About Tennessee Area
Retirement Living in Tennessee
Tennessee is one of the fastest growing states in the country. It’s also a top tourist destination thanks to its abundant local attractions and recreational opportunities. At present, there are 25 age-restricted communities here, which makes this state one of the Top Retirement Destinations in the U.S.
Most of the Retirement Communities in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville, while the others are found in Knoxville and Memphis.
Del Webb, a famous lifestyle community builder has developed two amazing 55+ Communities in this state – one in Mt. Juliet and another in Spring Hill. Both of these neighborhoods feature low-maintenance houses and plenty of on-site amenities.
Tennessee Climate and Geography is Ideal for Active Retirement
This state experiences a humid subtropical climate while those located in the higher elevations in the Appalachians have a humid continental climate which is caused by cooler temperatures. Summers are generally hot with temperatures rising to 88°F, especially in July. Winters are generally mild to cool with temperatures dropping to 27°F, especially in January. The average temperature here is 58.11°F. Approximately, this state experiences a total of 207 sunny days per year.
Tennessee is bordered by eight different states: in the north there’s Kentucky and Virginia; in the east there’s North Carolina; on the south, there’s Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi; while on the west there’s Arkansas and Missouri. In addition, this state is divided into three Grand Divisions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee.
Tennessee offers Plenty of Recreation, Culture and Entertainment for Active Adults
Tourism in Tennessee is booming rapidly. In fact, this state is ranked among the Top 10 Tourist Destinations in the country. Just in 2014, more than 100 million people have visited this state. Some of the most visited tourist attractions in this state are: the Tennessee Aquarium, the Lookout Mountain and the Gaylord Opryland Resort.
Also, who would miss coming to Graceland, a huge 13.8-acre mansion owned by the one and only “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley. Speaking of musical icons, this state has played a big role in forming America’s most popular music. This includes rock and roll, blues and country.
Some of the places you need to go to are the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the famous Beale Street, which is said to be the birthplace of the blues.
That’s not all, Tennessee has so much more to offer aside from its rich music and cultural history.
For example, spending some time in the Great Smoky Mountains will truly take one's breath away. Meanwhile, at the Ijams Nature Center, visitors can do a bunch of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddling, trail walking and so much more.
There are also a couple of museums and art galleries found here. There’s the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the Discovery Park of America in Union, Tennessee.
In addition, there are quite a few golf courses, shopping centers, restaurants and urban entertainment scattered all over the region so everything one might need is just a couple of miles away.
What’s more is that 55+ Communities in Tennessee are taking advantage of the numerous local attractions and outdoor recreational opportunities available here.
Cost of Living and Taxes to Consider when Retiring to Tennessee
In Tennessee, the average cost of living index is significantly more affordable at 87.6. It’s basically 12.40% lower compared to the U.S average. In fact, this state’s tax system is known to be the most regressive in the entire country.
The sales tax rate is 9.3%, while the income tax rate is 0%. Good news because there is no state income tax here, but they impose a 6% tax on dividend and interest income.
Tennessee Healthcare
The ratio in Tennessee is 204 physicians per 100,000 population. Overall, around 83% of adults between the ages of 19 and 64 have health insurance here. And when it comes to hospitals and medical centers, this state has many.
In Nashville, there’s the Vanderbilt Medical Center and the Centennial Women’s Hospital. Meanwhile, the Tennova Healthcare – Shelbyville, is a community healthcare provider that offers a wide range of inpatient, outpatient as well as medical and surgical care and treatment. This hospital also has another branch in Harton.
While in Pulaski, there’s the Southern Tennessee Regional Health System, the Old South Pittsburg Hospital in South Pittsburg and the Kindred Hospital Chattanooga.
At present, there are around 25 Active Adult Communities spread out in this state. Fortunately, most of these are located just a few miles away from these hospitals and medical centers.
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