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 a superb place to name dwelling. Individuals 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 need to decelerate.

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

In fact, this metropolis is thought for its music, however there’s a lot extra to discover. 4 skilled sports activities groups name Nashville dwelling — the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Membership, and the Nashville Sounds. Nashville’s thriving culinary scene sees a steady circulation of latest eating places serving every part from sushi and tacos to cheesesteaks and Afro-fusion delicacies. Procuring, whether or not for regionally made merchandise or high-end designer manufacturers, could be discovered at considered one of Nashville’s procuring malls or districts.

Simply final 12 months, 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 very best locations to stay in Tennessee.

Johnson Metropolis

As a licensed Retire Tennessee group, Johnson Metropolis gives 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, services, and group facilities. The Johnson Metropolis Senior Heart promotes “lively life by lively residing” for residents 50 years and older. Those that are searching for arts and tradition will respect the Martin Heart for the Arts, which hosts musicians, comedians, and Broadway reveals.

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

Kingsport

Positioned within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Tennessee, Kingsport has quite a bit 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 town’s parks and on the Kingsport Greenbelt, a scenic 10-mile paved path that runs throughout town.

Fort Patrick Henry Lake gives fishing and boating, whereas Warriors’ Path State Park shall be a delight to discover with visiting grandchildren. It’s dwelling 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 isn’t a county property tax in Kingsport.

Bristol

On the Tennessee-Virginia border lies a city that’s vigorous. Bristol, Tennessee, is dwelling 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 is able to grow to be a Onerous Rock Lodge & On line casino later this 12 months.

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

On the sensible facet, Sullivan County (dwelling to Bristol and Kingsport) gives 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 thought for its vibrant downtown, wonderful 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 stay in by livability.com in 2023.

Residents will love staying lively within the space’s quite a few parks and outside areas. These searching 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 realm goals to protect historical past whereas supporting immediately’s small companies and turning into the group’s gathering spot by its annual festivals and occasions.

Healthcare is likely one of 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 gives small-town residing with easy accessibility to a significant 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 outside 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 greatest place to retire within the South by Southern Residing and Investopedia in 2023.

Positioned 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 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 stunning waterfront alongside the Tennessee River gives a 13-mile riverwalk with loads of parks to benefit from the outdoor. The Tennessee River Gorge gives one thing for these searching for a bit extra journey. Biking, kayaking, tenting, boating, and mountain climbing can be found on this outside paradise. Chattanooga is even dwelling 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 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 dwelling to the College of Tennessee, nevertheless it’s greater than only a faculty city. It has arts, tradition, outside recreation, procuring, sports activities, and a lot extra.

Entry to wonderful healthcare could also be prime of thoughts for retirees, and The College of Tennessee Medical Heart, 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 excellent for exploring the outside. Mountaineering, fishing, and boating are fashionable 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 concert events and performances all 12 months lengthy, and First Friday Knoxville is a month-to-month celebration that mixes artwork, music, and meals for a enjoyable group occasion.