Life at Carol woods
Life at Carol Woods, a resident-led retirement community in Chapel Hill, NC, is shaped by active, engaged individuals who bring their own interests, energy, and ideas. Each day offers opportunities for connection and reflection, whether walking wooded trails, dining with neighbors, exploring new hobbies, or enjoying quiet moments with a good book. Surrounded by the Triangle’s cultural and educational richness, residents enjoy a senior living lifestyle rooted in purpose and place.
Resident
Involvement
From the beginning, Carol Woods was built to be resident-led, not just in spirit, but in practice. Today, more than 95 resident-run committees shape life here, advising on operations, guiding decisions, and leading interest groups in everything from gardening to technology. Residents are the heart of community life: driving programs, shaping policy, and contributing to the broader Chapel Hill community through active service and leadership.
Dining
Carol Woods offers a variety of fresh, thoughtfully prepared meals served in a relaxed, social setting. Residents choose from flexible dining options, including buffet-style service, full table service, and takeout, across several inviting spaces. Menus are created by a registered dietitian and shaped by resident feedback, with attention to dietary preferences (including vegetarian options) and a focus on simple, flavorful ingredients.
Services & Amenities
- 24-Hour Fitness Center
- Indoor Heated Pool
- Bocce and Croquet Courts
- Walking Trails
- Dog Park
- Pond
- Community Gardens and Resident Greenhouse
- Personal Garden Spots
- Art Studio
- Craft Shop (Woodworking and Pottery)
- Labyrinth
- Sewing Alterations
- Business Center
- Full-Time Primary Care Clinic
- Gift Shop
- Hair Salon
- Guest House
- Outdoor Patio Dining
- Performance Hall
- Meeting Spaces
- 24-Hour Security
- Local Transportation
- Free City Bus Service and Hybrid Zip Cars
- Weekly Housekeeping
- Interior and Exterior Maintenance
- Medicare and Insurance Filing
- Campus-Wide Wireless Internet
- Memorial Path
Activities
At Carol Woods, residents shape the programming themselves, taking the lead in organizing lectures, concerts, discussion groups, art exhibits, gardening initiatives, and more. Events take place across campus and in the broader community, reflecting the interests and experiences of the people who live here. This resident-led approach brings energy and depth to daily life, creating opportunities for connection, learning, and joy.
CAmpus map
Discover daily life at Carol Woods by exploring the gardens, dining spaces, wellness areas, and trails all thoughtfully connected across our 120 wooded-acre campus.
Chapel Hill
Carol Woods is deeply connected to the academic and medical life of Chapel Hill. Founded in part by UNC faculty and staff, the community remains closely tied to UNC and Duke through ongoing programs and access to world-class healthcare, including a clinic staffed by UNC geriatricians. Located on the free Chapel Hill Transit line, residents enjoy easy access to the university, hospitals, and downtown. As part of the culturally rich and diverse Triangle region, Carol Woods offers a welcoming, inclusive environment grounded in learning, care, and connection.
My partner is busy in a totally different way from me. She’s busy here—croquet, which is a major, serious, complicated sport at Carol Woods. She’s busy learning mahjong. She swims on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a friend. She walks around the circle—10,000 steps a day—with a friend. Sometimes with me, sometimes with someone else.
Meanwhile, I’ve been more still—more like the academic I used to be. I spend my days in my cottage, and happily so.
Contact Us
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