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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Scenic East Tennessee, Lively Gatlinburg is a Tourist Magnet with a Never-Ending List of Fun Things to Do
Sitting along the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the scenic rolling hills of East Tennessee, Gatlinburg is hemmed in by tall forested ridges and started out in the early-1800s as a quiet country holler. When the Park opened in 1934, life began to change as people started arriving from across the nation.
Today Gatlinburg is a busy honky-tonk tourist magnet, attracting hundreds of thousands of vacationers every summer and fall. These folks come for the outstanding opportunities to fish, raft, bicycle, camp and hike, but they also come for Gatlinburg's wall-to-wall shops, boutiques, museums, shows and restaurants. A zip line, a Ripley's Believe It or Not, a mysterious mansion, several arcades, a passion play, ghost tours, strolling musicians, 20 wedding chapels and much, much more all keep visitors entertained. The popular Arts and Crafts loop wanders from the studios of whittlers, painters, potters and quilters to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the oldest craft school in Tennessee.
Gatlinburg also hosts a songwriters' festival, a river raft regatta, a craftsmans' fair and more. The nearby Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee, and it boasts a wildlife encounter area, a skating rink, an aerial slide and a gondola.
Housing stock, much of it nestled in the surrounding hills, includes cabins, chalets and condos.
Gatlinburg has 3,800 people, with 53% of residents age 45 or better. The population has dipped during the last 10 years. Nearly 20% of locals hold a four-year college degree.
The cost of living is 31% above the national average, and the median home price stands at $650,000. Real estate prices have declined 5% from a year ago.
At an elevation of 1,298 feet above sea level, the area experiences summer temperatures in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, while winters range from the 20s to 40s. On average, Gatlinburg receives 55 inches of rain and seven inches of snow annually.
LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville, just 10 miles away, provides medical care. Public transit is available through an extensive trolley system. There is also a public library. Politics lean to the right. The crime rate is slightly above the national average.
It is worth noting that Gatlinburg suffered a devastating fire in 2016. Nearly 2,500 buildings were destroyed, and 14 people were killed. Since then, though, the town has rebuilt and is back to operating as it was before the fire. Many people love Gatlinburg, but others think it is gaudy and over the top. Tourists overwhelm everything from May through September.
East Tennessee is known for its rolling hills, fertile valleys, and rugged mountains, offering some of the most scenic landscapes in the state.
Anchored by Knoxville and running through towns like Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Sevierville, the area is framed by the Great Smoky Mountains to the east and the Cumberland Plateau to the west. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, and exploring national parks and lakes.
The climate features four distinct seasons, with warm, humid summers, colorful autumns, mild springs, and winters that bring occasional snow to higher elevations.
With a blend of Southern culture and Appalachian traditions, the region has become an attractive destination for families and retirees alike.
Tennessee is considered somewhat tax-friendly for retirees.
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