Guide to Best Places to Retire in Tennessee
Best Places to Live & Retire in Tennessee
Ideal-Living offers a free comprehensive service that begins with helping you find your Ideal Lifestyle. Until you know how you want to live, you can’t know where you want to live. We offer a wide array of tools to help you get answers to the questions that are keeping you from moving to your ideal destination. That includes finding the best place to retire in Tennessee.
There are plenty of hotspots in Tennessee, such as Nashville, Gatlinburg and Knoxville, as well as secluded locales that offer all the privacy you seek. Besides its natural beauty and great retirement communities, Tennessee is one of the most tax friendly states for retirees and seniors. The tax benefits of living in Tennessee include:
- No state income tax
- No tax on social security benefits
- Property tax relief program for qualifying seniors
- Prescription drugs are exempt from state sales tax
Idyllic Communities in Ideal Locations
Tennessee is home to a diverse music scene, with Nashville known as the country music capital. For fans of the King of Rock and Roll, there’s even Graceland. But music isn’t the only thing to explore here. Whatever you wish to experience—Civil War sites, the Mississippi River, distilleries, outdoor adventure, amusements parks—Tennessee has a little bit of everything for you to explore and enjoy.
Prospective residents should choose a community that best fits their lifestyle. Some neighborhoods are only a short walk or ride away from bustling city centers. Others are closer to quieter, small-town shops.
Our free Digital Choose Your Ideal Place Guide and Ideal-Living Magazine offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers.
Sample Communities to Discover
Retire Tennessee Program Communities
Whether you’re ready for full-time retirement or want to relocate to a better place, Tennessee is a state that deserves your attention.
Consider these facts before deciding on another location: Tennessee collects no state tax on income or other retirement-plan benefits and no sales tax on prescription drugs. Property taxes in Tennessee are very reasonable, especially with available exemptions for retirees and age 65+ residents, resulting in the second-lowest overall state and local tax burden per capita in the nation. And Tennessee offers the eighth-lowest cost of living in the U.S.—more than 10% below the national average.
The Retire Tennessee program is a state government initiative designed to spread the word about all of the great reasons for retiring or relocating to the Volunteer State. From the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the banks of the Mississippi River in the west, a total of 19 urban and rural counties in the program highlight the unique natural attractions and cultural amenities that each has to offer.
Tennessee has more than 60 state and national parks with some of America’s finest freshwater fishing lakes and hiking destinations that range from the 210-mile Cumberland Trail to Chattanooga’s 16-mile Riverwalk. The delightful four-season climate means that you can enjoy a round of golf or a kayak excursion any week of the year. And the world-famous Tennessee music scene includes Beale Street blues in Memphis, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and bluegrass festivals in charming mountain towns like Kingsport and Cookeville.
Request more information below and let the Retire Tennessee program introduce you to the next great adventure in your life.
Del Webb at Barton Village
Discover Del Webb at Barton Village: Coming Spring 2025
Nestled just 30 miles east of Nashville, TN, Del Webb at Barton Village is a master-planned community that offers the perfect balance of serene suburban living and convenient urban access. Set in Lebanon, this vibrant 55+ Active Adult community will bring together a blend of modern amenities and tranquil surroundings, making it an ideal place to call home.
At Del Webb at Barton Village, you’ll enjoy a wealth of resort-style amenities designed to enrich your lifestyle. Our community features stunning pools, a state-of-the-art clubhouse, pickleball courts, and a variety of resident-led clubs. The community is thoughtfully designed to foster social interaction and a vibrant lifestyle, with activities ranging from fitness classes to hobby groups.
Commute with ease to Lebanon’s charming town square, Nashville International Airport, or downtown Nashville. Experience the best of both worlds with quick access to the city’s cultural attractions, such as the Frist Museum, Grand Ole Opry, and Bridgestone Arena. Explore Tennessee’s beautiful countryside with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and canoeing. And when it comes to healthcare, you’ll be well-served by nearby facilities like Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and Ascension Saint Thomas.
Del Webb at Barton Village is designed to accommodate your every need with its collection of innovative, flexible floor plans. Our homes feature low-maintenance designs with luxury touches, such as zero-entry showers, widened hallways, and open, flowing spaces. Choose from ten unique floor plans, each offering ample indoor and outdoor living areas perfect for entertaining family and friends.
The heart of our community is the Residents Clubhouse, which includes a comprehensive fitness center, hobby and meeting rooms, a large event space, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Enjoy recreational activities with sport courts, an arboretum, Veterans Park, and an open-air performance pavilion. Whether you’re interested in games, cooking classes, line dancing, or social events, there’s always something to look forward to.
With a mild four-season climate and Tennessee’s affordable cost of living, Barton Village is not just a place to live but a lifestyle to embrace. Be among the first to learn about community updates, building progress, and exclusive events by joining our VIP Interest List.
Del Webb at Barton Village – where modern living meets timeless comfort.
Tellico Village
Tellico Village is Eastern Tennessee’s premier active-adult community for retirees and remote workers of any age who want to enjoy the region’s finest collection of resort-style amenities.
Set on 4,800 acres around Tellico Lake in the Great Smoky Mountain foothills, Tellico Village is an outdoor recreation paradise. Three lakeside golf courses host a year-round schedule of league events, plus pro and amateur championships. The Tellico Village Yacht Club, one of three community marinas, offers complete boating services and lakefront dining. Fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis/pickleball courts, and 50+ miles of local hiking trails give residents a choice of healthy activities every day of the week. The 200+ Tellico Village social clubs and volunteer organizations make it easy for neighbors to become friends. At the same time, the on-site Summit Medical Center offers convenient primary care and physical-therapy services.
More than 2,300 buildable lots and waterfront homesites are available at Tellico Village. An impressive roster of 15 local builders offers a fantastic variety of floor plans with customizable options to create the new home of your dreams. There are also a number of existing homes on the market at any given time, plus rentals available for a week to a year while you check out all of the choices.
Located just 31 miles from Knoxville, Tellico Village residents are just a short drive away from the region’s finest night-life venues, cultural events, shopping centers, and top-rated health care facilities.
Request more information below, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying the good life at Tellico Village.
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the top communities in Tennessee, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
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- ideal-LIVING Magazine
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