Tennessee Retirement Communities

...55+ and non-age-restricted communities on this page

Great Smokies

Tennessee retirement communities seem even today like pure country. But things have changed for Tennessee from when I was a kid.

Forbes has placed two Tennessee cities on its Ten Best Places for Business and Careers List:

Nashville 

Knoxville

Johnson City made the number ten position on Best Small Metros List.

Tennessee is on the list because it has successfully combined growth and kept its low cost of living. The cost of living is in the average range but with high growth. This is great because it means the state is economically strong but still retains the features that people come here for.

In addition, Tennessee has no state income tax and lower property taxes (verify).  Among its 5 airports is McGhee Tyson Airport at Knoxville.     

The Great Smoky Mountains are here--known for ancient forests and a variety of plants and animals: Did you know it is the most visited of all our National Parks. In East Tennessee on the border with North Carolina, this area is the nicest for retirement.

This page has a mix of 55+ and non-age-restricted communities with a retirement or second-home-focus.

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Newest 55+ Communities in Tennessee Chart

Knoxville

For more information on Knoxville tourism go to Knoxville Tourism

• Briarstone - By Saddlebrook Properties - Sold
  
  Saddlebrook Properties has quite a presence in this area. Builders here for 30 years.  Their community is not designated 55+ but the residents are predominantly over 55 in their low maintenance communities (verify).  Prices started in high $300's.  These are large homes.  The community amenities feature low maintenance and walking trails.  See local Realtors for resales.  730 Briarstone Lane, Knoxville  

• Rarity Communities - Rarity Bay Golf Community
  
  Knoxville area on Lake Tellico - Designed for lovers of the outdoors. Resort-style, upscale with country club, equestrian, exceptional golf and more.

• Lowes Ferry 
  
  30 miles to the Smokies and ten miles to Knoxville Airport - Premier lakefront living on Fort Loudoun Lake's waterfront. 300-acre gated community. Dockable parcels available. Active lifestyle community. Up to 3 acre parcels.

• Highland Reserve
  
  Same developers as Ladd Landing. In Kingston, 25 minutes to Knoxville. Nature and equestrian community with views of Smoky Mountains. Lots to mini-farms. Some lots on Watts Bar Lake. Riding trails. 

• The Farm at Tralee
  
  Strawberry Plains TN - Resort and retirement amenities near Knoxville. Modeled after an English country retreat and awarded Best New Community Plan by Mountain Homes. Gated, 190 acres of rolling hills. Equestrian Center.

• Grand Vista Bay
  
  Rockwood TN Southwest of Knoxville on Watts Bar Lake. Gated waterfront. Clubhouse, pool. Boat dock area.  Affordably priced lots. Tennessee Land and Lakes Development company. 877-265-5253   

• Espalier Bay
  
  Decatur - 63 miles south of Knoxville. Lake Chickamauga. Boating and they say some of best fishing around. Boat slips. Lakeview sites and affordable wooded sites. Private, gated. Please see local Realtors for information on this community.

Nashville

spring hill

Southern Springs

• Southern Springs
  
  By Del Webb in Spring Hill (Nashville region) -  An age-qualified community for 55+ by Del Webb called Southern Springs - this is exciting news because there aren't too many communities like this in Tennessee.  Planned 600 homes (verify).  35 miles south of Nashville - 107 Blount Court, Spring Hill, TN  - Now Open - 888-406-3028 - Start $400's.

Murfreesboro

• Coming early 2024 - Del Webb Southern Harmony - South of Nashville.

Whitehouse, Tn

• New Legacy Farms

By Freedom Homes (DR Horton).  From mid-$300's - Planned future amenities include clubhouse, pool, pickle ball, 2207 Quinn Dr., Whitehouse TN - Open Daily - 615-283-6013

mt. juliet

• Lake Providence by Del Webb
  
  1000 homes in gated community with resort amenities including lake, clubhouse, pool, recreation, and more - 1100 Del Webb Blvd., Mount Juliet - 615-758-4614 (HOA) - See local Realtors for resales

hendersonville

•  Gatherings at Indian Lake - Sold
  
  By Beazer Homes - 55+ 2-bedroom, 2-bath condos in very popular in-demand style.  Priced in low $300's.  141 Saundersville Rd., Hendersonville, TN - 615-507-4843

nolensville - 21 miles south of nashville

•  The Cottages at Nolen Mill 
  
  Attached medium to spacious courtyard homes with cottage-styling.  Were priced from very low $300's.  By Goodall Homes -  103 Madison Mill Dr. SOLD OUT
  

• The Cottages at Bent Creek 
  
  Sold Out - 21 miles south of Nashville at Nolensville - 55+ community by Goodall Homes - Part of master all-age community Bent Creek.  One level single homes medium to spacious size starting in mid-$200's. - 216 Siegert Place, Nolensville - check for resales 

gallatin - 30 miles northeast of nashville

• Retreat at Fairview
  
  Gallatin - Not age restricted, however, these are cottage homes with low maintenance features and amenities for an active lifestyle.  Medium to spacious homes by Goodall Homes.  102 Bellingdon Dr., Gallatin - 615-864-9413 - Call for appointment 

• Lenox Place - Resale by Goodall Homes  
  
  55+ condominium homes with all yard maintenance done by homeowners assoc.  Resort amenities and social activities.  Smaller square footage plans with 2-car garage.  Pool, clubhouse, community garden and more.  Price started in low $180's. 395 Devon Chase Hill, Gallatin, TN

Crossville

• New homes Gardens RV Village  

This is a niche community for an RV lifestyle.  Single ranch homes with huge attached garages for your RV.  Just about every home has an RV and it's probably the main topic of discussion in the community.  So if you don't own an RV you may feel out of place living here according to the developer. 

