ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Every year, Asheville Media Group asks the community what the best of Asheville is: the best restaurants, the best spots to shop, the best schools, services and salons. Our poll encompasses 200+ categories that celebrate what makes Asheville the best.
In this series, “Behind ‘Best of Asheville’,” 828newsNOW will profile a few of the 2024 Best of Asheville winners.
Givens Estates – Retirement Community Gold Medal Winner, Assisted Living Silver Medal Winner
Givens Estates on Sweeten Creek Road is 215 acres of scenic mountain living with modern convenience, where residents take full advantage of amenities, services and proximity to Asheville as a springboard for personal growth and fulfillment.
Born of the generosity of Mrs. Marion Givens, a philanthropist who arranged to leave her summer estate as a place for a retirement community, Givens Estates has continued to prosper in the five decades since and is now a nationally recognized location for 55+ living.
“The quality of life here is as good as you want to make it, and for us it’s very, very good,” said Don Henderson, who along with his wife Karen have been residents at Givens Estates for almost three years. “We like the campus, the trails, the outdoor access, and the eclectic mix of our neighbors. There’s almost every possible activity anyone could want. There’s no reason to ever say ‘I’m bored.’ If there’s something you’d want to do and it’s not here, they’ll help you start it.”
Givens Estates is a non-profit senior life plan community where each person is treated with dignity and respect. Diverse backgrounds and viewpoints contribute to a robust, harmonious living environment. Residents are known for volunteering, charitable work and civic engagement, as well as being community leaders in the region.
“People here are heard,” Karen Henderson said. “That’s part of Givens Estates culture, where residents speak up. The variety of choices for living accommodations and design choices make a difference, too.”
Givens Estates is an eco-friendly campus, incorporating green practices to support wildlife habitats and reduce carbon emissions. A natural aesthetic is maintained in the surrounding forest and meadows through stewardship and innovation, along with old-fashioned know-how.
Sustainability is a point of pride here, as residents raise organic gardens with harvests being included in the three Givens Estates residential dining venues.
Projects are ongoing to maintain the pristine landscapes, which include restoration of native plants, stream remediation and restoration work, the use of solar energy for powering maintenance and grounds buildings, and recycling efforts being a part of daily living.
Discover more about Givens Estates by visiting www.givensestates.org.