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We are originally from NYC/north Jersey, lived in DC for a decade and moved to Dallas for work 30 years ago but there is a strong draw to get closer to our roots and the East and my daddy was raised in Durham.
We are missing the seasons, nature and green and the ability to get to the ocean or the mountains or other cities easily. We have visited many cities in NC in the 80's and 90's.
I had assumed we'd retire to south Florida but less and less interested in that in the past 5 years for various reasons.
I am 70 and my husband is 67 but dare I say we are "young" for our age in terms of attitude, lifestyle and interests.
We are (reform) Jewish, liberal and very active/interested in the visual arts. Proximity to and availability of excellent medical care is a priority (particularly primary care, retina specialist and oncologist for post-cancer follow-up/check-ups).
My husband is semi-retired and would probably go 100% if/when we move. He does pottery and painting r so proximity to ceramics classes and studio are a must.
I still work and plan to keep at it for another year or 2 but will continue to WFH. I have vision issues and gave up driving so am dependent on my husband or uber for transportation so would like to either be in a walkable neighborhood to grocery, restaurants, health club, park, etc or in a 55+ community where some of that is in the community.
We do not have children and closest family is in Florida/NY or Seattle. I do have a cousin who recently moved to Durham, a family connection in Statesville and a friend in Asheville.
We are looking to land somewhere where we can meet like-mined peopled and make social connections at this stage of life and live in a diverse community.
Part of us gravitates to a 55+ community as we want the pool, fitness center, activities, etc but also want to be also be close enough to museums, galleries, restaurants, shopping, etc. We struggle about fitting in and being misfits. I think long term that might be better than city living in terms of connecting with a "tribe" but also do not want to be too isolated. We would live to join a reform synagogue.
I saw a house in Cresswind that I liked aesthetically and price-wise. We are looking to stay under $600k. I know there are a couple of Del Webb communities but not sure if they are too big and self-contained but they have ceramics as does Imagery in Mt Holly which would make my husband happy.
We plan to fly out for a long weekend soon to research and interested in honing in on areas or communities that might be a good fit for us. I considered Durham but it seems to be more expensive and have less options.
There are many old posts similar to my query but none very recent hence the new post. Appreciate any insights or suggestions. Thanks.
Sun City Carolina Lake is very close to shopping just outside the entrance. You could get groceries delivered from the Publix if you needed. There numerous resales available in your price range.
Sun City Carolina Lake is very close to shopping just outside the entrance. You could get groceries delivered from the Publix if you needed. There numerous resales available in your price range.
Thanks. I had looked at this community online and it seemed a bit too far outside of Charlotte for us. There actually are not that many resales right now and the ones available now are either too much $ or too small but I will put on our list.
I understand. You might look at a temporary rental in Overture Cotswold. These are 55+ apartments that offer many concierge services. I suspect you might prefer to buy a one-level home close to the center of Charlotte. Have you considered a condominium?
I understand. You might look at a temporary rental in Overture Cotswold. These are 55+ apartments that offer many concierge services. I suspect you might prefer to buy a one-level home close to the center of Charlotte. Have you considered a condominium?
We hadn't - even a 2-story townhouse if master is on 1st floor - but would definitely be an option assuming HOA's are reasonable.
Are there specific areas you would recommend looking in?
Only issue may be size as we are looking for 3 bedroom at least 1700 SF and must allow small dog.
It will be a big move for us so renting vs buying will add cost and hassle and prefer to avoid that if possible unless we wait to sell our house here until after we buy.
We hadn't - even a 2-story townhouse if master is on 1st floor - but would definitely be an option assuming HOA's are reasonable.
Are there specific areas you would recommend looking in?
Only issue may be size as we are looking for 3 bedroom at least 1700 SF and must allow small dog.
After searching on Realtor, one-level or master-on-main condos are scarce. They are scattered through-out the area. They tend to be about 1500 SF, and the fees seem to be at least $350/month. A good Realtor can robably help more.
