Nicest Lakes In Eastern Tennessee? (Knoxville, Cookeville: for sale, real estate, rent)

[itsme2]

We're looking at relocation to a eastern Tennessee or South Carolina lakefront house.

We recently spent some time on Lake Keowee in South Carolina and were very impressed with the beauty of this lake and what it has to offer.

So my question is: What are the nicest lakes in eastern Tennessee, how may they be compared to Lake Keowee?

Thanks for your answers!

[SPLIT]

I: We drove West to East last Dec thru So Car, know there are some steep hills, (Mtns) in the N.W. corner. Not familiar with your lake, but the large Tenn river is major for the boating in East Tenn, 650 miles with the locks and wider (Lakes) .. The Gold Rush went on about 2 years ago, so desirable and getting pricey. Up to $2 Mil. There are many calm / quiet coves off the main (DEEP water) channel, for kayaks, water ski, etc. This is Shallow water in Real Estate terms as TVA will drain down the water level about 6 feet in winter time for reserve, also lets homeowners work on the shoreline, etc.
TVA will not be selling many more tracts of develope land after last year two deals. I heard one area being build is off Rt #60 Birchwood, near Hiwassee river ??
Again the secret is out, dont expect any waterfront bargains. Private lots may be in range from $60K to $120K , some also quite STEEP slope, many steps to water level, but there are lawn SIGNs For SALE as we drive by on road and water cruise.
My area and pics are around SODDY-DAISY area rt #27, many boats went up cove for big 4th July Fireworks, and also many boaters right DOWNTOWN Chatanooga for fireworks on 3rd and during the NINE day RIVERBEND festival so if you have 18ft or bigger boat the clean Tenn river and great fishing is worth a look. Also many marinas have Covered SLIPS for rent if you buy or rent OFF WATER. Just another idea. .......[/IMG]

[john t]

To be honest with you all of these south eastern lakes are very similar. If you're looking for waterfront most east TN lakes have insane asinine prices. Chickamauga lake between Dayton and Soddy-Daisy, Center Hill lake near Smithville and Cookeville, Dale Hollow near Celina, are all pretty nice and somewhat reasonable. Personally if I were to move to lakefront I would select GA or SC near the mountains simply because the lakes are beautiful, the prices reasonable, and the weather warmer for longer. Boat away!

Best of luck to you!

[itsme2]

SPLIT,

Those are some nice photos, are they all in Tennessee?

Thank you.

[moving123]

I would take a look at Tims Ford Lake In Winchester, Frankin Co., TN. Beautiful lake, nice area, mountains in the backgroud. Lots are pricy, but well worth it..

[Exrvi]

Itsme2,

We spent last weekend visiting friends who live at South Pointe, on the lake, just outside Seneca, and we live on Tellico Lake in East Tennessee, so I have some first hand knowledge of both.

Keowee is a beautiful lake with most of the development on the southern half (except for the Cliffs). Keowee has several sizable creeks that run for a mile or more off the main "channel." The water is very clean. Houses there are pricy and getting pricier. Keowee is also damed but not locked, so you are limited, unless you trailer, to that lake. There is little commercial development on the lake, so there are few restaurants to visit while boating.

Tellico is part of the TVA system, so you can go thru locks and get whereever you want to go. It tends to have more of a "river" feel than Keowee since it is narrower in most places. The water is clean, but generally not as clear as Keowee, but certainly clean enough for water activities. There is not much traffic as you go further up river, but there are some tremendous private coves for dropping anchor, and the mountain views can be awsome.

The south end of Tellico (doen river), with Tellico Village, is fairly devleoped on one side of the lake, and there are a few restaurants to visit, marinas to get gas, etc. Real estate has increased rapidly over the past few years, but you can still find waterfront for less than I suspect you'll pay at Keowee. Tellico also joins with Laake Loudon via a canal (no lock) which gives you easy water access to Knoxville. Loudon is not as clean as Tellico, has lots of traffic, and high prices.

My net is that both Keowee and Tellico are excellent places for waterfront living, bot both are getting pricy if you want waterfront. One solution is to go to a place like Tellico Village or Rarity Bay, live off the water, butrent one of thier slips for your boat.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[itsme2]

Jeff,

Thanks for the great information!

How much of a problem is flooding in the lake/river areas you mention in Tenessee?

It sounds like there are considerably more recreational opportunities and other things to do in the lake areas you mention. Although Lake Keowee is large and beautiful there is not much to do there except fish and enjoy the scenery.

Thank you.

[patraveler]

We have been looking for lake property in the southeast and have now shifted out attention to TN. We looked on Keowee recently (and it is really lovely and it is a plus that they don't draw down the water level much as they do in TN) - for what you would pay for a pretty lot with a nice view you could buy the prettiest lot on most any lake in TN AND put a house on it. Would be interested in others impressions, I agree with you on more things to do in TN,

[Serious Conversation]

South Holston that straddles the TN/VA border is excellent.

[TN Tin Man]

The map is interactive.. grab and slide also.. zoom in or out..

Wildernet.com - Tennessee Lakes and Reservoirs