10 Best Small Towns In Tennessee For Retirees

Settling in Tennessee after retirement means choosing to spend an exciting lifestyle full of adventure in your sunset years. The state has stunning scenery with wondrous natural landscapes, including the Great Smoky Mountains, America’s most visited national park. Tennessee’s small towns best epitomize the beauty of the state, with an easygoing rural lifestyle, friendly neighborhoods with close family ties, and fun outdoor experiences tailor-made for the pleasure of senior citizens. 

Germantown

Germantown was founded in the 1840s mostly by German immigrants and hosts a population of about 41,000. Besides its rich German heritage, this quaint Memphis suburb has the perfect environment for retirement life. It has numerous parks and open spaces with infinite outdoor pursuits for seniors. A perfect example is Nashoba Park, where scenic trails await runners, hikers, and bikers. Meanwhile, the Wolf River Nature Area is another delightful green space with the ideal scenery for nature enthusiasts. 

The town houses a substantial senior community of over 21% of the population, who benefit from excellent health facilities locally and in the greater Memphis region, including Saint Francis Medical Partners. The crime rate is also lower than the national average by 38% and the healthcare cost by 17%. With so many positives, retirees won’t even notice the slightly higher living cost.  

Kingston Springs

Kingston Springs sits about 25 minutes from Nashville, offering its residents a nice mix of small-town charm with access to big-city amenities. The quaint town is surrounded by lush greenery, which favors outdoor enthusiasts. Retires can stay young and healthy at the Burns Park Activity Center through sporting activities like baseball, softball, and soccer. The park also features scenic trails, canoeing, and fishing in the half-an-hour away Harpeth River for those who prefer a less strenuous activity. Another excellent spot seniors can explore is the Harpeth River State Park, which houses natural, historic, and archeological sites like the Montgomery Bell Tunnel. 

The town’s tiny population of 2,900 reduces crime in the area to a significantly lower rate compared to the national average. Although there aren’t many amenities in Kingston Springs, seniors only have to travel a short distance to find top healthcare and social amenities in nearby Nashville. 

Crossville

Billed the “Golf Capital of Tennessee,” Crossville is home to nine premier golf courses that retirees can make the most of, led by Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain. But the town offers more than its sleek green lawns, and non-golfers will prefer exploring the sprawling Cumberland Mountain State Park. The over 1,700-acre reserve presents countless recreational opportunities, such as hiking, camping, biking, bird watching, and picnicking. 

Meanwhile, the bustling downtown houses bars and wineries that attract a substantial senior population after hours. This is an excellent opportunity for pensioners to meet their peers and make lasting friendships at popular joints like Stonehaus Winery. Crossville has a median housing cost of about $300,000, which is way lower than the national average. Seniors can also access multiple retirement communities, including Dominion Senior Living of Crossville. 

Union City

This small community of about 11,000 lies in Obion County, not too far from the Kentucky border. Union City is full of senior-friendly venues, which makes it the perfect destination for retirees. For one, it has the Discovery Park of America, a museum and heritage park displaying classic cars, trains, dinosaur models, and more. But for pensioners with a penchant for natural pursuits, the Reelfoot National Wildlife Heritage is excellent for birders and houses thousands of migratory species. 

Union City is conveniently cheap for retirees on a budget, with the living cost 4% lower than the state average and almost 14% cheaper than the national average. It also has an over 17% senior population, offering the ideal environment for post-work life. 

Paris

Just like its larger-than-life French counterpart, Paris, Tennessee, is known for the Eiffel Tower, only that this is a small replica of the original landmark in Paris, France. This cute little town in Henry County keeps its senior population young and active with an array of sports opportunities at McNeill Park, including baseball, soccer, football, and softball. Elsewhere, the Family Fun Center presents the ideal atmosphere to spend quality time with grandkids when they come to visit, thanks to kid-friendly entertainment like bowling. 

