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Independent Living in North Carolina

Overview of Independent Living in North Carolina

For families considering options for senior living, North Carolina is often at the top of the list — and for good reason.

Whether you prefer laid-back beach towns, mountain hikes, or something in between, North Carolina has something to offer — and that’s what makes it an ideal retirement destination. The Outer Banks region along the state’s eastern coast is a popular tourist spot, featuring lighthouses, beaches, and countless other aquatic activities. It’s also home to Kitty Hawk, the seaside town where the Wright brothers made their historic first airplane flight. Then, on North Carolina’s western edge is where the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains run through the state. Peppered throughout all of North Carolina are small yet vibrant college towns like Asheville and Chapel Hill, along with larger metropolitan areas like Charlotte. Add mild weather and low property taxes to the mix, and it’s clear why the Tar Heel State has one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 150 independent living communities, sometimes simply called retirement communities, in North Carolina.

The median monthly cost of independent living in North Carolina is about $2,600.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in North Carolina

1
1 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale Meadowmont

100 Lanark Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
9.9
Review Score
48 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My loved one is currently a resident at Brookdale Meadowmont and the overall experience has been great so far. The staff is better than great. The food is typical institutional food, I don't like it but our...

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16
16 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Holiday Gardens at Wakefield

12800 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614
9.9
Review Score
110 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kimberley Thomson - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My dad moved in to the Gardens in 2019 and really enjoys living there. The apartments are lovely and spacious, but the thing that sets the place apart is the staff. [name removed] is such a warm and...

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15
15 Photos available

Brighton Gardens of Winston-Salem

2601 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
9.9
Review Score
83 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kathryn S - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would say that the facility and the staff are very warm and inviting, and we liked the overall feel of the assisted living facility.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Charlotte

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13
13 Photos available

Providence Meadows

4123 Kuykendall Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270
9.4
Review Score
20 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Overall experience has been very good. There are some areas that could be a little better kept. Main one is the laundry room. Everyone is very nice Quality of care is good. Food could be better. The meals...

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10
10 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available
1
1 Video available

Brookdale Charlotte East

6053 Wilora Lake Road, Charlotte, NC 28212
9.3
Review Score
91 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ambra M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. The inside is always clean and homey. There's plenty for my mom to do and places to go. The gated community and someone always at the front desk makes sure to...

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36
36 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

The Dorchester South

12930 Dorman Rd, Pineville, NC 28134
9.2
Review Score
34 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The Dorchester South community was great, it was perfect for what was needed for our loved one at the time and she is not at [community name removed]. Based on the experience we would recommend Dorchester...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Raleigh

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16
16 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Holiday Gardens at Wakefield

12800 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614
9.9
Review Score
110 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kimberley Thomson - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My dad moved in to the Gardens in 2019 and really enjoys living there. The apartments are lovely and spacious, but the thing that sets the place apart is the staff. [name removed] is such a warm and...

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18
18 Photos available

Waltonwood Lake Boone

3550 Horton St., Raleigh, NC 27607
9.9
Review Score
25 reviews
Robert S - I'm a current/former resident or client

Waltonwood is the best of retirement living in a great location with a staff always at the ready to improve. The staff provides an open organic dialogue with the guest to improve the living experience

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9
9 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Atria Oakridge

10810 Sandy Oak Lane, Raleigh, NC 27614
9.7
Review Score
69 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
ShawnB - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father-in-law moved to Atria Oak Ridge earlier this year, and the experience has been outstanding. Everyone, from [name removed] in the sales department to the management team, activities directors, front...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Winston Salem

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16
16 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Holiday Forsyth Court

2945 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
9.7
Review Score
72 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Dina Goddarf - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

From the time I called A Place For Mom it has been nothing less than excellent service. The text and calls following the initial call was stop notch. It is very difficult to place your love one in a place...

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10
10 Photos available

Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville

350 Arbor View Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
9.7
Review Score
36 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

So far the overall experience has been very positive and I would recommend Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville to other families who may need a place for their loved ones.

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15
15 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Heritage Woods

3812 Forrestgate Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
9.5
Review Score
36 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
MP - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very happy with Heritage Woods and would definitely recommend to others. Very friendly people and staff always willing to help.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Asheville

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11
11 Photos available

Bella Vista

55 Piney Mountain Drive, Asheville, NC 28805
9.0
Review Score
47 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I think that I would recommend Bella Vista to others. My mom's biggest complaints are about the food and how long they have to sit for the meals, but she does like all of the activities that they have for...

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9
9 Photos available
21
21 Floor plans available

Harmony at Reynolds Mountain

41 Cobblers Way, Asheville, NC 28804
8.9
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I liked the place and would have kept her there but she said she didn't like it. There were always activities and she did a lot of walking to stay active. I only worried about her getting enough to drink...

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18
18 Photos available

Julian Woods Retirement

421 Overlook Rd Ext, Arden, NC 28704
9.2
Review Score
5 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ruth C - I'm a current/former resident or client

The staff is very caring and work hard to make it a good place to live. I get three meals a day cooked by two chefs that they hired from restaurants down in Asheville that were closed from the storm. People...

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North Carolina laws and regulations for independent living communities

Independent living communities are not regulated or licensed like senior care facilities in North Carolina. While independent living communities typically offer senior-focused features and amenities and have age restrictions, they are treated as regular rental properties.

Some North Carolina independent living communities may share a campus with other senior living facilities. This may include assisted living or memory care communities which offer a higher level of care and are subject to regulatory oversight and licensing requirements. For information senior living communities that offer care services, you can visit our overviews of assisted living and memory care in North Carolina.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

North Carolina stand-alone independent living communities

Stand-alone independent living communities don’t share a campus with other senior living facilities and often closely resemble an apartment building or other multi-family home dwellings. Unlike typical rental properties, independent living facilities are allowed to impose age restrictions which usually require residents to be 55+ or 62+.

In North Carolina, residents of independent living facilities are entitled to certain rights as outlined in the state’s landlord-tenant laws. These rights may include the following:[01]

  • The landlord must keep the property you rent fit and safe which includes keeping plumbing, heating, and electrical equipment in proper working order.
  • The landlord is responsible for maintaining communal areas such as sidewalks, stairs, or courtyards.
  • Landlord cannot enter the property unannounced.
  • Landlord cannot withhold security deposit for repairs that are considered normal wear and tear.

Many towns and counties in North Carolina have housing codes that offer additional protections for residents of rental properties. Examples of local house codes may require a rental home to have screens on windows, specific types of locks on the doors, and regulations around hot and cold water. For an example of other municipal housing codes, see the city of Charlotte’s Code of Ordinances page.

Protections against discrimination

The federal government and the state of North Carolina protect residents of rental properties against discriminatory practices. Property owners cannot refuse to rent to someone based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or family status.[01]

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services contact information

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
101 Blair Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603

Phone: 888-893-1162

References

  1. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Landlord-tenant laws.

Top cities in North Carolina for independent living

9.3
Raleigh, NC
22 facilities
9.1
Wilmington, NC
7 facilities
8.9
Charlotte, NC
25 facilities
8.8
Greenville, NC
8 facilities
8.8
Asheville, NC
7 facilities
8.7
Winston Salem, NC
9 facilities

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in North Carolina cities

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.