55 Plus Communities in the Raleigh / Durham Area

With its mild climate and close proximity to the beach and mountains, the Triangle is one of the best places to retire in North Carolina. Active adult communities feature accessible living spaces and neighborhoods, low-maintenance homes, and often feature many amenities and activities not available in a standard neighborhood. Many active adult communities employ Lifestyle Directors, who plan plenty of activities for residents throughout the year. 

A retirement community or active adult community will generally require at least 1 resident who is at least 55 years of age (often called 55 plus communities). The older resident does not need to have an ownership interest in the house. These communities also do not allow permanent residents under the age of 19, but children may visit for up to 3 months each year.  

The Triangle area hosts a variety of active adult communities with homes and condos for sale in a wide range of prices. Many of these communities are new, with more planned each year. See below for a description of 55+ communities across the Triangle, and click the link for each neighborhood to view homes available there.

Cary 55 Plus Communities 

Community Pool in Carolina Preserve Home in Carolina Preserve
Community Pool in Carolina Preserve Home in Carolina Preserve

In Cary, Carolina Preserve is an upscale active adult community developed between 2006 and 2014 by Del Webb. The neighborhood consists of over 1300 detached homes. Home prices range from the upper $400,000s to $700,000s. HOA dues are around $200/month. 

The neighborhood boasts tons of amenities, including a huge clubhouse where residents can swim, take a pottery class, work out at the fitness center, learn photography, and participate in plenty of social events, among plenty of other options. With over 100 clubs and interest groups, there is something for every resident. The neighborhood also has 5 parks throughout, ponds for fishing, and walking trails. 

Heritage Pines, located in Cary near Morrisville, is a 55+ country club community. The neighborhood is made up of nearly 300 residences, with both villas and single family homes.   The single family homes range in size from 1400 to 2400 square feet, and are priced from 500-800k. HOA dues are $179/month. 

The neighborhood clubhouse hosts tons of activities, including community events, clubs, and classes. The community also has a fitness center, pool, spa, tennis courts, walking paths, and much more. 

The Courtyards at O’Kelly Chapel is a new active adult community designed by Epcon Communities. Conveniently located in the northwest side of Cary, neighborhood amenities include a clubhouse, pool, walking trails, plenty of green space, and fitness center. The community features 149 ranch-style homes, in 3 models, that will range in size from 2 to 3 bedrooms and 1500 to 2700 square feet. Homes range in price from the upper $500,000s to $800,000s. 

Sears Farm North is a new active adult community located near Prestonwood Country Club. The community features condos with a variety of floor plans. Amenities include a fitness and aquatics center, clubhouse, and walking trails. 

Blakeley is another new community, with both single family homes and townhouses, located in Northwest Cary. Developed by CalAtlantic Homes, the neighborhood is located adjacent to a brand new YMCA, which features an aquatic center, fitness center, and much more. 

Apex 55 Plus Communities 

The Orchard Villas, located in Apex, is a Cornerstone Homes community with 86 homes. Homes, built in the last few years, start in the $400 - $700s, and range in size from 1500 to 1900 square feet. Amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, pool, and a variety of activities.

Home in Regency at White Oak Creek  
Home in Regency at White Oak Creek  

Regency at White Oak Creek is a new Toll Brothers community located near Jordan Lake. Homes are priced in the $500s-$800s and come in 7 designs. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, hot tub, tennis courts, hiking trails, and more. The community also has a full-time Lifestyle Director. 

Wake Forest 55 Plus Communities 

Tennis Courts in Del Webb at Traditions Home in Del Webb at Traditions
Tennis Courts in Del Webb at Traditions Home in Del Webb at Traditions

Del Webb at Traditions is a quiet, resort-style 55+ community located in the Traditions neighborhood in Wake Forest. The neighborhood is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Wake Forest, near Flaherty Park. Homes range in price from the mid-$600,000s to $800,000s. The houses come 9 different designs and are between 1 and 4 bedrooms. The neighborhood will feature a wide variety of amenities, including group fitness classes, bocce courts, and a spa. The neighborhood is also surrounded by over 50 miles of greenway trails. 

The Villas of Wake Forest, a Cornerstone Homes community, is an active adult community with 144 homes. Homes are between 2 and 3 bedrooms, from 1,500 to 2,400 square feet, and sell from the $400,000s to $600,000s. HOA dues are $247 per month. Homes feature outdoor spaces, like private patios and courtyards. Amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, pool table, and outdoor pool. HOA dues are $286 per month. 

Garner 55 Plus Communities 

Located right outside of Raleigh and close to other Wake County communities like Fuquay-Varina, Garner is an attractive senior living destination with several adult communities to select from.

The Tapestry is a new 55+ community located in Garner. Built by Fleming Homes, the maintenance-free community will feature 99 single-story attached homes. Homes come in 4 distinct styles, from 2 to 3 bedrooms. Each home has a 2-car garage. Homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s. HOA dues are $145/month. 

Townhouse Style Home in The Tapestry  
Townhouse Style Home in The Tapestry  

The Tapestry will have a huge clubhouse with plenty of activities, including a fitness center, full kitchen, outdoor barbeque area, and more. The neighborhood will feature multiple parks, including a dog park and bird watching park, and a community garden.  

