7 Greatest Locations to Retire in Tennessee

Nashville

For retirees who nonetheless need to be in the course of the motion, Nashville, the biggest and most populated metropolis in Tennessee, could possibly be place to name residence. Individuals select this metropolis for its “strong music, arts, and eating scene, to not point out entry to world-class healthcare,” in keeping with Altic.

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

“I am discovering that the wants of the common 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 taken with being close to ‘the motion,’ be it the outside, a vibrant eating scene, or nightlife,” says Altic.

In fact, 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 circulate of latest eating places serving every little thing from sushi and tacos to cheesesteaks and Afro-fusion delicacies. Purchasing, whether or not for regionally made merchandise or high-end designer manufacturers, could be discovered at certainly one of Nashville’s buying malls or districts.

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

Johnson Metropolis

As an authorized Retire Tennessee group, Johnson Metropolis presents out of doors actions, performing arts, a thriving downtown, a wonderful healthcare system, and a low price 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 Heart promotes “lively life via lively dwelling” for residents 50 years and older. Those that are searching for arts and tradition will recognize the Martin Heart for the Arts, which hosts musicians, comedians, and Broadway exhibits.

Healthcare amenities like Johnson Metropolis Medical Heart, which is affiliated with East Tennessee State College, and Mountain Dwelling VA Medical Heart may give retirees peace of thoughts, realizing that glorious care is true 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 out of doors strolling and bike paths could 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 presents fishing and boating, whereas Warriors’ Path State Park will probably be a delight to discover with visiting grandchildren. It’s residence to a Boundless Playground, which accommodates kids of all psychological and bodily talents.

Street trippers will probably 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 lively. Bristol, Tennessee, is residence to the Bristol Motor Speedway, certainly one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks. Simply throughout the border in Bristol, Virginia (its sister metropolis) is the Bristol On line casino, which is able to develop into a Onerous Rock Lodge & On line casino later this yr.

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

On the sensible facet, Sullivan County (residence to Bristol and Kingsport) presents 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, glorious healthcare, and scenic magnificence.

Franklin was named one of many nation’s prime 10 suburbs to retire in by This Outdated Home and among the best U.S. cities to reside 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 world goals to protect historical past whereas supporting as we speak’s small companies and changing into the group’s gathering spot via its annual festivals and occasions.

Healthcare is among the metropolis’s largest industries, with companies like Group Well being Programs, Cigna, HCA Well being Care, MedSolutions, and Williamson Medical Heart.

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

Chattanooga

A steady financial system, entry to out of doors actions, a thriving downtown, and a revitalized waterfront make it straightforward to see why Chattanooga is an authorized Retire Tennessee group. It has made a number of “Greatest Locations to Retire” lists over time, together with being named the finest 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 strong calendar of performances and live shows at top-notch venues, together with the Chattanooga Theatre Heart, 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.

The town’s lovely waterfront alongside the Tennessee River presents a 13-mile riverwalk with loads of parks to benefit from the open air. The Tennessee River Gorge presents one thing for these searching for a bit extra journey. Biking, kayaking, tenting, boating, and mountain 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, nevertheless it’s greater than only a faculty city. It has arts, tradition, out of doors recreation, buying, sports activities, and a lot extra.

Entry to glorious healthcare could also be prime of thoughts for retirees, and The College of Tennessee Medical Heart, positioned in Knoxville, is among the finest 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 excellent for exploring the outside. Mountaineering, fishing, and boating are standard actions within the space. Don’t miss Ijams Nature Heart, 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.