Planning for retirement at a life plan community is a different kind of decision than a typical move. The financial commitment is larger, the timeline is longer, and the choices you make today shape how you live for years afterward. Here’s what to think through as you start the process.
Understand the Financial Picture
At The Pines at Davidson, residents pay a one-time entrance fee and an ongoing monthly fee. The entrance fee entitles you to the exclusive right to occupy the apartment, cottage, or villa you select and to use the common areas, programs, and amenities for life. The monthly fee covers ongoing services and varies with the residence type and number of occupants. Admission to The Pines is generally within reach for those who own a home or have savings and an average retirement income, and the Resident Support Fund helps residents whose circumstances change through no fault of their own after they’ve moved in.
Think Through Healthcare Before You Need It
One of the main reasons older adults choose a life plan community is the continuum of care on one campus. At The Pines, the Schramm Health Center provides assisted living and nursing care for residents who need it, alongside the Workman Wellness Center, which houses a warm-water therapy pool, whirlpool, exercise equipment, and a wellness clinic staffed by a registered nurse six days a week. Having all of this on campus means a change in health doesn’t have to mean a change in address. Planning for healthcare while you’re well gives you more say in how it unfolds later.
Join the Future Residency Program
The Future Residency Program is The Pines’ waiting list, and it’s the formal commitment that anchors the rest of the planning. An applicant can apply at any age, and the $1,000 deposit is fully refundable if you decide not to move forward or are not approved by the Admissions Review Committee. Joining the Future Residency Program establishes your priority for the residence type you select. Throughout your time in the program, our Marketing team will keep you informed about community news and work with you as your timeline and readiness evolve.
Choose the Residence That Fits
The Pines offers a wide range of independent living residences, and the one you choose shapes everything from what you’ll bring with you to what your daily routine will look like.
- Apartments range from studios to two-bedroom suites in the main Apartment Building, all connected to the rest of the Jetton Community Center through climate-controlled walkways.
- Duplex Cottages have two bedrooms, newly renovated kitchens, a study, and a sunroom, with porch and patio space for gardening.
- The Villas at Laurel Ridge feature apartments up to 1,870 square feet with covered parking, gas fireplaces, and abundant storage.
- The Villas at Poplar Hill offer one- and two-bedroom floor plans with a split-bedroom design, large kitchen island, granite countertops, and options for a balcony, sunroom, or study.
Touring in person makes the differences clear in a way photos can’t.
Prepare for the Move
Once you know which residence type you’re moving into and roughly when, the practical preparation has structure. You can sort belongings against a real floor plan instead of guessing, plan the sale or transition of your current home around a known timeline, and make decisions about furniture, art, and storage with the actual space in mind. Our guide to right-sizing your home for the move ahead covers how to approach this part of the process.
Planning Your Future at The Pines
The Pines at Davidson is an independent, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community on 150 acres in the heart of Davidson, North Carolina, and the only senior living community in the state accredited as a Level 1 Arboretum. Residents enjoy a full continuum of care on campus, walkable access to Davidson College, and the long-term stability of a nonprofit community. If you’re starting to think through retirement planning, we’d welcome a conversation. Schedule a visit or join one of our upcoming Q&A sessions on Zoom.
