North Carolina’s 10 Most Popular Active Adult and 55+ Communities

You missed what many call the best. The only one in Western North Carolina on Where to Retire Magazines USA Top 50 Master Planned Communities and have been for 8 years straight! Cummings Cove is not just a place to have a home but is a fantastic place to do life.

Editor's note:
Thanks Andrew. Note that Andrew is a realtor so we did not publish all of his post. But it does sound like a great place.
https://www.topretirements.com/reviews/North%20Carolina/Hendersonville/Cummings%20Cove.html

How about an article on popular CCRCs in North Carolina?

I second Vincent's request above. Gets more interesting with age. :<)

And thanks for this article. The information, as you indicated, is all available within TopRetirements, but this is a nice, convenient summary.

Any others have recommendations based on personal experience? We live about 10 road miles from Fearrington Village and at times have enjoyed it's charms over the years. Very nice place though somewhat on the high end. While "close" to Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, it does require a car or you can depend on the infrequent bus lines. The nearest supermarket is Harris Teeter about 3 miles north with Lowes Foods a mile farther. On the way to those is an urgent care facility, between them is a UNC Medical Clinic and farther on (10 miles and 23 minutes away) is the excellent main UNC Hospitals complex at the University of North Carolina. All distances confirmed with Google Maps.

I can vouch for this area as being a wonderful place to live. Except for 10 years in Virginia during the 1980s, we have lived in or near this area for more than 50 years (but we have been fortunate to travel extensively for comparison). The area is somewhat conservative except for the cities and universities, is immediately accessible to multiple rivers, lakes and parks and is a max 5 - 6 hour drive to almost every part of NC we have it all except the "big city" conveniences/inconveniences -- and we do have most of the conveniences. There is a huge variation in living cost (homes, groceries, amenities) within a 50 mile base of Fearrington, so you could easily find the lowest and the highest costs in NC. I'm sure some will think that is wonderful and some with think it's terrible! :<)

been in NC for 4+ years now. did a lot of looking up down east and west in and out of the state. very green 4 seasons fresh air & fresh water lakes are plentiful. we are considering putting down our roots here. overall taxes are NOT too bad. in general the people are very friendly, but have been surprised, when we meet a group of HALFBACKS. not sure why they seem so INCHARGE of everything and everyone. very strange. traffic is not TOO bad, but TAILGATING is a very serious problem in NC. not sure why. people also seem to just turn in front of you and expect you to slow down and avoid the hit. not sure why. on a more positive note, there are great places to eat and lots of local beers to make life pleasant. the search continues. life is good.

Davefn and others: My kids pointed out something to me, that I've found an odd way of checking traffic safety. My kids suggested that when you are sitting at a light, look around for remnants of accidents at the intersection like tiny bits of broken glass. It's weird, but I've actually discovered it's true. It doesn't mean that you won't find bad or unsafe drivers anywhere, but those intersections are giveaways when an area is particularly bad LOL.