Durham New Hampshire 55+ Communities
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Durham is a town located close to the seacoast in Strafford County. It has a population of nearly 15,000 people, much of which is due to enrollment at the University of New Hampshire, which is located in Durham.
RiverWoods’ newest retirement community opens in Durham
Resident input drives part-hospitality, part-healthcare independent living
A few years ago, Raymond and Helen Goodman had planned to downsize and move into RiverWoods Exeter, one of more than a dozen continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) in the state.
“I always knew we were going to move then because, when you hit 80, [stuff] happens” health-wise, said Raymond, a retired University of New Hampshire hotel administration professor.
In 2017, when Raymond was nearing 75, they quickly accelerated their plans after RiverWoods’ parent company announced it was building a new, 11-acre CCRC off of Route 108 in their hometown of Durham. “We were determined to get in on the ground floor,” he said.
They were first in line to make a deposit in early 2018, but they weren’t alone. Within a month, all 150 of the residential units were taken, which is virtually unheard of in the industry.
In addition to the residential units, RiverWoods Durham will also have 72 assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care units. The amenities, designed to enhance an environment combining independent living and community, include a large fitness center, art studio, meeting places, a wide range of nutritional offerings at the dining facilities, wooded trails and raised garden beds.
