RiverWoods Exeter Review: Costs, Care, and Resident Life

RiverWoods Exeter is one of New Hampshire's largest retirement communities, with 393 Independent Living homes spread across three campuses.

The community's healthcare is delivered through a Life Care model, with on-site assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing.

Amenities here run deep, from indoor pools and fitness centers to more than 4 miles of wooded trails. Care sits at the center of it all, with licensed nursing available on site.

Before deciding on a move like this, you need the full picture. Here's what matters: the healthcare services, the living options, and whether it fits your needs.

At a glance

The costs at RiverWoods Exeter

Entrance fees vary by apartment size and location, and monthly service fees vary by unit type. Contact the community for current entry fees and monthly costs.

Entry fees and monthly costs

The community offers refundable contracts in 50%, 70%, 80%, and 90% options, which protect your assets by returning a portion of the entrance fee to your estate. Monthly fees cover maintenance, housekeeping, dining points, and fitness programs. Annual increases typically range from 2-5%, though the 2023/2024 fiscal year saw an 8% increase due to inflation.

Healthcare services pricing

Healthcare follows a Life Care model that gives you access to assisted living, memory support, and nursing care at discounted rates from the start. Contracts allow you to use your entrance fee to pay for increased care costs if your needs change over time.

Additional expenses

First-floor apartments with patios or balconies cost an extra $5,000. You'll also pay for phone, internet, and cable separately. Some good news: part of both your entrance fee and monthly service fees qualify as tax-deductible medical expenses. New Hampshire has no state income tax, sales tax, or estate tax, which reduces your overall tax burden.

Campus facilities and living options

RiverWoods Exeter sits on 200+ acres in New Hampshire's Seacoast Region.

The Ridge versus other RiverWoods campuses

The Ridge, The Woods, and The Boulders each have their own character. The Ridge has classic New England charm and bright spaces. The Woods includes a music room, while The Boulders has a game room for billiards and ping pong. All three share core amenities but feel distinct.

Independent living apartment types

The community offers 393 independent living units across its three campuses, from studios to spacious two-bedroom apartments and cottages. Each residence includes:

• Full kitchens with new appliances
• Window blinds and abundant natural light
• Screened porches or balconies in select floor plans
• Room to personalize the space

Healthcare facilities

The community has 71 assisted living units and an on-site skilled nursing center. Each nursing care resident has a private room with an attached bathroom in a home-like setting. There is a dedicated rehabilitation gym with physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Underground parking and covered carports make it easy to access healthcare areas. According to Medicare.gov Care Compare, the skilled nursing center, RiverWoods at Exeter (CCN 305049), is Medicare-certified with 8 certified beds and holds an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with 4 out of 5 for health inspections, 4 out of 5 for staffing, and 5 out of 5 for quality measures. It reports 11.29 total nurse staffing hours per resident per day, far above the national benchmark of roughly 3.5 hours, with 4.84 of those hours coming from registered nurses. Those numbers reflect a small, high-acuity unit. The center is run by a nonprofit corporation. Medicare's most recent standard health inspection, completed March 18, 2026, cited 1 health deficiency, federal records list no fines or payment denials, and Care Compare does not flag the center with an abuse icon.

Healthcare and support services

The community maintains staffing across independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing to support residents as their needs change.

Continuum of care

The healthcare model starts with independent living and moves to higher levels of care as needed. Residents have access to:

• Licensed nurses available 24/7

• Medication management and personal care support
• Walk-in wellness clinics staffed by nurse practitioners
• Memory support services
• Rehabilitation programs with physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Staff qualifications and ratios

The nursing team is primarily registered nurses, some holding advanced degrees. The community invests in staff development and offers education support. Ask about staff tenure and turnover during your visit.

Emergency response systems

The community maintains a 24-hour emergency response system. A new 158,000-square-foot health center under development will centralize all care services, which should improve response times and coordination. The facility will have 126 rooms for assisted living, skilled care, and memory support.

The approach keeps residents independent while giving them the support they need. Each resident gets a personalized care plan that respects privacy and dignity. The planned health center is designed to improve coordination of care across the community.

How RiverWoods compares to other NH CCRCs

RiverWoods Exeter is among the larger CCRCs in New Hampshire, and independent living can carry a waitlist. Ask about current availability.

Value proposition

The community draws residents from a wide geographic area. Its location in Rockingham County places it in a growing part of the Seacoast Region.

Healthcare programs comparison

• Centralized continuum care services across three campuses

Conclusion

RiverWoods Exeter is a strong choice if you want both comfort and security in retirement, with a full continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing.

The entrance fee is a significant commitment. In return, residents get extensive amenities, on-site healthcare, and access to New Hampshire's tax advantages. The community is also investing in a new health center.

RiverWoods Exeter offers a reasonable balance of comfort now and security later. The healthcare is strong and living options are diverse. No community is perfect for everyone, but this one is worth a serious look if quality care and peace of mind matter to you.

FAQs

Q1. What are the costs at RiverWoods Exeter? Entrance fees and monthly service fees vary by apartment size and location. Some apartments carry a premium, and phone, internet, and cable are billed separately. Contact the community for current pricing.

Q2. What healthcare services are available? RiverWoods offers a full continuum: independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing care. The community has 71 assisted living units and 23 skilled nursing beds. Services include 24/7 nursing supervision, medication management, and rehabilitation programs with physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Q3. How does RiverWoods compare to other New Hampshire retirement communities? It is one of the state's larger CCRCs, offering a full continuum of care across three campuses. Ask the communities you are considering about availability and contract terms to compare.

Q4. What amenities does the community have? The three campuses offer indoor pools, fitness centers, over 4 miles of wooded walking trails, a pottery studio, and various recreational spaces. Each campus has distinct features while sharing core amenities.

Q5. How does RiverWoods handle emergency response? A 24-hour emergency response system is in place. The community is building a new 158,000-square-foot health center to centralize care services and improve response coordination.