Located just a mile south of The Pointe at Creedmoor shopping mall and two miles north of the Crabtree Valley Mall, Magnolia Glen gives seniors plenty of ways to shop and enjoy their surroundings. The community is also just a short drive from Shelley Lake Park, which offers scenic walking paths, exercise stations, and fishing docks. This makes Magnolia Glen a great option for older adults who need assistance but still like to get off campus to enjoy a wide range of activities.

» Also Check Out: Activities for Seniors

Even if you’re more of a homebody, Magnolia Glen is a great place to live. You can choose from 10 apartment floor plans. And, if you’re able to live independently, the community also offers two distinct cottage layouts. While the property is beautiful, with highly manicured landscaping and homey decor, it is the safety features that we believe set Magnolia Glen apart. The community is protected by 24-hour security personnel. Additionally, families can rest easy knowing that their loved ones can use the community’s wireless emergency response system at any time.

Like Treeo Senior Living, another community on our list, Magnolia Glen offers only independent living and assisted living. We would have liked to see more options, particularly memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. That said, if you or a loved one are currently independent and want the ability to transition to assisted living without changing locations, Magnolia Glen is a great option. Plus, this community goes beyond standard ADL support, with regular group outings in Raleigh, a daily wellness program, and on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

The one downside is that Magnolia Glen is not very transparent about its pricing. At first glance, it seems much cheaper than communities like Brighton Gardens of Raleigh, but this is because Magnolia Glen doesn’t advertise its pricing for different levels of care. If you’re on a tight budget or you simply want to plan out your costs ahead of time, you’ll need to reach out to Magnolia Glen for a more thorough price breakdown.

» Learn More: How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

Magnolia Glen is one of the best-reviewed assisted living communities in Raleigh. From the beautiful landscaping to the carefully planned events and outings, Magnolia Glen gets most things right when it comes to creating a vibrant, welcoming community. Most reviews specifically mention the professionalism and kindness of the staff.

While there are not very many bad reviews, Magnolia has gotten some negative feedback about a lack of healthy food options in the dining room. One reviewer also mentioned that some of the staff are not well equipped to support the needs of visually impaired seniors.

» Related Reading: Care Homes and Assisted Living for Blind Seniors

Treeo Senior Living is primarily an independent living community, but it also offers assisted living services. This community made our list because it is a great fit for active seniors who still have their independence but may need some minor assistance with dressing, bathing, or other ADLs. It is also ideally located in Northeast Raleigh, just a short drive from the Triangle Town Center and Capital Crossing shopping malls.

If you want an assisted living community that gives you the independence and space to enjoy your favorite activities and hobbies, Treeo Senior Living may be the best option for you. The community features dozens of great on-site amenities, including private mailboxes, a movie theater, a fitness center, a landscaped courtyard, and spacious apartments with kitchenettes. If you have a furry friend that you don’t want to leave behind, you can bring them with you to Treeo Senior Living!

» Learn About: Pet-Friendly Senior Living

Since Treeo Senior Living is mostly dedicated to independent seniors, it would be easy to assume that it’s not a safe environment for those who need extra care and attention. Fortunately, this is not the case. The community has 24/7 emergency monitoring, a built-in emergency communications system, and daily check-ins from trained staff. Treeo Senior Living also gets regular visits from a physician, podiatrist, and physical therapist. For those who need help getting around town, Treeo has a dedicated driver and transportation service.

Treeo Senior Living is an independent living community that offers assisted living services through a licensed provider. For this reason, it is best for active seniors who do not require as much daily assistance. Since Treeo Senior Living caters to independent adults, it doesn’t offer some of the more enhanced care options available at communities like Brighton Gardens of Raleigh, such as memory care and hospice care.

One thing we really like about Treeo Senior Living is the focus on socialization, with a modern twist. Each resident is given a complementary iPad preloaded with a community-based app. This is designed to help seniors get to know their neighbors, make requests of staff, keep track of community events, and do other tablet-based activities from the comfort of an armchair. We love when communities use technology to keep residents connected and engaged!

