Eastern Tennessee Retirement Search

[Choporoz]

My wife and I are continuing our search for retirement property and figured we'd scope out Eastern Tennessee over Labor Day weekend.  Probably stay around Dandridge or Morristown and put a lot of miles on the car exploring.  I have few preconceptions about specific lakes or general areas.  I have read a bit about fishing and about waterfront property in the region, but I'm coming with a somewhat open mind.  Any suggestions on towns, areas, waters, etc that you think we should either rule out or put at the top of the list?  Things we must look at during first visit?   Or realtors you might suggest?  I doubt we're putting a down payment offer in this weekend, but I'm willing to talk to agent(s) experienced in the region.  I've only really considered the big lakes NE of Knoxville, but willing to look at lakes and rivers a bit south and west if it makes sense.  Any and all advice much appreciated.  Thank you.

[Choporoz]

Any brief, general (or specific) thoughts on living (and fishing) on any of these waters?

 

Norris

Powell River

Cherokee

Douglas

Maybe Little Tennessee River or Watts Barr

[roadwarrior]

I don't fish that side of the state, but if I do this is where I'm going:

 

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/28105648/pending-state-record-bass-caught-on-chickamauga-lake

 

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[Al Wolbach]

If you go to TVA website you can find a lot of info on these lakes. That said, I live on Douglas in Dandridge. The fishing is good on Douglas but I actually prefer to bass fish on Cherokee(larger avg size). Crappie fishing on Douglas is exceptional during the colder months. Be advised, both of these lakes are lowered approximately 50ft during the winter months. This fact is shocking to many people from the north that are house hunting in this area. My newest neighbors are from Chicago and Pittsburg respectfully. BTW, TVA is Tennessee Valley Authority. They build and control all the lakes, rivers and power generating dams Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Their website has a lot of info, sorry I don't have a link but a google search should be productive. BTW, Chickamauga is only two hours and nearly all interstate drive(from Dandridge). TVA web site can provide bass catch rates for all their lakes, just a lot of good info.

[Al Wolbach]

If you are looking for a Real estate agent Mark Jackson with Jackson Real Estate or Ed Franklin with Franklin Real Estate should be able to help. Both have a good local reputation and are honest men. I have not had any professional dealings with either but have had personal dealings and will recommend both. If you want to contact them, Jackson is 865-397-4214, Franklin is 865-397-0670. Of the two my first choice would be Mark Jackson. Dandridge is a small town with only two traffic lights but approximately eight real estate offices lol. Any should be able to help if you need it and you probably will since the lakes properties are spread out over several counties. Let me know if I can help.

[Choporoz]

Thank you much!  Appreciate the info, Al. I had read, with interest, the info that you have posted about the drawdown in threads some time ago.  I have read much about it, but still find it somewhat challenging to get my head around.  We're leaving from DC area this evening and heading that way.  Not much itinerary beyond getting a feel for the area.  Our going-in list is pretty short: waterfront, bass waters, 'affordable', views would be nice, and we like the idea of being closer to the mountains/hills than getting much farther east.  We're going to traipse around probably until late Sun, early Mon.

[VolFan]

Drive up the Little Tennessee arm of Tellico/Ft Loudon to Chilhowee res. This is southwest of Knoxville. I'd go anywhere through there if you're looking for a nice house, and fishing for everything from largemouth to smallmouth to walleye to trout to lake trout. Pretty country and one of my favorite areas. Much better bass fishing in Tellico/ Ft Loudon and you're still close to Watts Barr.

[Al Wolbach]

One thing I should mention, the real estate agencies around the lakes specialize in a certain lake. For example the offices in Dandridge are primarily Douglas and the offices in Jefferson City/Morristown primarily Cherokee Lake. Any of the lakes in East Tennessee are great areas to live and fish. The lakes downstream of Knoxville are usually higher property values because the lake levels do not fluctuate as much(usually only a few feet). The levels mostly remain constant year round, therefore property cost more. The lower lakes also connect through dam locks to the lakes in other states throughout the TVA chain. When you get near Chilhowee Lake you very near/in the mountains. I ride my Harley up there and it is beautiful but I have not fished that area at all. Loudon/Tellico has to many very vessels to suit my taste(bigwakes) but the lake itself is nice. Again, any lake in East Tennessee is a great place to live.

[Choporoz]

Again, I truly appreciate all the info!  We're going to spend Fri/Sat night in New Market and put a bunch of miles on the car from now through Monday.

[VolFan]

How's it going?

[Choporoz]

Good, thanks. Spent the day driving around Cherokee and Douglas...looked at some homes and lots. Tomorrow we'll look at Norris and some downstream waters.

[VolFan]

How was today?

[Choporoz]

We keep coming back to Dandridge. Meeting with another realtor this morning. We have a list of 3 or 4 places we really like. I'm not ready to pull the trigger, but I think my wife is ready to move here tomorrow

[VolFan]

Nothing wrong with Dandridge, and you're right there on 40 to get everywhere else. Those drawdowns are no joke, but they let you see where you should be fishing. Great white bass runs below Douglas.

[Al Wolbach]

Good luck with a large decision. Dandridge is a nice little town if you are not in the city limits and most lake lots are not. If you look across the narrow bridge in town(green bridge), that bridge is scheduled for replacement next year. Construction starts next year, with approximately two year construction.

[VolFan]

Did you lock one up?

[Choporoz]

Nope.  Need to do a bunch of number crunching.  There's about three that I'd take today if I had the cash in my pocket.  But, we're a few years from living there full time and we need to be confident that we can get a loan with decent terms and more importantly, that we get a place that we can rent out most (all?) year for a few years until we can move there full time.  I think that we have, however, decided that the area is perfect for us.