39 Roads

In doing some research on pet-friendly communities for retirement I came across some interesting information.

First, many communities consider themselves “pet-friendly”, but generally this means that pets are not prohibited.  Some go a step further and talk about their open space where owners can bring their pets for walks or to play.  A few make real attempts at defining what makes a community pet-friendly and seek to integrate pet ownership into the neighborhood.  Here are a few:

River Rock, located in Cashiers, N.C., is building what it is calling The Grizzly Poodle, a pet concierge service.  The facility will offer full-service grooming and kennel and will also have personnel that can offer in-home pet care.  The Grizzly Poodle will be located in Skillet Gap, an amenitized village for property owners in this gated community.  This convenient location will also feature a general store and internet cafe.

The Falls at Eagle Crest, an active adult community in Central Oregon, allows pets, but they must be on a leash.  Fences are prohibited in The Falls to preserve the natural beauty of the land.  The community also boasts fifteen miles of walking trails, featuring stations with waste disposal bags.  Further adding to its appeal, The Falls at Eagle Crest was named one of “America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities” in 2005 by Where to Retire Magazine.  

Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Rarity Ridge prides itself on being pet-friendly.  The community has 5 1/2 miles of shoreline on the Clinch River; and of its over 1500 acres, over 400 acres have been designated for open space and parks.  While pets must be kept on a leash outside one’s yard, fences are permitted in back yards; and invisible fences may be utilized to provide greater freedom to pets.  Further bolstering their claims, construction on the shopping areas of the Town Center will begin this summer and will include a veterinary office which will be operated by a professor of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee.

As more baby boomers age and retire, look for more and more communities across the country to address the issue of pet-friendliness with creative approaches.

Upcoming events which you may find to be of interest include the following:

April 27-29-  St. James Plantation, Southport, N.C., is releasing new homesites for its newest neighborhood, Woodlands Park.  For $199 a couple will receive two nights accomodations, a tour of the community, and participation in other scheduled events.  St. James will also be featuring purchase incentives of up to $35,000 which will be available only during that weekend.  

May 4-6-  Grey Rock will host its Spring Event and is offering complimentary accommodations at The Crown Plaza with a reception dinner party at The Biltmore Estate.  Weekend entertainment will include music by country music star John Anderson, helicopter tours, and 2006 HGTV Dream Home Tours.

May 5-  Ocean Isle Palms in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. will be featuring its “island inspired living” as they celebrate their opening of Grace Bay at Savannah la Mar.  This one day sales event will offer purchasers two years of no payments, no property taxes, and no association dues.

May 25-27-  The Settings of Lake Rhodhiss, located near Hickory, N.C., will host its Grand Opening weekend when it will unveil its community on the shores of Lake Rhodhiss.  Lake Rhodhiss is known for its excellent fishing and for clear waters.  Due to the natural topography of the area, The Settings offers most of its homesites with views of the water.  The Settings of Lake Rhodhiss is conveniently situated approximately an hour’s drive from Asheville, Boone, and Charlotte.

May 31-June 2-  Wild Wing Plantation, Myrtle Beach, S.C., will be holding a Grand Opening for its Phase 2.  The weekend will offer tours of this lakefront golf community and a sales incentive of $5,000 off the price of any homesite for this weekend only.  The community features 180 acres of lakes and a 27-hole championship golf course.

June 1-3-  Roaring River, Fayetteville, WV, is hosting a Grand Opening of their newest neighborhood overlooking the New River Gorge.  The complimentary weekend will include two nights lodging and dinner with entertainment by Joe Diffie.  Activities will include helicopter tours and horseback riding.  Additionally, the first 50 reservation holders will also be treated to a whitewater rafting excursion on Sunday.

June 2-  The Coves of Smith Mountain Lake in Southern Virginia will offer a Community Discovery Event which they are billing as “a unique opportunity for families to get an enjoyable glimpse of mountain lake living”.

During the spring Harmony Township in Georgetown, South Carolina will be having a cookout at its marina every other Saturday afternoon.  They are making a arrangements for stays in their cottages.  Harmony Township is also offering private boat tours from Friendfield Marina to Winyah Bay.  Georgetown has been named among Newsweek Showcase’s “Ten Small Towns that Make Great Places to Retire” and CNN Money’s “Best Places to Live Along the Coast”.

If you are interested in getting more information on these communities or registering for one of the events this spring, please contact the Retirement Relocation office at 703-430-6411 or 877-55-RETIRE (877-557-3847) or by e-mail at info@RetireRelocateRelax.com.