7 Greatest Locations to Retire in Tennessee

Nashville

For retirees who nonetheless need to be in the course of the motion, Nashville, the most important and most populated metropolis in Tennessee, may very well be an excellent place to name residence. Folks select this metropolis for its “strong music, arts, and eating scene, to not point out entry to world-class healthcare,” in line with Altic.

There are such a lot of issues to do in Nashville, making it a implausible spot for lively retirees who don’t need to decelerate.

“I am discovering that the wants of the typical retiree have modified fairly a bit from once I began over 20 years in the past.  For one factor, they’re far more lively and all for being close to ‘the motion,’ be it the outside, a vibrant eating scene, or nightlife,” says Altic.

After all, this metropolis is understood for its music, however there’s a lot extra to discover. 4 skilled sports activities groups name Nashville residence — the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Membership, and the Nashville Sounds. Nashville’s thriving culinary scene sees a steady move of latest eating places serving the whole lot from sushi and tacos to cheesesteaks and Afro-fusion delicacies. Buying, whether or not for domestically made merchandise or high-end designer manufacturers, might be discovered at one in all Nashville’s purchasing malls or districts.

Simply final yr, Nashville was named one of many South’s greatest cities by Southern Residing and one of many greatest cities within the U.S. by Journey + Leisure readers. Plus, it topped T+L’s record of the perfect locations to dwell in Tennessee.

Johnson Metropolis

As an authorized Retire Tennessee group, Johnson Metropolis gives out of doors actions, performing arts, a thriving downtown, a superb healthcare system, and a low value of dwelling. Retirees can get lively on the Tweetsie Path, a 9.5-mile paved strolling path, or at one of many metropolis’s 30 parks, amenities, and group facilities. The Johnson Metropolis Senior Middle promotes “lively life by means of lively dwelling” for residents 50 years and older. Those that are searching for arts and tradition will admire the Martin Middle for the Arts, which hosts musicians, comedians, and Broadway exhibits.

Healthcare amenities like Johnson Metropolis Medical Middle, which is affiliated with East Tennessee State College, and Mountain House VA Medical Middle can provide retirees peace of thoughts, realizing that wonderful care is correct of their yard.

Kingsport

Situated within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Tennessee, Kingsport has so much to supply for retirees. Outside adventures are king on this rural group. Miles and miles of outside strolling and bike paths might be discovered all through the town’s parks and on the Kingsport Greenbelt, a scenic 10-mile paved path that runs throughout the town.

Fort Patrick Henry Lake gives fishing and boating, whereas Warriors’ Path State Park might be a delight to discover with visiting grandchildren. It’s residence to a Boundless Playground, which accommodates youngsters of all psychological and bodily talents.

Highway trippers might be delighted to know that Kingsport is inside a day’s drive of 70 % of the U.S. inhabitants.

Along with not having an earnings tax, there is no such thing as a county property tax in Kingsport.

Bristol

On the Tennessee-Virginia border lies a city that’s energetic. Bristol, Tennessee, is residence to the Bristol Motor Speedway, one in all NASCAR’s most iconic tracks. Simply throughout the border in Bristol, Virginia (its sister metropolis) is the Bristol On line casino, which can develop into a Onerous Rock Resort & On line casino later this yr.

Residents have entry to purchasing, eating, and leisure at The Pinnacle, an open-air purchasing vacation spot, and within the metropolis’s lively downtown, an Accredited Predominant Road Group.

On the sensible facet, Sullivan County (residence to Bristol and Kingsport) gives a value of dwelling that’s 14.6 % decrease than the U.S. common.

Franklin

Franklin, Tennessee, has so much going for it. Simply 20 miles south of Nashville, this historic city is understood for its vibrant downtown, wonderful healthcare, and scenic magnificence.

Franklin was named one of many nation’s high 10 suburbs to retire in by This Outdated Home and top-of-the-line U.S. cities to dwell in by livability.com in 2023.

Residents will love staying lively within the space’s quite a few parks and out of doors areas. These searching for arts and tradition will take pleasure in catching a present at one of many metropolis’s theaters, together with Studio Tenn, The Franklin Theater, The Mockingbird Theater, and the FirstBank Amphitheater.

Listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, Downtown Franklin Historic District is a 16-block space lined with outlets, eating places, and galleries. The realm goals to protect historical past whereas supporting in the present day’s small companies and changing into the group’s gathering spot by means of its annual festivals and occasions.

Healthcare is likely one of the metropolis’s largest industries, with companies like Group Well being Methods, Cigna, HCA Well being Care, MedSolutions, and Williamson Medical Middle.

For retirees who like to journey, Franklin gives small-town dwelling with easy accessibility to a serious airport. Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA), which gives 585 day by day flights on 22 airways, is simply over 20 miles away.

Chattanooga

A secure financial system, entry to out of doors actions, a thriving downtown, and a revitalized waterfront make it simple to see why Chattanooga is an authorized Retire Tennessee group. It has made a number of “Greatest Locations to Retire” lists through the years, together with being named the greatest place to retire within the South by Southern Residing and Investopedia in 2023.

Situated in Tennessee’s southeastern area, this mid-size metropolis is filled with thrilling issues to do for lively retirees. With a sturdy calendar of performances and live shows at top-notch venues, together with the Chattanooga Theatre Middle, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Memorial Auditorium, and Tivoli Theater, together with loads of eating places and bars, Chattanooga is a haven for these searching for vibrant nightlife.

Town’s lovely waterfront alongside the Tennessee River gives a 13-mile riverwalk with loads of parks to benefit from the outside. The Tennessee River Gorge gives one thing for these searching for a bit extra journey. Biking, kayaking, tenting, boating, and climbing can be found on this out of doors paradise. Chattanooga is even residence to the tallest underground cave waterfall within the U.S.

For retirees searching for historical past, arts, and tradition, Chattanooga delivers. Historical past buffs can discover Battles for Chattanooga Museum, Chickamauga & Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park, and the sixth Calvary Museum, whereas artwork lovers will benefit from the Bluff View Artwork District and the Hunter Museum of American Artwork.

Knoxville

Knoxville is residence to the College of Tennessee, however it’s greater than only a faculty city. It has arts, tradition, out of doors recreation, purchasing, sports activities, and a lot extra.

Entry to wonderful healthcare could also be high of thoughts for retirees, and The College of Tennessee Medical Middle, positioned in Knoxville, is likely one of the greatest hospitals within the state. There are 3 senior facilities within the space, providing retirees a spot to remain lively and construct group.

Knoxville is surrounded by lush greenery that’s good for exploring the outside. Mountain climbing, fishing, and boating are widespread actions within the space. Don’t miss Ijams Nature Middle, a 318-acre inexperienced house that provides over 14 miles of trails, kayaking, canoeing, and a calendar of enjoyable group occasions.

Knoxville additionally has a thriving arts scene. Quite a few galleries and museums line the downtown streets. The historic Tennessee Theater is a well-liked venue for live shows and performances all yr lengthy, and First Friday Knoxville is a month-to-month celebration that mixes artwork, music, and meals for a enjoyable group occasion.