So you’re trying to decide between Rarity Bay and Tellico Village on Tellico Lake? If you are researching Tellico Village and Rarity Bay 55 Plus Communities in East Tennessee, here’s an honest comparison of what it’s really like in each place.
Quick Answer: Rarity Bay and Tellico Village are both fantastic 55+ communities on Tellico Lake, but they draw in people with very different vibes. Rarity Bay is a smaller, gated community that feels like a tight-knit neighborhood. Tellico Village is bigger, busier, and always hopping. Neither is better than the other; one is just more you.
I get asked this question more often than just about any other: “Rick, should we check out Rarity Bay or Tellico Village?”
And I always give the same answer: “Tell me how you actually want to spend a Tuesday not a dream Tuesday, a Tuesday like any other.” That tells me way more about what one of these communities will be for you than any list of amenities ever will.
Both places are situated on Tellico Lake. Both have golf, fitness centers, pickleball, and water access. Both are actually pretty gorgeous. But as soon as you step foot in one of them, you get a totally different feel. After helping many buyers find the right place out here, I can usually tell within the first conversation which one will click for someone. Let me tell you what I’ve learned.
Rarity Bay Is for People Who Want A Smaller Active Community
Rarity Bay is a 960-acre peninsula with about 400 homes; there will be a total of about 1100, and that’s it. You’ll run into the same people at the dog park, the pool, or the clubhouse. Before too long, they become your friends.
The fact that it’s gated is a bigger deal than people normally think. There’s a checkpoint. The community has a quiet, private sort of feel not because nothing’s happening, but because what’s happening feels intentional. Wine tastings, card games, community dinners the social calendar is real, just not overwhelming.
Here’s what surprises a lot of buyers: Rarity Bay has a full equestrian center. The White Stables, with over 125 acres of riding trails. It’s the only place on Tellico Lake where you can ride a horse. If that’s part of your life, this conversation might already be over.
Local Note: I’ve had buyers visit both places in the same day and almost every time they know which one is theirs the minute they leave the second one. The feel is just that different.
Tellico Village Is for People Who Always Want Something Going On
Nearly 5,000 acres, over 6,700 residents. Three championship golf courses — Toqua, Tanasi, and the Links at Kahite. Five marinas. A 27,000-square-foot Wellness Center with indoor and outdoor pools. Over 200 clubs and organizations. A Yacht and Country Club right on the water.
If you’re the kind of person who thought about retiring and then thought, “I’m going to get bored” — Tellico Village is going to solve that problem for good. There’s always something going on. Kayaking clubs, woodworking shops, live music, lectures, golf tournaments. Residents say it feels like a college campus, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s lively.
The tradeoff is size. With nearly 7,000 neighbors, you won’t know everyone and you might not even know the people on your street for a while. That’s actually a plus for a lot of people. But it’s worth knowing going in.
Reality Check: I’ve seen people fall in love with Tellico Village on the tour only to find six months later that the pace was too much. And I’ve seen people pick Rarity Bay for the quiet only to wish they had more going on. The trick is being honest with yourself about how you actually live, not how you imagine you’ll live once you get here.
What About the Homes and the Price Tag?
At Tellico Village, you’ve got a wide range — ranch homes, craftsman builds, townhomes — spread across eight neighborhoods, with prices starting in the low $200s and running past $2 million for lakefront estates. The community is big enough that there’s almost always solid inventory at multiple price points.
At Rarity Bay, the homes are all built in a French Country style, which gives the whole place a cohesive, put-together look. You’ve got custom estate homes, villas, and condos, with prices averaging around $326,000. Lakefront and golf-front lots cost more, naturally. One thing worth knowing: since 2012, the community has been 100% resident-run; homeowners control the decisions and the finances. For buyers who’ve had bad experiences with developer-controlled HOAs, that’s a game-changer.
On the fees side at Rarity Bay, every household has a mandatory Social Membership that gives you access to the pool, Activity Center, tennis and pickleball courts, and community events. Golf is a separate, optional membership. So if you’re not a golfer, you won’t be paying for a course you’ll never use. Base HOA fees for single-family homes run roughly $105/month; villas and condos range from $375–$500/month, which usually covers water, sewer, trash, and exterior maintenance.
What Most Buyers Miss: The condos on the 18th fairway at Rarity Bay 1,200 to 1,600 square feet, two to three bedrooms are one of the best ways to get into the lake lifestyle out here. Low maintenance, great views, and you’re inside the gates.
Location: Same Lake, Different Day-to-Day
Tellico Village is in Loudon, about 31 miles southwest of Knoxville. You’re close to Lenoir City, close to Turkey Creek, and a short drive from the full Knoxville metro — hospitals, restaurants, everything. Tellico Village even has its own on-site Summit Medical Center, which many buyers don’t realize until they get here.
Rarity Bay is in Vonore, about 8 miles further down the lake. Vonore itself is a small town there’s not a lot happening right there. You’ll drive for most errands. But what you get in return is a four-mile peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, with the Smoky Mountains rising in the background and stunning views from pretty much wherever you look. It’s a different kind of beautiful.
Common Questions
Is Rarity Bay or Tellico Village better for boating?
Both communities have lake access and docks. Tellico Village is probably the better bet. Five marinas means more slips, more services, and more infrastructure. Rarity Bay has covered community docks, great direct access to Tellico Lake, and plenty for most folks, but Tellico Village wins when it comes to serious boat life.
How different is the social scene?
At Tellico Village, it’s big and structured 200+ clubs, constant events, always something new. At Rarity Bay it’s more like a neighborhood where people actually know each other wine nights, card games, community dinners. Same friendly spirit, much smaller scale. Block party versus city festival.
Is Rarity Bay actually a 55+ community?
Rarity Bay welcomes buyers of all ages, though the community skews heavily toward active adults and retirees. Tellico Village is age-targeted but not age-restricted; you’ll find retirees, remote workers, and some younger families, though most residents are at or near retirement age.
Can I bring my horse to Rarity Bay?
Yes. The White Stables Equestrian Center has stabling, riding lessons, and 125 acres of dedicated trails. You won’t find that anywhere else on Tellico Lake.
Here’s the Way It Really Is
If you want quiet mornings, a tight-knit group of neighbors, some privacy, and a beautiful peninsula with mountain views, Rarity Bay is probably your spot.
If you want to walk out the door and have three golf courses, a wellness center, five marinas, and 200 clubs waiting, Tellico Village is probably your place.
I’ve watched people build some great lives in both communities. The question isn’t which one is better. It’s which one sounds like the Tuesday you actually want.
If you’re still not sure, let’s talk, or let’s see both. I specialize exclusively in 55+ communities on Tellico Lake, so I know these places well beyond what any website can tell you. Call or text me at 865-696-9002, or reach me at rick@tellicolakehometeam.com.
You’ll be living on Tellico Lake. Let’s make sure you end up in exactly the right place.