Communities at Tellico Lake: Comparing Lifestyles, Amenities & Budgets
Tellico Lake stretches across a beautiful corner of East Tennessee, drawing people who want year round boating, mountain views, and a slower pace without giving up everyday convenience. If you are considering a move, the choice is not simply “lake or no lake.” Each community around Tellico has its own feel, different amenities, and a distinct cost profile. The right fit comes from matching your day to day priorities with the neighborhood’s culture, services, and housing options. What follows is a practical look at the major communities, how they differ, and what kind of budget typically supports a comfortable life here.
Why Tellico Lake Appeals to Relocating Buyers
People relocate to Tellico Lake for a few clear reasons. The climate is mild compared with harsher northern winters, which means more days on the water and longer seasons for golf, pickleball, and hiking. The Smokies are close enough for quick weekend trips. Knoxville, Maryville, and Lenoir City provide hospitals, airports, and shopping without the congestion of larger metros. Tennessee’s overall tax picture remains friendly to retirees and remote professionals, and property taxes are generally lower than in many coastal or western states. All of that creates a quality of life that is relaxed, outdoors focused, and still practical.
Tellico Village: Established Community, Everyday Convenience
Tellico Village is the best known address on the lake and has the feel of a mature, well run town. Roads, utilities, and community services are well established. Most daily needs are within a short drive, which matters when you actually live here and are not just visiting. You will meet residents who have been in the Village for ten or fifteen years, as well as new arrivals who chose it for its mix of amenities and social life.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Three golf courses, a yacht club, multiple marinas, fitness and wellness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, and an active calendar of clubs create a full ecosystem. You can be as busy or as quiet as you like. The social fabric is strong, which helps newcomers feel at home quickly. Trails and pocket parks wind through the neighborhoods, and lake access points are common. For many buyers, the Village strikes the best balance between activity and convenience.
Housing & Budget
Housing choices range from townhomes and patio homes to custom lakefront properties. Resale single family homes commonly start in the mid to upper four hundreds and move into seven figures on premium waterfront. Townhomes and smaller cottages can be a step below those numbers. Newer or fully renovated properties command a premium. Most owners plan for monthly property owners association assessments and separate club or golf memberships based on interest. A comfortable move in budget for the Village often begins around the mid five hundreds for a well kept non lakefront home, with flexibility upward for size, updates, and water proximity.
Kahite at Tellico Village: Quiet Peninsula Living
Kahite is a Tellico Village neighborhood in Vonore, set on a scenic peninsula with wide water and mountain views. It feels a little more tucked away than the core Village neighborhoods and suits buyers who like quiet streets and easy lake access while keeping the larger Village’s amenities in reach.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Kahite has its own clubhouse and course, along with walking loops and water access points. Many homes sit on generous lots with room for gardens, outdoor kitchens, and screened porches. You get the smaller community feel and still plug into the Village’s activities, fitness facilities, and clubs whenever you want.
Housing & Budget
Homes in Kahite vary from tidy ranch plans to custom builds on the view lots. Expect many properties in the five to eight hundred range for well kept homes off the water, with premium prices for direct lakefront and for homes with sweeping mountain views. Association assessments mirror the Village structure, and buyers should plan the same line items for utilities, lawn care, and boat storage or slips.
Rarity Bay: Gated Golf, Equestrian, and Water Views
Rarity Bay sits on a spectacular peninsula with panoramic views. It is gated, with a strong focus on golf, club life, and social events. If you like curated streetscapes, organized activities, and a defined neighborhood identity, Rarity Bay belongs on your shortlist.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Residents join for golf, the clubhouse scene, pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a marina community that makes boat days simple. There is also an equestrian element that appeals to riders and families who want boarding nearby. The social calendar tends to be active, with dinners, leagues, and seasonal events that help newcomers make friends quickly.
Housing & Budget
Rarity Bay offers condos, villas, interior single family homes, and grand lakefront estates. Condos can start in the threes or fours depending on size and updates. Many interior single family homes land in the five to nine hundred range, while premium waterfront and newer custom builds can move well above one million. Club dues and association fees vary by membership choice, so it is worth modeling yearly costs as part of your decision. For budgeting, assume purchase prices slightly higher than comparable square footage in non gated neighborhoods, reflecting the views, amenities, and controlled access.
