Heard of Cookeville, Tennessee? It’s one of the most affordable place to live in the United States with some of the best places to hang out including natural waterfalls, three lakes, local restaurants, rural back roads, southern charm and some amazing farms!
Did we mention it’s only an hour to Nashville, Knoxville and Chattagnooga?
So why should you move here?
Cost of Living
How can it be the cost of living is so low in such an amazing place? The Upper Cumberland offers super low property taxes and no state income tax. Take a look at a few houses in the area, and you’ll see a big difference in pricing. Nashville homes are through the roof right now, and there’s no sign of that bubble bursting anytime soon. Come to the Upper Cumberland and you won’t have to pay $300K+ for a tiny 1500 sqft dated home in Williamson or Davidson County.
Dreaming of a big Tennessee farm? We got it. New construction homes in small town, family friendly neighborhoods? Yep. Building lot for your dream home? Definitely. Waterfront property and lake view? You bet. Lake home? For sure. Investment properties? Plenty.
Careers
When you move, having a job lined up is the ideal scenario, but that’s not always how it works out. Either way, finding the right place to work isn’t usually an easy job, but it shouldn’t be an impossible feat for anyone. Well good news future Cookeville residents!
The unemployment rate, according to the Upper Cumberland Development District, Putnam County, the largest county in the region, has dropped .7 percent since May of 2016. Cookeville is also the perfect spot to start your own business or grow. With affordable places to rent and buy, it’s ideal! Also with the new business parks in place and some large companies coming to the area, several jobs will be added to this area over the next few years.
By the way, Cookeville was named 8th largest gaining micropolitan areas by the U.S. Census Bureau.
No traffic
If you have lived in or around Nashville or any other big city, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s nothing worse than sitting in your car for an extra two hours a day just to get to and from work. Talk about a long work day! What’s the point!
While Cookeville may not have huge skyscrapers or hundreds of thousands of people, we don’t have the problems that come with all of that. You’ll be able to get across town in no time with no stress!
Great Schools
We all know Cookeville is home to Tennessee Tech University, but the elementary, middle and high schools have it going on too. Your kids don’t have to go to private school to get a great education.
Location
Cookeville is located halfway between Knoxville and Nashville which makes it a prime location! No more choosing between your beloved Vols or keeping the streets hot in downtown Nashville. Neyland and those loud honky tonks are just about an hour away! Cookeville is also 8 hours away from 80% of the U.S. population so it’s also a great place for businesses and those who travel.
Good people
It’s been said the best people in the world live in the Upper Cumberland. While that statement can’t necessarily be proven, we can agree with it! (Side note: Alexandria’s main welcome billboard even says so!) It’s true…you’ll pass people on the road who will wave, small talk with people in the line at the grocery, the tellers at the bank will remember your name and you’ll be sure to fit right in. We have that laid back, small town vibe you’re going to love!
Local Events
Annual events and festivals are kinda a big deal around here. Street festivals on Broad and Main Street and family friendly events in Dogwood Park are year round! No matter what time of year, we always find a reason to celebrate and have a good time! Not to mention these events are pretty unique. Check out Slide Cookeville and Wine on the West Side. There are also a few local places that host festive events including DelMonaco Winery & Vineyards and of course the Muddy Roots Music Festival at June Bug Boogie Ranch. You can’t forget about the marinas and docks around the lake too!
Falls & Lakes
That’s right! Every year, a ton of tourists visit this place. With three beautiful lakes (with super clean water), it’s easy to see why. But that’s not all! Burgess Falls, Cummins Falls, Waterloo, Fall Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, Virgin Falls, Ozone Falls, Upper Piney Falls, Dale Hollow Lake, Center Hill Lake…and all those places only the locals know about. Needless to say, we have a lot of hot spots to cool off.
And no, we aren’t talking about some small waterfalls out in the woods either…a lot of the falls here are 75+ ft tall and surrounded by cool hiking trails! What’s better than hanging out behind some massive waterfall or on the rocks below? If you’re living in the Upper Cumberland, it’s pretty much like being on vacation all the time.
Center Hill Lake
Dale Hollow Lake
Cordell Hull Lake
Here are just a few scenic places around the UC.
Nature
If you’re in Nashville, you have to leave the city to catch a breath of fresh air. One of the best things about the Upper Cumberland is all the natural beauty! Scenic hiking destinations, state parks, waterfalls and the lakes make this area a hidden gem. Bring man’s best friend too! Most places are dog-friendly.
Looking for hiking trails? Check it.
Community
Cookeville has a population of about 32,000 people. That may seem like a lot (or maybe not compared to Nashville), but you’ll feel right at home. The small town community feel is very evident everywhere you go. We are hometown proud!
Dining
Cookeville has a ton of favorite local restaurants, bars and cafés. Kick it by the lake at one of the dock restaurants or keep it classy on West Side in downtown. Whatever your taste, we have some options including local restaurants, meat and three diners, vineyards, and breweries! You just need to decide what kind of view you want!
Want to know where all the lakeside dining spots are? Check it out.
Need I say more? Are you convinced yet? We are real estate matchmakers!
Call us today at 931.520.7750 and let’s get started. Not only will we find the perfect match for you and your family, but we will also let you in on all the insider local information and hot spots!
