6. Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community is a neighborhood, apartment building, or housing complex that was not explicitly built for seniors but has evolved into a senior-majority community over time. Because a large concentration of older adults lives in one specific area, local governments and non-profits often step in to provide targeted support services.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and local agencies frequently fund NORC support programs, bringing social workers, visiting nurses, blood pressure clinics, and recreational activities directly to the neighborhood. Living in a NORC allows you to benefit from community-based healthcare and social programming without having to pay the high entrance fees associated with private retirement facilities.