The community maintains close ties which is very evident at the World’s Biggest Fish Fry festival. Almost 12,500 pounds of catfish are cooked during this week-long extravaganza, featuring fun activities like parades, street dances, rides, and rodeo performances. Retirees will also appreciate the lower living cost in Paris compared to the state and national averages. 

Maryville

Maryville is another modest locality in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains that retirees will find enticing. It has a charming suburban feel with a quaint community of about 32,000 calling it home. Retirees who love to explore the outdoors will love the lush natural surroundings of Bicentennial Greenbelt Park in the middle of downtown. This urban oasis delights with a tranquil atmosphere with lots of shade, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. But if you prefer staying indoors, the Blount County Historical Museum offers a snapshot of the region’s past through interesting artifacts. 

Furthermore, the town is relatively safe and pensioners don’t need to fret constantly about their safety. It reports about 2 crime cases per 1,000 residents and the cost of living is 14% lower than the national average. Maryville is also around 23 minutes from Knoxville, allowing seniors easy access to high-quality health facilities in the bigger city. 

Pigeon Forge

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Tennessee’s crowning jewel, drawing an average of 11.5 million visitors annually. Luckily, Pigeon Forge is just about 20 minutes from Gatlinburg, where the natural wonder is situated. But if you are staying within the town limits, Pigeon Forge excites with diverse family-friendly attractions, such as Dollywood and The Island in Pigeon Forge. Another excellent spot to check out is Old Mill Square, lined with popular cafes, stores, and restaurants, including the Old Mill Restaurant. 

Senior citizens have an easy time moving around the town to access vital services thanks to a reliable mass transit bus system They also enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle with the availability of amenities such as the Wear Farm City Park.  

Bolivar

Although it may not offer the picturesque surroundings of Pigeon Forge, Bolivar is an affordable town suitable for pensioners who don’t want to burn through their savings. The median house value is just over $100,000, offering one of the easiest towns in Tennessee to own a retirement home. Bolivar is also renowned for its unique historic charm, with over 100 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Western State Hospital. A walk through the quiet town streets exposes you to rustic buildings with interesting Italian and Greek architecture. 

Many senior citizens love to gather in the vibrant town square to catch up till late in the evening. The neighborhood hosts different businesses, but its highlight is the Farmers Market on Sundays and Tuesdays. Besides a warm atmosphere, pensioners can shop for all their fresh groceries and other wares.  

Winchester

Almost 20% of the under 10,000 residents in Winchester are 65 years or older, giving it a healthy senior community that newcomers will have no issues fitting into. The town’s chill atmosphere is a welcome reprieve from the crowded Chattanooga, not too far away. One of the best outdoor spots where retirees can be one with nature is Tims Ford State Park, a sprawling space with s slew of scenic nature trails surrounding Tims Ford Lake. Anglers can also enjoy catching the generous population of bass in the lake. 

Winchester hosts several historical landmarks worth checking out, such as the Franklin County courthouse. There are multiple senior living communities in the town to care for the aging population, including the Waters of Winchester.  Meanwhile, the living cost is lower than the national average. 

Dayton

If you plan to stretch your pension and savings after retirement, Dayton offers the perfect atmosphere to achieve this. It is a cheap town with a lower living cost than the national average and the median housing cost is under $300,000. It also boasts a charming natural setting with lush landscapes that you can explore when hiking in the Pocket wilderness. Another must-visit spot for nature lovers is the Laurel Snow State Natural Area, home to scenic creeks, dramatic gorges, and other stunning geological features. The small community of about 7,000 hosts delightful family-friendly attractions suitable for seniors, and the Crystal Lanes Bowling Center is an excellent venue to meet peers. Meanwhile, its close-knit ties are proudly on display during the Tennessee Strawberry Festival, when a carnival atmosphere sweeps through the sleepy town. 

Wrapping Up

Finding the best place to settle after calling time on your career sets the foundation for the quality of life you will have after retirement. Luckily, the small towns in Tennessee have the ideal mix of factors to favor life after retirement, thanks to a rich natural setting, quiet, rural lifestyle, and low cost of living, among others.