• Ryan Smith
• 19 January, 2022

East Tennessee is growing. In fact, more people moved to Tennessee than any other state in 2020. While our state’s beauty has become second nature for long-time Tennesseans, we can all get excited for newcomers to experience The Volunteer State. So, welcome! Make yourself at home.

Kathleen Griffin

The Griffin family knew they wanted to retire in Tennessee, and when they met with Ryan, they knew they had found a great match. “We met with Ryan and told him what we were looking for. He was wonderful to work with and definitely lead us in the right direction,” Cathy said. “We actually ended up buying a piece of property and we are building our dream home on the land. We owe it all to Ryan for getting us to where we got.”

Alexander Wilson

Like the Griffin family, Ryan was able to provide priceless knowledge and guidance for Alexander, a Tennessee transplant and first-time homebuyer. “I told him I needed him to be really honest with me because I’m new and I don’t want to be taken advantage of. I want to know what’s going on and if you see something wrong with the house that I don’t see, I want you to tell me.”

Relocating to a new city or state can be a lot to handle, so take a break from unloading your moving boxes and take a swing at our New Tennessee Resident Bucket List.

1. Spend a day at Dollywood – Dollywood truly has something for everyone. From rollercoasters to arts and crafts, you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy. Make sure to stop by Grist Mill for cinnamon bread.
2. Walk around the University of Tennessee’s campus or attend a Tennessee Vols game – Regardless of where you’re from, when you move to East Tennessee, you join the Volunteer family. Acquaint yourself with UT’s beautiful campus or attend a Vols game to see what we’re all about.
3. Get some fresh air by visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – The most-visited National Park in the United States just so happens to be in our backyard. Just a short drive from Downtown Knoxville, you can make a day or weekend trip unplugging and exploring in the park that many call the Crown Jewel of the Eastern US. Over 12 million people visit the park each year, so you know it’s worth it.
4. Enjoy Downtown Knoxville’s food scene – Downtown Knoxville is booming with excellent dining and nightlife. The best way to explore our region is by supporting local businesses. You can’t go wrong with Sweet P’s BBQ, Calhoun’s on the River, or Next Level Brewing Company.
5. Explore the Tennessee River or one of our many beautiful lakes – The Tennessee River runs right through Downtown Knoxville and brings about a plethora of outdoor activities. From sunset paddling excursions on the Tennessee River to pontoon rentals on Douglas Lake, there’s no shortage of adventure in our region.

As you can see, there’s a lot to explore in East Tennessee. The best part? This is only the beginning. On behalf of Tennesseans across the state, we welcome you to our neck of the woods. We know you’ll come to love it here.