Retirees flock to Tennessee for low taxes, more mild climate

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — For decades, Florida has been the top spot for retirees to spend their golden years. The tide is turning now to landlocked Tennessee and other areas that are part of Southern Appalachia.

Baby boomers are trading in the sunshine for four seasons, but that’s not the only reason retirees are flocking to our neck of the woods.

Randy and Laura Zimnowski enjoy their retirement, even something as simple as making avocado toast together.

The fun-loving couple, originally from the Northeast, moved to the sprawling Tellico Village community in Loudon County after a disappointing start to their retirement in Florida.

“Housing became more expensive, insurances became more expensive, when hurricanes came through, all of your insurances started to double,” Randy said. “People are having a hard time even making payments for insurance.”

“The heat in the summertime just got to me,” Laura continued. “I spent more time inside in the air conditioner and I thought, ‘in the north I’m inside in the winter, might as well do the same.’ But it just wasn’t the same because I did miss the seasons.”

It was their regular drives on I-75 while on vacation that peaked their interest in making Loudon County their home.

“I said to Randy, ‘this reminds me of Pennsylvania where I grew up, because the rolling hills are beautiful and the change of seasons,” Laura said.

“Having had the opportunity to come here after all these years,” Randy said, “it’s just been marvelous.”

The Zimnowskis are certainly not alone. Staff at Tellico Village said a significant number of retirees are choosing Tennessee over Florida. As head of Marketing and Communications for Tellico Village, Beth Kuberka keeps a close eye on the numbers.

“Florida has always been in our top five for at least the last five years,” she said. “Last year, specifically, 13.7 percent of all the people that came to Tellico Village moved from Florida. That’s pretty substantial.”

She said our area fits the four pillars people consider when deciding where to retire: cost of living, having four distinct seasons, friendly people, and proximity to other places.

The Zimnowskis are grateful to live in an area close enough to their grandchildren in the Midwest for regular visits and have become immersed in everything Tellico Village has to offer.

But what is the state doing to handle the population boom and people who need housing but can’t afford a Tellico Village setting? Homes start at $400,000 and climb into the millions.

The Advance Knox Plan, designed to slow rising housing prices , limit urban sprawl and preserve the beauty that makes our area so appealing, just went into effect May 1.

The State’s 2024 Economic Report conceded affordable housing will continue to be a challenge in the Knoxville area.

An what about all of the added traffic? The Transportation Modernization Act is investing 3.3 billion to address congestion and other needs in rural and urban communities.

The Zimnowskis are glad they could make the move to Tennessee just ahead of the current trend. They left Florida as prices were rising there and housing was still affordable here.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Laura said, “I still like Florida. I like to go visit, but I’m glad we moved.”
“This is like heaven,” Randy laughed. “There’s no question about it.”

You know you’re in the right place when just enjoying a simple breakfast in the sun room brings joy.

The appeal of Loudon County has put it in the top ten fastest growing Tennessee counties, according to the Tennessee State Data Center.

Tennessee as a whole is among the highest in the nation for a spike in population. 90 of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported growth in 2023. That’s up from the year before, when 81 of the state’s counties reported an increase in the number of people moving there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.