After searching on Realtor, one-level or master-on-main condos are scarce. They are scattered through-out the area. They tend to be about 1500 SF, and the fees seem to be at least $350/month. A good Realtor can robably help more.
Not going to lie, that's a tall wish list...not just with that budget but also the idea of having a 55+ community with immediate proximity to what I'd consider "cool stuff"...most of the retirement communities are closer to the burbs and aren't walkable to tons of amenities, as goldenage1 mentioned, I thought of Sun City because of the amenities but it is nowhere near any cultural activities. Sounds like you'd be better served in a small ranch in the city or in a condo with an elevator...but 3 bedroom condos are getting increasingly expensive...there's one in Royal Court right now, actually a beautiful unit, immediate proximity to uptown, an easy uber in for fun events...but there are a LOT of bigger buildings being constructed around it which is hurting its resale right now.
You may be able to find a condo near South Park or Cotswold if you keep your eyes out, which are both great areas for active folks your age...plenty of amenities in the immediate vicinity plus you're still less than 15 minutes from uptown.
I just personally don't think you're going to find a 55+ community that will meet many of your other wish list items...when I log into the MLS and look up "55+ community" there isn't a single listing inside the 485 loop, regardless of price...so that may be something worth considering.
Not going to lie, that's a tall wish list...not just with that budget but also the idea of having a 55+ community with immediate proximity to what I'd consider "cool stuff"...most of the retirement communities are closer to the burbs and aren't walkable to tons of amenities, as goldenage1 mentioned, I thought of Sun City because of the amenities but it is nowhere near any cultural activities. Sounds like you'd be better served in a small ranch in the city or in a condo with an elevator...but 3 bedroom condos are getting increasingly expensive...there's one in Royal Court right now, actually a beautiful unit, immediate proximity to uptown, an easy uber in for fun events...but there are a LOT of bigger buildings being constructed around it which is hurting its resale right now.
You may be able to find a condo near South Park or Cotswold if you keep your eyes out, which are both great areas for active folks your age...plenty of amenities in the immediate vicinity plus you're still less than 15 minutes from uptown.
I just personally don't think you're going to find a 55+ community that will meet many of your other wish list items...when I log into the MLS and look up "55+ community" there isn't a single listing inside the 485 loop, regardless of price...so that may be something worth considering.
Thank you for your honesty. It's a struggle.
May I ask what you think of Cresswind in Mint Hill? It seemed according to Google Maps that museums, etc in Charlotte are a 20 minute drive, South Park Mall and Uptown/City Center 30 minutes, lots of green on the map (parks, botanical gardens, preserves, etc).
I know not walkable and compromise will be necessary but aside from some 55+ communities in Florida, most all of them in other states we have considered including TX are an hour or even two from large cities and far more isolated. Thanks.
Not going to lie, that's a tall wish list...not just with that budget but also the idea of having a 55+ community with immediate proximity to what I'd consider "cool stuff"...most of the retirement communities are closer to the burbs and aren't walkable to tons of amenities, as goldenage1 mentioned, I thought of Sun City because of the amenities but it is nowhere near any cultural activities. Sounds like you'd be better served in a small ranch in the city or in a condo with an elevator...but 3 bedroom condos are getting increasingly expensive...there's one in Royal Court right now, actually a beautiful unit, immediate proximity to uptown, an easy uber in for fun events...but there are a LOT of bigger buildings being constructed around it which is hurting its resale right now.
You may be able to find a condo near South Park or Cotswold if you keep your eyes out, which are both great areas for active folks your age...plenty of amenities in the immediate vicinity plus you're still less than 15 minutes from uptown.
I just personally don't think you're going to find a 55+ community that will meet many of your other wish list items...when I log into the MLS and look up "55+ community" there isn't a single listing inside the 485 loop, regardless of price...so that may be something worth considering.
But key question is how close to major hospital, etc? Medical care important. Thanks.
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