1. Low Cost of living

• Utilities - TVA Dam System
  • Utilities in East Tennessee are relatively cheap because of the non-profit Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which provides wholesale electricity at competitive rates to local power companies, allowing them to offer low retail rates to customers
• Natural Gas
  • Relatively low considering other parts of the state 
• No state income tax
  • Sales tax is around 9.5%
• Property Taxes
  • 25% ratio lower compared to states like New York, Illinois, and other states where home values are higher
• Groceries 
  • Access to more farm to table food

2. Strong Job market

• Education - University of Tennessee, ETSU, City and County Schools
• Government Contractors - Eastman, Y12 and Oak Ridge complex, BAE
• Healthcare - Covenant and Ballad Health
• Service Industry - Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge IE Dollywood

3.  Outdoor Recreation

• Rivers 
• Lakes
  • Norris Lake / Norris Reservoir
  • Douglas Lake (Douglas Reservoir)
  • Cherokee Lake (Cherokee Reservoir)
  • Boone Lake
  • Watauga Lake
  • South Holston Lake
  • Patrick Henry Lake (part of Warriors’ Path State Park)
• Top state parks in East Tennessee 
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • South Cumberland State Park (including Fiery Gizzard Trail & Savage Gulf)
  • Norris Dam State Park & Norris Lake
  • Frozen Head State Park
  • Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
  • Closer to Johnson City
    • Buffalo Mountain Park (Johnson City, TN)
    • Winged Deer Park (Johnson City, TN)
    • Bay Mountain Park (Kingsport, TN)
    • Roan Mountain State Park (Roan Mountain, TN)
    • Warriors' Path State Park (Kingsport, TN)

4. Lifestyle and Community

1. Community Festivals & Fairs

• The Appalachian Fair (Gray, TN): Every August, families come for rides, livestock shows, funnel cakes, and concerts.
• Fun Fest (Kingsport, TN): A week of concerts, hot air balloons, and family events in July.
• Jonesborough Days: Celebrating Independence Day with parades, crafts, and fireworks in Tennessee’s oldest town.

2. Outdoor Adventures Made Easy

• Buffalo Mountain & Tweetsie Trail: Kid-friendly hiking and biking with amazing views.
• Roan Mountain State Park: Splash in cool creeks, see the rhododendron gardens, and camp under the stars.
• Warriors’ Path State Park (Kingsport): Features a “boundless playground” built for children of all abilities, plus trails and a lake for fishing and paddling.

3. Lakeside Family Fun

• Boone Lake & Watauga Lake: Swimming, tubing, boating, and lakeside picnics in summer.
• South Holston Lake: Known for fishing and fireworks shows on the water during the Fourth of July.

4. Sports & Local Traditions

• Friday Night Lights: High school football at Science Hill, Dobyns-Bennett, or Elizabethton—whole families go together, and the kids run around while parents catch up.
• Minor League Baseball: The Johnson City Doughboys (Appalachian League) offer affordable games with food, fun, and fireworks nights.

5. Hands-On History & Learning

• Hands On! Discovery Center at Gray Fossil Site: Science and history museum where kids can dig into fossils and interactive exhibits.
• Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park: Living history events and reenactments bring Revolutionary War history alive in a family-friendly way.
• Birthplace of Country Music Museum (Bristol): Interactive exhibits let kids learn about the roots of American music.

5. Climate 

• 4 seasons 
  • Crisp falls, snowy mountain winters, blooming springs, and warm lake-filled summers give you variety without extreme weather.
• Mountain Protection
• The Appalachian Mountains act as a shield against extreme weather.
• They block the harshest cold fronts from the north and some of the most intense heat waves from the south.
• Result: Winters are milder than places further north, and summers aren’t as brutally hot as the Deep South.

• Four Distinct but Moderate Seasons
  • Spring: Blooms everywhere (dogwoods, rhododendrons, redbuds), with mild temps.
  • Summer: Warm enough for lake days and outdoor festivals, but usually cooler than Georgia or Alabama thanks to elevation.
    
  • Fall: Crisp mornings, pleasant afternoons, and world-famous mountain foliage.
  • Winter: Light snow in the valleys, heavier snow in the higher elevations like Roan Mountain—enough for variety but not overwhelming.
• Lower Humidity (Compared to the Deep South)
  • While summers can be humid, it’s nothing like the sticky conditions of coastal or Deep South states.
  • Elevation in areas like Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Greeneville keeps things more comfortable.
• Fewer Natural Disasters
  • No hurricanes (blocked by the mountains and distance from the coast).
  • Tornadoes are far less common than in central/southern plains.
  • Earthquakes and wildfires are rare and typically small in scale.

Ready to take the first step?

Text me at 423-393-9519 or email me at [email protected]!