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, might be place to name house. Individuals select this metropolis for its “stable 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 unbelievable 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 occupied 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 house — the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Membership, and the Nashville Sounds. Nashville’s thriving culinary scene sees a steady movement of recent eating places serving every part from sushi and tacos to cheesesteaks and Afro-fusion delicacies. Buying, whether or not for domestically made merchandise or high-end designer manufacturers, will be discovered at one in every of Nashville’s buying malls or districts.

Simply final yr, Nashville was named one of many South’s greatest cities by Southern Dwelling 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 neighborhood, Johnson Metropolis presents outside actions, performing arts, a thriving downtown, a superb healthcare system, and a low value of residing. 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 neighborhood facilities. The Johnson Metropolis Senior Middle promotes “lively life by way of lively residing” for residents 50 years and older. Those that are in search of arts and tradition will recognize the Martin Middle for the Arts, which hosts musicians, comedians, and Broadway reveals.

Healthcare amenities like Johnson Metropolis Medical Middle, which is affiliated with East Tennessee State College, and Mountain Dwelling VA Medical Middle 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 quite a bit to supply for retirees. Out of doors adventures are king on this rural neighborhood. Miles and miles of out of doors strolling and bike paths will be discovered all through town’s parks and on the Kingsport Greenbelt, a scenic 10-mile paved path that runs throughout town.

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

Highway trippers can be delighted to know that Kingsport is inside a day’s drive of 70 p.c 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 vigorous. Bristol, Tennessee, is house to the Bristol Motor Speedway, one in every 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 turn into a Laborious 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 Predominant Road Group.

On the sensible aspect, Sullivan County (house to Bristol and Kingsport) presents a price of residing that’s 14.6 p.c decrease than the U.S. common.

Franklin

Franklin, Tennessee, has quite a bit 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 high 10 suburbs to retire in by This Outdated Home and among the finest 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 outside areas. These in search of arts and tradition will get pleasure from 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 retailers, eating places, and galleries. The world goals to protect historical past whereas supporting immediately’s small companies and turning into the neighborhood’s gathering spot by way of its annual festivals and occasions.

Healthcare is among the metropolis’s greatest 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 presents small-town residing with easy accessibility to a significant airport. Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA), which presents 585 day by day flights on 22 airways, is simply over 20 miles away.

Chattanooga

A secure financial system, entry to outside actions, a thriving downtown, and a revitalized waterfront make it straightforward to see why Chattanooga is an authorized Retire Tennessee neighborhood. It has made a number of “Greatest Locations to Retire” lists over time, together with being named the greatest place to retire within the South by Southern Dwelling and Investopedia in 2023.

Situated in Tennessee’s southeastern area, this mid-size metropolis is stuffed with thrilling issues to do for lively retirees. With a strong calendar of performances and concert events 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 in search of vibrant nightlife.

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

For retirees in search of 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 house to the College of Tennessee, nevertheless it’s greater than only a faculty city. It has arts, tradition, outside recreation, buying, sports activities, and a lot extra.

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

Knoxville is surrounded by lush greenery that’s excellent for exploring the outside. Mountaineering, fishing, and boating are fashionable actions within the space. Don’t miss Ijams Nature Middle, a 318-acre inexperienced area that gives over 14 miles of trails, kayaking, canoeing, and a calendar of enjoyable neighborhood 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 concert events and performances all yr lengthy, and First Friday Knoxville is a month-to-month celebration that mixes artwork, music, and meals for a enjoyable neighborhood occasion.