Tennessee is a beautiful state that stretches from the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern part of the state to the Mississippi River in the west. If you are thinking of moving to Tennessee, here are some things you should know.
The climate is generally mild. Most of the state is in USDA hardiness zone 6, with a small corner in the southeastern part of the state in zone 7. Winters do not get very harsh, except in the mountains in the eastern part of the state. This is the only part of the state that is sure to get snow in the winter. Summers are warm and humid. Tennessee is a great place for gardeners, as much of the soil is fertile loam, rain is plentiful, and there is a long growing season.
The main cities are Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis. Most of the corporate employment is centered in these cities. The employment in the rest of the state is primarily agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and mining. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which supplies electricity for most of the region, is also a major employer. Chattanooga has been positioning itself as a high-tech center for Tennessee and is trying to attract information technology businesses.
Each large city has some public transportation, whether it is buses or trolleys. Fares are quite reasonable. Even the more rural counties have a bus service, although you must call 24 hours in advance to reserve your ride.
If you are a professional such as an accountant or lawyer, there is a professional privilege tax of $400 per year. This tax is due on selected professional occupations. The whole list is available on the website for the state of Tennessee.
Personal income is taxed at the rate of 6 percent. Sales tax is a base rate of 7 percent, with some areas having a local option sales tax on top of the base. If you are going to buy an expensive item such as a car or a boat, you might wish to do it before you move to Tennessee if your state has a lower sales tax rate.
The state government is always trying to modernize their operations and make them more efficient. Through their website, you can renew your driver's license, pay income taxes, pay your professional privilege tax, and renew your license if you are a health professional, among other things.
Starting a business in Tennessee is fairly easy, as the state is friendly to business and encourages new industries. Forming a corporation only costs $100 for the state fee. The business license tax is based on a percentage of sales. The business income rate is 6.5 percent. Tennessee is an at-will employer state, not a right to work state. If you are an employer, that means you do not have to let an employee go only when you have cause. You can let him go if you have no need for him. If you are an employee, it means that you have no recourse if you are let go for no cause. You can, however, file for unemployment.
Tennessee is full of fun things to do. The Tennessee River winds through the eastern part of the state, and is great for fishing and boating. There are many other rivers and numerous lakes for water fun in the eastern and middle part of the state. There are many caves to explore in the mountains. The many hiking trails in the mountains and in the hilly middle part of the state range from easy to rugged, so anyone who wishes to hike can find a trail to suit him.
Land and housing prices in Tennessee are moderate, especially compared to those in the northern part of the country, unless you wish to purchase waterfront property. Waterfront property, especially on the Tennessee River, is quite expensive. However, you might be able to find property on a lesser river for a reasonable price. Land in rural areas might go for as little as $2,000 to $3,000 per acre, depending on size of the parcel. Decent average-sized homes in a rural area might sell for less than $100,000. Homes in the cities will cost more, of course, but good homes can still be found for less that $200,000.
School systems in Tennessee are adequate – far from the best in the nation, but certainly not the worst. Tennessee has developed state curriculum guidelines for all subjects, even those without standardized tests. The state is striving to improve its school systems yearly.
There are many excellent colleges in Tennessee. The University of Tennessee is the best known. It has campuses at Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Martin, and Tullahoma. Costs are reasonable, with an entire year of tuition and fees costing less than $10,000 for a state resident. There are many smaller colleges scattered throughout the state, also, so a college education is obtainable wherever you live in the state.
