8 Best Cities for Retirement in Tennessee

Tennessee beckons with its affordable cost of living, no state income tax, and four-season weather. This state is worth considering for retirees seeking to stretch their budget without sacrificing a high-quality life. Not only do you get to live in a picturesque setting, but it may surprise you how abundant the amenities are in the Volunteer State. Tennessee’s top cities for retirement blend southern hospitality with everything you’d want from an active lifestyle. 

To get you started with your retirement journey, check out these cities in Tennessee.

Chattanooga

A wide, meandering riverfront, dramatic bluffs, pervasive arts, thrumming music, a long history, and southern hospitality…what’s not to love about retiring in Chattanooga? Maybe that’s why it earned honors as the “Best City to Retire in the South” for 2023.

Chattanooga’s charming and scenic setting starts with Lookout Mountain towering over the city. As you swoop toward downtown, you’ll find a revitalized area with parks, museums, and various outdoor activities, from biking to rock climbing. The Tennessee Aquarium is a notable downtown attraction, as is the Hunter Museum of American Art perched high on the cliffs over the Tennessee River.

Truly, one of the perks of retiring here is the long list of things to do. It reads like a major city: Riverfront Music Festivals, a summer concert series, indoor artisan markets, golf courses, historic Civil War sites, a city bike share program…and it’s only home to 180,000 people! You get all these things to do with fewer crowds and traffic.

As for your essentials, Chattanooga does have a VA clinic, and the Erlanger Regional Medical Center is a large facility with 930 beds in its hospital system. Downtown and the suburbs have plenty of dining options. Some sections of town are highly bikeable or walkable. The people are downright friendly, too. 

More people are falling in love with Chattanooga. Historically, its cost of living has been low, but it’s risen a bit over the last few years, particularly with its real estate prices.

Franklin

Money Magazine ranked Franklin in its list of the best places to retire in the United States during 2022. It was the second time this small town outside of Nashville had appeared on its list. 

Part of Franklin’s appeal is its historic charm. The downtown is one of the nation’s largest protected historic districts. Inside these 19th-century buildings are small businesses, delicious local restaurants, and artisanal boutiques that add to the quaint small-town vibe.

Franklin has multiple cultural attractions, including two Civil War battle sites. But there’s even more to do here, with an attractive arts community, lots of parks and recreation, and music festivals like the Pilgramme Festival at Harlinsdale Park.

Over a third of its population is 50 or older. While Franklin’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, it remains reasonable compared to many other cities. Housing options range from historic homes to newer developments. And with Nashville a 20-to-30-minute drive away, you’ll have access to some of the top medical care in Tennessee. 

Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

Retire to the Smoky Mountains playground, where you’ll never be bored. No matter if you retire in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville, you’ll be surrounded by the majestic peaks in each mountain destination.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are popular tourist destinations. Known for their scenic beauty, entertainment attractions like Dollywood and Anakeesta, and outdoor activities in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these towns are a year-round destination for fun. 

But think about what that means for your retirement. There’s something to do an easy drive from your home whenever you want. Plan to treat the grandkids to a theme park? They’ll love The Island in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. Want some peace and quiet while fishing for trout? Pick your stream in the nearby forests and parks. Seeking a day of retail therapy? Hit up Old Mill Square or any of the downtown districts. Live music, performance art, hiking, camping, boating, golfing, tennis–these towns pack it all in.

The cost of living will be higher because of the demand for real estate and amenities. Still, Sevier County is large enough to find mountain properties within your budget. You will want to consider the downsides of living in a tourist destination. Can you handle the crowds and seasonal nature of the region?

Germantown

Outside Memphis awaits Germantown, not just one of the best places to retire in Tennessee but one of its best places to live in general. This town is routinely recognized for its high quality of living.

Germantown has an interesting culture for being part of western Tennessee, which is more famous for its glitz, glam, and music. It has equestrian roots, and there are still a lot of horse shows and horseback riding facilities if you look forward to doing that in your retirement. Because of the horse culture, open land and barns are scattered throughout the town, giving it a more rural feeling despite being so close to a major city.

The city also nurtures its small-town feel with a lot of community events. The December holiday parade, as is the 4th of July fireworks, is a huge draw. There’s even a festival celebrating the community’s heritage.

