From Metro Storage:
February 15, 2022 | Moving
If you’re looking for a state full of southern charm, a low cost of living, beautiful natural landscapes, and you love southern comfort food, then moving to Tennessee could be the best decision of your life. For all of these reasons and more, people enjoy living in Tennessee.
From Memphis to Nashville and Chattanooga to Gatlinburg, 6.8 million people call Tennessee home. Every region offers a unique, vibrant culture that attracts people from all over the country to move here.
Read on to learn why so many people enjoy living in Tennessee and why you might want to call the Volunteer State home, too.
Explore Tennessee by Region
As the 16th smallest state in the country, Tennessee is only 127-miles wide from north to south and about 440 miles long from east to west. So no matter where you choose to live in Tennessee, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the state has to offer.
Interestingly, Tennessee is legally divided into three grand divisions recognizing the regional differences between East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee.
West Tennessee
Think of West Tennessee as the Home of the Blues, Elvis Presley, and Rock n’ Roll So, you’ve probably already guessed the most well-known city in west Tennessee is Memphis. Other large cities in West Tennessee include Jackson and Shiloh.
Middle Tennessee
The most popular city to visit in all of Tennessee is Nashville. Located in Middle Tennessee, Nashville is known as Music City, home of country, rock music, and everything in between.
Also located in Middle Tennessee is the historic town of Franklin. People love living in Franklin because it offers a sense of small-town charm that never gets boring. Moreover, Franklin is only minutes away from its vibrant neighbor, Nashville.
East Tennessee
The largest cities located in East Tennessee include Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Bristol. Here, you’ll find the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the country’s most visited national parks. Dollywood is located in East Tennessee, as is the famous Ruby Falls, a 145-foot underground waterfall!
Keep in mind that Tennessee’s climate varies from east to west. For example, northeastern Tennessee experiences more snow due to its mountain terrain and lower temperatures. In Nashville, the summers are hot with high humidity, and the winters are very cold and wet. However, overall Tennessee is considered to have a mild climate year-round while still enjoying four distinct seasons.
Enjoy a Lower Cost of Living in Tennessee
Simply put, you get more bang for your buck in Tennessee. According to the latest research, Tennessee is the sixth most affordable U.S. state to live in. On an index where the national average cost of living is 100, Tennessee scores an 88.5, making it significantly more affordable than other U.S. states.
Low Tax Burden
When compared to other states, Tennessee is one of the few that touts no state income taxes. There are no property taxes in some parts of the state, but be aware property taxes can be locally determined and collected. If you plan to relocate or start a business, Tennessee also offers a variety of business-friendly tax credits to new and expanding companies.
Tennessee Attracts Retirees
Because the state enjoys a moderate climate, the number of retirees moving to Tennessee grows every day. A study conducted by Bankrate found Tennessee to be the third best state in the U.S. for retirees and the most affordable. Its low cost of living, small tax burden, and pleasant weather are a few of the many reasons retired people move to Tennessee.
Locals Love to Visit Tennessee’s Adventure and Theme Parks
There is no shortage of adventure and theme parks in Tennessee. Despite its deep musical history, Tennessee has more entertainment to offer than music alone. There are numerous choices for recreational activities that the whole family can enjoy, and you’ll never have to drive far in Tennessee to find a fun-filled adventure. Here are just a few highlights:
Dollywood
Dolly Parton, a Tennessee native, helped open Dollywood near where she grew up in the Smoky Mountains. Since then, the park has become a national treasure, ranking one of the top 50 most attended theme parks worldwide. Open May through September, this East Tennessee adventure park is another reason why so many people enjoy living in Tennessee.
The Island of Pigeon Forge
Families looking for affordable fun need look no further. Tennessee already ranks as one of the states with the lowest cost of living in the country, and The Island in Pigeon Forge is no exception and one of its other many perks. This family-oriented shopping and entertainment complex also features a 200-foot observation wheel offering the best view of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland
SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville bills itself as the nation’s first truly upscale indoor/outdoor resort water attraction. Encompassing 9-acres, the waterpark features living walls, ambient music, indoor gardens, and waterways. Small and medium slides are for the kiddos, or visitors can learn to surf or float down the lazy river.
There is little arguing that Tennessee would be a great state to call home for anyone seeking adventures and urban conveniences to rural peacefulness.
Quality of Life in Tennessee
Quality of life is essential when choosing where to live. Overall, people enjoy living in Tennessee because it checks many boxes—a good job market, affordable housing options, and plentiful outdoor recreational activities like fishing, hiking, camping, and visiting historical landmarks.
However, perhaps the biggest reasons people enjoy living in Tennessee are the state’s attributes. Its natural beauty, mild climate, and exciting urban experiences are all within easy reach.
We covered affordability and how Tennessee’s housing prices and cost of living rank below the national average. Additionally, moving to Tennessee can trim your overall tax burden depending on where you’re moving from and is why many retirees add Tennessee and Florida to their list of the best places to retire.
Job Market
Tennessee’s significant employers include a wide variety of companies in the health care, transportation, music and entertainment, banking, and finance industries. Moreover, several Fortune 500 companies call Tennessee home, such as Nissan, Ford, Verizon Wireless, and FedEx.
Other major employers located in or near Nashville include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, and Electrolux Home Products North America, to name just a few.
Education
Like any state, primary and secondary education options vary by city. For example, Tennessee families can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and of course, homeschooling.
After years of hard work, students have several choices for higher education. Tennessee is home to nineteen colleges and universities, too, including the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Belmont University in Nashville, and renowned Vanderbilt University also in Nashville.
