Page 12 of Best Independent Living in North Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 150 independent living communities in NC using NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in NC
Reviewed by
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in North Carolina our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in North Carolina.
150 homes
Other senior care options in North Carolina:
Avg Walk Score: 35/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in North Carolina. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 70The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in North Carolina. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
Overview of Atria Cary

Bask in the sunlight in Atria Cary, a blissful senior living community located in the peaceful neighborhood of Regency Parkway, Cary, NC providing independent living. Together with trusted partners, the community offers physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Cozy and elegant floor plans including one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments fully equipped with kitchens and other basic necessities are available for seniors’ choices and desires. The community ensures a relaxing and safe stay with a team of kind and compassionate professionals delivering top-tier care and assistance around the clock.

Atria Cary promotes an active and connected environment, providing all-around amenities and services. With its signature Engage Life program, residents experience a wide range of learning opportunities and programs to enhance their quality of life. Enjoy wonderful conversations with friends over healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals three times daily in different dining venues. The pet-friendly community provides an indoor swimming pool, a library, a movie theater, a fitness center, a physical therapy center, a salon, a game room, a putting green, and serene walking paths for seniors’ leisure and wellness.

Contact Atria Cary

Overview of Brier Pointe Retirement Community

Brier Pointe Retirement Community is an independent living community in Morrisville, NC. Independent living provides private living without daily care, making the community a potential fit for someone who wants a residence with studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom options.

The housing options include studios for one person, while two-bedroom layouts can suit a couple or someone who wants a companion. The community is a three-story building, and pets are allowed, so a resident may be able to keep a pet while living there.

A Walk Score of 30 places the area in a car-dependent setting, meaning most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk. Brier Pointe Retirement Community may suit someone seeking independent living who does not need daily care and has access to transportation for errands.

Contact Brier Pointe Retirement Community

Overview of The Commons at Brightmore

The Commons at Brightmore, situated in Wilmington, NC, is a senior living community offering both assisted living and memory care services. The community provides two living arrangements in Paraklay Way; featuring large closets, private, and companion rooms that allow ample floor space for personal items and design touches. Companion rooms share a full bath, and if desired, the community furnishes a bed, dresser, and nightstand at no additional charge. The built-in emergency call system ensures quick assistance is always within reach. Additionally, Azalea Hall provides similar living arrangements with personalized care and the same commitment to resident well-being.

In terms of healthcare services, The Commons at Brightmore offers minimal to substantial assistance with activities of daily living, safety monitoring and oversight, and personalized care plans. The community maintains a highly-trained care staff available 24 hours a day, ensuring residents receive the support they need. Medication administration is also part of the comprehensive healthcare services provided. Residents enjoy a range of amenities, including three chef-prepared meals daily with therapeutic diets available, secured memory support activities with designated courtyards, and housekeeping and laundry services.

Contact The Commons At Brightmore

Overview of Jordan Oaks Gracious Retirement Living

Jordan Oaks, located in Cary, NC is a retirement community by Gracious Retirement Living offering independent living services and amenities to its residents. The offer studio and one-to-two bedroom units featuring private bathrooms, a space for living area, kitchenette, and patios. This senior living community envisions their residents’ retirement years to be fun and fulfilling, offering them conveniences to ensure that they have more time and energy to do what they love.

The services and amenities they offer that provide conveniences, include transportation services for outside appointments as well as scheduled trips, culinary services where meals are served  restaurant-style in their dining room, and the scheduled activities and programs that aim to enhance the residents overall well being. Additionally, they also offer a resident travel program, where a resident may be able to stay for a week in any Gracious Retirement Living communities where meals are also provided.

Contact Jordan Oaks Gracious Retirement Living

Overview of Southern Pines Gracious Retirement Living

Southern Pines Gracious Retirement Living creates a lifestyle for independent living services that aim to make aging graceful; they provide personalized care plans tailored to your unique needs. The team of compassionate and professional staff excels in extending its service with warmth and comfort where seniors can feel amplified in finding new possibilities in the community.

The Gracious Retirement Living lifestyle centers its services on the thought of comfort and convenience, ensuring the needs of all its residents are holistically met; seniors can experience delicious dining in a restaurant-style dining room, scheduled activities for engagement and socialization, transportation to check-ups and other errands, and a resident travel programs for an easy and hassle-free vacation. 

Contact Southern Pines Gracious Retirement Living

Overview of The Kempton at Brightmore

Administered by Melissa Crouch, The Kempton at Brightmore is a senior living community in the Brightmore Liberty neighborhood of Wilmington, North Carolina. It offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community is about 1 mile from the city center. The multiple levels of care in one location allow residents to transition between services as their needs change without relocating. The three-story community offers studio and one-bedroom floor plans ranging from about 360 to 525 square feet.

