BusinessTN

People looking at Tennessee as a place to live after retirement list reasons ranging from affordable housing to a four-season climate not found in traditional retirement havens such as Florida. The state's tax structure doesn't hurt, either. "Many people choose to retire to Tennessee because there's no state income tax," says Karin Miller with AARP
of Tennessee.

As the program manager for a new state initiative to recruit retirees, Ramay Winchester relies on the
unique qualities of communities throughout the state to appeal to a new generation of retirees looking to do anything but settle down. She says the state's lack of income tax is certainly an incentive, but judging from the inquiries into the Retire Tennessee program, the state is moving up as a destination thanks to its thriving neighborhoods.

"Many retirees seek out vibrant main street communities with viable downtowns," Winchester says.

And once retirees move to an area, they provide a significant economic benefit. "Statistics say retirees who move to the community spend a majority of their money there," Winchester says. "About 80-90% of expendable income is spent locally."

The following is a look at some of the top places to retire in Tennessee. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or ranked qualitatively; rather, it is a snapshot of the innovative ways in which communities are reaching out to retirees with varied interests and personalities.

Crossville:

Most Likely to Be Found Golfing
With eleven golf courses within its borders, Crossville has branded itself as the golf capital of Tennessee. Its average summer temperature of 72 degrees makes it easy for golfers to stay outside.

"I would say golf is in the top five reasons people retire here," says Jeanny Davenport, information coordinator for the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. "We've got a really active retirement bunch, and a lot are young—40s, 50s through 60s. Golf is one of our top attractions, right up there with tax structure and climate."

Davenport says many of the city's retirees come from northern states, including New York, Michigan and Illinois. She also finds, however, that many who initially left northern homes for Florida are now finding their way to Tennessee because they missed having a four-season climate.

"Cumberland County has been working to attract retirees for more than 30 years," Davenport says. "We have a large retirement resort, Fairfield Glade (pop. 8,000), and we have another place called Lake Tansi."

At the same time, Davenport is quick to point out employment opportunities. "Jobs are available for retirees who are not quite ready to stop working," she says.

Smyrna:

Affordable Access to City Life
Just 25 minutes from downtown Nashville's entertainment venues, the median price for a home in this town of 38,000 people is just $145,000.

"It's easy access to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and other venues, but it is still a small town in which you can walk down the street and people will speak to you, even if they don't know you," says Mark O'Neal, town manager. "Retirees really enjoy that about our town."

O'Neal says Smyrna's central location in the United States is ideal for many, especially if they have grandchildren. He says retirees are coming from the Northeast, as well as from western Texas and California.

Many come in search of a more diverse population. "Probably the biggest thing we offer is a good, diverse community as far as age groups and ethnic backgrounds are concerned," O'Neal says. "That creates a really strong community for retirees. They do not want to feel like it's just a retirement community. They want to know it's vibrant and that there are young families and amenities. You get that mix of wisdom and youthful vigor that makes a great community."

Bristol-Kingsport:

An Outdoor Sanctuary for the Cultural Enthusiast
Walk! magazine ranked Kingsport the number one walking city in the U.S., while Country Home magazine put the Bristol/Kingsport metro area at number 32 on its list of the best green cities in the country.

"One of the things people don't realize is that we have more than a half-million people, so it's an urban area, but with plenty of green space and a walkable downtown," says Jeanette Scalf, director of special projects for NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership for Economic Development. "We have the amenities that most people desire."

Scalf says those amenities include access to theatre and universities, and, as a bonus to retirees with grandchildren, "between 70-80% of the nation's population can be reached within a day's travel from Bristol/Kingsport."

One of the cities' target demographics has been people exiting the military. Scalf says this population in particular brings with it an influx of skilled labor that the community needs. Scalf says they're also actively recruiting Boomer retirees.

"We're talking with people in their early 40s through 60s. Those in the northeastern
U.S. and the D.C. area are the main targets," Scalf says.

Savannah:

Taking Pride in Main Street
Within a two-block area, this certified Main Street community boasts a museum, restaurant, art gallery, historic courthouse and historic theatre, as well as boutique clothing stores. All of this is connected by a walking trail through downtown apartments and a historic homes district.

"Main Street Savannah is our official name," says Rachel Baker with Team Hardin County. "We take pride in bringing people back downtown to create memories with children and grandchildren."

Baker says many of the city's retirees start out as tourists but "fall in love" with the natural beauty and the people.

"Of course, the boomers have started to retire, and with the boomer generation being the largest in history, we're seeing a lot of people looking at retirement younger—some looking to invest in retirement property as young as 35," she says. "The boomers are a very entrepreneurial group, so they may be retiring from one job but starting another. They may move into a community and start a new business."

Clarksville:

Welcoming Patriots Home
The Ft. Campbell area is home to almost 93,000 retirees and their families. Many find their way to Clarksville for retirement because they were stationed there at some point in their military careers. Sally Martino, the military and government affairs coordinator for the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce, is among that group.

"My husband served 24 years. We were stationed at Ft. Campbell three different times during his career," Martino says. "The communities on both sides [of the state line]—Clarksville and Hopkinsville, Ky.—are very supportive of the military. That's why we decided to retire here. It might sound cliche, but the community is your extended family."

A museum at Ft. Campbell honors troops who served in the 101st Airborne. Funds are being raised now for a new Wings of Liberty Museum that will bring the facility collection up to date.
This past April, the chamber sponsored the first annual Warrior Week, with week-long activities for active and retired military, along with their families. Downtown eateries had half-price lunches for military personnel, and local salons and spas offered discounted services. The week culminated with the Rivers and Spires Festival, a yearly event that originated when troops returned from the first war in Iraq.

For retirees who would prefer quieter options, Martino suggests passing the time hunting, boating or fishing at Land Between the Lakes, about 45 minutes away on the Kentucky side.