8 Best Places To Retire In Tennessee

Choosing a retirement destination involves more than just finding an affordable spot; it’s about discovering a place that offers comfort, community, and access to essential amenities. For many retirees, the ideal location features beautiful landscapes, a welcoming sense of belonging, a wealth of recreational opportunities, and quality healthcare services. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and friendly atmosphere, the Volunteer State presents various options for those looking to enjoy their golden years.

Below are some of the best places to retire in Tennessee, each selected for its unique appeal to retirees and its overall quality of life. From picturesque cities with vibrant cultures to lively towns with rich histories, these destinations provide the perfect backdrop for a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement.

Collinwood

Pensioners who start a new life chapter in Collinwood do so for its close-knit ties and Southern hospitality. The tiny town emerged as a station on the Tennessee Western Railroad 153 miles from Memphis, and newcomers can get familiar with its backstory at the Wayne County Welcome Center. This warm facility also accords a befitting reception as they start a new life in Collinwood. Residents indulge in fun, low-impact recreation at Ralph Hughes City Park. It has a serene atmosphere with crucial amenities where seniors can picnic, lazy walk, play sports, relax, and people-watch.

Elsewhere, the Senior Citizens of Collinwood offer critical programs, including social trips with peers, warm meals, and recreational trips designed to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Lastly, buying a home in Collinwood is not out of reach, given that the median price is $234,800.

Church Hill

Beyond its relatively affordable cost of home-owning at $263,300, Church Hill promises retirees a chance to remain active in their golden years through its welcoming green areas. Its 400-acre Laurel Run Park ensures complete outdoor immersion, with 37 miles of trails beckoning hikers and walkers to stretch their legs as picnickers and campers revel in the shaded nature spots dotting the reserve. Furthermore, residents can take it easy during their free time outside at the Bays Mountain Golf Club. This 9-hole course, with terrific surroundings, is a go-to for golfers of all skill levels.

Pensioners benefit from the Church Hill Senior Citizen Center through an array of services, including meal plans, transportation, and socialization within their age group, resulting in a sense of belonging and fulfillment. Lastly, the Church Hill Swimming Pool allows for family-friendly gatherings where all ages enjoy aquatic fun fueled by cordial interactions and a reason to laugh.

Oliver Springs

Oliver Springs promises seniors a best-of-both-worlds scenario where they live in a rural setting with small-town appeal yet easily access city conveniences in neighboring Knoxville, just 30 miles away. The public often gathers at Windrock Park Campground for various activities, from biking and trekking to picnicking and camping. Arrowhead Park provides the perfect alternative with a more family-friendly feel. Seniors can head there to harness its ¼-mile walking pathway, pavilion, and baseball fields.

Away from the open areas, downtown Oliver Springs impresses with a cluster of quaint local businesses that allow for cordial interactions. Blackbird Hollow and Co. invites residents for a casual shopping experience. Also, a home in Oliver Springs typically costs around $275,000.

Camden

Camden's low cost of living is a good reason retirees would start a fresh chapter here. Its average home price of $225,000 is lower than the Tennessee average. The town provides multiple low-impact recreation options for seniors who love to stay active. Golf aficionados can play low-key rounds at Magic Valley Golf Club and enjoy the views across its 118-acre property. Meanwhile, Daylight Gallery invites them to try a new hobby, where they can get hands-on experience in cooking, handmaking crafts, and other engrossing skills.

The West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital has a 25-bed capacity and provides primary medical care for patients with heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Finally, the Benton Senior Citizen Center organizes craft classes, meals, exercise classes, and other social programs for the community's pensioners.

Algood

Algood presents one of the best places to retire in Tennessee if you prefer peace and isolation in your sunset years 86 miles east of Nashville. This tiny, close-knit community of about 4,000 appreciates friendly interactions and kindness towards strangers. A sense of camaraderie culminates from cordial social interactions enabled by the Algood Community Center, where townspeople meet and mingle with their counterparts during fun activities. Also, the Algood Senior Citizens Center ensures a sense of purpose and belonging among the aging population by organizing daily fun activities, such as workouts, games, meals, and health checks.

Retirees with an affinity for outdoor adventure can travel one hour to form downtown access Center Hill Lake. This picturesque oasis, with a secluded environment, is perfect for laid-back swimming, boating, fishing, and other water-based recreation. A home here will cost you around $329,900.

Erwin

Erwin’s picturesque natural scenery features the calm waters of the Nolichucky River and its green banks. This is an invitation to immerse in adrenaline-filled river-based adventure, including whitewater rafting, courtesy of USA Raft Adventure Resort. The town provides several community centers where residents converge and interact during fun activities. The Rock Creek Recreation Area is an excellent example, serving as a hub for campers, hikers, and swimmers of all ages in Erwin. Meanwhile, the Unicoi County Family YMCA allows all residents access to crucial facilities, including a swimming pool, sauna, and basketball.

Thanks to the Clinchfield Senior Center, pensioners don't feel neglected in their later years. The essential facility provides healthy living and social well-being resources through daily lunches, fitness sessions, medical examinations, and peer-based socialization. At the expense of $340,000, Erwin comes across a decent town on a budget.

Waynesboro

With less than 3,000 permanent residents, Waynesboro has quintessential small-town flair, which lures senior citizens with the prospect of an ideal retirement hub. Furthermore, it is awash with recreational opportunities, starting at the Crazy Horse Recreational Park. Set on the scenic banks of the Buffalo River, the area offers access to rapids and waterfalls for wild rafting and canoeing expeditions. But for a more solemn, fun activity, residents enjoy lowkey golf at the Waynesboro Municipal Golf Club.

Seniors who require health assistance can look to the Wayne Medical Center, which has served the town for over 50 years. Lastly, buying a home in Waynesboro attracts an average price tag of around $229,700.

Dayton

This relaxed borough of Rhea County was designed for outdoorsy seniors. Given its beautiful natural surroundings, residents take advantage of hiking activities across Pocket Wilderness. The park has multiple easy-to-moderate trails that expose trekkers to exquisite waterfall vistas. Elsewhere, the Swinging Bridge Park is better suited for lazy walks and unassuming picnics. The area features a pedestrian-only trail leading to a wooden suspension bridge and a cozy picnic shelter shielded from the noise.

Residents of all ages can access essential sports, wellness, and health programs at the Rhea County Community Center, a delight with many facilities. For seniors, group exercise, swimming lessons, and adult sports are among the activities that prove handy for their overall well-being. With $359,000 required to purchase a property, the average hovers around the median of the United States.

Finding Your Retirement Haven in Tennessee

Tennessee boasts an array of destinations ideal for retirees seeking a fulfilling and comfortable lifestyle. From the stunning enclaves in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to the vibrant communities near bustling cities, each location provides unique opportunities for recreation, social engagement, and relaxation. With an emphasis on quality healthcare and a strong sense of community, retirees can truly thrive in these top places to retire in Tennessee. Whether you’re drawn to the serene countryside or the lively urban scene, the Volunteer State has the perfect place for you.