Liquid Assets
What makes Roane County a premier place to live?
To get an idea, just head for the water.
“Roane County is blessed with more lake miles than any other area in east Tennessee and enjoys 738 shoreline miles on beautiful Watts Bar Lake,” says Pam May, manager of tourism and marketing for The Roane Alliance. “Watersports are very popular here – knee boarding, wake boarding, tubing and jet skiing. Boating is nearly a year-round activity with the mild temperatures in east Tennessee, and you can always find a houseboat or cruiser tied up in a quiet cove to spend a relaxing weekend surrounded by water.”
One of the South’s largest lakes, Watts Bar Lake, covers 39,000 acres. Its principal tributaries – the Clinch River, Tennessee River and Emory River – all run through Roane County.
Easy access to so many bodies of water makes Roane County a scenic place to live, and it also provides an exciting quality of life that draws newcomers from around the world.
“One of my recent clients who bought lakefront property here was moving from China,” says Kathy May-Martin, managing real estate broker with Coldwell Banker. “People come from all walks of life. There are younger folks who can work from their computers anywhere, and there are retirees who come for the mild weather. People are attracted to the water, the close proximity to Interstate 40 and Interstate 75, and the fact there’s no state income tax.”
Roane County is known around the nation for its world-class bass, crappie, catfish and striper fishing, and it’s home to many bass fishing tournaments and events where the water takes center stage.
Smokin’ the Water is Kingston’s annual Fourth of July festival, which includes a spectacular fireworks show over Watts Bar Lake along with drag boat races, raft races, live music and plenty of food. The Half Moon Music Festival at Blue Springs Marina in Ten Mile is also held in July.
“The Half Moon Music Festival showcases area talent and offers a delicious blend of music, food, fun and relaxation on the water,” May says. “Camping is another favorite activity, and you’ll find several campgrounds along the water, including the upscale Caney Creek RV Resort. There are also numerous islands and remote locations where you can arrive by boat, pitch a tent and enjoy a starry night on the edge of the water.”
For those who just can’t get enough of the water, several high-end, multimillion-dollar residential developments allow residents to live right on its edge. In fact, the county is in the midst of a residential boom, thanks to the scenic allure of the water.
Ladd Landing is an 800-acre waterfront development with condominiums and single-family homes in Kingston, while Grande Vista Bay is a gated community with more than 500 luxury residential units along 10 miles of lakefront.
“Grande Vista Bay has some of the most beautiful lakefront property you’ll find anywhere,” May-Martin says. “There’s also the Rarity Ridge Community - in the Oak Ridge part of Roane County - which is like a town within a town.”
With mostly mild temperatures in the county during the winter, the acres and acres of water – a huge tourism draw that pumps millions into the economy each year – offer year-round beauty and activity.
“People like that our lake only fluctuates five feet from summer to winter – it doesn’t go dry like other lakes,” May-Martin says. “We’ve really got the best of both worlds, with the mountains and the water.”
