Tellico Lake, Tennessee
What It Is Like to Retire in Tellico lake
Tellico Lake, more correctly called Tellico Reservoir is a very large reservoir in Tennessee that was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1979 by the Tellico Dam. The dam impounded the Little Tennessee River and the lower Tellico River. The lake has approximately 357 miles of shoreline. Although there is no town called Tellico Lake, several towns are located on or near the lake, including Franklin and Vonore in Loudon County. Knoxville is about 30 minutes away. Many retirees have settled in this area and live along the lake, many of them in active communities or other types of developments. Photo of Community Center and City Hall courtesy of Wikipedia and Brian Stansberry, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
Where to Retire in Tellico lake and Home Prices
You can live in one of the small towns around the lake, or in an active adult community. Rarity Bay and Tellico Village are 2 of the biggest (see links at right). Home prices are hard to determine here, because it depends if you are in a development and/or how close you are to the lake. According to Zillow, the Home Value Index in Vonore was $419,000 in early 2025.
What Is Special about Tellico lake
The recreational possibilities are incredible here for boating, fishing, golf, and just plain relaxing. If you recall the famous snail darter (an endangered species), the controversy over the creature was the reason why Tellico Dam was one of the last TVA dams to be constructed.
What Is Not Special about Tellico lake
The area is rural and somewhat remote. You will have to drive just about everywhere for anything.
Who Will Like Retirement in Tellico lake
People who want to live near a lake in tax friendly Tennessee might like to retire here.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Tourism and second homes are a big part of the local economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
Average January temp is in the high 30s and average July temp in the high 70s. Tellico Lake is in the eastern part of Tennessee.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Vonore has a library and Community Center. Trip Advisor lists 19 restaurants in Tellico, with undoubtedly more in Vonore (Countryside Inn) and other towns. Most of these restaurants are casual cafes, drive-ins, and the like. The outdoor life is the main form of culture here. Vonore has a community center. Early American Indians had major settlements in the area and there are rich archeological remains such as the Icehouse Bottom Site.
Crime
The crime rate is unusually low.
Medical facilities
The nearest hospitals of any size are in Maryville or Knoxville (UTenn), about 45 minutes away.
Transportation
The automoblile is the major form of transport. Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport is the nearest larger airport, although the Monroe County Airport is in Sweetwater. Many people travel by boat although there aren't many commercial destinations along the reservoir.
Comments on "Tellico Lake"
David Gosstola says:
interest in a single family home