LoudonCounty, with the two small towns of Loudon and LenoirCity, located seven miles apart, is rapidly being transformed from a rural, farming community into one of the fastest growing areas in Tennessee and a growing retirement destination. Blessed with an abundance of lakefront real estate, beautiful rolling hillsides and ready access to I-75, this county of 40,000 people has become a haven for resort-type golf course communities, attracting both commuters working in nearby Knoxville and retirees moving from Ohio, Michigan and other mid-western states.
TellicoLake, which lies just east of Loudon, is home to three residential golf course developments, TellicoVillage, RarityBay and its sister project, Rarity Pointe, which is presently being built and will have a mix of luxury homes, home sites and condominiums. On WattsBarLake, on the western edge of Loudon, Tennessee National, a new Greg Norman-designed golf course with 1,700 potential homes, is beginning construction in the summer of 2004 with the first homes expected to be ready in 2006.
It is not just the golf courses and lakes that attract people looking for a place to retire to consider this region. For many, it is the rich and rewarding outdoor lifestyle that one can experience…whether it be the boating and fishing from the numerous lakes and rivers, the hiking trails found in the nearby forests or the majestic mountain peaks of the Great Smoky MountainsNational Park.
The population increase has resulted in significant construction, not only in housing, but also in new commercial developments, including restaurants and shopping centers. With Knoxville, the University of Tennessee and McGee Tyson airport all less than an hour, residents have all the amenities and advantages of urban living close at hand. Also, quality health care is readily available in Knoxville at one of several excellent hospitals. And, in LenoirCity, Ft.SandersHospital is building a new facility to provide full-service care for LoudonCounty.
While, as could be expected, lakefront and fairway properties are somewhat expensive; prices in this area, when compared to similar developments elsewhere in the country, are surprisingly affordable. Combine the overall lower cost of living with a mild climate, excellent healthcare and access to a wide range of cultural and entertainment venues in Knoxville, and it is no surprise that so many retirees have chosen the Loudon area as their best place to retire
