Tennessee, known for great music and even better barbecue, isn’t usually one of the places that comes to mind when people think retirement. If you’re getting ready to kiss the workforce goodbye, don’t overlook the Volunteer State. When you consider how affordable housing is and the overall cost of living, you won’t be singing the blues. Throw in relatively mild year-round weather and lots of scenic rolling hills, and you’ve got all the makings of a great retirement spot. CreditDonkey.com recently released a report on the top 10 Tennessee cities with a population of 10,000 or more to retire to. Oak Ridge ranked #1, but one Coffee County town ranked 10th. The cities that made it into the top 10 are the ones that scored the best overall across each of these categories:
• Senior Population
• Housing
• Income
• Recreation
• Healthcare/social assistance
Even though it comes in at number ten, Tullahoma scored the best in terms of its low ratio of people to healthcare providers. Nearly 19,000 people live in the city and almost 18% are over 65. There are several parks and historical sites to explore, as well as a dedicated senior recreation center.
Population Over 65: 17.6%
Multi-unit Housing Structures: 19.6%
Median Household Income 65 and Over: $30,615
People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,561.6
People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 140.9
