Page 4 of Best Independent Living in North Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 149 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
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We analyzed These are the facilities in North Carolina our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in North Carolina.
149 homes
Other senior care options in North Carolina:

Compare Independent Living around North Carolina

Info below is compiled from the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
NC DHSR Star Rating (0–4 stars). Issued by North Carolina's Division of Health Service Regulation based on annual facility inspections. Stars reflect overall compliance with state health and safety rules - 4 stars requires scores of 100+ on two consecutive annual inspections. Ratings can change between inspections if new violations or licensure actions occur.
DHSR Quality Score (/200). Each annual inspection starts at a base of 100 points. Facilities earn demerit points for violations and citations, and merit points for correcting issues, maintaining resident/family councils, sprinkler systems, and other quality programs. The "/200" display reflects the two most recent annual inspections combined - giving a longer-term view of compliance trends rather than a single snapshot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Share of inspections that resulted in deficiencies, expressed as a percentage of total inspections in the window.
Homestead Hills Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Winston-Salem
66
Facility 66
NC AVG 70
Rank #27 / 62
Yes
20
Facility 20
NC AVG 34
Rank #99 / 142
30.3%
Facility 30.3%
NC AVG 72.6%
Rank #38 / 39
82.00/200
Facility 82.00/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #5 / 40
?13
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #19 / 46
Peak Resources Charlotte
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Charlotte (Country Club Heights)
142
Facility 142
NC AVG 70
Rank #5 / 62
No
64
Facility 64
NC AVG 34
Rank #9 / 142
83.8%
Facility 83.8%
NC AVG 72.6%
Rank #15 / 39
--C+6
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #19 / 46
The Gardens of Statesville Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
Statesville
67
Facility 67
NC AVG 70
Rank #26 / 62
Yes
15
Facility 15
NC AVG 34
Rank #109 / 142
-
102.50/200
Facility 102.50/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #12 / 40
A+14
57%
Facility 57%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #5 / 46
Brekenridge Retirement Center
IL
AL
Rocky Mount
64
Facility 64
NC AVG 70
Rank #31 / 62
No-
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
NC AVG 72.6%
Rank #1 / 39
103.00/200
Facility 103.00/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #12 / 40
A13
92%
Facility 92%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #19 / 46
Cross Road Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
Asheboro
152
Facility 152
NC AVG 70
Rank #4 / 62
No-
55.3%
Facility 55.3%
NC AVG 72.6%
Rank #30 / 39
102.50/200
Facility 102.50/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #12 / 40
B+15
47%
Facility 47%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #19 / 46
The Landings of Albemarle
IL
AL
MC
RC
Hertford
50
Facility 50
NC AVG 70
Rank #43 / 62
No
32
Facility 32
NC AVG 34
Rank #72 / 142
-
98.50/200
Facility 98.50/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #27 / 40
A+5
80%
Facility 80%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #2 / 46
Trinity Elms
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Clemmons
104
Facility 104
NC AVG 70
Rank #11 / 62
No
56
Facility 56
NC AVG 34
Rank #29 / 142
-
101.00/200
Facility 101.00/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #20 / 40
B+11
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #17 / 46
The East Tower at Cardinal North Hills
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Raleigh
49
Facility 49
NC AVG 70
Rank #45 / 62
Yes
34
Facility 34
NC AVG 34
Rank #68 / 142
73.5%
Facility 73.5%
NC AVG 72.6%
Rank #26 / 39
95.50/200
Facility 95.50/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #32 / 40
C2
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #19 / 46
Waltonwood Lake Boone
IL
AL
MC
Raleigh (Dairyland)
68Yes
51
Facility 51
NC AVG 34
Rank #38 / 142
-94.50/200B+771%
The Viridian
IL
AL
RC
New Bern
48
Facility 48
NC AVG 70
Rank #46 / 62
No
76
Facility 76
NC AVG 34
Rank #3 / 142
-
99.50/200
Facility 99.50/200
NC AVG 94.6
Rank #22 / 40
A-4
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #6 / 46

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other NC independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 149 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Homestead Hills Assisted Living

2101 Homestead Hills Drive Winston-Salem, Nc 27103, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Overview of Homestead Hills Assisted Living

Homestead Hills Assisted Living offers nursing home and skilled nursing care, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Winston-Salem, NC. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing on site around the clock.

