I asked myself the same question about 10 years ago.
Wanted to buy some land somewhere and build my retirement cabin.
Researched all over the country, but decided on East TN.
Then during a research trip up here, decided not to wait for retirement, wanted to move ASAP.
So went back to FL, quit my job, and headed up 75N.
-No state taxes
-mountains
-tempered ~southern climate
-cheap real estate
-surrounded by state and national parks
-lots of lakes - Norris lake is one of the cleanest in the US.
-several 1000+ acre ORV areas (Royal Blue, big south fork, sunquiet sp?) Basically all the mountains east of 27 to Middlesboro, KY.
-Some of the best driving roads in the country - Tail of the Dragon, Blue ridge parkway, Cherohala sp?
-red state.
Or just south of Knoxville in Maryville:
Great Smokey National Park. Emphasis on GREAT!!
