Spring Arbor of Wilmington is an assisted living community with multiple levels of care. Located between Halyburton Park and the Pine Valley Shopping Center, Spring Arbor is in the perfect spot for older adults who want access to nature and the conveniences of the city. Residents benefit from monthly rates that fall well below average for Wilmington, plus a beautiful property with gardens, walking paths, and excellent landscaping.

Spring Arbor of Wilmington has many activities to keep seniors physically active and socially engaged but with fewer other amenities. The campus has limited luxuries, particularly compared to our other picks. What it lacks in amenities, however, it more than makes up for in activity programs, such as Art From the Heart, Hearts and Harmony, and Wise and Well. The programs make Spring Arbor of Wilmington a great choice for older adults who want to stay active and social daily but don’t want to pay more for amenities they may not use very often. Opportunities to stay active are essential since getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week can help improve brain health, manage weight, and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.2

» Learn More: Active Senior Living Communities

Spring Arbor of Wilmington generally receives positive reviews from residents, family members, staff, and volunteers. Some reviews praise the administrators for being flexible and friendly, while others mention the beautiful landscaping and clean facilities. Most reviews are positive, but there’s been negative feedback about individual staff members. Fortunately, negative reviews are far less common and often linked to specific situations and circumstances. One family member, for example, was dissatisfied when the facility changed to a new executive director.

Just a few blocks east of Cape Fear River, New Hanover House is a residential-style community specializing in assisted living and memory care. The community also reserves rooms for caregivers who need a place to rest and recuperate. New Hanover House is a short drive from many of the city’s museums yet still feels tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Wilmington, making it a great choice for seniors who prefer a quieter, more secluded environment.

» Compare Your Options: Alternatives to Assisted Living

Unlike Spring Arbor of Wilmington, New Hanover House is practically overflowing with amenities. Some of the most popular include the outdoor patio, library, salon, spa, and in-house transportation services. To help keep residents safe, New Hanover House also features a secure campus complemented by emergency alert devices in every room. We have personally tested dozens of alert systems, and they are real lifesavers for seniors who struggle with maintaining balance and worry about falling when a caregiver is not around.

Most online reviews for New Hanover House are very positive, with family members commending the community for handling a wide range of resident needs — from medication management to therapy services. Staff members past and present have positive things to say about the work atmosphere since staff are encouraged to treat residents like members of their own family. Some reviewers, however, have complained that the management has changed hands several times over the past few years, resulting in changes to the rules and quality of care.

Brightmore of Wilmington sits right in the middle of Long Leaf Park, giving residents and visitors a beautiful view of the surrounding nature whenever they step outside. That makes walking and staying active outdoors very convenient, which is essential to maintaining physical and mental health as you age.

Brightmore is also unique from other assisted living communities in Wilmington, such as Spring Arbor of Wilmington and New Hanover House, because it includes independent living as an option for residents. Brightmore is separated into two communities: the Kempton and the Commons. The Kempton offers “catered” assisted living, giving residents the freedom of independent living with assistive services available as needed. If you or a loved one are looking for more hands-off care that allows for more independence, the Kempton is an excellent choice since that type of assisted living is unique for the city. Alternatively, the Commons is a more traditional facility with standard assisted living and memory care.

With six room layouts to choose from and a gorgeous interior design, Brightmore is a great place for seniors who want to live in an upscale retirement home. Like New Hanover House, Brightmore is packed with great amenities, such as a putting green, billiards room, fitness center, chapel, and gift shop. The gift shop includes essential items residents can purchase, making getting the essentials easy with one run to a nearby supermarket or convenience store.

Brightmore of Wilmington is also a Certified Nxtgen Care Community because it uses the latest technology, such as solar-powered health monitor bracelets, to efficiently respond to resident needs. We are big fans of this unique technology contributing to resident health and well-being since we don’t see it in many communities.

Both communities at Brightmore generally receive positive feedback from online reviewers. The Kempton is often praised for its comfortable apartments and clean facilities. Some reviews, however, have criticized the community for being too close to independent living and not offering enough assistance to residents requiring daily help. The Commons has been praised for its communicative administrators, but some have complained of issues related to transportation services.

» Learn About: Transportation for Seniors

Champions Assisted Living is just one part of the Davis Community, located at the western edge of the Eagle Point Golf Club. It has various buildings across its large campus, including independent living cottages and a large resident facility for seniors requiring assistance. It can house dozens of assisted living residents, unlike smaller residential communities such as Coastal Cove of Wilmington. If you’re looking for a slightly larger community to socialize, Champions is a solid choice.

The community also offers more enhanced levels of care than Brightmore or Spring Arbor, since it provides skilled nursing care. The enhanced care comes at a higher cost, though, and Champions Assisted Living is one of the most expensive communities on this list. That makes Champions a good option for seniors with a higher budget and who want access to more varied levels of care.

Residents of Champions Assisted Living can enjoy a wide range of social and cultural amenities, including social clubs, art studios, and regular trips to local museums. The community calendar is full of fun activities, from sing-a-longs and movie nights to yoga and exercise classes. Champions also offers weekly communion to Catholic residents. The community is a great option for seniors willing to pay more each month for access to top-tier services and amenities.

» Check Out: Luxury Retirement and Senior Living

Nearly all the reviews for Champions Assisted Living are positive. Many family members note the clean common areas and friendly staff. As a whole, the Davis Community has received average reviews, with various reviews critiquing the rehabilitation services. One reviewer noted that they were given only four days’ notice to make the arrangements to move their family member from rehab to another facility. Another reviewer complained that the short-staffed rehab was unable to check their family member for UTIs promptly.

Situated in the Eagles Nest neighborhood, Coastal Cove of Wilmington is a 4,400-square-foot residential care home for assisted living and memory care. It boasts a three-to-one resident-to-staff ratio, far better than most larger facilities, including Champions Assisted Living. The home can accommodate only six residents at a time, which helps foster a greater sense of community and a home-away-from-home feeling for many seniors. The small, cozy atmosphere makes Coastal Cove ideal for older adults who want to feel like they’re surrounded by a family of residents and staff.

» Compare Care Options: Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

Coastal Cove of Wilmington specializes in helping older adults with mild cognitive impairments, but it can also provide care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In addition to medtechs, RNs, and CNAs, Coastal Cove has a licensed assisted living administrator on site daily. For added security, the property features secured keyless entry and multiple security cameras in public areas. Those are typical safety features at large assisted living facilities, but they’re not common with smaller home-size facilities, so we appreciate that level of security. In addition to all those services, the small community has an activities director who works with residents to plan fun activities and outings regularly.

Coastal Cove of Wilmington receives overwhelmingly positive reviews. Common themes include careful attention to detail and personalized care plans for each resident. It’s important to note that Coastal Cove is a relatively new community, so it has not had much time to get feedback from residents, family members, or staff.