WindRiver: Luxury, Security, and Full Service Marina
WindRiver, near Lenoir City, positions itself as a luxury lake and golf community with a strong emphasis on security, dining, and an elevated waterfront experience. The feel is polished and modern, and it suits buyers who want newer construction and a resort style presentation.
Lifestyle & Amenities
A championship course anchors the community alongside a full service marina, fitness options, miles of paths, and curated dining and social spaces. The sidewalks, landscaping, and home designs present a cohesive look. It is a good match for buyers who value gated peace of mind, on site services, and the feeling of a destination community.
Housing & Budget
WindRiver pricing generally starts higher than older neighborhoods due to newer builds and luxury finishes. Expect many homes to begin in the high sixes to eights for interior lots, with lakeview and lakefront moving into seven figures. Custom construction and larger lots push prices higher. Association and club costs follow the luxury positioning, so plan your annual ownership budget accordingly.
Other Neighborhood Options Around the Lake
Not every Tellico buyer wants a full scale master planned environment. Smaller neighborhoods and communities like Tellico Harbor and Foothills Pointe appeal to people who want lake access and friendly streets without a heavy amenity load. These areas can be excellent values if you are comfortable driving a bit farther for golf or fitness and if you prefer a simpler association structure.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Expect community docks or small marinas, pools or clubhouses in some, and neighborhood gatherings organized by residents. The tradeoff is fewer on site services, which many buyers see as a plus.
Housing & Budget
Prices vary widely by lot size, view, and condition. Interior homes can begin in the fours and fives, with well updated lake access or lakeview options moving higher. Waterfront still commands a premium, but you may find more approachable numbers compared with the larger resort style communities.
Cost of Living, Taxes & Ongoing Ownership Costs
Beyond the purchase price, plan a realistic annual budget. Property taxes remain modest compared with many out of state sellers’ previous homes. Tennessee does not tax wages or common retirement benefits, which helps fixed income planning. Utilities are generally reasonable, although waterfront homes with larger footprints will naturally spend more on power and water. Association assessments, club dues, and golf or marina charges are significant variables. Boat ownership adds insurance, storage or slip fees, fuel, and maintenance. If lawn service and housekeeping are part of your plan, include those line items as well. A careful worksheet of all recurring costs will help you compare communities fairly.
Building a Relocation Budget that Works
A solid relocation plan starts with housing, but the most successful moves budget for the full first year. Begin with the purchase price, closing costs, and any immediate repairs or updates. Add moving expenses, temporary housing if needed, and window coverings or furnishings that a floor plan change might require. If you are buying a boat or planning to lease a slip, add those figures. Set aside a contingency fund for surprises. Finally, estimate your monthly spend after the move and pressure test it against your retirement or remote work income. The goal is to arrive with cash reserves and confidence, not to feel stretched in your first season on the lake.
Which Community Fits You
If you want a large, active network with many clubs, classes, and events, Tellico Village delivers that established small town feel, and Kahite gives you a quieter corner of it. If you prefer a gated environment with a defined club culture and peninsula views, Rarity Bay is a strong match. If luxury finishes, newer homes, and a full service marina top your list, WindRiver will feel right. If you lean simple and value a friendly neighborhood with lower association layers, the smaller communities deserve a look.
The best way to decide is to visit for more than a weekend. Rent in one community, then another, and live a version of your regular week. Try the commute to stores and medical providers. Walk the trails at different times of day. Talk with neighbors about what they love and what they would change. When a place makes daily life easy and the budget feels comfortable, you have likely found your Tellico home.
Relocating to Tellico Lake is not just a real estate decision. It is a commitment to a lifestyle shaped by water, mountains, and community. With a clear view of amenities, costs, and culture, you can choose the neighborhood that turns that vision into your everyday life.
To learn more about Tellico Lake, contact local expert Rick Smenner or visit tellicolakehometeam.com.
