Assisted Living
Memory Care
Independent Living
Home Care
Sign in

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

16
16 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Gardens at Wakefield

12800 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614
10
Review Score
122 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What stood out the most is the warm, friendly and welcoming environment. Apartment size was just right size and th location was convenient to where we live.

Get Pricing
9
9 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Atria Oakridge

10810 Sandy Oak Lane, Raleigh, NC 27614
9.9
Review Score
75 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What we like the most about Atria Oakridge is their ability to have in-house access to rehab and nurses aides if needed. Yes, we would recommend this community to other families.

Get Pricing
18
18 Photos available

Waltonwood Lake Boone

3550 Horton St., Raleigh, NC 27607
9.9
Review Score
30 reviews
Sarah E - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

As a long-time friend/loved one of a resident at Waltonwood Lake Boone IL (WLB) for several months now, I can happily and confidently recommend it to any senior desiring a professional, beautiful, clean,...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Charlotte

See top facilities
6
6 Photos available

Trevi Vibrant Senior Living

11230 Trevi Village Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262
9.6
Review Score
13 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Tammy T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Absolutely the best!! My mom and my father-in-law are there and absolutely love it. The residents are super friendly and have ambassadors to help new residents. Get to know their way around and all the...

Get Pricing
13
13 Photos available

Providence Meadows

4123 Kuykendall Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270
9.3
Review Score
26 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

. This is a great place for older adults that need to downsize but still want to be a part of a group/ community. Would recommend highly. On site movie theater that shows movies every night after dinner....

Get Pricing
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
103 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Clean, well organized, lots of activities and she loves it. The location of town is not the best but being a gated community it is safe an d prices are good

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Raleigh

See top facilities
16
16 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Gardens at Wakefield

12800 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614
10
Review Score
122 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What stood out the most is the warm, friendly and welcoming environment. Apartment size was just right size and th location was convenient to where we live.

Get Pricing
9
9 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Atria Oakridge

10810 Sandy Oak Lane, Raleigh, NC 27614
9.9
Review Score
75 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What we like the most about Atria Oakridge is their ability to have in-house access to rehab and nurses aides if needed. Yes, we would recommend this community to other families.

Get Pricing
18
18 Photos available

Waltonwood Lake Boone

3550 Horton St., Raleigh, NC 27607
9.9
Review Score
30 reviews
Sarah E - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

As a long-time friend/loved one of a resident at Waltonwood Lake Boone IL (WLB) for several months now, I can happily and confidently recommend it to any senior desiring a professional, beautiful, clean,...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Winston Salem

See top facilities
10
10 Photos available

Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville

350 Arbor View Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
9.9
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Caroline H - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The admin team and care staff are very friendly & helpful. We were particularly impressed with onsite nursing staff that is available if needed as well as the nurse practitioner that the facility contracts...

Get Pricing
15
15 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Holiday Forsyth Court

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

I think the most important thing was my Dad felt comfortable there with the atmosphere and the people. He saw it as someplace he could live.

Get Pricing
15
15 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Heritage Woods

3812 Forrestgate Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
9.7
Review Score
38 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

The staff has made us feel very welcome and have gone out of their way to help us meet residents and enjoy all the events here.

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Asheville

See top facilities
9
9 Photos available
21
21 Floor plans available

Harmony at Reynolds Mountain

41 Cobblers Way, Asheville, NC 28804
9.2
Review Score
61 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Patrick M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Harmony at Reynolds Mountain is very friendly. You feel at home the minute you walk in. Everything looked clean and well-kept. It looked like they had plenty of activities. You find anything you would like...

Get Pricing
11
11 Photos available

Bella Vista

55 Piney Mountain Drive, Asheville, NC 28805
8.0
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...

Get Pricing
18
18 Photos available

Julian Woods Retirement

421 Overlook Rd Ext, Arden, NC 28704
9.4
Review Score
10 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

What stood out the most is there is plenty of time for meals and not set tables to sit at for each meal. Activities are varied. Sometimes we take local trips on Friday and then there's a craft room lounge...

Get Pricing

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

9.2
Raleigh, NC
20 facilities
9.2
Wilmington, NC
7 facilities
9.0
Greenville, NC
10 facilities
8.9
Charlotte, NC
21 facilities
8.8
Winston Salem, NC
11 facilities
8.8
Asheville, NC
6 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.

Sign up for our newsletter
Get insights and articles in your inbox.

Please enter a valid email address.

530 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

A Place for Mom is paid by our participating communities, therefore our service is offered at no charge to families. Copyright © 2024 A Place for Mom, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy & Terms. Do Not Sell My Personal Information.