Need help selecting a lake to retire near. (Knoxville, Johnson City: house, buying)

[Deborah53]

We live in western PA and want to retire in a few years to a warmer climate. We would like to live near one of the lakes and have lake access. We thought a lake sub division might be best. We also want to be close enough to daily shopping and easy city visits. From the research I have done it seems that the areas around Norris and Douglas fit the bill. Any information to narrow our search would be grate.

[Exrvi]

Deborah53,

I'd suggest looking at some of the communities on Lake Tellico, such as Tellico Village. Norris is a beautiful lake, but the area is remote and places like Dearfield Resort have few full time residents. Don't know much about Douglas lake.

Where in Western PA are you? I've spent a lot of time in "Little Washington" over the years.

Jeff

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Deborah53

We live in western PA and want to retire in a few years to a warmer climate. We would like to live near one of the lakes and have lake access. We thought a lake sub division might be best. We also want to be close enough to daily shopping and easy city visits. From the research I have done it seems that the areas around Norris and Douglas fit the bill. Any information to narrow our search would be grate.

Norris is my favorite of the lakes you mentioned. It's just a quick hop north of Knoxville on I-75. The town of Norris is actually very quaint--it was built to house the workers who were building the dam. I believe Norris is the oldest of the TVA lakes in the area.

Douglas is also a nice lake and has easy access to East Knoxville off I-40. The little town of Dandridge is right on the lake. You can get from Douglas Lake to the Smoky Mountains in just a few minutes.

Are you stuck on East Tennessee or being close to Knoxville? I ask only because you can get a lot more bang for your buck at Dale Hollow Lake on the northern Cumberland Plateau. It straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky line. It's a deep, large lake that is not nearly as crowded as the lakes near Knoxville or Nashville. But it is a bit more isolated.

[Deborah53]

No, we are not stuck in E TN. We are in the early planning stages and all options are open to us. At this time we are trying to narrow the search to make a visit. There seems to be many choices and all help is greatly appreciated.

[Deborah53]

We are in clarion county, not sure where little washington is. Thanks for the info on Tellico village, someone mentioned that area.

[mbmouse]

If you aren't stuck yet on Knoxville area, there is also the Tri-Cities region a bit further east that has Cherokee Lake in both Morristown and Rogersville (I prefer Rogersville of the two) Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Boone and Watugga Lakes in Washington County.....well correction, Watugga is Carter county just south. All of these have both developments on the lake or just lots and homes along it.
Just my 2 cents worth .

[bbkaren]

If 30 minutes is an easy city visit (Knoxville), Watts Bar Lake in Kingston might be an option. We're (Lord willing) buying a piece of land in a subdivision called Lake Awana near the Loudon border (we actually will have a Loudon address).

But Watts Bar Lake is huge. I think I read it has 950 linear miles of shoreline. It's actually made up of three rivers dammed together by the TVA to form an enormous lake with many branches.

(people who know better than I: Did I get all that right?)

[Deborah53]

Have to tell you all how helpful this forum is, THANKS! checked out Dale Hollow, I think it is too remote. Have looked into Watts Bar, I think it is a good option. We do not want noisy tourists and am afraid some of the eastern lakes might be. Keep your ideas and opinions coming...

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Deborah53

Have to tell you all how helpful this forum is, THANKS! checked out Dale Hollow, I think it is too remote. Have looked into Watts Bar, I think it is a good option. We do not want noisy tourists and am afraid some of the eastern lakes might be. Keep your ideas and opinions coming...

There really aren't too many tourists at Norris Lake because it's north of Knoxville and not east of Knoxville. Tellico (south of Knoxville) definitely has more development, particularly retirement villages.

However, Watts Bar is definitely a good option since you don't want to be very remote. The town of Kingston is right smack on the lake, and you're only 20 minutes from the mammoth Turkey Creek retail development in West Knoxville, all via I-40.

[jchometeam]

The tri cities area, especially Boone Lake, is a great place to relocate. I suggest you at least include the Johnson City area in your search.