Several care levels allow a resident whose needs grow to move between types of care without leaving the community or starting over socially. Respite care offers short stays when a family caregiver needs to travel or recover, so the community may be a good fit for households planning for changing care needs or a temporary caregiving gap. The community has 66 beds, with 5 hours and 57 minutes of nurse staffing per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nurse time allocated to each resident.

Medicare and private pay are accepted. Medicare can cover short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, while private pay means the cost is paid directly rather than through a listed benefit. Residents have access to a pool, on-site salon services for personal grooming, transportation services, and rehabilitation services. Dining uses a menu system similar to fine dining restaurants and offers flexible dining options, allowing residents to select menu-based meals. Pets are allowed, and Sandra Lebeau-Davis serves as director.

Contact Homestead Hills Assisted Living

Overview of Peak Resources Charlotte

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Peak Resources Charlotte is an assisted living and nursing home community offering both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. 
With 142 beds, it is a sizable facility dedicated to providing quality care to its residents. The community proudly participates in Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services.

Contact Peak Resources Charlotte

Overview of The Gardens of Statesville Assisted Living

Gardens of Statesville is a serene oasis in North Carolina, surrounded by lush greenery. The home provides an ideal retreat for seniors seeking memory care, independent living, and assisted living options. This well-established community takes pride in offering care while creating a comfortable environment. Every aspect of the community is carefully curated to exude comfort, from the well-appointed furniture to the housekeeping and transportation services, ensuring that residents feel pampered and at ease.
Spacious common areas are thoughtfully designed to encourage social interactions and provide a sense of togetherness among residents. The community boasts a beauty salon and a delightful dining space where residents can indulge in relaxation and culinary delights. It is also a pet-friendly haven, allowing furry friends to be a part of residents’ mundane living. With a wide array of engaging activities, such as outings, social gatherings, arts and crafts sessions, and invigorating exercise classes, seniors can enjoy a vibrant, fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact The Gardens of Statesville Assisted Living

Brekenridge Retirement Center

2500 Hunter Hill Road Rocky Mount, Nc 27804, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Overview of Brekenridge Retirement Center

Brekenridge Retirement Center offers assisted living and independent living in Rocky Mount, NC. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication.

Both levels are available within the same community, so someone may begin with independent living and remain at Brekenridge if daily care needs grow. The center has 64 beds and is currently at full occupancy, meaning all listed beds are filled.

Room options include semi-private rooms, private rooms, and private suites. Residents can choose shared or individual living arrangements, along with access to two living areas, a large covered front porch, an activity room, and a beauty parlor.

Activities include aerobics, bingo, card games, and special music. Restaurant-style meals are served three times daily, with special diets available, and a facility bus with a lift provides transportation to local medical appointments, including for residents who use wheelchairs. Brekenridge may be a good fit for someone who wants independent living now while keeping assisted living in the same community if daily care needs grow.

Contact Brekenridge Retirement Center

Overview of Cross Road Retirement Community

Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro, NC offers a continuum of care for seniors seeking independence with varying levels of support. Residents can choose from independent living, assisted living, and memory care options, all designed to promote well-being and a fulfilling lifestyle. Independent living allows seniors to enjoy their own private apartments with the freedom to come and go as they please. Assisted living provides personalized care plans to assist with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. Memory care offers a secure environment specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, featuring specially trained staff and stimulating activities. As a non-profit organization, Cross Road approaches senior care with authenticity and a genuine devotion to providing those in search of care the best service they can.