Treeo Senior Living generally receives very positive feedback. Several reviewers mentioned the beautiful property and the strong sense of community fostered at Treeo. One reviewer mentioned how fast, efficient, and professional the staff members were when responding to a loved one’s medical emergency.

However, not all feedback has been good. Several reviewers mentioned staff who have been rude, “talking down” to residents at times. Additionally, one positive reviewer mentioned how great the facility was for independent living, but also said that their family member had to be moved to assisted living when their needs changed. It’s important to remember that Treeo Senior Living is ideal for independent and semi-independent seniors whose needs are somewhat minor. If you need more advanced help, particularly with mobility-related issues, you will be better off at a fully equipped assisted living facility like Waltonwood Lake Boone or Cadence North Raleigh.

Brighton Gardens of Raleigh is a Sunrise Senior Living community located between the UNC Rex Hospital and the Old Raleigh Village shopping center. It’s also just a short drive from the North Carolina Museum of Art. Several Sunrise Senior Living communities have made our best assisted living lists in different cities — and for good reason. Sunrise communities consistently offer a good balance of senior care expertise and fun, social environments.

» Learn About: Long-Term Care for Seniors

At Brighton Gardens, residents can expect a highly personalized experience. Even though the community is much larger than boutique-style communities on our list, like Cadence North Raleigh, it makes up for it with unique approaches to individualized care. Sunrise CareConnect is an electronic health record system that allows staff to see a resident’s medical history and coordinate care with residents, their families, and their physicians.

Brighton Gardens also lets residents choose from multiple meal options each day and even recommend new menu items to the culinary team. We appreciate when residents have opportunities to participate in their care and daily life! To help keep seniors engaged, this community has a calendar full of unique activities and events. Residents can choose the activities they like and attend at their leisure. These little details help make the experience more personalized for residents, which can often make the transition from home to assisted living a little bit easier.

Unlike Magnolia Glen and Treeo Senior Living, Brighton Gardens of Raleigh offers more enhanced forms of care, including assisted living, memory care, short-term stays, and hospice coordination. This makes it easier for older adults with a wide range of needs to find a comfortable place to receive quality care. Sunrise CareConnect also ensures that residents have a care plan that makes sense for them. For example, Brighton Gardens is ideal for seniors who just need a place to recuperate after surgery, along with those who need assistance with things like eating, walking, and remembering to take their medication.

However, all of these services come at a cost. Standard assisted living care at Brighton Gardens starts at $4,773 per month, which is higher than the starting costs at Magnolia Glen and Treeo Senior Living. If you want a larger, one-bedroom apartment, the starting cost increases to $5,776 per month. If you require memory care, the price jumps to at least $10,549 per month.

Most online reviewers give Brighton Gardens of Raleigh five stars for its clean facilities, manicured grounds, thoughtful activities calendar, and well-trained staff. Many reviews specifically praise the quality of the food and mention that their family members love the option to choose between so many great meals. However, detractors have criticized Brighton Gardens for the high cost of care. Some reviewers say that there are not always enough staff on call to address the needs of residents in a timely manner.

Waltonwood Lake Boone is the only community on our list located south of Interstate 440. Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh, Waltonwood sits in the middle of Ridge Park, surrounded by natural beauty. This community is beautiful on the outside and inside, with well-kept grounds, luxurious entryways and dining areas, and 13 high-end assisted living apartment layouts (many with kitchenettes). Rooms even feature nine-foot ceilings with crown moldings! If you want to get support with daily life in luxurious surroundings, Waltonwood is the perfect community for you.

» You Might Like: Luxury Retirement and Senior Living

As beautiful as the grounds and decor are, it’s the amenities that really set Waltonwood Lake Boone apart. This community has dozens of on-site amenities, including a movie theater, post office, craft room, fitness room, beauty salon, computer workstation, lounge, and library. The property even has designated guest suites, so residents with visitors can “host” their friends and family members for a weekend! That’s something we don’t see in many communities.

