Best Places to Retire in Tennessee
Best Places to Retire in Tennessee
Tennessee offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, rich culture, and a low cost of living, making it an ideal retirement destination. Whether you prefer the tranquility of small towns, the vibrancy of cities, or the serenity of mountain living, Tennessee has something for every retiree. Discover the best places to retire in Tennessee and find your perfect community.
Why Retire in Tennessee?
Retiring in Tennessee comes with numerous advantages that make it an appealing choice for retirees.
Mild Climate
Tennessee's climate is characterized by mild winters and warm summers, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities year-round without extreme temperatures.
Affordable Living
With a lower cost of living and favorable tax policies, Tennessee is a budget-friendly option for retirees. The state offers affordable housing, no state income tax, and a reasonable overall cost of living.
Rich Culture and Music Scene
From the country music capital of Nashville to the vibrant arts scene in Memphis, Tennessee boasts a rich cultural heritage. Enjoy live music, cultural festivals, and historic sites throughout the state.
Beautiful Natural Scenery
From the Great Smoky Mountains to the rolling hills and rivers, Tennessee offers diverse and stunning landscapes. Enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of the state.
Top Cities to Retire in Tennessee
Nashville
Nashville, known as Music City, is famous for its vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage. The city offers a mix of urban amenities and southern charm, making it a popular choice for retirees.
Highlights:
- World-class music and entertainment
- Rich cultural and historic sites
- Excellent healthcare facilities
Knoxville
Knoxville is located in eastern Tennessee and offers a blend of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and a friendly community. It's a great place for retirees who enjoy both city and nature.
Highlights:
- Proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains
- Thriving arts and cultural scene
- Affordable cost of living
Chattanooga
Chattanooga, known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities, is located along the Tennessee River. The city offers a relaxed lifestyle with plenty of recreational opportunities.
Highlights:
- Beautiful riverfront and parks
- Numerous outdoor activities
- Rich history and cultural attractions
Memphis
Memphis, famous for its musical heritage and vibrant arts scene, offers a lively atmosphere and rich cultural experiences. The city's historic sites and lively downtown make it an attractive option for retirees.
Highlights:
- Rich musical and cultural heritage
- Historic sites and museums
- Diverse dining and entertainment options
Best Small Towns to Retire in Tennessee
Franklin
Franklin, located just south of Nashville, is known for its charming downtown, historic sites, and friendly community. It's a perfect place for retirees who want a small-town feel with easy access to urban amenities.
Highlights:
- Historic downtown with unique shops and restaurants
- Friendly and welcoming community
- Proximity to Nashville
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is a picturesque town offering stunning natural beauty and a relaxed lifestyle. It's ideal for retirees who love the outdoors.
Highlights:
- Beautiful mountain views and outdoor activities
- Quaint downtown with shops and attractions
- Access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Best Places to Retire in Tennessee Near Water
For retirees looking to enjoy lakeside living, these Tennessee towns offer beautiful water views and a relaxed lifestyle.
Vonore
Vonore is located near Tellico Lake and offers a peaceful and scenic environment. It's perfect for those who enjoy boating, fishing, and other water activities.
Highlights:
- Scenic lake views and outdoor activities
- Peaceful and relaxed community
- Proximity to recreational areas and parks
Dandridge
Dandridge, located near Douglas Lake, is a historic town with charming streets and beautiful waterfront views. It offers a blend of history and outdoor recreation.
Highlights:
- Scenic lake views and boating opportunities
- Historic downtown with unique shops
- Friendly and welcoming community
FAQs about Retiring in Tennessee
Find Your Ideal Retirement Community in Tennessee
Black Creek Chattanooga
At Black Creek, we’re building a community that embraces all that’s been forgotten about what defines a life well-lived.It’s a special place where generations, connection and nature become one. Imagine access to 1000s of acres of protected land that’s just footsteps from your door while living just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, America’s “Best City Ever” where shopping, dining, entertainment as well as top hospitals are quickly within reach.
The Black Creek experience starts with Black Creek Club-a private club including restaurant, bar, swimming pools, fitness center, and tennis. Here, you can gather together and make life long connections. Our 18hole golf course is the only course in TN ranked in Golfweek’s Top 100 residential courses. If nature is your passion, take advantage of miles of nature trails through the surrounding mountains and paved pathways through the community, plus ponds for fishing. Just outside of Black Creek is Raccoon Mtn, perfect for biking, hiking and easy access to boat ramps on the TN River. We offer Home sites that complement the natural flow of the terrain and floor plans that are as diverse as the residents who live here. Experience Black Creek!
WindRiver
WindRiver is a stunning, lakefront and golf community located minutes outside Knoxville, Tennessee on Tellico Lake. Inside our gates, you will find world-class amenities surrounded by sparkling, fresh-water lakes and dramatic mountain views. This unique combination is what makes WindRiver the ideal place to call home and create a lakefront lifestyle you and your family will cherish.
