Retiring in Tennessee: Why They Left California for Tellico Village

Retiring in Tennessee costs a fraction of what retiring in California costs, and the same $800,000 buys you a house nearly three times the size, with a boat dock. 🔗 Discovery Tour (your 3-day test drive): https://tellicolakehometeam.com/2025/... Here's the full cost of living breakdown of the 55+ communities on Tellico Lake in East Tennessee, plus what your property tax bill actually looks like when you get here. Most people leaving California have already done the math on the house. Almost nobody has done the math on what happens after the house, no state income tax, property taxes that run around $2,500–$3,000 a year on an $800K home, gas under $3 a gallon, and utility costs that don't resemble anything you're used to. This video walks through all four active adult communities on Tellico Lake, Tellico Village, Wind River, Rarity Bay, and Kahite, with real price ranges for each, so you can see exactly where your dollar lands before you ever get on a plane. Rick Smenner has specialized in 55+ retirement communities on Tellico Lake for over 20 years and has helped people relocate from across the country — many from high-tax states like New York, Illinois, and the Northeast. Whether you're weighing the best places to retire in Tennessee, comparing Tellico Lake communities, or just starting your search, Rick gives you the honest conversation, not the sales pitch. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction: California vs. Tennessee 0:55 – What $800,000 buys in California vs. Tennessee 1:18 – Property taxes: the number that shocks most people 1:39 – No state income tax, gas, and cost of living 2:30 – The four communities on Tellico Lake, explained 3:25 – Tellico Village: the sweet spot 3:41 – Wind River: the luxury end 3:56 – Rarity Bay & Kahite 4:47 – "Won't I get bored in Tennessee?" 5:33 – Real Residents Tell All: Dragon Boat Club Testimonial 6:29 – The San Diego couple who made the move 6:52 – What to do next 👉 Schedule a discovery call with Rick Smenner: 📱 Call/Text: (865) 696-9002 📨 Email: [email protected] 🔗 Discovery Tour (your 3-day test drive): https://tellicolakehometeam.com/2025/...