The facility also puts a lot of emphasis on keeping seniors active through gardening clubs, study groups, lifestyle clubs (for storytelling), and travel clubs. When combined with the full activities calendar, these clubs and amenities create an atmosphere where residents can have fun, socialize, and receive high-quality care without stepping off the property. For those who do want to get out and stretch their legs, Waltonwood offers complimentary transportation and scheduled outings in Raleigh.

Waltonwood Lake Boone offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Additionally, Waltonwood partners with local providers to coordinate more nuanced care for those who require skilled nursing services, hospice care, and various forms of therapy. With the exception of independent living, all care types include access to licensed nurses to help coordinate care and develop a personalized care plan. The level of care provided at Waltonwood is a huge step up from Treeo Senior Living, which offers assisted living only as an add-on to its independent living options.

Like Brighton Gardens of Raleigh, all of these care options come at a cost. Assisted living at Waltonwood Lake Boone starts at $4,800 per month, making it the most expensive assisted living community on this list. If you require memory care or more advanced health services, you can expect even higher monthly costs. Unfortunately, like Magnolia Glen, Waltonwood is not fully transparent about its pricing structure, so you may need to begin the application process before you can see the actual cost.

Waltonwood Lake Boone receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from residents, staff, family members, and even local providers who occasionally provide therapeutic services in the facility. Most reviews commend the community for fostering close relationships with the residents and going above and beyond to meet their needs. One reviewer requested that her wedding be held at Waltonwood so that her grandparents (who live at Waltonwood) could attend. Not only did Waltonwood grant the request, but it also decorated, provided sound equipment, and baked a three-tier cake for the ceremony!

Despite so many positive reviews, Waltonwood also gets some negative feedback. Several reviewers believe that the community prioritizes independent living residents over assisted living residents, leading to a lack of attention. Additionally, a few people have complained about the high prices.

Located in the former village of Millbrook, Cadence North Raleigh is situated in the city’s quiet northern suburbs. However, it still has easy access to downtown via Highway 401. For seniors who enjoy golf, Cadence is the perfect location, as it’s just a short drive from the North Ridge Country Club and the Carolina Country Club. Even if golf’s not your thing, Cadence North Raleigh has plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby, as well as a calendar full of on-site activities.

While Cadence North Raleigh is not a suburban home, it does have a more homey aesthetic than larger communities like Waltonwood or Brighton Gardens. Designed as a small community with a maximum capacity of 60 residents, Cadence fosters a “home away from home” atmosphere, complete with a small garden, front porch, and parlor. Despite its small size, Cadence North Raleigh has plenty of on-site amenities, like a game room, library, salon, and gathering areas for social events and live entertainment.

The suburban environment and home-style decor make Cadence feel less like a “facility” and more like a home. Cadence also has many programs and groups to encourage socialization and integration for new residents, such as the SYMPHONY Program, ARIA Arts Program, and the Cogir Choir. All of these programs make Cadence a great choice for artistically inclined seniors.

Cadence North Raleigh offers assisted living and memory care. This is standard for assisted living communities throughout the state. Compared to communities like Magnolia Glen and Treeo Senior Living, both of which offer independent living, Cadence caters to seniors who need more help with ADLs. Both assisted living and memory care at Cadence include an emergency call system in every room, scheduled transportation, and help when setting appointments.

While Cadence North Raleigh is not the cheapest community on this list, it does have lower starting prices than Waltonwood Lake Boone and Brighton Gardens of Raleigh. It’s also important to note that Cadence is the only community on our list that offers shared rooms. Having a private room is generally preferable, but if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind sharing your living space, Cadence North Raleigh is your best option. That said, the shared rooms are quite small at just 292 square feet (the same as a private studio).

Cadence North Raleigh receives very positive reviews online, with many reviewers praising the high staff-to-resident ratio and the sense of family fostered in the community. Several reviewers specifically commended Lucy, the community director who helps residents move in and get adjusted. While there are relatively few complaints about the community, one reviewer did have a bad experience when Cadence was unable to keep their loved one at the facility while they applied for Medicaid.