So my PD sent out a list of all 50 states sales taxes (if applicable), if pensions are taxed, social security taxed, etc. and we are thinking about retiring to TN in about ten years. Yes, I know that's a bit far off yet, but since we don't really know anyone down there, or have working knowledge of the different areas; starting next year we are going to try and scout out a few cites/towns each year so we can be informed. TN is attractive as its a red state, not too far from IN (where I live now) , pensions aren't taxed and trying to get away from the brutal winters.
So far just from looking on the net, I like the burb's south of Nashville; Spring Hill, Franklin and she wants to possibly be closer to Knoxville. We want to be in a mid sized city/town (maybe 20K-90K people) +/-, that is close to amenities; hospitals, shopping etc., without having to travel 30 mins to get to civilization. Also areas with a Mopar club close by would be a plus! Figured I'd ask here since we have folks down south. Really don't want to be super close to high crime areas; As an LEO I know crime is everywhere, but right now, I live about 20 mins from Gary, IN. and I'm about fed up with the shenanigans that emanate from that area. Any recommendation on towns we should look at would be appreciated!

Knoxville and Chattanooga would be high on my list. You might look north and east of Memphis, Germantown and Collierville on the east, Mumford and Atoka to the north, mebbe Jackson? To me Nashville is a metromess (like D/FW) that's growing like a weed. What was nearby and rural / small won't be for long I think.

Thank you! Will add to the list and check them out.

If you or your wife have Facebook, there are a couple of groups on there regarding relocating. Individuals as well as relators providing info.

(if you don't do facebook, just ignore my post).

Try to make it to Moparty next year in Bowling Green, KY. It’s just a little north of Nashville so it’s a good opportunity to check out the area.
I know some people who’ve moved to Nashville, and some natives. The traffic is getting bad there from everyone moving there I hear.

Yes we are both very much on FaceBook. Thanks for the heads up! I'll search those groups!

That's not a bad idea Brad, but don't wanna leave the car unattended while I'm out and about. We plan on taking trips down 3-4 days at a time to scout out areas.

OK....here's a group regarding East Tennessee. I follow them out of curiosity as I love Gatlinburg. >>>> EastTennessee Linky (its a 'private' group. You should be able to see the posts, just not comment).

Good luck!

I've been thinking the same - even started looking at homes near Chatanooga. One of my buddies & his family moved there a little over a year ago - his wife had a job transfer that necessitated they move there. They love it so far, & I've been keeping an eye on their weather there. WAY more mild than Michigan - I think I could handle that climate much better than here. Only thing keeping us here now is friends that we would hate to leave. My family now consists of a brother in PA. My wife has sisters left here now, but I think she could move away.

Anyway, to our TN. members here, what do y'all think about Chatanooga area?

My wife and I had friends that moved from frozen,Iowa To the Eddyville Ky. area. Lovely country! Unfortunately,my friend passed away a few years ago. His wife and kids still live iin the area.

Nice area to look at is the Dandridge area ... just east of Knoxville.

Thank you! Will add that to the wife's list for Knoxville area.

Much of that city is on Douglas Lake !

And near Sevierville .. LOTS of car stuff there !

i was going to post a similar post to this a few days ago, you beat me to it, we are looking at a move to central tennessee also, i have not been there since 1992, im sure it has changed considerably, we will be going in april to have a look see, its funny the reason we want out of so cal is the people, politics and geographical location and the reason we are looking at central tennessee is the people, politics and geographical location, go figure.

Both Nashville and Knoxville each have really good Mopar clubs. Music City Mopars in Nashville, and East Tennessee Mopars in Knoxville. Both clubs put on a nice show every year. Dandridge and White Pine area that Doc mentioned are both close to the lake if you like to be near the water. Clarksville is about an hour NW of Nashville, and was a nice area last time I was there. It is a military/college town that is home to Ft. Campbell Army base, and Austin Peay State University. Good luck to you....and have fun in your search.

Amen to that. Cali in general is a mess right now.

Thank you for the info! Will look at those as well.

Its happening a lot. My employer for my second job of the last 20 years just bailed in New Jersey this year, an impending millionaire tax here factored in as well. his farm estate, two major buildings in the town, several other houses, a horse farm, and some empty lots all up for grabs. Moved his business to Nashville. Thanks NJ, i just lost a lot of income.

Every time I have been down to Tennessee I have really enjoyed it, I don't blame him one bit.

I am going just south of the Kentucky border north of Nashville so I can still be close enough to the midwest Mopar shows and far enough south to get away from the major weather. I want to be close to Bowling Green, KY also. I have friends in Franklin and Spring Hill, both expensive places to live, especially real estate! I am not like you though, I don't want to live close to a metro area anymore, give me acreage and as little other people around as possible!

Lived in TN all my life. Like JD said Knoxville and Nashville both have great Mopar clubs and great shows. We live on up in the north east corner of TN in Kingsport. Kingsport is part of the Tri-Cities area of the state. Kingsport / Johnson City / Bristol. Between the 3 cities there is probably 150-200000 people spread out over a roughly 40 mile radius. If you like that kind of stuff Bristol has the NASCAR track. There is lots of scenic stuff in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Mountains. Lots of great people. Not to much going on in the car scene few cruise-ins, there is a Mopar show at Bristol Motor Speedway but it isn't much. If you want to be near a larger city Murfreesboro is south east on Nashville. I have some very good friends that live there. To me the Nashville area gets more than its fair share of rough weather in rain and tornadoes. Knoxville is a bit less of a bad weather prone area. The Cumberland Plateau helps shield it some from what Nashville gets but it can happen anywhere. Dandridge and White Pine also Morristown are near Knoxville. They are also near Sevierville / Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg / Smokey Mountains which are all kind of touristy areas but lots of stuff to do. No state income tax, property tax is generally low in most areas of the state, but sales tax is high, in my area of the state it is generally 9.5% but some areas of the state it is as high as 11%. No vehicle inspections at this point, some areas do have emissions testing. Car tags veries by county, some counties have wheel tax that about double the price of tags. Cost of living is generally pretty low depending on where you look at. All in all I really like living in TN and you probably can't go wrong with any part of the state you choose. Just really depends on what you are looking for.