Contact Cross Road Retirement Community

The Landings of Albemarle

603 South Church Street Hertford, Nc 27944, Hertford, NC 27944
Overview of The Landings of Albemarle

The Landings of Albemarle, in Hertford, NC, spans independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Independent living is the level that comes without daily personal care. Assisted living is where help with bathing, medication, and dressing enters the picture.

Memory care runs in a secured setting with supervision. Respite covers a stay with an end on it, which suits a person who needs somebody nearby rather than a nurse doing anything clinical. Fifty beds are licensed across those four care levels, which means a resident whose needs grow is not shopping for somewhere else to live.

Staff are on hand whatever the hour. Families already on Medicaid can use it toward an eligible stay. The amenities include a library.

The area scores 32 for walking and lands in the car-dependent category, so most errands ned a vehicle. The memory care setting has Secured Living as its named program.

Contact The Landings of Albemarle

Trinity Elms

3750 Harper Road Clemmons, Nc 27012, Clemmons, NC 27012
Overview of Trinity Elms

Trinity Elms provides nursing home and skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Clemmons, NC. Nursing home and skilled nursing include licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

The combination of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since they can move between levels without leaving the community or starting over socially. There are 104 beds. That gives families a clear sense of the community’s stated capacity when deciding whether its scale matches their preferences.

Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. The Health & Rehab program includes rehabilitation services and short term rehab, giving a resident a temporary setting for recovery rather than an ongoing residence. Trinity Elms accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay: Medicare covers short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may matter when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay means paying directly for care. A Walk Score of 56 places the area in the somewhat walkable category, where some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage certain nearby outings independently.

Contact Trinity Elms

The East Tower at Cardinal North Hills

320 St. Albans Drive Raleigh, Nc 27609, Raleigh, NC 27609
Overview of The East Tower at Cardinal North Hills

The East Tower at Cardinal North Hills offers nursing home, skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Raleigh, NC. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. The combination of care levels can suit a resident whose needs grow over time.

Opened in 2017, the community has 49 beds. It is a smaller setting where staff and residents get to know each other, and Myra Aragones serves as director. Pets are allowed, with a dog park giving residents with dogs an on-site place for outdoor activity.

Residents can use the aquatic center and fitness centers for exercise, while the creative arts studio and libraries provide spaces for activities and reading. The salon and spa offer personal care services, and multiple restaurants serve seasonal dishes in different settings. A full calendar includes social, cultural, and educational activities, while on-site rehabilitation services provide therapy without arranging transportation elsewhere.

The area has a Walk Score of 34 and is car-dependent. Most errands require a car or a ride for a resident who no longer drives.

Contact The East Tower at Cardinal North Hills

Overview of Waltonwood Lake Boone

Settled in the serene setting of Wilson, NC, Waltonwood Lake Boone offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. This family-owned community ensures residents receive the right level of support to age in place, with comfortable one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans designed to enhance daily life.

This vibrant community prides itself on a variety of services and activities that encourage social engagement, including a garden house, lifestyle club, and travel club. With gourmet dining, wellness programs, and an inviting environment, residents enjoy a carefree, maintenance-free lifestyle. Waltonwood Lake Boone also offers opportunities for family involvement, ensuring loved ones remain a part of the journey. A perfect blend of care, comfort, and community awaits, offering an enriching and fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Waltonwood Lake Boone

The Viridian

3003 Waterscape Way New Bern, Nc 28562, New Bern, NC 28562
Overview of The Viridian

Respite care, independent living, and assisted living make up what The Viridian is licensed for in New Bern, NC. Assisted living brings the help a person needs with medication, bathing, and dressing. Independent living is the one with community services and no daily care attached. Respite care is a short stay, arranged when a resident’s usual caregiver travels or recovers.

Forty-eight beds put this among the smaller places, where staff and residents come to know one another. Because the range is licensed at one address, support needs that grow do not force a search elsewhere.

At 76, the walk score is very walkable, so most errands stay on foot for a resident who has given up driving. On-site therapy means rehabilitation happens where the resident already is.

Contact The Viridian

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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Independent Living in North Carolina at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 34/ 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
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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 149 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.