The Village at Aversboro is a community developed from 2007 - 2015 located in Garner with 147 homes priced in the $400,000s. The neighborhood features single family homes from 1600 to 2500 square feet. Amenities include a clubhouse where residents can play games and meet fellow residents through the various clubs and classes offered. The Village at Aversboro is located in walking distance from Lake Benson Park, which has miles of nature trails, lots of open space, and allows small boats and fishing. 

Clayton 55 Plus Communities 

Home in Flowers Plantation  
Home in Flowers Plantation  

Located in Flowers Plantation, in Johnston County outside of the Clayton city limits, are 2 age-restricted neighborhoods, Evergreen & Sweet Grass, with detached, accessible single-family homes. Homes in these neighborhoods sell in the $400,000s, and HOA dues are $205/month. Flowers Plantation is a large community with plenty of amenities for its residents, including tennis, basketball, trails, pools, a fitness center, and a spa. 

The Walk at East Village is a new home community with 300 homes planned, just a short walk from downtown Clayton. The community consists of pocket neighborhoods, where groups of homes face each other and create a central courtyard area, designed to foster community between neighbors. The homes come in 2 collections: Cottage and Village. Each collection offers a variety of home plans. Homes in the Cottage Collection are smaller, from 1668 to 1908 square feet, with 3 bedrooms, and are priced from the upper $400s to the $500s. The larger homes in the Village Collection feature 3- 4 bedrooms, and are priced from the upper $500s to the $600s, and are between 2300 and over 3000 square feet. 

The neighborhood has a huge clubhouse that hosts a variety of activities, and has a demonstration kitchen, fitness center, gathering spaces, and more. Outdoor amenities include walking and biking trails, community gardens, a pool, dog park, and more.  

Chapel Hill 55 Plus Communities 

Chapelwood, a smaller community developed by Hagood Homes from 2009 - 2013, is located near UNC in Chapel Hill. Chapelwood is located in the community of Downing Creek. The neighborhood has only 69 homes, from 1700 to 2700 square feet, priced from the $500s to $700s. Amenities include tennis courts, a pool, walking trails, and a clubhouse. 

Encore at Briar Chapel, located in the Briar Chapel neighborhood in Chatham County, is a new 55+ community by David Weekley Homes. In the Classic Series, homes are between 1500 and 2300 square feet, and priced from the $400,000s. HOA dues are $87.50 per month.  The Tradition Series features larger homes, between 2100 and 3200 square feet, priced from the $500,000s. HOA dues are $211 per month.

Community Pool in Briar Chapel  
Community Pool in Briar Chapel  

The neighborhood has 10 parks and gardens, a dog park, 24 miles of trails, and a sports complex where residents can play basketball, tennis, and pickleball. The Lifestyle Director plans tons of fun activities for residents. 

The Courtyards at Homestead Road is a new 55+ community by Epcon Communities located in Chapel Hill. The quiet, private neighborhood will have just 63 ranch style homes, in 3 styles that range in size from 1500 to 2700 square feet and have 2 - 3 bedrooms. Homes are priced in the $500-600,000s. HOA dues are $225 per month. 

The Courtyards will have lots of amenities for residents to enjoy, including a swimming pool, clubhouse, and more. Residents can take advantage of the miles of walking trails and nature at the adjacent Carolina North Forest nature conservancy area. 

Another Epcon Communities development, the Villas at Culp Arbor, is an active adult neighborhood located near Durham in Chapel Hill. The neighborhood has both attached homes and single family homes. The detached, 2 - 3 bedroom homes come in a variety of styles and range in size from 1500 to 2700 square feet. Detached homes are priced in the $500-600,000s, condos are priced in the $400,000s, and HOA dues are around $250 per month. Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, and walking trails. 

Durham 55 Plus Communities 

Carolina Arbors is a Del Webb community, conveniently located on the border of Durham and Raleigh near Brier Creek which places it conveniently close to wonderful amenities including the Brier Creek golf course. This community is closer to locations like Raleigh-Durham International Airport than popular Durham destinations like Duke University. The neighborhood has a variety of 1 to 4 bedroom homes ranging in price from the mid-$400,000s to $800,000s. Construction began in the neighborhood just a few years ago, and continues today. 

Clubhouse at Carolina Arbors  
Clubhouse at Carolina Arbors  

HOA dues are $174 per month. Amenities include both indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, fitness center, dog parks, community garden, and nature trails. There is a huge clubhouse with a full-time Lifestyle Director to ensure there are plenty of activities for residents. Activities include aerobics, dancing, book clubs, and much more. 

Creekside at Bethpage is a new 55+ community developed by AV Homes located in the Brier Creek neighborhood in Durham near Raleigh. The neighborhood has over 600 homesites, and homes come in a variety of floor plans with 2 - 4 bedrooms. Homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s to $700,000s. HOA dues are $209 per month.  

Creekside has a variety of amenities and activities for residents, including a recreation center, pool, tennis courts, and community garden. 

Hillsborough 55 Plus Communities 

Corbinton is a new 55+ community located less than a mile from historic downtown Hillsborough. Corbinton offers cottage homes, row homes, and duplex homes. Cottage homes are around 2000 square feet, with 2 bedrooms and 2 car garages; row homes are around 1900 square feet, with 3 bedrooms. Duplexes, starting around $400,000, are around 1600 square feet with 2 bedrooms.  The HOA dues are $150/month.

Home in Corbinton  
Home in Corbinton  

The community features walking trails, a community garden, and a dog park. The clubhouse has a fitness center and space for group gatherings. 

Active Adult Community Listings for the Triangle

Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2024 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .