cottages and Craftsman-style homes.
#25. Landfall
Landfall is a well-known gated community in the Southeast. It is in the middle of the historic seaside town of Wilmington. The neighborhood displays the beauty and peacefulness of coastal living on more than 2,200 acres. This gated neighborhood offers options for every lifestyle.
#26. Kiawah Island Club
In the South Carolina Lowcountry, Kiawah Island Club is a beautiful, high-end coastal enclave that is home to one of the state’s most exclusive communities. Kiawah Island is only 21 miles north of Charleston, and it has a way of life for retirees that you can’t find anywhere else. This island has it all: golf, racquet sports, exquisite restaurants, a spa, and wellness services.
Gay Retirement Communities In North Carolina
These are the best towns in North Carolina for gay people and families looking for retirement communities:
#27. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, with a population of fewer than 90,000 people, is roughly one-tenth the size of Charlotte and one-fifth the size of Raleigh. Based on such figures, Asheville is unlikely to have a large number of gay and lesbian residents. However, the city has the greatest percentage of gay and lesbian households in the state, with gay males accounting for 0.7 percent and lesbians accounting for 1.1 percent of homes.
#28. Raleigh, North Carolina
While Raleigh’s capital city does not have North Carolina’s next largest LGBT population, at least on record, with gay households accounting for only 0.4 percent of households and lesbian households accounting for only 0.4 percent of households, Raleigh does have a few features that may make it more appealing to LGBT families than the more gay-inclusive cities on the list.
#29. Durham
Durham, located 25 miles northwest of Raleigh, is Raleigh’s sister city for LGBT citizens. The city is home to the state’s largest pride festival, the NC Pride Festival; The Bar, a popular gay bar and dance club; and has a larger number of LGBT homes (0.7 percent lesbian households, 0.5 percent gay households) than other North Carolina communities.
Durham falls short in terms of safety and education. According to Great Schools, Durham municipal schools are the worst of any city on this list of gay retirement communities in North Carolina, and also have some of the highest crime rates, enough to make any parent anxious.
#30. Charlotte
Though it does not have the highest percentage of gay residents, with 0.5 percent of households gay and 0.4 percent lesbian, Charlotte does have the largest gay population in North Carolina. Charlotte Pride is the southeast’s third largest pride celebration, after only Atlanta and Durham’s NC Pride. There are numerous LGBT-friendly bars and clubs in Charlotte, and the Charlotte Interfaith Equality Coalition encourages religious institutions’ acceptance of LGBT worshippers.
#31. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, known for its cultural scene, is tied with Charlotte in terms of gay households, but in reverse: 0.5 percent of households have lesbian inhabitants, while 0.4 percent of households have gay residents. Every fall, Winston-Salem hosts Pride, and the city boasts one gay bar. Only one. The city has a high crime rate, similar to Durham, and schools are only average, scoring five out of ten, but this is standard for the Piedmont Triad area.
#32. Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington’s gay population is similar to that of other cities, with similar percentages of gay and lesbian households. Wilmington has the same crime rate as Durham and Winston-Salem, but the schools are better. By moving out of downtown and closer to the beach in places such as Silver Lake and Myrtle Grove, you can avoid some of the city’s crime while remaining accessible to its amenities.
#33. Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro has an average number of gay and lesbian households, but in a surprise announcement, the city beat over the liberal strongholds of Asheville and Winston-Salem to be named Business Insider’s “Most Liberal City in North Carolina” in 2015.
What are the best 55+ communities in North Carolina?
55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities in North Carolina:
- Connestee Falls in Brevard, North Carolina.
- Bailey’s Glen in Cornelius, North Carolina.
- Camden Villas in Mid South Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
- Carolina Preserve – Cary, NC.
- Trilogy Lake Norman in Denver, North Carolina.
- Brunswick Forest in Leland, North Carolina.
- Ocean Ridge Plantation in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.
Where is the best place to retire in North Carolina?
Continue reading to learn more about the best areas to retire in North Carolina right now.
- Durham, North Carolina.
- Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Asheville, North Carolina.
- Pinehurst, North Carolina.
- Corolla, North Carolina.
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Hickory, North Carolina.
- Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Is North Carolina a good state for retirement?
Yes. North Carolina is an appealing state for retirees because of its low taxes, which allow you to stretch your funds further. Undiscovered beaches allow you to enjoy a peaceful coastal retirement without paying the high prices of Florida or California.
What is the downside of retirement villages?
It could be more expensive: Almost all retirement communities include monthly fees or an ongoing contribution to pay the overall village and independent living units’ operating costs.
What are the disadvantages of living in a 55+ community?
Retirement communities aren’t cheap, may be in an inconvenient place, have less living space, less variety, cliques and gossip, and rules that are too strict or too many.
Which state is better to retire in NC or SC?
South Carolina has lower retiree taxes than North Carolina.
Conclusion
Here are some other important senior and independent living communities in Asheville and the nearby towns of Hendersonville, Arden, Flat Rock, Brevard, and others. Among many, our list includes the most mentioned and highly ranked.
If you are looking for gay retirement communities in Asheville, North Carolina, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains, lakes, and evergreens, which make a lovely backdrop to calm 55+ community living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy after retirement?
In theory, buying a house after retirement provides more value than renting. However, homeownership implies significant financial hazards. Variations in market value, unforeseen maintenance bills, and insurance deductibles can all raise costs above and beyond those of renting.
Is it smart to pay off your house before retirement?
Paying off your mortgage early may lower your retirement costs, but it also affects your liquidity. Using excess income or savings to accelerate mortgage repayment converts your most liquid asset (cash) into a very illiquid asset (your home)
Can I retire if I still have a mortgage?
When people keep their mortgages after they retire, they can make more money by reinvesting their home equity. Another advantage is that mortgage interest is tax-deductible. On the negative side, investment returns can be volatile, whereas mortgage payments are set.
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