Thinking About Moving to Tennessee, Here’s What You Need to Know
Tennessee is a beautiful South-eastern state and is sometimes referred to as the heart of the South. Tennessee is the 16th most populous state in the United States. There are a lot of great cities in the state, and this provides great options for people planning to move there. Tennessee is a great state. It is one state that is suitable for almost anybody. You can raise a family, it is a good state for professionals, it is good for students, and even for senior citizens.
However, this state might not be for everyone. Moving to another state is a big decision and a lot of thoughts must go into the decision of moving. We have put together a list of things you need to know and consider if you are thinking about moving to Tennessee. This list should guide your decision.
- Cost of Living
The cost of living in Tennessee is slightly above the national average in the United States. Some cities in the states are more expensive than others. However, these expensive cities have a lot to offer. These cities have things like nicer neighborhoods, recreational amenities, and entertainment. Availability of all these things tends to increase the cost of living. If you are looking to move to a city with a low cost of living, then Tennessee is not your state.
- EconomyÂ
You must consider the economy of a state before relocating to that state. Tennessee’s Economy is a strong one. Even during the Corona Virus pandemic, the economy of Tennessee still had a strong outlook. Tennessee is said to be a corporate haven. A lot of companies have offices and factories in Tennessee. Tennessee also has a lot of tourists sites that attract a lot of tourists to the state regularly. All these things help to boost the economy of the state.
- Employment OpportunitiesÂ
Tennessee has a thriving economy; this allows for a lot of employment opportunities. There are a lot of businesses and companies in Tennessee consequently, a lot of job opportunities. For job seekers, especially young people, Tennessee is a good place to find a job.
- Cost of Housing Â
The cost of housing in Tennessee will depend on the city you decide to move to. There are cities where the cost of housing is relatively affordable. However, for the big cities, housing cost is relatively high. This is relatively high because the demand for housing in the state is high. This then drives the price of the houses in the state.
- TaxÂ
Income tax is not levied on income in Tennessee. What this means is that your salary income will not be taxed. However, income from investments (dividends) will be taxed. The current tax rate on dividends in the state is 6%.
In addition to having no income tax, the rate of property tax in Tennessee is relatively low. Although the rate will depend on the city, it is generally about 0.5% which is low. Tennessee also has a tax-friendly environment for companies. Thus, attracting companies to the state.
Generally, the state has a favorable tax structure. The sales tax in Tennessee however is higher than the national average. The sales tax rate is 7%.
- Good Quality HealthcareÂ
When deciding where to move to, irrespective of your age or health condition, the availability of good health care should be one of the things you look out for in a place. Tennessee has a lot of excellent hospitals and health care facilities all over the state. With the quality of hospitals in Tennessee, you can be assured that your health is secured. This makes it a good place to consider moving too.
- Good Quality EducationÂ
If you are moving with your children, then you need to ensure that the place you are moving to has good schools for them. Tennessee has a lot of good schools in the state. There are top universities and colleges in the state. There are also good public and private schools for school children. This is one good reason to help you make your decision to move to Tennessee.
- WeatherÂ
Although the weather will depend on which part of the state you live in, Tennessee generally has wonderful weather. All four seasons are enjoyable in Tennessee. The weather is generally not extreme for any season. Thus, allowing you to enjoy the weather for most of the year.
- Outdoor Activities
If you love outdoor activities, then you will love moving to Tennessee. There are beautiful mountains for you to climb, hiking trails, camping sites, and waterfalls. You will have a handful of recreational activities for you to explore when you move to Tennessee.
- Traffic
If you do not like to spend time stuck in traffic, then you should consider the traffic situation in a place before moving there. Tennessee is a very populated state. Especially the big cities in the state. This makes Tennessee vulnerable to traffic issues. If you do mind traffic, then you can move to Tennessee considering all the other good things the state has to offer. If you are interested in moving to Tennessee and the traffic is the only thing deterring you from moving there, then you can move to the smaller cities. The population density in smaller cities should be less than that of the bigger cities.
- Crime Rate
When planning to move, you must consider the crime rate of the place you plan to move to. This is important especially if you are planning to move with your family. For Tennessee, the crime rate is high. The crime rate in this state is higher than the national average. The report shows that Tennessee has the highest violent crime rate in the South-Central Region and the second-highest property crime rate in the region.
- CultureÂ
The people of Tennessee are generally very friendly, and it will be easy for you to settle in and make friends in the state. However, the people are not open to change and are not very flexible.