I love Cookeville. We go there every year and stay at Standing Stone. I sure would move there if I could.
Hello Billie, Thank you for the comment! Cookeville is an amazing town and one of the top ten most affordable places in America to live. We have great schools, county support and fun activities for both adults and kids. You should move here to join us in this little secret city and let us know if we can help! 🙂 Cheers!
Hopefully I’ll get to move there at some point soon??? I’m coming down to visit soon also
You definitely should! It’s a great area and growing a lot right now…new businesses and neighborhoods. Fall is a great time to come down. The leaves are gorgeous around the lakes. Let us know if we can help with your relocation! We have a ton of people that move here every month. Check out our other local blog posts; we try to cover all the local hot spots.
I lived there 20 years and not a day goes by that I don’t miss it. Watch a wonderful city I now live in upstate ny where I grew up. Let me tell you if you have the chance to live there make sure you do. Everything that has. been said is so true what a wonderful place to be.
You can always come back!! It is a beautiful area. We have had a lot of growth within the past few years. Several new businesses and more on the way!
I’m living in Arizona and can’t stand the hot summers, for 3 years now, I’m looking for a nice home in Cookeville, I love Tennessee and we are retired, it’s just finding that one place wheat we can call home isn’t easy, we will be there soon again.
Hey Dinie!
It’s hot here too in the summer but not as hot as Arizona! We have a lot of people move here when they retire because they love the four distinct Tennessee seasons. About an hour from Nashville and Knoxville, Cookeville has a ton of waterfalls and lakes (makes it easy to cool off in the summer!). We have a ton of options and could definitely find your ideal place! Farms, lake view, in town…there’s a lot to choose from.
Check out some listings and feel free to call us at 931.520.7750! I have also passed your email address along so an agent can reach out.
Happy 4th! Have a great holiday! Let us know how we can help you!
How far is it from a military base? We are looking for something in the next 5 years and that is my parent main source of care.
Ft. Campbell, (army) is about 2 hrs away.
I’m coming to visit soon and I hope one day soon to move there??
Will be visiting in about 2 weeks (the week of Thanksgiving), scoping out places for retirement. I like what I’ve seen so far (online).
Yes! You’re going to absolutely love it! I am sure you have heard of Fairfield Glade in Crossville, TN. It’s about 45 minutes from Cookeville. Cookeville is a great place too! We have had a lot of growth here lately. New shopping centers and restaurants just opened and more are coming. We have Dale Hollow Lake and Center Hill Lake – the cleanest lakes in Tennessee! (Not to mention all of the waterfalls!) Cookeville is in between Knoxville and Nashville so it’s great if you want to visit downtown but not live with all the congestion. If we can show you around, let us know! We would love to give you the rundown! This is a popular spot for those looking to relocate, and we love visitors!
I am looking to relocate to this place Cookville. I live in new orlean now. I looking to buy 50- to 100 askers of land.and bill a house on it . Can someone in the realastate business give me some feedback.
It’s a great place! I have forwarded your email address to our agents. Feel free to call us at 931.520.7750 as well! They can also put you in touch with some local builders.
My husband and I live in the Northeast. Our children are grown adults and we are looking to relocate to a more reasonable place to live. We love the south, We are not retiring any time soon. How is the job market? My husband works in manufacturing as an industrial mechanic and I work as a dental assistant in a private office. Any information would be great.
Hey Jill! Thanks for reaching out! I will forward your comment to our admin so an agent can reach out and give you some more information. Cookeville is a great town, and we are really growing right now too! We hope you’ll join us down in Tennessee!
I am hoping to find a home in Cookeville , I will be visiting next week. It looks like a great place.
It’s a great town! We think you’re going to love it. Tons of growth happening in the area with new companies and stores coming in. We would love to show you around! Enjoy your visit! Let us know if we can help you out at all!
My boyfriend works for Walmart and there are some job openings there and we are thinking about moving from Illinois to there. I have a son that is 11. We would really like some guidance on getting started there
Yes! This is a great area and it’s really growing right now and more to come! I’ve forwarded your info to our admin so an agent can reach out. Also, feel free to reach our Cookeville location at 931.520.7750.
My family and i are planning to move to East Tennessee from Mississippi. My husband just finished Nurse Practitioner school so we’re trying to find him a job in this area too. We have 2 kids,4 and 7 so we will need an amazing school. We want a Mayberry feel type of town. We’re a baseball family. Can anyone help us? We want to rent at first. Any advice! We are currently in Crossville visiting until Saturday scoping out areas.
Hey Brittany! It’s a great area! We are growing a lot and have a ton of stuff to do outdoors. Caney Fork River, Center Hill Lake, Dale Hollow Lake and a ton of waterfalls…You’re just in time too! We would love to help you out and show you around. I have forwarded your info to our admin so an agent can reach out. Feel free to reach us at 931.520.7750 as well! Enjoy your visit!
If only I could get a job I would be there tomorrow
It is a beautiful area! We are really growing too. Have you checked the job market in a while? We just had a lot of new businesses open and more are coming. If we can help at all, give us a call at 931.520.7750.
We’re visiting next week and plan on moving to Cookeville from Florida in the next few months.
You’re coming at a great time! The weather has been great lately. You’re going to love it! Let us know if we can help at all! Enjoy your visit & safe travels!