Tennessee Description/Overview
Tennessee is one of the fastest growing states in America, with a population increase of almost ten percent since 2000. Tennessee is known as a tourist destination but now many retirees are flocking to the state is search of a low cost of living and access to great healthcare. The population of Tennessee is over six million, increasing annually, fueled by incoming Baby Boomers and retirees from the north, California and Florida. Nashville is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and over 12% of the population is over the age of 65.
The state has a lot to offer including beautiful lakes, rivers and national parks. Whether your ideal retirement includes outdoor recreation, fine arts, culture or sports, there is something for everyone in Tennessee. A vibrant music scene and long history steeped in tradition have drawn retirees from all regions of the country. The state boasts that 76 percent of the largest urban centers in the country are accessible in less than a day’s drive, making it an ideal retirement destination that is close to friends and family. Major medical centers, top-notch colleges and universities and active civic organizations further enhance Tennessee and offer a great sense of community for citizens young and old.
Music dominates the cultural landscape of Tennessee, from blues to rock and roll. And the state houses over 54 state parks. For sports enthusiasts, there are many professional teams to follow, including basketball (Memphis Grizzlies), hockey (Nashville Predators) and NFL football (Tennessee Titans).
A beautiful state, with outdoor recreation from mountains to river valleys, Tennessee has a warm year-round climate that many seeking active retirement communities have come to enjoy.
Retirement Real Estate & Active Adult Communities
Retirees settling in Tennessee have numerous choices from the high mountains and rugged terrain of East Tennessee to the Nashville Basin or the plains of West Tennessee, there are destinations suitable to all lifestyles. Unlike more popular retirement states across the south and east, the number of active adult communities in Tennessee is fairly limited. Many retirees have found great retirement living opportunities near the larger metropolitan areas like Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville. Still others prefer the quiet solitude provided by life in the in rural areas or mountainous terrain in the eastern portion of the state.
There are several notable active retirement communities in Tennessee. These active adult communities are scattered around the state, with a large selection in Oak Ridge, Nashville, and Loudon. Del Webb’s Lake Providence in Mount Juliet outside of Nashville has attracted active retirees from northern states and even lured some Florida residents back north to be closer to friends and family.
The active retirement communities in Oak Ridge are located in the mountains of East Tennessee, a great location for outdoor enthusiasts seeking housing in Tennessee’s 55+ communities. Active retirement communities in Tennessee provide urban to rural lifestyle choices.
The State Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) has created a program entitled “Retire Tennessee” to promote Tennessee’s retirement communities. So far, ten counties partake in the program. To be included in the program, the county must offer special services and have met the state’s criteria for providing resources and amenities that make them a viable retirement option.
Climate and Geography
The climate in Tennessee is mostly humid subtropical, except in the higher Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. Temperatures average in the mid 80s in the summer and mid 50s in the winter. Nights are cooler in the eastern portion of the state. Winter in the higher elevations is cool and can drop to freezing. The Gulf of Mexico creates much of the climate in the state, bringing winds that drive the fifty inches of rain each year.
The state is covered with mountains and valleys along tributaries of the Tennessee River and the Tennessee River Valley. The Blue Ridge Mountains are not well populated, and are protected by the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Western Tennessee is the area most likely to attract tornadoes, with an average of fifteen per year. There is not much snow, but fog can impede travel, especially in the mountains.
Recreation, Social and Culture
Tennessee has a rich history and is filled with culture, recreation and social opportunities. The largest city is Memphis, but the best known city is Nashville, the music capital of the south, and the home of Elvis Presley’s Graceland. Many Civil War battles were fought in Tennessee, the most of any state, including the famed Battle of Murfreesboro. After the war, a Tennessee Democrat became Abraham Lincoln’s Vice President: Andrew Johnson. The civil war battlefield of Shiloh is preserved and open to the public for exploration.
For music lovers, the three cities of Nashville, Memphis and Bristol provide venues to hear country music, soul, blues or rock and roll. Bristol is known as the birthplace of country music and the home of the Carter family and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Nashville is known for the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and is nicknamed “Music City, USA”. Memphis is the birthplace of the blues and rock and roll and the home of B.B. King. Gospel Music also abounds in Tennessee’s Bible Belt. Active Adults have plenty of entertainment options around the entire state.
Tennessee is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Bass fishing is a favorite pastime in the state’s numerous lakes and rivers. Hikers enjoy the Appalachian Trail as well as the 54 State Parks. In the midst of its beautiful mountains and river valleys, Tennessee is also home to over 8,000 caves, which provide adventure to spelunkers. And world-class whitewater rafting is available in the Cherokee National Forest. There are numerous campsites located just a short drive from both Nashville and Memphis. With its year-round mild climate, Tennessee provides a great environment for active seniors to enjoy.
Cost of Living and Taxes
Those seeking to live in Active Adult Communities in Tennessee will find that cost of living favorable. Cost of living for the state is about 10% lower than the national average.
Income tax in Tennessee does not apply to salary or wages, but it does apply to income from stocks, bonds and notes. Interest receives a $1,250 exemption per person. Sales tax in the state is 7%, but food is at 5.5%. Local areas add to the state tax, creating some of the highest sales taxes in the county: between 8% and 10%. An inheritance tax is imposed on estates larger than one million dollars.
Healthcare & Education
Tennessee provides great healthcare for its citizens. Their numerous hospitals and supportive government create a positive atmosphere for the flourishing of healthcare. Numerous hospitals provide patient care, including the famed Vanderbilt Medical Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge was named the top hospital in Tennessee for two years in a row. They also earned a national award of excellence in heart failure treatment.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville was founded in 1794 and provides classes for lifelong learners. The Aquinas College is a private Catholic College in Nashville. Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens is a Methodist church-related institution. Southwest Tennessee Community College provides access to education at nine campuses across the Shelby and Fayette counties. From community colleges to online learning, there is plenty of opportunity to expand one’s horizons at Tennessee’s many institutions of higher education.
