Retirees considering a move to the Southeast may wonder, “Is Knoxville, TN a good place to retire?” Tennessee has grown as a popular retirement destination due to its warm weather, world-famous cultural attractions, and highly visited national parks. Most people think of Nashville when they imagine a Tennessee retirement, and Music City certainly has a lot of appeal. However, there’s a smaller city in the eastern part of the state that also deserves consideration.
Nestled in the foothills of Appalachia and surrounded by scenic lakes, Knoxville offers a hometown feel with modern conveniences. From over-the-top college football games at The University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium to peaceful mornings fishing on Fort Loudon Lake to eye-catching attractions in nearby Pigeon Forge, residents of Marble City find no shortage of entertainment.
Drawing on researched facts and local insider knowledge, here’s a detailed overview to help active adults decide if Knoxville is the right place to retire.
Knoxville Cost of Living
The Scruffy City has a population of more than 200,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The area’s affordability is one of its top draws, with BestPlaces rating the cost of living in Knoxville approximately 8% lower than the national average. Compare this figure to Nashville, where the cost of living is 5% higher than the national average.
Active adults looking to reduce spending on housing will appreciate that Knoxville is about 12% lower for housing costs than the national average. Likewise, the cost of transportation is about 18% lower, and groceries are about 3% lower. Interested homebuyers will find ample nearby cities and suburbs that offer even more affordable costs of living, such as Maryville, Harriman, and Powell.
In terms of taxes, retirees often find Tennessee relatively tax-friendly compared to other states. The sales tax in Knoxville is slightly high at 9.25%. However, the state doesn’t levy a tax on any kind of income, including retirement funds like pensions or 401(k)s. Retirees need not worry about an inheritance or estate tax either. Residents 65+ may qualify for special exemptions on their property taxes.
Knoxville Climate/Weather
Retirees seeking a climate that avoids the brutal winters of the north without the tire-melting temperatures of the south might find that Knoxville offers a pleasant compromise. The city has a humid subtropical climate and experiences all four seasons. According to BestPlaces, the city only averages six inches of snow per year, far below the national average.
The hottest summer months can bring average temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s along with humidity and constant sunshine. Conversely, January has an average low temperature of 31 degrees. Between these extremes, however, most Knoxville residents find the weather ideal for year-round outdoor activities, which supports an active physical and social lifestyle.
Knoxville Outdoor Recreation
Knoxville’s location in Eastern Tennessee surrounds residents with an abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Retirees who love spending time in the great outdoors find many reasons to love the natural landscape of the Tennessee Valley.
Water Recreation
The surrounding area features five major lakes: Douglas, Cherokee, Norris, Fort Loudon, and Tellico. These lakes offer world-class fishing and often host fishing tournaments as well as opportunities for boating, kayaking, swimming, tubing, and wakeboarding. Boaters and kayakers alike enjoy access to three rivers: the Holston, the French Broad, and the Tennessee River that flows alongside Downtown Knoxville.
Urban Greenspaces
For land-based outdoor recreation, residents can explore the city’s 112 miles of urban trails. Greenways such as Third Creek Greenway allow active adults to walk, run, or bike to destinations across the city. Also, parks like Ijams Nature Center provide wooded hiking trails only minutes from downtown. True to its nickname of the Marble City, Knoxville offers the unique opportunity to swim, hike, and mountain bike at quarries, such as Fort Dickerson Quarry and Mead’s Quarry, which feature tall cliff faces and sparkling blue waters.
Natual Surroundings
In addition to the city’s expansive local parks and greenspaces, the surrounding area brims with scenic mountain and river landscapes. Knoxville locals enjoy trips to nearby Seven Islands State Park in Kodak, Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville, and Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg. Residents can also reach the nation’s most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains, in about an hour. There, retirees will find miles upon miles of hiking trails, mountain rivers with opportunities to fly fish, scenic drives, and historic landmarks detailing the park’s storied past.
Knoxville Culture and Entertainment
The Scruffy City offers a thriving arts and cultural scene that teems with opportunities for entertainment and recreation. Residents have no shortage of annual festivals, markets, historical landmarks, concerts, sports, community events, and so much more to enjoy.
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville is perhaps most widely known across the country as the home of The University of Tennessee and its football team, the Tennessee Volunteers. While UTK hosts a year-round calendar of sporting events, the university also features a wide range of theatrical plays, musicals, performances, and concerts hosted at Thompson-Boling Arena. Sports fans can also watch the Ice Bears play hockey, the Smokies play baseball, and One Knox play soccer.
Dining
Retirees who consider themselves foodies will find a unique spread of both local and international cuisines to sample. From down-home southern cooking to award-winning fine dining restaurants, the food scene can satisfy a wide range of cravings. Also, home cooks flock to the Market Square Farmers Market, an open-air, producer-only market in the heart of Downtown Knoxville.
Downtown Entertainment
In the small but mighty downtown area, residents and visitors find a range of local attractions. In the center of Knoxville, active adults can find Market Square, a historic town square full of restaurants and shops. The Sunsphere, an iconic structure built for the 1982 World’s Fair, can be ascended for 360-degree views of the city. Additional attractions include the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the historic James White Fort, and the Tennessee Theatre.
Nearby Local Attractions
Knoxville residents can also access several noteworthy destinations within a short drive. Active adults who travel northwest from Knoxville can reach Oak Ridge, the historic headquarters of the Manhattan Project and the current home of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Those who drive southwest of Knoxville can reach Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. These towns in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains are filled to the brim with world-class attractions like Dollywood, Ober Gatlinburg, and WonderWorks.
Knoxville: Healthy and Active
With so many options for outdoor recreation, health-conscious grocery stores, farm-to-table restaurants, and award-winning medical centers, retirees seeking a destination that supports a healthy lifestyle will find Knoxville an ideal option.
Residents looking to purchase fresh ingredients can find options at the Market Square Farmers Market. Also, Three Rivers Market, a co-op grocery store founded in 1981, sells sustainable, organic, and local products. Residents seeking to improve their health and well-being can also attend one of the many yoga studios or healing arts centers.
Healthy Restaurants
Health-conscious active adults who want a break from cooking at home can find options for healthy and delicious restaurants in the area. The Tomato Head serves an organic menu full of options for vegans and vegetarians. Sunspot also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options with cuisine inspired by the Caribbean and the North American Southwest. Farmacy, a chef-driven restaurant in Knoxville’s Bearden neighborhood, features elevated southern dishes and farm-to-table cuisine.
Health Care
Residents have convenient access to local hospitals and medical centers for check-ups and specialty visits. The University of Tennessee Medical Center offers award-winning care in a wide range of fields, including oncology and heart health. Likewise, the Parkwest Medical Center offers active adults a full spectrum of options for treatment and has received high-performance reviews for procedures such as hip and knee replacement.
Recommended 55+ Communities
Active adults interested in all that Knoxville has to offer will find a variety of age-restricted communities in the area. Interested homebuyers should consider the 55+ homes, luxury amenities, and low-maintenance lifestyles that can support an active retirement in Knoxville.
Tellico Village – Loudon, TN
Low $400ks – Mid $3Ms
One of the largest 55+ communities in the area is Tellico Village. It consists of 3,375 single-family and attached homes. Located about 45 minutes southwest of Knoxville in Loudon, Tellico Village boasts a long list of amenities to enjoy. There are also many clubs for residents to pursue their hobbies and meet like-minded individuals.
Fairfield Glade – Crossville, TN
Below $100k – Mid $1Ms
In Crossville, a town about 75 minutes west of Knoxville, retirees can find Fairfield Glade. It has approximately 5,000 single-family, attached, and condominium homes. After homeowners choose the right fit for a home among the varying floor plans, the low-maintenance lifestyle and abundant amenities at Fairfield Glade allow them to relax and enjoy exploring new interests.
Rarity Bay – Vonore, TN
Mid $300ks – Mid $4Ms
Located directly on Tellico Lake in a town just under an hour from Knoxville, Rarity Bay offers a golf course, boat launches, and a clubhouse. Interested homebuyers will find 1,600 single-family and condominium homes at Rarity Bay.
The Grove at Cedar Hills – Lenoir City, TN
Mid $500ks – Low $600ks
Retirees looking for a smaller community should check out The Grove at Cedar Hills with only 67 single-family homes. Located in historic Lenoir City 30 minutes west of Knoxville, residents of The Grove at Cedar Hill enjoy an outdoor pool and easy access to the abundant recreation found throughout East Tennessee.
Cottages at Pryse Farm – Farragut, TN
Mid $500ks – Low $700ks
Cottages at Pryse Farm puts residents near entertainment, dining, and daily conveniences. The age-restricted community consists of 99 single-family and attached homes. Also, residents enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle thanks to a homeowners’ association (HOA) that covers lawn care, exterior home maintenance, and snow removal.
Explore Homes for Sale in Knoxville, TN
So, is Knoxville, TN a good place to retire? The answer lies in the significant number of active adults who have already chosen Marble City and its surrounding area as their retirement destination. With unique entertainment, world-famous outdoor amenities, a pleasant climate, and several 55+ communities to choose from, Knoxville is a viable retirement destination for those looking to experience East Tennessee to its fullest.
Thanks to the real estate experts and homebuying tools at 55places.com, finding your next home has never been simpler. Reach out to us today to begin your homebuying journey.
