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My husband and I are young retirees and have lived in Carolina Preserve for 2 years. We absolutely love the community and have made many friends who are in our age group. The community is mixed age wise so there are people to meet at any age. It has a wonderful club house and many activities. You can be as active or inactive as you want to be. The area in general is great for retirement as there is so much to do. We are very happy with our home and have not had any real issues with the structure of the house since we have moved in. I'm sure the community is not for everyone but our experience has been a good one.
For those nearing retirement who choose to live in a non active living community it is important to research the ages of the families in the community. You may not want to be one of the few families who are at retirement age when the other families are much younger. I have spoken to several people who have opted for a regular community and find themselves somewhat isolated and unable to make friends. Again it is a personal decision but something to consider. My husband and I are pretty social so we wanted a community where there were many people our age.
Who you can sell to is an issue for me. I cannot see staying in a home for more than 10 years. Too many places to see!! That said The Wilmington/Southport area is nice BUT, Hurricanes, a Nuke Plant in Southport.. Cherry Point where Nukes are stored by the military... Well and that summer Humidity... Not for this person
We are, in fact, leaving to look at the Wilmington/South Port area (including St. James Plantation) at the end of February.
I'd also say that what one person views as a negative, another may view as a positive.
Stayed at St. James Plantation while my daughter did an audit at the Troon Golf Course. Gorgeous property. A bit isolated from any shopping though. And, when in Southport (the little costal town so filled with history and great ambiance), go to the seafood restaurant on the water there. Take a stroll to the old cemetary and down the streets and see the old jail. Quite an experience. Loved it !!
For those nearing retirement who choose to live in a non active living community it is important to research the ages of the families in the community. You may not want to be one of the few families who are at retirement age when the other families are much younger. I have spoken to several people who have opted for a regular community and find themselves somewhat isolated and unable to make friends. Again it is a personal decision but something to consider. My husband and I are pretty social so we wanted a community where there were many people our age.
This is definitely a factor in our decision to move out of the home we purchased in 2007. And one of the primary reasons we are very interested in a 55+ community. It has been unexpectedly difficult to meet people, especially since many of the folks in the 55+ age range in our community (in AZ) are snowbirds.
Unfortunately, there are few 55+ communities in NC, so we will be considering other options, such as Saint James Plantation.
does anyone know the status of the 55+ community -- Four Seasons Renaissance Durham by Hovnanian? Has any of it been built yet?
The infrastructure is in place, streets, utilities, lights.
The sales model is open. Counting model homes, there are about a dozen or so built or coming out of the ground.
I'm moving there July '12 and have had the same concern as your clients, but I've chatted with some residents in their 60's (given to me by my Realtor and found on this site) and been assured there are plenty of us. It appears to be the type of community I want, I'm comforted by the availability of the use of the Amberly Clubhouse and pool where families are plentiful, and I'm "going for it." :-)
Hey Annie, You might also want to look at Amberly right next door. I just sold to two different New Yorkers about your age and single. Actually they bought on the same street. We did look at Carolina Preserve though and they changed their mind. Just another option for you.
This is definitely a factor in our decision to move out of the home we purchased in 2007. And one of the primary reasons we are very interested in a 55+ community. It has been unexpectedly difficult to meet people, especially since many of the folks in the 55+ age range in our community (in AZ) are snowbirds.
Unfortunately, there are few 55+ communities in NC, so we will be considering other options, such as Saint James Plantation.
Just to update this resurrected thread, we did look at SJP - lovely community but WAY TO REMOTE for us. We looked at other areas around Wilmington, which is a charming city, but nota good fit for us.
We tooj a two day trip to Raleigh primarily to visit CP. Nice communiy,but we didn't find floorplans that we especially liked, hated the total lack of customization options from the builder,and felt they were overpriced given the "quality" of the constructin and small lot size.
We ended up contracting for a new build at Regency at Brier Creek. Gave up some stuff (indoor pool,less clubhouse activities included in the regular HOA fees), but the location, floor plans,lot suze and construction more than makes up for that for us.
Arrived yesterday, we move into an apartment on Monday until the new house is ready in November or December!
Arrived yesterday, we move into an apartment on Monday until the new house is ready in November or December!
I'm just curious why it takes so long for Toll Brothers to build, like 5-6 month. Is it the customization of the floor-plan or backlog? Or do they say their quality takes longer.
We live in an area with many production builder houses which go up in 3 months. Of course, they do minimal customization, and the crews are highly efficient.
Good luck with the house!
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