The Western North Carolina mountains have a way of captivating those that encounter her natural beauty and tranquility. From waterfalls and walking trails to Biltmore, award-winning cuisine, and more, it’s no wonder why so many retirees choose this area to settle into their golden years. See our Retirement Guide for more. (Feature photo: Carriage Park)

The area offers a variety of communities to choose from depending on your individual needs. Choices include active adult communities, retirement communities with independent living and continuing care options, assisted living, and skilled nursing communities. You’ll find many retirement communities in the Asheville area, as well as surrounding areas like Black Mountain, Hendersonville, and Weaverville

To address the unique needs of home buyers and sellers who are 50 years old and older, some realtors earn the SRES or Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation. 


Photo: Givens Estates community patio event

Retirement Communities & Senior Housing in Asheville Area

Active Adult Communities
These communities are age-targeted 55+ and can include single-family homes, townhomes, cluster homes, and more that are geared to an independent, active lifestyle with amenities like clubhouses, golf courses, walking trails, recreational spaces and more. Outdoor maintenance is usually included in a monthly homeowner’s association fee. These communities do not offer increased health care or any other health-related services.

Retirement Communities
Retirement communities in Asheville and Western North Carolina offer residential or rental retirement options, as well as assisted services and continuing care. The following communities are offered independently and in some cases combined within one community with varied care options.

• Independent Living Communities: This setting is ideal for seniors who would like to rent or own housing (typically condos) with extra services like dining facilities, meals, housekeeping, linen service, social activities, and transportation. They are age-restricted and include home designs like wide doorways, no stairs, and other increased accessibility features. These communities provide a quiet setting, a key benefit to many seniors. 
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities: This type of community (also known as CCRCs) offers a campus-like setting with individual homes, cottages, villas, and apartment buildings spread among several acres with many of the same amenities that active adult communities offer. What makes CCRCs distinct is their long term care advantage by having residential housing, services, and nursing care all in one location, allowing seniors to age in one place. They are a combination of retirement communities where residents can enjoy physical and financial security, privacy, independence, friends, community facilities, and access to health care. 
• Assisted Living Communities: These communities provide personal care in a home-like setting for seniors who do not require constant care but need extra support with daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management. They offer apartment-like settings where residents can enjoy their privacy while also having access to dining facilities, transportation, recreational events, health care, and more.
• Skilled Nursing Communities: When 24/7 care is needed, these communities offer short-term and long-term options including rehabilitation services, care for those recovering from surgery or injury, and ongoing medical care for chronic illnesses and disabilities. Rooms are semi-private, with communal dining and a daily schedule of activities.