Hi TV-4-2,
I live outside Knoxville in Jefferson County overlooking Cherokee Lake, one of the several TVA lakes (but spend some time in TV as we can
Douglas Lake is not far away - on the other side of I-40.
This area is bustling, and continually growing as I-40, I-81 & I-75 all converge here. The lakes of course provide for boating and some great fishing as well as hydroelectric generators which keep our power bills fairly low. The Smoky Mountains provide for great hiking, some skiing at upper elevations, and reportedly draw about 15 million visitors and lots of revenue to our area each year.
We love this area for it's rural quality of life with very close access to a city with all of it's offerings. The University of Tennessee brings many cultural and academic bonus' to the region. Oh yah, and then there's football.
The one thing that seems to come as a bit of a shock to people considering this area is that our lakes are drawn down somewhat in the winter. Sure changes the look of the shoreline, makes docking more of a challenge, and channels are narrower.
Each of the 'local' TVA lakes has it's own charms and challenges. There are upscale homes on all of the lakes, but the closer into Knoxville one gets of course, the denser the population in developments.
Do visit!
Gaile Avent
Symphony Hill
New Market, TN