Have you noticed people are moving to East Tennessee? East Tennessee is growing in popularity for several reasons. In 2021, East Tennessee boasted 3 of the 5 fastest growing cities with Johnson City, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. More than twice as many people moved into these cities as moved out. Gatlinburg was rated by Trip Advisor as the #1 travel destination in the United States and #5 in the WORLD! Here are some of the top reasons why more people are finding a way to make East Tennessee home:

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The National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some of the best views, hiking, driving, and wildlife in the United States! It is 800 miles of undisturbed beauty. Gatlinburg alone is home to 45 hiking trails rated “moderate” that all ages can enjoy. If you don’t like hiking, then you can drive! Spend your day driving the Cades Cove Scenic Trail where you will find wildlife all around you and have access to a moderate hike to Abrams Falls, the fastest flowing waterfall in the Smoky Mountains!  

Seasonally, the Smokies offer things to do that few areas can compete with. Wildflowers, camping, black bears, motor trails, synchronous fireflies, breathtaking views and waterfalls! If you haven’t visited the Smokies before, you can see why so many people are starting to call this place home! 

No State Income Tax

Tennessee is one of only 9 states that have ZERO state income tax! Here in Sevier County, we enjoy no state income tax as well as extremely low property taxes! In fact, we have some of the lowest property taxes around! Currently in Sevier County, the averaged tax assessment on a property is around $1,000 for the year! In Sevier County, most of our tax revenue comes from a sales tax of 9.75%. 7% of which goes to the state of Tennessee, 1.5% goes to the Sevier County School System, and 1.25% goes to the city of Sevierville.

The Weather

Do you enjoy changes with each season? Then you will love East Tennessee! Spring flowers, clear summer skies, beautiful fall colors, and sometimes we even get a white Christmas! The Smokies has it all! One of the things that makes the Smokies so appealing as a vacation area is how long our “dry” season is. A “wet” day is considered any day in which .04 or more inches of precipitation falls. In 2020, nearly 9 months of the year was a “dry” day! The Smokies are beautiful and you will have plenty of time to see all they have to offer!

The Communities

East Tennessee is a growing area that is proud of its heritage and the values that have been passed down through generations. Each community offers different opportunities depending on your goals. For instance, Sevier County is made up of 6 main communities, all of which are close geographically but very distinct in what they offer. Check out each community and what they offer below!

Family Fun

East Tennessee is full of fun things to do for all members of the family! University of Tennessee Athletics, Dollywood, The National Park, live shows & attractions, incredible food – we truly have it all! If you are planning to visit East Tennessee and don’t know where you should spend your time, check out this blog article on the best places for families to visit in the Smoky Mountains!

Ultimately, spend a few minutes driving down the Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Parkways and you will find enough family friendly attractions to last you multiple vacations to the Smoky Mountains.

Investment Opportunities

How often would you visit the Smokies if all it cost was your time and travel to get here? Thousands of people have figured out that you can have a vacation home in the Smokies and STILL have a real estate investment that makes you thousands of dollars a year! Check out this infographic to see an example of how one of our clients’ 4 bedroom is performing this year!

There are a number of factors that can influence the value of a property and its rental potential. Location, views, amenities, proximity to the Parkway and National Park, and overall build quality are just some of the examples. In 2021, we have seen a massive spike in demand for cabins in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge that are close to the Parkway, and cabins with indoor pools! Follow those links to see ones that are currently on the market.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is all about perspective. If you have lived in East Tennessee for very long, then you probably feel as if affordable housing is a thing of the past. From 2020 to 2021, Sevierville saw a 28% increase in average home price. In fact, home prices in East Tennessee have grown over the past 12 months faster than any other part of the state. So, how is that affordable? 

In Sevier County, a nice 3 bedroom 2 bath home that is between 1,500 and 2,000 sq ft can be found for around $300,000. In comparison to other fast growing communities, especially those coming from a metropolitan area, that is very affordable!

Ultimately, if you are considering a move to East Tennessee we would love to connect you with one of our Local Agents who can answer any questions you have, help you learn about the Smokies, and guide you to making the Smoky Mountains home!