Tellico Lake

15,860 acre Tellico Lake was created in 1979 opening up long range views of the Great Smoky Mountains and is part of the Tennessee River, the nation’s fifth-largest river system. With 373 miles of shoreline, Tellico Lake is one of the most beautiful Tennessee lakes and is a smart place to find waterfront retirement communities. Continually refreshed by the cool mountain waters of North Carolina, Tellico Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in America. Tellico Lake is a lock-free canal with navigational waterways leading from the Little Tennessee River connecting to Fort Loudoun Lake, a 14,600 acre lake and state recreation area. Fort Loudoun Lake is the last dam on the Tennessee River and is the upper-most stairway of TVA lake lock system. 

Boaters can travel to anywhere in the world from Tellico Lake stopping off at a number of waterfront restaurants to dine and enjoy live entertainment. Leave the car at home. A one hour plus boat ride will bring you into downtown Knoxville for a fun day excursion to watch the University of Tennessee Vols battle it out at an SEC football championship. Fluctuating only 6 feet annually, Tellico Lake consistently provides dockage for boats, excellent bass fishing and beautiful shoreline views. Tellico Lake has been ranked third nationally as the Best Place to Boat in the U.S. by Boating Life Magazine. 75% of the land around Tellico Lake will never be developed as it is protected by the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). Loudon is nicknamed the Lakeway to the Smokies with the Great Smoky Mountains just 30 minutes from Loudon. 

If you're interested in living in Knoxville, here's reasons to consider homes at Tellico Lake: 

ARTS AND CULTURE

The Appalachian Quilt Trail winds its way through Loudon with six painted quilt block stops in the county. History buffs can explore six historic markers in Loudon along the Civil War Trail of the 800 markers throughout the U.S. The Lyric Theatre is an intimate setting in Loudon showcasing musical and theater productions. The Tate & Lyle Performing Arts Center at Loudon Municipal Park is a 7,500 seat outdoor amphitheater where the community meets to enjoy live concerts and plays.

CLIMATE

At an elevation of 949 feet at the base of the Smokies, Loudon’s average winter temperature is in the high 40’s December through February. The annual snowfall is 12 inches. May through September, the average temperature ranges in the high 80’s. Loudon experiences four distinct seasons. The weather hazards include flooding and tornados.

LIFELONG LEARNING COURSES

Pellissippi State Technical Community College in West Knoxville is the closest college campus with lifelong learning courses and is about 30 minutes from Loudon. Seniors over the age of 60 have easy access to non-degree courses at the college which include liberal arts and technology near Knox TN. 

MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE

Fort Loudoun Medical Center is an 87,000 square foot facility with state of the art imaging technologies and 29 specialties. As one of Tennessee’s newest hospitals, Fort Loudoun Medical Center is part of the Covenant Health system. Specialties include imaging, critical care, pain management and surgical procedures. Just 30 minutes to the east, the metropolitan city of Knoxville is home to a number of top ranked hospitals and medical care systems in Eastern Tennessee, important to the waterfront retirement communities.

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

Living in Knoxville revolves around Tennessee lakes, from boating to fishing and even to swimming during the warmer summer months. Loudon County is home to eight championship golf courses. The topography includes gentle rolling hills and putting greens overlooking beautiful Tennessee lakes. The golf courses are public, semi-private and private. Riverview Golf Course is the best public golf course in Loudon. The Lenoir City swimming pool is open to the public during the summer months. The Loudon Parks and Recreation Department offers wellness classes, hiking and walking clubs, softball, golf and bowling leagues and social cookouts for mature adults.

SHOPPING AND DINING

Shopping centers are primarily located on Highway 321 in Lenoir City. Big box stores include Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Tennessee’s largest shopping center named Turkey Creek is located on Interstate 40 in West Knox TN. Upscale restaurants, national chains and brand name stores are found at Turkey Creek. Locals living in Knoxville believe the cost of every day products is about 10-15% less than major cities in the U.S. along with the low cost of Loudon real estate. You will find civil war sites, diners, tea rooms, antique shops and general stores in the heart of downtown Loudon. One of the world’s largest producers of mushrooms calls Loudon home, where you can buy fresh mushrooms any day of the week. Sweetwater Valley Farm is a working farm producing fine homestead cheddar cheese. A Farmer’s Market is open in downtown Loudon from late spring to late summer.

HOME AFFORDABILITY AND TAXES

Loudon homes for sale average in the mid $100's. The estimated property tax millage rate is $ 1.0287 per 25% of $100. If you live within the city limits of Loudon, there is an additional estimated city tax of $1.0615 per 25% of $100. Tennessee has no state income tax. Visit our library to find help and to learn how to calculate property taxes in Tennessee. If you're searching for waterfront retirement communities or a neighborhood to raise a young family in Knox TN, there are a number of master planned communities we find of interest on Tellico Lake, Fort Loudon Lake and Watts Bar Lake. Some have beautiful golf courses while others have breathtaking views of Tennessee lakes and the Smokies.