You will sense it when you look towards the welcoming shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. You will feel it standing on the gentle slope of five miles of shoreline along beautiful Lake Tellico, named one of the top inland boating destinations in the nation.
Members enjoy a collection of world-class club amenities which include: a full-service marina, a championship 18-hole golf course, Golf Club and Grill, the Sports Complex with a resort-style swimming pool, sports courts, and a state-of-the-art exercise facility at Overlook Manor, the elegant Lakeside Inn, and Citico’s Restaurant, a signature Member dining experience. For outdoor enthusiasts, WindRiver has access to over 30 miles of walking and hiking trails and a peaceful, lakefront retreat, Brightwater Park.
In addition to WindRiver’s amenities, innate beauty, and temperate climate, an equally important factor is that the state of Tennessee is extremely tax-friendly: NO State Income Taxes, NO State Inheritance Taxes, NO Personal Property Taxes, and low property taxes.
This is Life As It Should Be – this is WindRiver.
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.
Rarity Bay
The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region.
At Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake, you’ll find a variety of real estate options, including homes, rentals, condos, and sites ready for development. The turnkey single-family homes are large, with sweeping views and plenty of space to spread out when guests inevitably come to visit. Pools, courtyards, patios and firepits make the outdoors an extension of your space. For those that make boating an everyday element of life, there are plenty of waterfront lots waiting for your custom-built dream home.
Water skiing, recreational boating, fishing and kayaking are all popular pastimes on Tellico Lake, and Rarity Bay offers over 10 miles of shoreline and a number of community docks for easy access. Golfers will delight in the par-72, 18-hole golf course, designed by DJ DeVictor and Peter Langham. The professionally maintained stables make it easy for equestrians to board their horses and offers lessons for the casual rider looking to take advantage of the 125 miles of riding (and hiking) trails.
Renovated in 2020, the 11,000 square foot Country Club is a social hub with a bistro and full-service bar. Just outside, you’ll find lighted tennis courts, pickleball facilities, and a swimming pool.
Tennessee’s low cost of living, 0.64% effective property tax, and lack of tax on salaries as well as income made on dividends are added bonuses to life in the Volunteer State. The real draw is what’s beyond your front door. So come to Rarity Bay and make the majestic Smoky Mountains and clear waters of Tellico Lake the backdrop for your vacation getaway, second residence or forever home.
Request more information about Rarity Bay.
Fairfield Glade & Fairfield North
Fairfield Glade is perched high atop the Cumberland Plateau, and offers serene mountain beauty as it sits on the highest point between the Rocky and Smoky Mountains. One of the favorite features of this area is the moderate year round temperatures. The pleasant summer days and the cool summer nights can be attributed to the Cumberland Plateau’s 2,000-foot-elevation, allowing for more comfortable temperatures and much lower humidity than most areas of the south.
What to do with all the fabulous weather and beautiful scenery? Golfing, boating, fishing, hiking, walking, swimming, tennis/pickleball-the list of fun activities available is simply endless! Plus, an outdoor amphitheater and biergarten just opened to host live music, movies, food and community events – it’s a great gathering place for neighbors to come together.
The community offers multiple subdivisions with a wide range of home sizes, price ranges, and views that include mountain, lake, golf and protected woodlands. Another attribute is the incredible cost of living in Fairfield Glade – no state income tax on wages, very reasonable home prices, and extremely low property taxes and club dues.
Fairfield Glade is just 6 miles from the city limits of Crossville, a small town, but bustling with activities. Crossville’s central location on Interstate 40 has made it a hub for many outlying areas and has given rise to a booming retail environment, offering shopping, dining and entertainment choices. The community is also located right off I-40, less than an hour from Knoxville, and an hour and a half from either Nashville or Chattanooga.
Testimonial
“The biggest deciding factor for choosing Fairfield Glade was the people, both in the Glade and in the town. When we came to visit the first time, we had no appointment and no agenda – we just popped in and wandered around. Folks stopped us everywhere we went – Food City, the Wellness Center, Villa Pizza – and just chatted. No one was in a hurry, everyone was interested in our story, everyone had some tidbit to share. The same thing happened on our second visit, and then on every visit we made once construction started. We felt like we had become part of the community before we were actually part of the community.” Michelle and James Bayless
Fairfield Glade has 11 lakes and two marinas.
Start Your Tennessee Retirement Journey
Tennessee is a fantastic state for retirees, offering a mix of vibrant cities, charming small towns, and beautiful natural landscapes. Whether you're looking for affordable living, safety, or a rich cultural scene, Tennessee has it all. Explore the best places to retire in Tennessee and find your perfect retirement community today.