Residents can personalize their apartments with their own furniture and décor. For those who prefer not to bring furniture, the community provides a bed, dresser, and nightstand at no additional cost. Each residence includes individual heating and air conditioning controls and a kitchenette with a mini refrigerator. There’s also a space for a personal microwave, a private bathroom with a handheld shower and fold-down seat, and an in-room emergency call system for quick assistance.

Residents receive 24-hour supervision, medication administration and management, and assistance with light activities of daily living. The community also follows infection prevention and control practices, including contact tracing and isolation procedures when needed.

Three chef-prepared meals are served each day in the private dining room and country kitchen. Amenities on-site include a beauty salon and barber shop. Residents can also access housekeeping, laundry services, transportation, and fitness and recreation programs. The community welcomes pets. Activities here focus on social, spiritual, intellectual, and physical wellness through events such as musical performances, gourmet chef demonstrations, and card games.

The car-dependent area has a Walk Score of 22. Most errands require a vehicle, and nearby walkable options are limited. Families should plan to drive for shopping, dining, and appointments.

Contact The Kempton At Brightmore

Overview of Solista Charlotte by Cogir

Embraced by a blanket of mature trees and a serene setting in Charlotte, NC, Solista Charlotte by Cogir focuses on independent living. The community is committed to residents’ well-being and offers them purposely built accommodations ranging from studio to two-bedroom floor plans, alongside 24/7 emergency and non-emergency response. Through innovations like the Lively Mobile Plus Device, residents are guaranteed top-tier care without restraining their independence.

Learn new things and live life to the fullest with a full slate of engaging events and fun activities, highlighting resident’s interests and strengths. Mealtimes are also something to anticipate with healthy and delicious restaurant-style dining. Here, residents are free to enjoy incredible amenities like the media room, library, game room, a beautiful garden, and serene community grounds.

Contact Solista Charlotte by Cogir

Overview of Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville

Located on Arbor View Lane in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville is an independent living community. It offers flexible floor plans with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units in a two-story building to accommodate a range of preferences and needs.

Starting at $2,745 per month, the community provides an affordable entry point into independent living for older adults looking for a residential environment with built-in support and community. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 18, which means that most errands will require a car. The community is better suited for residents who drive or have regular access to transportation.

Families should take a tour to get additional details about specific amenities, activities, services, or to discuss move-in options.

Contact Arbor Ridge at Stanleyville

Overview of Fourth Creek Landing Apartments

Fourth Creek Landing Apartments is a vibrant community located in the heart of Statesville, North Carolina. Offering a range of well-appointed one and two-bedroom floor plans, this community is thoughtfully designed to cater to every unique need and lifestyle. Each apartment boasts ample square footage, complemented by lofty 9-foot ceilings, a private balcony or patio, spacious walk-in closets, and convenient washer/dryer hookups. This community places residents close to all the essentials – work, schools, shopping, recreational facilities, and entertainment venues.

The Fourth Creek Landing community goes above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service, ensuring an extraordinary living experience. With quick access to both I-77 and I-40, the location couldn’t be more convenient. Residents at Fourth Creek Landing have access to a sparkling pool and a trail for exercise. Discover the perfect balance of comfortable living space, prime location, and top-notch assistance from the dedicated Fourth Creek staff.

Contact Fourth Creek Landing Apartments

Overview of Solista Hickory by Cogir

Set in Hickory, North Carolina, Solista Hickory by Cogir provides independent living in a three-story building. Apartment options include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, allowing older adults to select a residence that matches their preferences and lifestyle.

While residents live independently, support is available through 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response services. A wearable alert device offers an added layer of security for those who value both independence and quick access to assistance. Dining is provided in a restaurant-style setting, with meals tailored to individual dietary needs and preferences.

Community amenities include a library, game room, media room, outdoor gathering spaces, transportation services, and a variety of fitness and recreational opportunities. These features help residents remain active, engaged, and socially connected. Pets are also welcome, making it easier for older adults to bring a small animal companion.

The surrounding neighborhood has a Walk Score of 22, indicating that most shopping, appointments, and errands require a vehicle. With a combination of independent living, on-site services, and recreational offerings, the community is designed for older adults seeking convenience in a residential setting.

Contact Solista Hickory by Cogir

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in North Carolina

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 150 independent living communities in North Carolina. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in North Carolina?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in North Carolina, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in North Carolina?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.