But if you do own one, there aren't many communities like this where the residents are so passionate about RV's.  The  homes are priced starting in the $300's and there are resales and new.  Not age restricted but focus on retirement.
20 Our Way Dr., Crossville, TN - 931-456-7794 - 3-day Discovery Stay

• Fairfield Glade  - Great for Golfers
  
  Well known vacation and retirement resort near Crossville in Fairfield Glade.  Started in 1970 and will be building new communities into the future.  Homes and townhomes.  Fitness and Wellness complex.  3 swim pools, miles of walking paths, 90 holes of golf and 11 lakes. Natural environment and resort-like community of exclusive home sites. 
  
  2000 foot elevation atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau produces comfortable summer temperatures and mild winters.   Minutes from Crossville, marketed as the Golf Capital of Tennessee, with shopping, restaurants and Cumberland Medical Center.
  
  Golf courses in area include Jack Nicklaus' Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park and Stonehenge Golf Club at Fairfield Glade. 6 miles off 40.  7012 Peavine Rd., Fairfield Glade, 800-383-7600  

Fairfield Glade:

• The Cottages of Hickory Ridge - at Fairfield Glade. 
  Finally low maintenance free-standing homes.  Not age-restricted but features attracting retirees such as 2000 SF of living on main level with a bonus room upstairs.  Curbed streets, step-in shower, gas fireplace, surrounded by forest and resort features of Fairfield Glade and more.  Starting prices in low $360's.  800-383-7600 

• Renegade Mountain
  
  Crossville is 45 minutes to Knoxville. This is a private community.  East Tennessee mountains minutes from I-40 for fine dining, outlet mall shopping.  Nature in the mountains with views.  Resales-please check with local Realtors. Alt: 2700 Feet - Crab Orchard, TN - 931-484-2354

Johnson City

• Grande Harbor
  
  Near Johnson City - 2200 minimum square foot homes on Boone Lake. Suburban living close to work centers but with lakeside amenities. Marinas on the lake and fishing. Clubhouse. Check with local Realtors.

• Quail Creek at the Ridges
  
  Jonesborough TN Golf and country club community. Quail Ridge Way - 423-302-0713 (HOA)   

Memphis Area

• The Oaks at Woodchase
  
  Cordova - 108 ranch condominiums by Kemmons Wilson with rustic stone trim on exteriors - 2-car garage - low-maintenance community started from $139's. Sold Out - 1680 West Southfield Circle, Cordova  

• The Village at Schilling Farms
  
  Collierville - 30 minutes east of Memphis - Resales - 58 2 and 3-bedroom ranch homes.  Sold Out - 750 Stonevillage Cove  

Tennessee Counties for Retirement:

Henry County - West Tennessee Retirement

Paris TN is known for having the "world's biggest fishfry" with a week-long festival. Paris/Henry County Chamber of Commerce

Hardin County - "Retiree Paradise"

Historical with 17% of county comprised of over age 65. Hardin County

Greene County - East Tennessee Retirement

Greeneville is Tennessee's second oldest town with quality of life. Named in "Best Small Towns in America" and other publications. Also named in "Top 23 Mountain Towns." Within 30 minute to one hour drive to Knoxville, Kingsport and Johnson City. Also, 50 miles to Asheville NC. The home of 17th president Andrew Johnson and frontiersman Davy Crockett. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Greene County

Marshall County Retirement

Here is Marshall Medical Center - top 100 non-profit community hospitals. Four beautiful seasons without harsh winters. Median cost of homes from $75,000 to $107,000.  Marshall County

Sullivan County  

Northeast Tennessee. Natural beauty. VA hospital here and among the nation's lowest cost of living areas. No state income tax and no personal property tax. Sullivan County and Northeast TN

Putnam County  

The Highlands of Tennessee. Cookeville, the seat of Putnam County, is rated one of America's most affordable communities. Medical facilities include the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Median costs of homes are $102,600 in Cookeville and $92,600 in Putname County. (verify for most current information) Cookeville Chamber

Cumberland County  

Crossville is the "golf capital of Tennessee." Home to Fairfield Glade vacation and retirement resort (see above). Just off I-40, it is centrally located. Cumberland Medical Center, fresh country air and views. Golf Capital of Tennessee

For more Info go to:  Retire Tennessee.org

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