Forbes + Knoxville

We’ve all been in on one of the best kept secrets there was left. The secret that Knoxville is undoubtedly the best place to not only grow up, lay down your roots, and slow down. East Tennessee is one of those few places that if your lucky enough to live in you’re lucky enough.

This little slice of heaven has got everything you need. Scenic views of the mountains, lakes, and pastures that envelop the area. Easy access to fresh mountain air, bike trails, lakes, rivers, golf courses, festivals, city life, live music, fresh markets, craft cocktails, breweries and so much more. We’ve got some of the best local eateries and shops, but still have those big city departments and restaurants sprinkled in too. Let’s be real though it’s the people. It’s the people that go above and beyond day after day for their family and complete strangers. It’s walking into the local cafe or gas station and being greeted by name. It’s driving down the road and waving at the passing car not because your friends, but because it’s just what you do.

As much as I want to bottle this little place up and put it high up on a shelf off limits to the rest of the world that’s simply just not the East Tennessee way. That being said when I saw us as #9 on Forbes best places to retire list my heart had a lot of emotions. I quickly looked at all the good though. Knoxville is growing and we’re attracting all the best people. It’s diversifying our communities, opening new local stores, delicious bakeries, and out of the box cocktail spots I can’t wait to try. I can’t wait to welcome all of these soon to be Knoxville natives and show them all the superb parts of East TN from Cades cove to Long’s Drug Store to a good ole Saturday on Rocky Top. East Tennessee and it’s people that continue to make me abundantly proud to call it home and even more proud to be able to share it with new comers.

Check out our feature on Forbes: