Overview
Hendersonville is a city located in the northeast portion of the Nashville metropolitan area. This location offers residents access to a variety of outdoor recreation and scenic landscapes, with a close proximity to the state's capital. Hendersonville is an ideal place for retirees who want to live in a smaller city without being too far from the convenience and exciting opportunities of a major metro area.
Climate & Geography
Located in Central Tennessee, Hendersonville has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and very humid, while winters are cold and wet. Temperatures rarely reach single and triple digits. Although there is almost no snowfall, the city gets slightly more-than-average rainfall, and there are more than 200 sunny days in Hendersonville in each year.
The city lies in a region called the Central Basin a low-lying geographical depression that features rolling terrain with occasional steep hills called knobs. The Cumberland River flows in from the east and makes up the southern border of Hendersonville.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Located only 18 miles from downtown Nashville, Hendersonville residents can experience the lively state capital for an abundance of music, food, and cultural experiences.
For fun within Hendersonville, the local parks department and other organizations put on regular annual events such as holiday parades, marathons, and more. Music lovers will find plenty of interesting attractions in the area, such as the former homes and graves of famous Nashville musicians, such as Johnny Cash and Charlie Walker. The city also has a diverse selection of restaurants, including Mediterranean, Mexican, Creole, Cajun, and American cuisines. Residents can visit both independent and chain stores for their shopping needs.
Just east of Hendersonville is Bledsoe Creek State Park, more than 500 acres of parkland, including greenways and trails for hiking and other outdoor recreation. Hendersonville’s 25 miles of shoreline on Old Hickory Lake allows residents the opportunities to hunt, fish, camp, hike, picnic, boat, and water ski. There is an abundant population of wildlife at the lake such as waterfowl and wading birds. Golfers will find several courses nearby to play, as well as a handful of driving ranges to practice their long game.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Tennessee is considered one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees. The state has no income tax, so Social Security benefits and income from retirement plans are exempt. Taxpayers who are 65+ also receive a personal exemption and can qualify for a property tax relief program. The combined sales tax rate in Hendersonville is 9.25 percent.
The cost of living in Hendersonville is 7.7 percent higher than the national average, with housing being the biggest factor. Other factors, such as health care and utility costs are below average, while transportation and grocery costs are about average.
Health Care
Although there are no nationally ranked hospitals in Hendersonville, there is one hospital in the city: TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center. Less than a half-hour away in Nashville, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ascension St. Thomas Hospital-West are both nationally ranked and rated high performing by U.S. News. They are ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 hospitals in the city, respectively.