55+ communities, or active adult communities, are residential areas designed for individuals aged 55 and older. These communities offer a lifestyle tailored to older adults, featuring low-maintenance housing and various amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools, and walking trails. Social interaction is encouraged through organized events, hobby groups, and recreational activities. Many communities provide additional services like healthcare facilities, transportation, and dining options. Located in desirable climates and scenic areas, they offer a serene and enjoyable living environment. The primary goal is to foster a vibrant, supportive atmosphere where residents can enjoy their retirement years with a focus on health, wellness, and social connections.

North Carolina's coast remains largely undeveloped in comparison with the rest of the Atlantic coastline. The 300 miles of barrier islands and broad sounds are home to only one city of considerable size (Wilmington). Most of the coast is overseen by the state's Division of Parks and Recreation, which has prevented commercial and residential overdevelopment, and kept the beaches accessible to the public. Still, the area is extremely popular, and teems with tourists during much of the year. It is also beginning to fill up, as more and more affluent home buyers push up housing prices.

The area has a long chapter in the history of America. This is the part of the United States that saw the earliest European settlement, and it is here that the "Lost Colony of Roanoke" was founded in 1585. The coastline was of immense economic and strategic importance throughout the Colonial era, and was fought over in the Revolution and the Civil War. Later, it became the site of the world's first powered airplane flight, at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk.

Wilmington is the urban heart of the area; but even here the pace is noticeably more laid-back than other coastal cities. Other towns of note include Elizabeth City, New Bern, and Jacksonville, home of the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune.

 
 

Articles

2 articles
 

Coastal North Carolina Retirement Living

Coastal North Carolina Retirement Living

Thinking about retiring on the coast of North Carolina? We at Retirenet.com are excited about this next big step in your life and hope that we can help find your forever home. There are many things that draw one to the cost of North Carolina: the beautiful white-sand beaches, boating, fishing, great weather year round, and of course, the southern food. With all of this and more surrounding you, we know what entices you to live here, finding the right home is the hard part. Retirenet.com wants to take the difficulty of finding a home away and help you every step of the way in your search for the perfect 55+ community. Below is a list of several of our active adult communities for the coastal North Carolina area. This list is just an aerial view of the 55+ costal North Carolina communities on Retirenet.com – click here  to see all of our coastal communities in North Carolina. We can’t wait to help you find your North Carolina home!

 

Brunswick Forest stands apart as the perfect place for your new home. It begins with its prime location, just 10 minutes from historic downtown Wilmington, NC, and within 30 minutes of pristine beaches—yet set apart on 4,500 heavily wooded acres containing parks, nature trails and creeks. It includes a wealth of amenities in place for residents to enjoy today, such as a top-rated golf course and some of the most diverse real estate offerings in eastern North Carolina. From upscale links-side estates to low-maintenance patio homes, this coastal North Carolina community has something for everyone - whether you’re looking to get in on the action or get away from it all.  

Perfectly situated between the historic charm of Wilmington, NC and the recreational allure of Myrtle Beach, SC, Ocean Ridge's exquisitely designed homes, award-winning golf courses and world-class amenities have made this enchanting community a place many find easy to call home. Within the gates you'll discover inviting residential neighborhoods featuring lush landscapes, serene lakes, protected woodlands and manicured fairways. 

If you ever dreamed about living on a golf course (with stunning water views too) and enjoying the country club lifestyle, there has never been a better time to let our Winding River Plantation real estate pros show you just how amazing a value this premier gated, golf course community is! Located just minutes to Oak Island and the historic charm of Southport, North Carolina, Winding River Plantation offers the best in what Coastal North Carolina communities have to offer. Whether you are looking to build your dream home or want an amazing deal on a resale home, we are here to help.

Right in the heart of historic Wilmington, NC is this lovely, new Del Webb Community of Riverlights. This active adult community features a large selection of custom single family homes and stunning town homes with sweeping waterway views! In addition to Del Webb homes, there are 8 additional approved builders in Riverlights offering a wide selection of floor plans from Craftsman to Cottage style homes and single level homes from 1100sf up to over 3000sf.

Palmetto Creek of the Carolinas is a beautifully planned, gated community only 30 minutes from famous Carolina beaches and historic landmarks like Cape Fear Lighthouse and Southport’s Bald Head Island Ferry. The residential community includes a clubhouse, fitness center, Kayal Launch, Outdoor Kitchen, pool, Tennis Courts, Putting Green and nature pathways. Lovely brick custom homes, patio homes, and town homes define the community. A winding creek borders a preserved Palmetto Palm Grove with a nature boardwalk. The attractions of the popular Brunswick beaches, Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC are convenient for short day trips.

Wilmington's most unique waterfront community just across the Cape Fear River from Historic Downtown Wilmington and the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring creeks and waterways with almost every homesite on the water. Often referred to as the “Cape Fear Coast,” few places can match the Wilmington area's wide range of recreational features, cultural offerings, and historical ambience. With an average annual temperature of 63.7 degrees, Wilmington has become one of the top relocation areas in the United States.

Being just a few minutes drive from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the warm and sandy beaches of Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach NC, you can see why residents here think that they have discovered paradise. Anchoring this lovely community is the beautiful, well designed and challenging Crow Creek golf course, complete with 18 holes, driving range and putting green. The new 14,000’ clubhouse was recently opened and is setting the standard by which golf course clubhouses will be judged for many years to come.

 
 
Things To Do in Coastal NC

Things To Do in Coastal NC

Whether you have chosen to retire on the coast of North Carolina, or are still looking around, there are many sights that make it a desirable retirement spot. Retirenet.com is offering you not only the top 55+ retirement communities in the nation but a co Read more...

 
2 articles
 
X

Browse cities within Coastal - North Carolina

America's Top 100 Best Master-Planned Communities

My Saved Searches

Sign In or Create your free account to see your saved searches.

 

Welcome, Guest!   Sign InSign Up