Blog - Carolinas For Boomers

Retirement Spotlight: Lake Norman

Unlike many of the areas profiled in our retirement spotlights, Lake Norman is not a town or a city.

Instead, it is an area comprised of a few different towns surrounding a massive lake in North Carolina. It’s also a way of life that is perfect for anyone who appreciates a perfect combination of relaxing scenery, exciting amenities, and all four seasons of the year.

Located just about 20 miles north of the booming Charlotte area, Lake Norman is a much calmer version of North Carolina that ends up being an excellent fit for many Boomers considering the Carolinas.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at what this fun region has to offer.

Lake Norman History

Lake Norman was created over a five year period from 1959 to 1964 during the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam. With 520 miles of shoreline and more than 50 square miles of surface area, it is the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina.

Because of its close proximity to Charlotte and the simultaneous construction of I-77, the Lake Norman area was instantly popular among North Carolina residents who were looking for a peaceful place to live that still offered access to the big city and the major highway.

Lake Norman Lifestyle

As you might have guessed, the lifestyle in Lake Norman almost completely revolves around enjoying the lake. For many residents, this means keeping some type of boat at one of the many local marinas.

You will find residents participating in a wide range of water activities including wakeboarding, tubing, sailing, fishing, rowing, and even cruising in small paddleboats.

Of course, like any lake, Lake Norman is a haven for fishermen. Not a day goes by that you won’t find anglers baiting their hooks, and there are always plenty of kayaks and canoes exploring the large shoreline as well.

And, with so much of the area surrounded by woods, camping and hiking have become natural extensions of the lake that are extremely popular with residents.

Lake Norman Shopping

Each of the small towns surrounding the lake offers a slightly different twist on unique local shopping that features all different kinds of boutique clothing stores, antique dealers, and a wide range of other shopping excitement.

In addition to exploring each of the small towns, there is also plenty of retail therapy to be had at Birkdale Villages, which is a popular open-air shopping destination in Huntersville. Here you will find a fun combination of locally owned stores and popular name brand choices.

Lake Norman Dining

Each community in the Lake Norman area has its own local favorites when it comes to dining, but pretty much everyone can agree that one of the best local spots for grabbing a casual meal on the water is the Midway Boathouse Grill. They’re probably best known for their breakfast options, but don’t sleep on that Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich!

One thing you probably wouldn’t expect to find this far out of Charlotte is a great ramen noodle restaurant, but Ramen Soul in Mooresville offers Lake Norman restaurants exactly that. We recommend the Ginger and Garlic Miso with Spicy Chicken and a Ghost Chili Butter Bomb. Yum!

And lake life wouldn’t be complete without a rustic cabin-style steakhouse, so plan on heading to Lineberger’s Steakhouse to satisfy your steak fix on a regular basis. On top of having great steaks, they also have one of the most amazing salad bars you will find anywhere.

Lake Norman Communities

Trilogy® Lake Norman is so close to so much, yet feels like a secluded getaway destination.

With so many ways to relax, be pampered or get active, owners here will be able to enjoy a Club offering world-class resort amenities and service. Inspiring architecture define the Club, which offer a fitness center, terrific dining, special interest clubs such as an art and culinary studio, enriching classes, exciting travel opportunities. This exclusive community also features an extensive trail system weaving throughout the whole community, tennis courts, pickle ball, bocce ball, and sport and game rooms.

Trilogy® Lake Norman combines thoughtfully designed floor plans with quality construction, energy-saving innovations, and architectural inspiration in all of our homes. New Homes start from the high $200’s.

You can request more information here.

If a calm and quiet life along the lake just outside of Charlotte is something that sounds appealing to you, there simply isn’t a better place to live that lifestyle than Lake Norman. Of course, it also helps that the area is filled with many of the amenities you don’t want to sacrifice either!

Retirement Spotlight: Blowing Rock, NC

Views from Blowing Rock of the North Carolina mountains

Located about two hours north of Charlotte, Blowing Rock offers a fresh-air, mountain experience that is unlike anything you will find in a major city. Known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge,” this is the type of place that allows residents and visitors to appreciate the natural beauty that exists all around them.

Blowing Rock is a small town packed with gorgeous views, eclectic shopping, and a wide range of great dining experiences. That combination has also made it a popular retirement destination for Boomers looking to enjoy a more permanent mountain getaway.

Blowing Rock History

Originally home to the Cherokee and Catawba Native American Tribes, the town of Blowing Rock first came to prominence during the Civil War. The mountains of North Carolina were a treacherous place to be at that time, and many of the local men fighting in the war sent their families to live in Blowing Rock, where they would be safe from the violence.

Following the war, many of those soldiers reunited with their families in Blowing Rock and either lived there permanently or continued to visit to enjoy the crisp mountain air during the summer months. The town’s reputation as a tourist destination has been growing ever since, and today people come from all over the south to enjoy the natural beauty they find here.

Blowing Rock Lifestyle

The lifestyle you will find in Blowing Rock revolves around getting outdoors and enjoying the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here you will find almost endless options for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and enjoying some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in all of the Carolinas.

Blowing Rock attraction in North Carolina

Known as “North Carolina’s First Tourist Attraction,” The Blowing Rock is the most popular place for enjoying the beautiful outdoors, but Memorial Park, Julian Price Park, and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park all offer attractive ways to explore the rolling hills as well.

Children who visit Blowing Rock always enjoy a trip on the Tweetsie Railroad or a trip to Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine.

Blowing Rock Culture

The lifestyle in Blowing Rock is focused on the outdoors, but the beauty of those scenic vistas tends to attract people who are also interested in a wide range of culture. Over the years, that has lead to a surprising number of successful art galleries popping up all over town.

In addition to local artists, there is also a thriving scene for the performing arts that revolves around the nearby Barter Theatre. And you haven’t really experienced Blowing Rock until you have listened to a performance by the High Country Jazz Society.

Blowing Rock Shopping

Like any mountain community tourist attraction, Blowing Rock features a downtown district that is packed full of shops and boutique stores offering a wide range of shopping experiences. Antiques and home furnishings are popular items here, and you can also find some interesting apparel and jewelry shops as well.

In addition to quaint little mountain town shops, Blowing Rock is also home to some first-class outlet shopping thanks to the Shops at Martin House, Southmarke, and Tanger Outlets at Blowing Rock.

Blowing Rock Dining

Because it is such a popular tourist destination, Blowing Rock is home to some of the most outstanding restaurants you will find anywhere in North Carolina. One of the most popular stops for locals and visitors is The New Public House & Hotel, which offers American cuisine for lunch and dinner menus, as well as one of the best brunches in town.

Blowing Rock Brewing Co. (via Facebook)

Craft beer enthusiasts love frequenting Blowing Rock Brewing, which started as a local brewery and has since grown into a popular local restaurant and inn. The IPAs and seasonal ales will always take center stage here, but don’t sleep on just how good the Grilled Bison Burger is here either!

There are also plenty of fine dining options available around Blowing Rock, and Gideon Ridge Inn is one of our favorites. This adorable bed and breakfast features one of the best high-end restaurants in town, and their menu changes daily, so there is always a new experience waiting for you.

Blowing Rock Area Developments

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Lenoir and Blowing Rock, The Coves Mountain River Club is a spectacular master-planned and gated community. Vacationing families and active retirees have found Western North Carolina to be ideal for thriving cultural locales, year-round enjoyable climate and a multitude of recreational opportunities.

Far from being a resort community or weekend getaway, The Coves is loaded with built-out amenities designed for 365 days of activities and events. Active adults can take advantage of the beautiful natural environment while enjoying a full social calendar of gatherings with other like-minded residents. Walk along gentle mountain paths, challenge yourself with a high-country hike or Kayak 5 miles of the Johns River without ever leaving the community. Spend a morning in the garden and then attend a community barbecue or concert that evening. Rejuvenate yourself in our state of the art fitness center. While away a winter afternoon in our library, or spend lazy summer days on horseback. With such a wide array of homesites to choose from, it’s easy to pick your perfect getaway.

You can request more information here.

Between the stunning natural scenery, the thriving cultural scene, the excellent shopping, and the world-class dining options, Blowing Rock is a small town that offers a little bit of everything that Boomers are looking for in a mountain community. The only thing missing is you!

The Ashley at Woodside

The Ashley: Front Elevation

Woodside’s most popular floor plan, The Ashley is not just a home, it’s a place to enjoy a lifestyle and make memories. The open concept design, attention to detail, and quality craftsmanship have captured the attention of Woodside’s newest property owners in a big way.

This comes as no surprise for this community: Woodside’s home builder, Carolina Signature Homes, has been named a Southern Living Custom Builder member thanks to its longstanding commitment to quality and value building homes of distinction.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available at Woodside?

Get More Information About Woodside

In the newest and most improved version of this home, The Ashley’s welcoming entry sets the stage with luxurious barrel ceiling treatment and designer lighting.

The Great Room is created for elegant entertaining around the slate surrounded fireplace with custom mantle flanked by Wellborn® cabinetry, English Chestnut finished hardwood flooring, and a Chef’s Kitchen that features an abundance of Wellborn® cabinetry in Divinity with soft-close drawers and doors, granite countertops, marble tile backsplash and an energy efficient stainless steel appliance package.

The Ashley: Rear Elevation

The Ashley’s large covered rear porch with outdoor fireplace, ceiling fan and custom wrought iron railing frames a breathtaking vista over long golf and valley views, making an amazing place to sit and relax on a beautiful evening.

Here’s a look at how the entire floorplan comes together:

Floorplan: The Ashley

Follow the Progress

Woodside is opening up the opportunity to follow along as they bring The Ashley to life!

Each week, head over to Woodside’s website here for photos and virtual walk-throughs designed to help you learn more about how easy it is to build your home in this community, to see the details of this home spring to life, and be the first to see the finished product!

Be sure to include a stop by The Ashley on your Woodside Discovery Visit this summer, starting at only $199 for 3 days and 2 nights in charming and historic Aiken, SC.

Want to see all of the great floorplans available at Woodside?

Get More Information About Woodside

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with an Active Lifestyle at Woodside

Earth Day is upon us, and as a community who is recognized for and committed to nature preservation, Woodside is here with tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint simply by enjoying and embracing the outdoors.

Request more information about Woodside today, or read on to learn more about their dedication to this cause, and what you can do to incorporate pieces of that lifestyle to help you reduce your carbon footprint today.

Woodside is set apart from other master-planned communities by the way in which it appreciates its naturally beautiful setting. From the bright green meadows and rolling hills that you see when you first enter the community, to the mirrored ponds you’ll see on an evening walk, Woodside is synonymous with nature.

Because its setting adjacent to a protected nature reserve is a defining piece of the community’s identity, it boasts a longstanding tradition of and commitment to nature conservation that Woodside residents have adopted as well.

From groups like the South Carolina Bluebird Society, who build and maintain bluebird trails and nest boxes, to the Woodside Trail Group, who organizes hikes and work parties to keep the Woodside trails maintained and enjoyable for hikers of all ages, Woodside residents are setting an example that we could all benefit from emulating this Earth Day.

Check out five ways Woodside residents are enjoying healthy, active lifestyles while reducing their carbon footprint below!

Take a Hike

Woodside offers more than 15 miles of walking and nature trails, and the Woodside Trail Group now boasts more than 120 members as a result. They’ve got the right idea this Earth Day: leave the car in the garage, find a local trail, and see your surroundings from a new point of view.

Grab a Bike

If you prefer enjoying the outdoors at a faster pace, grab a bike! Like the Woodside Biking Club, who head outdoors to enjoy this hobby in a social environment, you can get your heart rate up and explore your natural surroundings, without filling up your gas tank.

Play a Round of Golf

Woodside, who is only 25 miles from Augusta National in the center of some of the nation’s best golf, offers four championship courses of its own perfect for any skill level. Whether you’ve been playing for years or would like to learn, there are clubs and social groups you can join for a round. Bonus points for walking the course and leaving the cart behind!

Take Up a New Outdoor Hobby

Woodside, a certified Bluebird Sanctuary, is home to the current South Carolina Bluebird Society President, Mike DeBruhl, and thanks in part to his efforts, now has an active community of individuals participating in monitoring and creating bluebird trails and nestboxes. Whether you join in an organization like this one, join a group like Woodside’s gardening club, or spend some solo time maintaining a plot in a community garden like the ones available in this community, any time spent outdoors contributing to the environment is time well spent this Earth Day.

Enjoy Water Activities

Lakes and ponds are perfect for spending more time outdoors, and less time in your car. At Woodside, you can grab a fishing pole for a relaxing morning on the water, or pull out a canoe, paddleboard or kayak for a more active approach to enjoying your natural surroundings.

Woodside has earned a reputation for its commitment to nature, and they’re inviting you along to see just how they put that promise into action.

Request more information today.

Aiken Wins Four “South’s Best” Awards

Aiken locals are in a state of celebration – particularly residents of Woodside who choose to call a Southern Living Inspired Community home – and it’s no surprise why.

Aiken was recently named by Southern Living Magazine as the 2018 “South’s Best Small Town,” confirming what 30,000 people living there already knew to be true.

Said Southern Living:

“Spend a weekend in this town, and you’ll see what makes it so special. One word of caution: Some of Aiken’s visitors have been known to come for the weekend and never leave, so you shouldn’t pack light.”

In addition to receiving the “Best Small Town” award, Aiken was actually recognized four times in the “South’s Best” edition of the magazine!.

In addition to taking home this prestigious accolade, Aiken also took home the second “Best Food Town” in the South and “Friendliest Town in the South,” in addition to the second “Best Hotel” in the South awarded to The Willcox, whose far-reaching reputation was built on its atmosphere, impeccable service and excellent cuisine.

Aiken, SC is packed with charm. It’s the reason that the canopy of oaks on South Boundary Avenue will grace this year’s cover of Southern Living Magazine’s “South’s Best” edition, and the reason that so many who visit are captivated with its natural beauty.

From the historic architecture, tree-lined streets and wooden bridges, to the bustling downtown shopping and dining district, Aiken is a beautiful setting.

The thriving downtown cannot be missed during a visit, with more than thirty restaurants all within walking distance, in addition to antique shops, boutiques, and performance venues like Aiken Center for the Arts and Aiken Community Playhouse.

While Southern Living has touched on an array of qualities that would make Aiken deserving of this award on their own, one article simply cannot capture the essence of what makes this town so special.

In addition to the facets of life covered by the brand, Aiken also boasts six major medical providers in the area (three of whom have onsite offices in The Village at Woodside), a college town setting that earned it Ideal-Living Magazine’s “Best College Town” in 2017, and a surprisingly low cost of living.

You can request more information about Woodside in Aiken, SC here.