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
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.
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.
Del Webb at Barton Village
Discover Del Webb at Barton Village: Grand Opening April 5, 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.
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.
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