55+ Communities in East Tennessee
Retire to East Tennessee
Eastern Tennessee is home to Tellico Lake, an area of 55 and older communities, including Tellico Village, Rarity Bay, Kahite, and Windriver. This picturesque lake covers 16,000 acres and boasts over 357 miles of shoreline. It is a popular destination for retirees seeking a peaceful, scenic place to call home while being close to Knoxville. Each community has unique amenities and plenty of things to do to maintain an active lifestyle.
Browse more information about these communities below and search available properties. Be sure also to see our resources section to learn more about this illustrious 55+ area of Eastern Tennessee and schedule a discovery tour with Rick Smenner anytime.
Tellico Village
Think of Tellico Village for lakefront luxury, fine dining, custom homes and more.
Rarity Bay
Breathtaking views, pickleball courts, a country club and more.
WindRiver
Lakefront marina, world-class golf, 55+ activities and more.
Golf Properties
See a list of homes that border Tellico Lake’s numerous golf courses.
Lake Communities
Be within walking distance of Tellico Lake and live right on the water in any of these homes.
Search by Map
Search our dynamic map to find a home in Tellico Lake based on your criteria.
More About Eastern Tennessee’s 55 & Older Communities
Building a Custom Home on Tellico Lake From Out of State: How Rick Smenner and Danny Cantrell of Platinum Builders Do It
https://youtu.be/ltqPV2_Vgm0?si=dKy8pvFqkptrK-kJ Quick Answer: You can build a custom retirement home on Tellico Lake from out of...
Sunday Afternoons on Tellico Lake in August: Just Find a Quiet Cove & Chill Out
Quick Answer: If you're boating on Tellico Lake in August on a Sunday, you can bet most folks will be leaving the dock by 1:00, cruising out to a...
Which Tellico Lake Community Is Right for You? Tellico Village, Rarity Bay, WindRiver & Kahite Compared
Quick Answer: Tellico Village is the biggest and busiest, best if you want an active calendar and lots of ways to meet people. Rarity Bay is gated,...
Those Florida Retirees Are Calling Me Non-Stop This Summer – And Here’s What’s Behind It
Right Now: We're seeing a huge surge of Florida retirees moving to Tennessee and reaching out to Tellico Lake brokers, all driven by a perfect storm...
Moon Over Buffalo Hits Tellico Community Playhouse Sept 3-20
Weekends are the perfect time to enjoy the Moon Over Buffalo production at Tellico Community Playhouse. The Short Lowdown: Moon Over Buffalo is set...
Labor Day Weekend 2026 on Tellico Lake: What To Do With The Grandkids Down For The Holiday
Fast Answer: Labor Day weekend 2026 is Sept 5-7. Saturday or Sunday evening is a good time to head out to the Monroe Life Balloon Festival in...
Tellico Lake Boat Ramps: Where to Launch, What’s Free, and Which One’s Closest to Home
Quick Answer: Tellico Lake has more than a dozen free public boat ramps run by TWRA, TRDA, and TVA. Launching at any of them costs nothing. A few...
Living in Tellico Village: What Daily Life Really Feels Like
Quick Answer: Living in Tellico Village means an ungated lake community of about 5,000 homes in Loudon County, Tennessee. Daily life runs on three...
What Grandkids Actually Do on a Tellico Lake Summer Visit
Quick Answer: Grandkids at Tellico Lake spend most of their time on the water swimming at Tugaloo Beach, tubing behind the boat, and fishing...
Golf for Good: How the Kiwanis Tournament at Toqua is the Heart of Tellico Village
Overview of the Details: August 29th at Toqua Golf Course. So, the tournament goes from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Toqua Golf Course in Loudon. This...
Will I Make Friends at Tellico Lake – A Realistic Guide to Social Life
The Short Version YES, people who move to Tellico Lake do end up building a social life and friendships, usually within the first few months through...
A Grandpa’s Guide to the Perfect Father’s Day on Tellico Lake
There's no better gift for Grandpa than a sunny day out on Tellico Lake with the grandkids in the boat. And if you're imagining a future of lazy...
July 4th 2026 on Tellico Lake: How We Celebrate Our Independence Day
I've helped people move to the Tellico Lake area for over two decades. One of the questions I get every summer, especially from folks who are...
55+ Lake Communities in East TN: What Keeps Buyers Hooked on Tellico Lake
There's just something special about Tellico Lake, you know? The quiet morning mist, the pretty water, the rolling hills all around... and neighbors...
Retiring to Tellico Village in East Tennessee
You've probably got a picture in your mind of an active, lake-oriented retirement. Your days are filled with golf, boating, fitness, and just...
