Tennessee Trip - Summer 2026

Status: PLANNING

Overview

• Dates: Summer 2026 (TBD - likely June or September to avoid peak heat)
• Duration: 3-4 weeks
• Purpose: Relocation research trip
• Long-term Goal: Live on a houseboat on the Tennessee River (2-5 year plan)

Trip Goals

1. Evaluate houseboat living feasibility

   • Visit marinas that allow liveaboards
   • Understand costs, regulations, lifestyle
   • Meet houseboat community members

2. Explore potential home base cities

   • Chattanooga (primary interest)
   • Knoxville
   • Smaller river towns

3. Experience the lifestyle

   • Music scene (jazz, blues, Americana)
   • Outdoor activities
   • Cost of living reality check
   • Community vibe

Houseboat Living Research

Tennessee River Overview

The Tennessee River runs 652 miles through Tennessee, offering numerous options for liveaboard communities.

Key segments:

• Chickamauga Lake — Google Maps — Near Chattanooga
• Watts Bar Lake — Google Maps — Between Chattanooga and Knoxville
• Fort Loudoun Lake — Google Maps — Near Knoxville
• Tellico Lake — Google Maps — Southwest of Knoxville

Full River Route Map: View Tennessee River from Chattanooga to Knoxville on Google Maps

Marinas with Liveaboard Options

Chattanooga Area

Between Chattanooga & Knoxville

Knoxville Area

Liveaboard Costs (Estimated)

Liveaboard Considerations

Pros:

• Lower cost of living than traditional housing
• Community of like-minded people
• Direct water access
• Flexible lifestyle
• Tennessee has no state income tax

Cons:

• Limited space
• Weather exposure (storms, flooding)
• Maintenance demands
• Some marinas don’t allow year-round liveaboard
• Utilities can be expensive (heating/cooling)

Questions to Ask Marinas:

• Do you allow year-round liveaboard residents?
• What’s the waitlist for liveaboard slips?
• What utilities are included vs. metered?
• What are the insurance requirements?
• Is there a liveaboard community here?

Cities to Explore

Chattanooga (Primary Interest)

Location: Google Maps · Visit Chattanooga

Why Chattanooga:

• Revitalized downtown, walkable
• Tennessee River runs through the city
• Strong outdoor culture
• Growing food/music scene
• Cost of living ~18% below national average

Cost of Living: | Category | vs. National Average | |----------|---------------------| | Overall | 18% lower | | Housing | 25-30% lower | | Groceries | 5-10% lower | | Utilities | Similar |

Neighborhoods to Explore:

Outdoor Activities:

Music Scene: | Venue | Type | Notes | Links | |-------|------|-------|-------| | Barking Legs Theater | Jazz, experimental | Intimate, adventurous programming | Google Maps · Official Site | | The Woodshop | Jazz, blues | Listening room, St. Elmo | Google Maps · Official Site | | Songbirds Guitar Museum | Americana, roots | Live performances + guitar collection | Google Maps · Official Site | | JJ’s Bohemia | Eclectic | Multi-genre, local acts | Google Maps · Official Site | | Track 29 | National touring acts | Larger venue | Google Maps · Official Site |

Knoxville

Location: Google Maps · Visit Knoxville

Why Knoxville:

• Larger city, more amenities
• University of Tennessee culture
• Historic Market Square
• Cost of living ~11-14% below national average

Cost of Living: | Category | vs. National Average | |----------|---------------------| | Overall | 11-14% lower | | Housing | 15-20% lower |

Neighborhoods to Explore:

Music Scene: | Venue | Type | Notes | Links | |-------|------|-------|-------| | Sassy Ann’s | Jazz | Intimate jazz club | Google Maps | | Preservation Pub | Americana, roots | Multiple stages, local focus | Google Maps · Official Site | | The Mill & Mine | Touring acts | Medium-sized venue | Google Maps · Official Site | | Barley’s Taproom | Blues, rock | Historic Old City location | Google Maps · Official Site | | Open Chord | Listening room | Singer-songwriter focus | Google Maps · Official Site |

Smaller River Towns

Worth visiting to understand quieter alternatives:

Suggested Itinerary Framework

Week 1: Chattanooga Deep Dive (7 days)

Base: Downtown Chattanooga — Google Maps

Accommodation: Downtown Chattanooga (walkable to Riverwalk)

Week 2: River Exploration (7 days)

Route Map: View full river exploration route on Google Maps

Accommodation: Mix — perhaps 2-3 nights in Cleveland area, then move toward Loudon/Lenoir City

Week 3: Knoxville & Decision Making (7 days)

Base: Downtown Knoxville — Google Maps

Accommodation: Downtown Knoxville (walkable)

Optional Week 4: Deep Dive or Return

If staying 4 weeks:

• Return to favorite area for extended stay
• Attend more music events
• Have follow-up conversations with marina managers
• Explore areas you rushed through

Practical Considerations

Getting Around

Since Paul doesn’t drive:

• Chattanooga: CARTA Electric Shuttle downtown (free), walkable core, Uber/Lyft available
• Knoxville: Walkable downtown, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), Uber/Lyft available
• Small towns: Will need rideshare or consider hiring a local driver for marina visits
• Between cities: Greyhound, rideshare, or possibly arranged transport

Challenge: Visiting multiple marinas along the river will require car access. Options:

1. Coordinate with local contacts/new acquaintances
2. Hire a driver for specific marina-visiting days
3. Focus on marinas in walkable/Uber-able locations

Best Time to Visit

Budget Estimate

Research Tasks

• Contact marinas about liveaboard policies and availability
• Join online houseboat/liveaboard communities for Tennessee River
• Research Tennessee boat registration and liveaboard regulations — TN Wildlife Resources
• Find local houseboat community Facebook groups
• Identify potential local contacts who could help with transportation

To Book

• Flights: Eugene → Chattanooga (or Nashville + drive) — Chattanooga Airport (CHA)
• Week 1 accommodation: Downtown Chattanooga
• Week 2 accommodation: Along river route
• Week 3 accommodation: Downtown Knoxville
• Return flight: Knoxville (TYS) → Eugene — Knoxville Airport (TYS) · Official Site

Useful Resources

• Tennessee Tourism: tnvacation.com
• Visit Chattanooga: visitchattanooga.com
• Visit Knoxville: visitknoxville.com
• Tennessee River Valley: tva.com
• Liveaboard Forums: cruisersforum.com

Notes

• This is a scouting trip, not a commitment
• Goal is to gather enough information to make an informed decision
• Meeting locals and liveaboard community is as important as seeing places
• Tennessee has no state income tax — favorable for remote workers
• Take lots of notes and photos for comparison later