Germantown ticks all the boxes for your essentials. It has around 700 acres of public parks with sports programs and walking trails. A historic and beautiful downtown district is packed with delicious restaurants, including Memphis-style BBQ. It has some of Memphis’ best shopping districts, including the shops of Saddle Creek. For those who love the arts, the town has its own Performing Arts Center and has a public art walk.

Another perk of being close to Germantown is how it has 55 and over communities, if that interests you. Some of these will have private shuttles to help you get to the grocery stores and your medical appointments around town. And as it is a Memphis suburb, it increases your access to quality health care.

Germantown is one of the top suburbs in Memphis, but its cost of living is affordable even by Tennessee standards.

Collierville

Another Memphis suburb, beautiful Collierville feels like small towns used to be, with a walkable award-winning Main Street, friendly people, and a reasonable cost of living. The charming historic downtown area still has cobblestone streets between its boutique shops, restaurants, and a town square. 

The combination of small-town charm and affordability has earned Collierville accolades as one of the best towns to live in the South. It has an award-winning parks and recreation department and neighborhoods with a low crime rate. It is popular with families because of its excellent school system. 

As a retiree, you’ll enjoy access to activities like a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and all the other golf courses in the Memphis arena. Its park system includes tennis courts and spray parks to take the grandkids to on steamy summer days. Top community events include the Christmas in Collierville event, the Main Street concert series, and Taste of the Town.

Collierville is about 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, so whenever you want to walk Beale Street, all you need to do is get on Highway 72 and head into town. The city is also right on Interstate 269, which will help you move around to the airports and the other top Memphis suburbs. 

Tellico Village

When it comes to active retirement communities in Tennessee, it’s hard to beat Tellico Village in Loudon County. Imagine waking up daily to drink coffee on your dock as mist rises over the glassy surface with mountain peaks in the background. Well, this purpose-built community has one feature many master-planned retirement neighborhoods lack: access to a 33-mile-long lake. 

Grab your boat from one of the three marinas and head out for a cruise on your timetable. Facilities include a kayak launch and storage facility.

But that’s just the tip of the perks behind retiring to Tennessee’s Tellico Lake. Like golf? The Tanasi Golf Course and the Toqua Golf Course are popular among residents. Tellico Village has a wellness center includes fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and spaces for various wellness activities. Over 20 miles of trails wind through green spaces and to the community amenities.

What else can you do? Dine lakeside at the Yacht Club or its Tiki Bar. Or join one of its social and service clubs. There’s an art guild, Rotary, motorcycle club, garden club, and many more interests. 

Tellico Village has a medical center inside the community, and some regional hospitals are outside the gates. The nearby interstates make it easy to get into town for medical providers or the airport for travel. Living here feels like a retreat, but Tellico Village is just 31 miles from Knoxville. 

Tellico Village has appeared numerous times as a top destination for retirement, boating, and active living on sites like Forbes and HGTV. Its housing options include single-family homes, townhomes, and waterfront properties.

Knoxville

Forbes’s 2022 edition of the top places to retire included college town Knoxville. Part of what made it so attractive was its affordable cost of living for being a mid-sized city. It included how Tennessee has no state income or estate tax, a large percentage of doctors per capita, and a strong economy.

Knoxville has plenty to do inside town to keep your days entertained. You can visit the World’s Fair Park, the Sunsphere, and its associated museums. A fantastic entertainment district with live music venues and shopping near the Old Town. Have fun at festivals like the Knoxville Brewfest of the Dogwood Arts Festival.

The University of Tennessee brings a lot of incitement and energy on game days, and the city has a minor-league hockey team.

Within the city are 6,400 acres of parks, 207 greenway trails, and more on the way. For more outdoor fun, the Smoky Mountains are an easy day trip just outside of Knoxville. Several large reservoirs, such as the ones around Oak Ridge, are used for boating.

It’s easier to live on a budget here because of Knoxville’s affordable cost of living. And you still get access to some excellent medical providers.

Knoxville is a fast-growing city and is one of the best places to live in 2023, according to US News and World Report. The low cost of living in a major city is one of its appealing factors.

Retiring to Tennessee

Before deciding to retire anywhere in Tennessee, visit the area. Explore the neighborhoods and consider lifestyle preferences, healthcare access, and community offerings. Consulting with local real estate professionals can also provide insights into the current housing market and available properties. Even if these neighborhoods don’t appeal to you, Tennessee has many more towns and retirement areas waiting for your discovery.