Retiring To East Tennessee – Tellico Lake vs Norris Lake
East Tennessee has a way of getting under your skin in a good way. You visit, you come back again, and before you know it, you're browsing home...
Why Retirees Are Choosing Tellico Lake In East Tennessee And Never Looking Back
Something big is going on along the shores of Tellico Lake in East Tennessee. It is attracting retirees from all corners of the country. People are...
The Single Baby Boomers Club – A place where Tellico Village Singles can actually hang out
Moving to a new place when you're over 50 on your own? Yeah, it can be a real awkward situation. Everyone's paired off at dinner parties, and you're...
“The Outsider” is coming to Tellico Village – Here’s the Lowdown
You know that feeling when you need a night out, but don't want to spend an hour or two driving and getting all worked up? Yeah, I get that. That's...
Retire to Tennessee – Keep Your Retirement Income, And Check Out Tellico Lake for Yourself
I've seen this play out a hundred times. Someone starts crunching numbers, gets in a car, and ends up standing by the lake with a huge grin on their...
Tellico Village Fire Department: Keeping Lives and Homes Safe in Loudon County
Introduction The Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department is a vital part of the Tellico Village community. It's a team effort, though they are...
Big News is Brewing at WindRiver: Get Ready to Check Out the All New Clubhouse
October 2024, something really special went down at WindRiver. A group of 200-plus folks showed up to watch the official groundbreaking for the new...
Living in Kahite: The Tellico Village Neighborhood That Feels Like a Weekend Getaway Every Week
If you haven't been to Kahite yet, let me tell you it's the kind of place that really surprises people - in a significant way! It's part of Tellico...
Tellico Lake Real Estate in 2026: What It Really Feels Like Right Now
Tellico Village • Kahite • Rarity Bay If you've been keeping an eye on the Tellico Lake real estate market for the past few years, you're not just...
“Moonlight and Magnolias” at Tellico Community Playhouse This December
Need something to look forward to as the year winds down? The Tellico Community Playhouse has got you covered. They’re producing Moonlight and...
A Neighbor’s Guide to Outdoor & Recreation Clubs in Tellico Village
Tellico Village isn’t just a beautiful place to live; it’s a community bursting with fun, especially for those who love the outdoors. As your...
How to Find the Right Lot And Build Your Dream Retirement Home in Rarity Bay (Vonore, TN)
If you’ve fallen for the glass-calm mornings, mountain silhouettes, and clubhouse buzz of Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake, you’re not alone. Many buyers...
Sports & Fitness in Tellico Village: Where Play Turns into Community
If you move to Tellico Village with a pair of sneakers and a curious spirit, you’ll fit right in. Around here, “exercise” usually looks like...
Peach State Dragon Boat International Festival: Tellico Heat’s Next Splash
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, dragon boats will streak across Lake Peachtree at Drake Field in Peachtree City, GA, as the Peach State Dragon Boat...
Tellico Village Discovery Tour: Your 3-Day Test-Drive of East Tennessee’s #1 Lake & Golf Community
If you’re considering a move to the Knoxville area, start here. The Tellico Village Discovery Tour, also known as the Experience Package, allows you...
Golf Courses in Tellico Village: Tanasi, Toqua, and The Links at Kahite
Thinking about moving to a lakefront community where your cart path is basically a scenic tour and your morning walk can be a quick nine? Welcome to...
Saddle Up for a Cause: The Casa Monroe Rodeo at Rarity Bay
Fast Answer: The 4th Annual CASA Monroe Rodeo runs September 11 and 12, 2026, at Legacy Horse Ranch at Rarity Bay in Vonore, Tennessee. Gates open...
The Monroe Life Balloon Festival: Labor Day Weekend Right Down the Road From Tellico Lake
Quick Answer: The Monroe Life Balloon Festival is September 5-6, 2026, from 4 to 10 PM at the Monroe County Airport in Madisonville. Hot air...
Fireflies: A Warm Glow at the Tellico Community Playhouse
There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when the lights go down in a small-town theater. You can feel it in the hush of the audience, in the...
Rarity Bay: Tennessee’s Lakefront Hidden Gem You Need to See for Yourself
If you’re thinking about retiring somewhere that offers more than just sunshine and golf carts, think lake views, friendly neighbors, and a vibrant...
Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club Heads to Chicago for International Races!
We’re thrilled to announce that the Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club is on the move, and this weekend, we’re making waves at the Chicago International...
Contact Me
Rick Smenner
RE/MAX Excels
License# 00305601