North Carolina Retirement Communities > Wilmington Retirement > Palmetto Creek

Palmetto Creek is located near Wilmington and a short drive from the entertainment and shopping of Myrtle Beach. The brick homes and low maintenance features mean you will have the time to actually enjoy your active retirement in Wilmington.

Palmetto Creek is a gated community and has a wide array of amenities such as a community clubhouse and resort style pool, putting green, fully equipped fitness center, walking and biking trails, and is surrounding by some great golf courses. Plus Myrtle Beach has lots of golf courses too.

Homes in Palmetto Creek start at just over $200,000 and lots start at $75,000 so you are at just under $300,000 for a house/lot package. Buyers at Palmetto Creek have a choice of brick custom homes, patio homes and townhomes.

In addition to the shopping, entertainment and golf in the area, there are also several historic and cultural attractions near Palmetto Creek such as the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, Bald Head Island Lighthouse, and the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

All in all Palmetto Creek is a nice community to enjoy your retirement in a great part of North Carolina. <Visit website>

South Carolina Communities > Myrtle Beach Retirement Communities > Harbor Club on Winyah Bay

Harbor Club on Winyah Bay is a master planned community, two miles south of Georgetown, SC. It is situated 35 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 60 miles north of Charleston.

Georgetown is touted as the third-oldest city in the U.S. and is steeped in pre and post-Civil War history. And though it’s also the state’s second largest seaport (behind Charlestown), Georgetown is known for it’s small-town, low country charm, and scenic marshes and coastline. As well being a noted sports fishing destination, the area offers fine dining and shopping.

Situated near the junction of five rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, Harbor Club offers a limited number of homesites, ranging from $161,250 to $860,000. From your home’s porch, you may get a view of the bay views or tall stands of Live Oaks.

Designed to protect and highlight the area’s natural landscape and bio-diversity, the community is studded with quit paths, 13 parks and natural lakes and ponds. Among the community amenities are a deep-water marina, a boathouse and outdoor gathering area, full-service concierge and 24-hour security.

Harbor Club on Winyah Bay is developed by LStar Land, LLC, a partnership between Landquest Development, of Raleigh, N.C., and Starwood Land Ventures, LLC. <Visit website>

South Carolina Communities > Hilton Head Retirement > Dataw Island

Dataw Island is a private residential community located just six miles east of Beaufort, SC. Surrounded by the ocean, river and tidal marshes, the community has its own marina—just three miles from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Dataw is one of the major islands in the Beaufort area and has a rich history, from being populated by Native Americans to “discovery” by the Spanish and colonization by the English. The island was once a hunting reserve, and also an indigo and cotton plantation. Preserved remains of the 1792 plantation house are just one of the unique features of the area.

Modern-day Dataw is home to a gated, 870-acre community, with more than 1,000 homes in a variety of styles and price ranges. The community has two challenging golf courses, an outdoor pool and the opportunity for other outdoor activities such croquet and kayaking. For the indoor-minded, the community has a fitness and community center, and clubhouse dining.

Single-family homes on Dataw can run from the mid-$400s to more than $3 million, with square footage ranging from just over 2,000 to 7,500 total square feet.

The island also has smaller, two and three-bedroom patio homes and maintenance-free villas. Patio homes range from $300,000 to more than $700,000, with square footage running from 1,600 to 2,600. Villas are also two and three-bedroom and start around $250,000.

If you want to build on Dataw, some lagoon-view and golf course lots are still available. Homesites begin at $75,000 while larger lots start near $150,000.

Since the project is mostly built-out, the on-site sales office has closed. However, many area Realtors specialize in Dataw properties.

Boating and golf are the two pillars of the Dataw lifestyle. There are two golf courses on the island, and a deep-water marina.

The Cotton Dike golf course follows a creek, and was designed around a series of old dikes which created more land for farming. The second course, Morgan River, is narrower and works with the lowcountry landscape of marsh and massive Live Oaks.

The Dataw Island Marina offers deep-water slips, dry storage, a boatyard and a ship’s store. Being 30 minutes from the Atlantic, on the Morgan River, the marina is well-protected and offers good sailing and fishing. [Visit website]

North Carolina Communities > Raleigh Retirement Communities > McLendon Hills

McLendon Hills is a 600-acre, gated equestrian community in the Sandhill region of central North Carolina. Here, a strip of ancient beach dunes decorates the landscape with rolling sand hills and long-leaf pines. Just west of Pinehurst (site of the 2005 US Open), McLendon Hills is close to golf, shopping and dining.

The community features custom homes, starting at around $275,000, plus cost of the lot. Residents can choose their own builder, but an architectural review committee must approve plans.

Homes can be built on one of three types of lots:

Lake Front Lots: $135,000 – $295,000
Vista Lots: $72,000 – $145,000
Mini Farm: $140,000 – $248,000

Lake Front tracts range in size from 1-2 acres and boast frontage on the 60 foot-deep, 80-acre Lake Troy Douglas. Vista lots are also 1-2 acres, with some having a lake views.

