(BPT) – More and more baby boomers are migrating to the South chasing affordability, a moderate climate and beautiful scenery. According to the 2021 U-Haul Growth Index Tennessee ranks third as the most moved-to state in the country and was the number one moved-to state in 2020. Tennessee is especially popular with retirees. Tellico Village, an active senior living community in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reported an approximately 80% increase in new home construction in 2021 as people moved to this scenic, lakefront community.
The Village surveyed its residents to find out why. These are their top five reasons:
1. Beauty, Scenery and Aesthetic Appeal
The number one reason people chose to move to Tellico Village is the beautiful scenery. The community sits on 4,800 breathtaking acres along the shore of Tellico Lake, part of the Tennessee River system. With the Smoky Mountains as its backdrop, the village is surrounded by extraordinary beauty – lush green landscape, rolling hills and mountains, and one of the cleanest lakes in East Tennessee.
2. Affordability/Cost of Living
With no state income tax and the sixth lowest cost of living nationwide, the number two reason people are moving to this area is the affordable cost of living. A recent Bankrate study named Tennessee the third best state to retire in in 2021. The study ranks Tennessee number one in affordability, due to below-average living costs and low taxes.
3. Wide Range of Amenities
Retirees today are no longer looking for a quiet place to be taken care of in their senior years, but rather an active next chapter, as baby boomers are living longer, active lives. Tellico Village offers a full range of amenities including state-of-the-art recreational and wellness facilities, three award-winning golf courses with restaurants, a yacht club, walking and hiking trails, pools, boating, sports and more. From water activities, pickleball, tennis and general fitness to many other physical activity preferences, a myriad of amenities are offered without the need to travel outside the Village.
4. Temperate Weather
With moderate winters, warm summers and beautiful changing seasons, weather is the fourth reason people are choosing to call Tellico Village and Tennessee home. Winter lows in January are just under freezing and highs in July in summer are 88 degrees. Whereas Florida historically ranked as the top spot for retirees, many are tiring of the excessive heat and humidity and want to avoid extreme weather like hurricanes. Tennessee doesn’t see hurricanes, destructive earthquakes or frequent blizzards; and rarely experiences highly destructive tornadoes or wildfires, making it an ideal place to live.
5. Convenience to Healthcare and Hospitals
Health care is an important factor when considering where to retire. There are many nationally recognized healthcare providers within minutes of Tellico Village. There is a hospital 15 minutes away and a medical center within the Village. Various specialists are available to consult with Village patients throughout the week. Within a 45-minute drive in Knoxville is the University of Tennessee Medical Center, a leading research and training hospital and level one trauma center. Knoxville is also home to the renowned Thompson Cancer Survival Center.
Tellico Village also provides a wide range of services for older seniors including independent living and assisted living with 24-hour nursing and memory/Alzheimer’s care.
6. Social Opportunities and Vibrant Community
Tied for the fifth reason people chose to move to Tellico Village is the social aspect of the community. Baby boomers have more time on their hands and want to fill it with an active social calendar including recreational, social and volunteer opportunities. There are clubs and groups for every passion at Tellico Village, be it creative, athletic or intellectual. Volunteerism is involved in all aspects of Village life. One of the many ways new people become ingrained in the fabric of the community is to participate in the Village’s hundreds of clubs, learning opportunities, volunteer organizations and churches that serve Tellico Village.
As 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day, they’re looking for a fulfilling next chapter. Boomers are more educated, wealthier and living longer than past generations. Tellico Village is the ideal place to live to enjoy the best years of life.