So you’ve heard Tennessee is a great state to live because of the low cost of living, perfect weather, and awesome government policies. . . but WHERE in Tennessee are the best places to live?
Today we’ll talk about the top places to live in Tennessee, what each city has to offer, and why I place them as my top local spots for folks looking to relocate to Tennessee. Also, I share with you where my top secret favorite places and things to do are in Tennessee.
If we haven’t met before, My name is Lucy Hood. I am a top producing realtor that specializes in relocation right here in Tennessee.
- This is a jammed pack topic, so to keep it short to fit into your busy life I’m going to go over the top cities, their population, & what they’re like. Then specifically the areas I love the most.
- Nashville - The capital of country music. the State capital. And the largest city in Tennessee. The Population is 715,000 according to the US 2019 census. Nashville has Rolling hills - no real mountains, the weather is a bit warmer on average. Median income is $60,000. Lots of opportunities for work, AT&T corporate headquarters is an icon in the Batman building, Nashville has great schools, and tons of entertainment. Tennessee Titans stadium, Predators Hockey stadium, and concerts galore. My mother actually lives in Nashville, along with several country music stars like Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, & Dolly Parton
- Memphis - is the second largest city in Tennessee. The population is 633,104 according to the US 2019 census. known as the Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Home to the second most visited private home in the US. (The first is the white house)
- Knoxville - Third largest, My personal favorite, and Number 1 on the top of MOVE TO AREAS IN TN, Home sweet home Knoxville. Welcome to tinder Tennessee Christmas Knoxville overs scenic views, low traffic, comfortable climate, and tons of outdoor sports to choose from. Summer on the water to snowboard in the Smoky Mountains just nearby. Big lakes or small rivers and streams, East Tennessee has it all and why I choose to call it my Home. If I hopped in my car and drove south west 2 hours I’d hit our next City. . .
- Chattanooga - is the Fourth largest city in Tennessee and has almost the same population as Knoxville. However, there are some major differences. Chattanooga is much farther south and much closer to Atlanta. Chattanooga offers rolling hills, instead of mountains, it as one big river, as compared to Knoxville with lakes, rivers, streams creeks, all over. Chattanooga also has a “Ashville NC” / Austin TX feel . . . if you ask me. Chat is a beautiful city with tons of artwork everywhere you look and fun things to do like the Tennessee Aquarium, See Rock City, Ruby Falls, The Chattanooga Choochoo (which terrified me), & the Mississippi Queen Steam boat (where my parents actually got engaged). They also have rental bikes and scooters to get around town and have a strong following of healthy active citizens. Chattanooga is so unique in that it offers a dash of the old school south mixed with the new age earthiness of Asheville NC or Austin Tx. I like to visit Chattanooga for a weekend at a time - but East Tennessee in my opinion just has so much more to offer.
- Sevier County - I actually live between Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains and wild horses couldn’t drag me to live in another place but here. Sevier County is the Gateway to the Smoky’s and Dolly Parton’s birthplace. This area offers Dollywood, 4 major water parks, dinner attractions, arcades, shopping, the Arts and Crafts district and more - Sevier county is the booming tourist town for cabin getaways. Being within a day’s drive of 80% of the population makes The Smoky Mountains National Park the most visited national park in the country. And I’ve got to agree with the tourists - this is the most beautiful place on earth!
Best Local places -
- Cades Cove, Abrahams Falls Trail. Short easy 2.5 mile hike (5 there and back) It has a stunning waterfall at the end and you can actually swim in the water down at the bottom.
- The Sinks! Short drive in the National Park - awesome place to swim and there’s a huge rock that little kids and teenagers alike love to jump off of into the water
- The Townsend Wye - This is where Roads and water actually both make a Y. It has alot of level shoreline and a big level grassy area where alot of folks lay out in the sun. The water isn’t too swift or deep here either which makes it an especially favorite place for the little ones.
- Shinbone - this is not one you can find on the map. It’s just off of Shinbone road in Sevierville and there’s a spot just down the river called “the shoot” that is also a blast.
- Rock Island / Fall Creek falls - Not in the smokies bust still awesome - Last fathers’ day we camped here. Camping in the Smokys is a little redundant since we’ve been every where there is to go see and do around The Smokys so Rock Island was an awesome new experience. There’s one waterfall there that will take your breathe away. It a huge waterfall that splits into several waterfalls coming off this giant mountain side and it’s just incredible to see in person. It’s also less than a ½ mile walk from the car. Less populated and busy as The Smoky’s so we were able to stretch out our legs, feel a little more private, and have a little more fun with our dogs in the water and on trails.
So you might know a little more about the best places to live in Tennessee, but what about the best areas to specifically retire too?
- In my next video we’ll go over the best spots to settle down for those Golden Years of life, retirement!
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