7 Greatest Locations to Retire in Tennessee

Nashville

For retirees who nonetheless wish to be in the course of the motion, Nashville, the most important and most populated metropolis in Tennessee, could possibly be place to name house. Folks select this metropolis for its “stable music, arts, and eating scene, to not point out entry to world-class healthcare,” based on Altic.

There are such a lot of issues to do in Nashville, making it a improbable spot for lively retirees who don’t wish 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 enthusiastic about 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 move of latest 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, may be discovered at considered one of Nashville’s purchasing 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 record of the most effective locations to reside in Tennessee.

Johnson Metropolis

As a licensed Retire Tennessee group, Johnson Metropolis affords out of doors 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 group facilities. The Johnson Metropolis Senior Middle promotes “lively life via lively residing” for residents 50 years and older. Those that are on the lookout for arts and tradition will respect 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 Residence VA Medical Middle can provide retirees peace of thoughts, understanding that glorious care is true of their yard.

Kingsport

Situated within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Tennessee, Kingsport has rather a lot to supply for retirees. Out of doors adventures are king on this rural group. Miles and miles of outside strolling and bike paths may 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 affords fishing and boating, whereas Warriors’ Path State Park shall be a delight to discover with visiting grandchildren. It’s house to a Boundless Playground, which accommodates youngsters of all psychological and bodily skills.

Street trippers shall 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 energetic. Bristol, Tennessee, is house to the Bristol Motor Speedway, considered one of 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 Arduous Rock Lodge & 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 Principal Road Group.

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

Franklin

Franklin, Tennessee, has rather a lot 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 finest 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 on the lookout for 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 at this time’s small companies and turning into the group’s gathering spot via its annual festivals and occasions.

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

For retirees who like to journey, Franklin affords small-town residing with quick access to a serious airport. Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA), which affords 585 every 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 straightforward to see why Chattanooga is a licensed 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 sturdy 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 on the lookout for vibrant nightlife.

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

For retirees on the lookout for historical past, arts, and tradition, Chattanooga delivers. Historical past buffs can discover Battles for Chattanooga Museum, Chickamauga & Chattanooga Nationwide Army 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 school city. It has arts, tradition, out of doors recreation, purchasing, sports activities, and a lot extra.

Entry to glorious healthcare could also be prime of thoughts for retirees, and The College of Tennessee Medical Middle, positioned in Knoxville, is likely one of 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 common actions within the space. Don’t miss Ijams Nature Middle, a 318-acre inexperienced house that gives 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 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 group occasion.