24 Apr What Makes North Carolina the Best Place to Retire?

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about retirement, and to look forward to it. Retirement brings you freedom, new opportunities, and a sense of accomplishment. But … where should you go to retire? 

If you haven’t considered retirement communities in North Carolina, here’s an overview of the peaceful, fulfilling lifestyle you can experience at senior living communities near Asheville, NC. These communities — especially Legacy at Mills River — give you the chance to spend your retirement years in one of the most beautiful areas in the entire country, and to make unforgettable memories experiencing all that the Tar Heel State has to offer.

Read on to learn more about the reasons that make North Carolina one of the best states to retire!

Greetings from Asheville

Asheville is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina, and it’s easy to see why; With laid-back energy, picturesque surroundings, and a strong sense of community, Asheville offers tons of things to do and a warm, relaxed ambiance. 

If you’re into breweries, you’ll love the craft beers that abound in “Beer City USA.” Brewery tours and tastings are an incredibly popular Asheville pastime, for visitors and locals. It’s not all about beer, though — Asheville is home to hundreds of restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world and an emphasis on fresh ingredients from local farms.

There’s also a robust music and arts scene in Asheville. From live bands playing country, bluegrass, and modern genres to a long list of theaters, fine arts, and performance arts spaces, cultural enrichment is easy to find. 

Of course, no mention of Asheville would be complete without a mention of the Biltmore Estate, the French Renaissance château built by George Vanderbilt. It’s well worth a visit!

Brevard and Hendersonville

The area near Asheville in Western North Carolina — where Legacy at Mills River is situated amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains — includes the towns of Brevard and Hendersonville, which are smaller than Asheville but have charms of their own.

Known for its food, festivals, and waterfalls (more than 200 of them!), Brevard is a nature lover’s paradise. People come from all over to engage in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, golfing, swimming, and bird watching. Beyond nature, Brevard also hosts an annual music festival like the White Squirrel Festival and a number of exciting town-wide parties.

For its part, Hendersonville boasts gorgeous scenery, southern hospitality, and wonderful places to visit for wine, cider, or beer. It also has an iconic downtown area which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It’s brimming with art galleries, museums, antique stores, shopping, and restaurants — and it’s waiting for you to come and start exploring!

Mountain Music

North Carolina isn’t just one of the best places to retire because of its towns — the scenery and natural splendor of the state truly make it special. Legacy at Mills River, for example, sits among the state’s majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by 112 acres of woodlands, streams, and a peaceful lake. 

You can drive along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, about as pleasant a drive as you’ll find anywhere in the country. You can climb Pisgah Mountain or visit Chimney Rock State Park for incredible views. And you can take a short trip to Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States.

The Beauty of NC Retirement

The area around Legacy at Mills River offers countless opportunities for retirees, including Mills River itself — nicknamed “the fertile crescent,” it’s one of the oldest communities in the region and is known for its rich agriculture history.

Beyond Western NC, when you need a taste of big city life, there are many metropolitan cities and university towns that you can easily explore just by getting on the highway. From Winston-Salem to Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, the state’s urban areas are sure to delight. Then there are coastal areas like the Outer Banks and Wilmington, which make for wonderful summer vacation spots.

Retirement living in North Carolina is carefree and pleasant — because everyday living in North Carolina is carefree and pleasant as well! In North Carolina, people enjoy the finer and simpler things in life: community, food, nature, leisure, and relaxation. Spend a little time here, and you’ll begin to understand what makes this place somewhere you’ll love to call home in retirement.

Retirement Living at Legacy at Mills River

Legacy at Mills River is one of the best places to retire in North Carolina in large part because of its incredible location, and all that the western part of the state has to offer. Even with its pristine natural setting, Legacy at Mills River is easy to get to via airports and highways.

With Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains at your doorstep, Legacy at Mills River puts you in the heart of a top vacation spot that has been acclaimed by travel publications such as National Geographic, Frommers, and countless others.  And the best part is, you’ll be able to explore the area with the many people you meet while being a part of the community at Legacy at Mills River. Sharing adventures with new friends will make them all the more special. 

Ready to experience this area and Legacy at Mills River for yourself, or interested in obtaining more information? Visit our website or call us at 828-696-1554 to discover the retirement life that’s waiting for you!