How to choose a 55+ community
With so many senior living options in the Charlotte area, today's Retiring Well can help you ask the right questions and make informed decisions about where — and how — you want to live.
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, April 16, 2025. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
This week in The Ledger: ‘Retiring Well’ — a special series
Editor’s note: Retirement isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about starting something new. This week, The Charlotte Ledger is looking at how to make the most of this next chapter, from managing money to finding purpose, staying connected and embracing change. Whether you're close to retiring or just starting to think about it, we hope these articles help you imagine what “retiring well” can really mean.
About this series:
MONDAY: Redefining retirement — and doing it well: What it means to grow older with purpose, community — and a plan.
TUESDAY: Retirees share their best advice: Charlotte-area retirees reflect on their best decisions, biggest surprises and what they’d wish they’d known.
TODAY: How to choose a 55+ community: How to ask the right questions and make informed decisions about where — and how — you want to live.
THURSDAY: 5 smart strategies on elder caregiving: Expert advice on how families can approach aging with less stress, more understanding and better preparation.
The full series is available only to Ledger paying members. Join us today:
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From luxury campuses to low-maintenance rentals, Charlotte offers a range of retirement living options — but choosing the right one takes planning, questions and a little soul-searching.
OPTIONS GALORE: (l-r) The Sharon at SouthPark is a continuing care retirement community with a mix of older and newer buildings that are geared toward independent living, assisted living and people needing nursing and memory care; pickleball is extremely popular at Sun City Carolina lakes in Indian Land, S.C., which has 3,100 homes and some 5,000 people; Overture Cotswold is part of a growing trend of 55+ independent living rental apartments with amenities
by Cristina Bolling
Retirement opens up a world of possibilities — and one of the most important decisions retirees make is where to live once they’re not tethered to a job.
There’s lots to take into consideration:
Have you always dreamed of relocating to a new city, or do you feel pulled to be near family? Or are you content to stay in your hometown?
Do you want to be in a bustling community with lots of active seniors, or do you prefer solitude?
Are there medical or mobility issues that are either already presenting themselves, or that you want to plan for down the line?
What do your finances look like?
The good news is, there’s lots to choose from in Charlotte, and the choices are constantly expanding.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular types of senior living communities in the area, and how to choose the one that’s right for you.
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)
◼️ Best for: People looking for long-term peace of mind and healthcare support as they age.
CCRCs are among the most expensive senior living options, but they offer a full spectrum of care on a single campus …
The complete article is available to Charlotte Ledger members.
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