Moving to Ten Mile, Tennessee: Your 2025 Affordable Lakeside Living Guide

Meta Description: Moving to Ten Mile, TN? Discover affordable lakefront homes on Watts Bar Lake, peaceful country living, and retirement-friendly lifestyle in rural East Tennessee.

Why Ten Mile Appeals to Lake Lovers and Retirees

Are you considering moving to Ten Mile, Tennessee? This tranquil lakeside community of approximately 2,000 residents offers something increasingly difficult to find: affordable waterfront living combined with natural beauty and peaceful country charm. Nestled along the shores of Watts Bar Lake in East Tennessee, Ten Mile attracts retirees seeking low-cost lakefront retirement, remote workers wanting serene home offices with water views, and outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing recreation over urban amenities.

Furthermore, Ten Mile’s rural character remains authentically preserved—no chain stores, no traffic congestion, no suburban sprawl. Just quiet lake living, friendly neighbors, and the slower pace that makes Tennessee country life so appealing. Tennessee’s absence of state income tax makes this affordable community even more attractive for retirees living on fixed incomes.

Affordable Lakefront Property

The median home price in Ten Mile averages around $290,000—remarkably affordable for a lakeside community offering direct water access. This price point typically secures waterfront or near-water properties with private docks, boat ramps, and stunning lake views that would cost triple or more in popular retirement destinations like Florida or the Carolinas.

Lakefront properties command premium prices, often ranging from $350,000 to $500,000 depending on lot size, water frontage, and amenities. However, even these waterfront homes remain accessible compared to other Southeastern lake markets. Properties set back from the lake offer even greater value, with homes starting around $200,000 while maintaining easy lake access through community boat ramps and marinas.

Additionally, property taxes remain low, utilities run modestly, and overall living costs fall well below national averages. For retirees on Social Security and pensions—which Tennessee doesn’t tax—Ten Mile delivers exceptional value that maximizes fixed incomes.

Employment and Economic Realities

Ten Mile’s small size means limited local employment beyond small businesses, marinas, and service establishments supporting the community. Most working-age residents commute to nearby cities for employment opportunities:

• Kingston (15 minutes): Government facilities, retail, and services
• Dayton (20 minutes): Manufacturing and small-town businesses
• Chattanooga (60 minutes): Diverse employment market for those willing to commute
• Knoxville (60 minutes): Major employment center accessible for occasional commutes

However, Ten Mile increasingly attracts remote workers who can live anywhere. High-speed internet availability throughout much of the area supports work-from-home professionals who prioritize lifestyle over proximity to corporate offices. Additionally, many residents are retired, living on pensions and investments while enjoying affordable lakeside living.

Education Options

Roane County Schools serves Ten Mile with campuses in nearby communities. Families with school-age children should research specific schools, as rural districts often face different challenges than urban systems. Roane State Community College provides accessible higher education and vocational training for continuing education and workforce development.

Most Ten Mile residents are retirees or empty-nesters, making schools less of a decision factor than in family-oriented suburbs.

Watts Bar Lake Lifestyle

Watts Bar Lake serves as Ten Mile’s defining feature and primary attraction. This Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir offers excellent boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports in a scenic setting surrounded by rolling hills. Bass, crappie, and catfish attract anglers year-round, while the lake’s size and depth accommodate pleasure boating and water skiing.

Multiple marinas serve the community with boat storage, fuel, and supplies. Public access points provide lake entry for residents without private docks. The relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty create an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise where days revolve around sunrise fishing trips, afternoon boat rides, and sunset views from private docks.

Beyond water activities, the surrounding countryside offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and peaceful drives through rural East Tennessee’s beautiful landscapes.

Healthcare Access

While Ten Mile itself lacks medical facilities, nearby Kingston and Athens provide hospital access including emergency services, primary care, and basic specialty treatments. Fort Loudoun Medical Center and other regional hospitals sit within 30-45 minutes for more specialized care. Residents should consider healthcare proximity when choosing rural lakeside living, particularly retirees with ongoing medical needs.

Transportation and Connectivity

Highways 58 and 304 connect Ten Mile to larger communities and Interstate 75 within 40 minutes. This interstate access provides routes to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and beyond. However, Ten Mile living requires personal vehicles—no public transportation serves this rural area, and essential services require drives to nearby towns.

Make Your Move to Ten Mile

Moving to Ten Mile in 2025 means choosing peaceful lakeside living without the premium prices charged in popular retirement destinations—where affordability meets natural beauty, where quiet country life replaces urban stress, where lake recreation defines daily routines. Whether you’re a retiree seeking waterfront retirement on a realistic budget, a remote worker wanting serene surroundings, or simply someone prioritizing peace over amenities, Ten Mile delivers authentic rural lake living.