Mountain Living - Smokies
Sevier County, Real Estate Guide

Smokies, surrounding activities
make Sevier state's hottest tourism spot

It’s no secret that Sevier County is a hot spot for tourism.   It’s the main gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most popular national park in the country, with more than 9 million visitors a year.

The main towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville continue to expand with hotels, restaurants, shops and a variety of amusements making the area a destination for millions of people And lots of those visitors come back to stay.

“In my contacts with prospects looking at locating businesses here, so many of them say they came here on vacation as a child and that they love it here and want to live in such a beautiful place,” said Allen Newton, executive director of the Sevier County Economic Development Corp.

New highways recently opened or soon to open are alleviating traffic problems, one of the biggest concerns for the area, noted Newton.

“There’s a wide range of housing, the schools are great, and now you have your Lowe’s and your Wal-Mart and you don’t have to go anywhere else to shop. Back in the early ‘90s, you’d have to go to Knoxville to shop.”

In addition, the Sevier campus of Walters State Community College, readying for a $5 million expansion, offers college-level courses as well as community enrichment programs.

Among soon-to-come amenities are a new Sevierville Events Center and a Wilderness Resorts complex that will include lodging, shops, restaurants and a large indoor water park.

With most revenue coming from tourism, the county’s property tax rate is much lower than in most other areas, and cost of living is below the national average.

“If they’re moving from the North, they can buy twice the house here they can there. The whole East Tennessee region is a very attractive place for people to move into,” Newton said.

And, once they’re here, “all their relatives what to come to visit them” because there’s so much to do, he added.

Robin Turner, developer of the Estates at Norton Creek, an upscale community at the edge of the national park, said the proximity of such a wide variety of entertainment options is especially appealing to retirees or those nearing retirement who expect to have children and grandchildren visit.

Newton noted that the area is within a day’s drive of 75 percent of the country’s population, making it a central location for visiting and for locating.

Baby boomers in the market for a second home or looking for a retirement home are a prime market because there’s so many of them, and surveys show that mountain highlands are where they want to locate, said Cathy Ackermann, who is involved in Turner’s development.

As one of the state’s fastest-growing counties, Sevier now has 80,000 residents, up from some 77,000 in 2000. The county property tax rate is $1.66 per $100 in value, with a residential assessment ratio of 25 percent.

The area’s moderate climate is also a major asset, providing distinct seasonal variety, but without the extreme temperatures of Southern or Northern climates. The mountains also protect the area from extreme weather events. There’s no worry about hurricanes, and tornadoes are rare.

Newton also mentions another plus frequently cited by visitors to the Sevier mountain area, where hospitality has long been a focus.

“They say the people here are great. Everyone is helpful and friendly.”

FACT

Location: Less than 40 miles north of Knoxville with main access via Exit 407 of I-40. Approximately 15 miles from I-81, 30 miles from Interstate-75.
Mountain range: Great Smoky Mountains, Foothills ranges include Bluff and English Mountains.

Nearby cities: Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seymour, Maryville-Alcoa and Knoxville. Attractions: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Bass Pro Outdoor World, Dolly’s Splash Country, Forbidden Caverns, Tennessee Smokies baseball, Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community.

Recreational opportunities:
Hiking, camping, golfing, fishing, snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, go-cart racing, miniature golf, outlet shopping.

For more information:
Sevier County Economic Development Corp. 865-428-2212 or www.scedc.com;
Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, 888-738-4378 or 865-453-6411 or www.seviervillechamber.org;
Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, 800-251-9100 or 865-453-8574 or www.mypigeonforge.com;
Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce, 800-588-1817 or www.gatlinburg.com.