Considering purchase of cabin in east Tennessee mtns (vacation home, to live)

[impalatom]

We are considering the purchase of a vacation home in the eastern Tennessee mountains. We would use it primarily summer months to get away from Florida summer heat and humidity. My question is how high altitude would you have to be to see a significant reduction in heat and humidity?

[Dd714]

Well, you generally get a reduction of about 3.5 degrees F. for each 1,000 feet. You will get a reduction just getting out of hot and steamy Florida, I know I lived both there and eastern TN.
But, reality check time: the mountains in TN aren't significantly high and most of the eastern TN homes are in the valleys (with spectacular views of the mountains). Summer is summer - anywhere east of the MS river is going to be hot and humid in July and August. The N. Carolina side of the border has some ski villages that are much higher in elevation and might be what you are looking for.
The real blessed thing is fall and spring - still hot and steamy in Florida, nice and cool in east TN.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by impalatom

We are considering the purchase of a vacation home in the eastern Tennessee mountains. We would use it primarily summer months to get away from Florida summer heat and humidity. My question is how high altitude would you have to be to see a significant reduction in heat and humidity?

To some extent it depends on your idea of 'significant'. In the tri-cities, where I live @ approx 1600 ft, there is roughly a summertime 'feels like' difference of about 10-15 degrees compared to the places I used to live along the gulf coast. To me an August 'feels like' 80F compared to one that 'feels like' 90F (or higher) is enough to make a good deal of difference in my comfort level, especially concerning outdoor activities. YMMV
But it is true that with a few exceptions the downside is that generally to get a good view 'of' the mountains you can't be 'in' the mountains.

[Beretta]

We have a cabin on the lake nestled in the mountains. Humidity still finds us.

[tnff]

I guess it's relative to Florida. We live in middle TN, yet when my in laws come up from Florida to visit, they act like it's the great white north. Even in summer they wear light jackets or long sleeves.

[AppalachianAngler]

Also, a lot of East Tennessee's mountains are (thankfully) in federally protected forest lands, so there is not going to be a huge inventory. You will probably have more options in Western NC.