3-Acre Mini Farm

The Mini Farm tracts line the communities 6.5 miles of bridal trials and range in size from 2-5 acres. As well as a home, the mini farms can accommodate a small private stable.

Current McLendon amenities include a sandy beach with a pier and picnic tables, boat dock and volleyball court. As the community grows, more amenities, such a pool, tennis court and community center, are planned. Now, residents can plan golf or tennis at the nearby Seven Lakes Country Club, at a reduced rate.

25-acre state-of-the-art Equestrian Center

Hands-down though, McLendon Hills is an equestrian community, featuring bridal trails and a 25-acre, state-of-the-art equestrian facility. The Hilltop arena has all-weather footing and quality show jumps. There are also run-in sheds, a lighted arena and a round pen. Residents can board their horses at the facility, which is also open for public boarding.

Lots of boomers hope to enjoy the equestrian lifestyle in a North Carolina active community. McLendon Hills just might be the ideal location for just that. [Visit website]

North Carolina Retirement > Raleigh Retirement Communities > Heritage Wake Forest

If you are looking for a North Carolina retirement community with a lot of variety, Heritage Wake Forest may be an option. Developers have created a community with more than 20 different neighborhoods.

Heritage Wake Forest is designed to appeal to singles, families and retirees, with industry and technology, top-rated schools, outdoor recreation and entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities – some even located within the community.

Developer Andy Ammons, along with his father, planted more than a million trees on the former dairy farm to help augment and restore the natural beauty of the area. Now, as a result, Heritage Wake Forest has more than 120-acreas of open space and greenways. As well as trails and parks with picnic areas, there is a pond, a pier and an observation deck.

Heritage Wake Forest residents can also take advantage of the swim and tennis facilities, a soccer complex and the Factory Sports Complex, featuring an ice rink and fitness center.

Golf, however, may be the top recreational draw. The Heritage Wake Forest golf course, designed by architect Bob Moore of JMP Golf Design Group, has received a four and a half star rating in the 2008-2009 edition of Golf Digest’s Best Places To Play magazine.

Prices in Heritage range from the $150s to more than a $1 million, with many options (single and multi-family) in between.

Major community distinctions are:
•    Estate Homes –from $600 and $700K
•    Single-family-homes – from $275 (most hover around mid- $300 to mid $400).
•    Multi-family  – $150 to $440

A Sample a multi-family property is “The Beaufort” in Heritage View Townes.
The home has 2 bedrooms/ 2.5 baths with 1,264 heated sq. feet. Priced near $149,900.

The Grace, by Scott Daves Construction, typifies a mid-range single family home.
It’s a 4-bedroom, 4-bath home with 2,961 heated sq. feet.   Priced near $439,900.

The official Heritage Wake Forest web site features a Relocation Guide to help potential residents select the best neighborhood for them. Just keep in mind that the smaller square footages will apply only to multi-family.

More than two dozen builders associated with the community, from Centex (building homes from $199 to $300-thousand) to high-end, custom builders, building homes with a price tag of more than 1 million.

Wake Forest is a suburb of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Research Triangle, in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. The area is halfway between the Smokey Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, roughly three-and-a-half hours from each. The town has roughly 25,000 residents and is home of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Southeastern College at Wake Forest. 2009 will mark the official Centennial of Wake Forest. [Visit website]

North Carolina Retirement > Wilmington Retirement Communities > Dolphin Shores

“Discover Your Coastal Retreat” is the motto for the Dolphin Shores gated condominium community in the small town of Holden Beach.

Located in the fast-growing southeastern section of North Carolina, Holden Beach is part of the Brunswick Island chain, and has been touted as one of the top “family Beaches” in the U.S.

The town has its own business community that supports its residents and tourist population, but “big city” life is close at hand, with Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, both, about 40 minutes away.

Dolphin Shores is on the Intracoastal Waterway, on the mainland side of the town. Community developer, Jim Lea, who grew up on the Carolina coast, chose to build in this location because of its beauty.

“The first time I drove over the bridge to Holden Beach, there was no doubt in my mind that it was one of the premier beaches in North Carolina,” said Lea.

Lea has planned approximately 160 condo units for Dolphin Shores. So each resident can experience the natural marsh beauty of the setting, the condos will be arranged in 10 smaller buildings, instead of one high-rise.

Residences will range from 1,728 to 1,736 heated square feet. Pre-construction pricing for the three-bedroom, three-bath condos started just under $400,000.

Homes will feature top-of-the-line details such as stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood floors. Units will have nine and ten-foot ceilings, large covered porches with views, and will be wired for internet.

Aside from being located in an area known for its beaches and world-class golf, Dolphin Shores plans to provide residents with a community pier on the Intracoastal Waterway, a pool complex, a fitness center and dog park. [Visit website]

South Carolina Retirement > Columbia Retirement Communities > Brigadoon

Brigadoon is a gated equestrian community in Aiken South Carolina. The Brigadoon website makes one thing clear…this community is about horsing around! In all seriousness though, the community has been designed around the love of horses. If you own horses or wish to realize your dream of owning and riding horses in retirement, Brigadoon would be an ideal choice

Amenities

Amenities at Brigadoon include a clubhouse, nearly 20 miles of horse trails, 500 acres of conservation space, a covered arena, and not one, but two, competition polo fields.

Homes and Home Prices

The Brigadoon website does not have very much information on homes and home prices as of yet. It is still early in development. But it does say that there will be a total of 43 lots for sale in Phase 1 of Brigadoon.

Local Area

The Aiken South Carolina Area has a long history involving horses. Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1977 as a tribute to the famous flat racing and steeplechase Thoroughbred horses that trained at the The Aiken Training Track. In addition to its equine history, the Aiken area is fairly popular among retiring baby boomers. Aiken is only about an hour outside of Columbia. [Visit website]

North Carolina Communities > Asheville Retirement Communities > Cummings Cove

Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina in Hendersonville. Cummings Cove is a gated community surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. This community is an ideal setting to plot out your North Carolina retirement.

Amenities

Cummings Cove has an 18-hole golf course with clubhouse, restaurant, grill and bar. In addition there is a sports complex complete with fitness center and a Jr. Olympic sized pool. If you need something a little faster paced there are also tennis courts in the community. Current HOA dues are $75 per month but like most communities you can expect that to go up over time.

Homes and Home Prices

Home styles and sizes vary from golf villas up to large custom homes and estate homes. Among the available lots to choose from are mountain view, wooded, and golf course lots, each offering their own bit of beauty and privacy. Prices for lots range from the $70’s to over $300,000. A quick check of available homes in Cummings Cove shows homes available from the $300,000 range to over $700,000.

Local Area

Cummings Cove is surrounded by a couple decent sized cities; Hendersonville, Asheville, and Brevard. Asheville is of course the most popular, and is about 30 minutes away from Cummings Cove. You’ll find plenty to do in the area with a great climate and year round activities. If you hope to make your North Carolina retirement home in the mountains, check out this area and Cummings Cove. [Visit website]

South Carolina Communities > Myrtle Beach Retirement > Berkshire

Berkshire is a community in Myrtle Beach developed by Centex Homes. You probably don’t need to be told that Myrtle Beach is home to the most golf courses per square mile, and there are about 120 within easy driving distance. If you are looking for a peaceful South Carolina retirement community in a convenient location, read more about Berkshire.

Amenities

While there is not a golf course on the property, Berkshire has a residents club with pool, fitness center, tennis courts and picnic area and a 32 acre lake with sandy beach area and fishing dock. There is also a community director on-site who keeps the activity schedule full for residents. Plus, residents can enjoy an oceanfront beach club and a nearby town center adds to the convenience of Berkshire.

Homes and Home Prices

Berkshire has villas, townhomes, and single family homes. Villas that are 2 and 3 bedroom ranging in size from 1050 square feet to just over 1300 square feet start in the $130,000’s. Two-story townhomes 1588 to 1803 square feet start in the $160,000’s. If a single-family home is more your style, start in the $160’s and go to over $300,000. Homesites in Berkshire are available with lake or preserve type views. You can also to choose to build using your own custom home plan.

Local Area

The Myrtle Beach area has always been popular with tourists and vacationers, but in recent years has gained attention among retiring baby boomers. This should come as no surprise due to all there is to do in the area, from dining, shopping, and entertainment, to the 120 golf courses in the area. If you are considering a South Carolina retirement, give the Myrtle Beach area and Berkshire community a look. [Visit website]

North Carolina Communities > Wilmington Retirement Communities > Crow Creek

Crow Creek is a golf course community located in Calabash North Carolina, conveniently between Wilmington NC and Myrtle Beach SC. Crow Creek is just minutes from the beach and there is quick access to the intracoastal waterway and rivers in the area. If you’re looking for a leisurely community for retirement in North Carolina be sure to check out Crow Creek.

Amenities

Amenities at Crow Creek include amenity centers, swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, exercise facilities, game rooms with pool tables and card tables, and more. This is in addition to the Crow Creek Golf Club, where a brand new clubhouse is scheduled to be completed soon.

Homes and Home Prices

Crow Creek offers single family homes, condos, and attached homes. Some of these are available with golf course or private views. Prices range from the $160,000’s for condos to over $500,000 for custom built single family homes.

Local Area

The Calabash area is becoming more and more popular with retirees because of its great location and proximity to the coast, as well as Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. Crow Creek is close to three airports as well so if you do any traveling, you won’t have to go far to catch your flight. [Visit website]