Tennessee National vs Tellico Village: How Do You Choose?

If you are looking at lake and golf living near Knoxville, Tennessee National and Tellico Village will both land on your list. They are neighbors. You can stand in one in the morning and the other after lunch.

They are also different kinds of communities on different lakes. We will stick to what we know for certain about our own, and tell you what to ask at both.

Where are Tennessee National and Tellico Village?

Both are in Loudon County, Tennessee, southwest of Knoxville. Tennessee National is on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, about 30 minutes from Knoxville and about 10 minutes from I-75. Tellico Village is on Tellico Lake, a short drive away.

That makes this an easy comparison to do in person. Plan one day, two visits and the same list of questions.

How do the lakes compare?

They are two separate TVA lakes, so the boating is different from each community.

Watts Bar Lake is a reservoir on the Tennessee River with more than 39,000 acres of water and 722 miles of shoreline. It is a 72-mile navigable reservoir, and locks connect it to the rest of the river system. The seasonal change in lake level is about 5 to 6 feet. The Tennessee National marina has 140+ boat slips inside the gates.

For Tellico Lake, check TVA's page for that reservoir and ask Tellico Village how owners get on the water. Better yet, spend an afternoon on each lake. Notice the width of the water, the boat traffic and how far you can run. Watts Bar Lake vs Tellico Lake goes deeper on the water itself.

What kind of community is each one?

Tennessee National is a private, gated community with one golf course and one marina. Tellico Village is a planned community with its own setup, so ask how it is run.

This is the question buyers skip, and it shapes everything. In any community, find out:

• Who owns and runs the amenities?
• Who sets the rules and the fees, and how do owners have a say?
• Is the community gated?
• Are golf and other amenities included with ownership, optional or separate memberships?

Here are the Tennessee National answers we can give. It is private and gated, on 1,492 acres. It is not age restricted. There is one Greg Norman Signature golf course, and membership questions go to the club. There are 22 social clubs and 180+ events a year, with a clubhouse, Kendall's restaurant, a pool, a fitness center, pickleball, tennis and walking trails.

For Tellico Village, ask Tellico Village. Then read the governing documents for both before you sign anything. How to vet a master-planned community explains what to look for.

Do you want to build or buy a finished home?

Decide this before you compare prices, because it changes what you are shopping for.

At Tennessee National, homes are custom built. There are five ways to own: The Timbers wooded homesites, lake homesites, waterfront homesites, Land & Home packages and townhomes. There is no deadline to build after you buy a homesite, and homes go through design review. If you would rather not build, finished homes are listed on the properties page. Pricing is in the info pack.

At Tellico Village, ask what is available now: homesites, new homes and existing homes. Ask whether there is a deadline to build and which design rules apply. A local agent can show you current listings.

Then compare like with like. A homesite against a homesite. A finished home against a finished home.

How do you compare fees fairly?

Add up every recurring cost at both, in writing, and compare the totals.

Ask each community for:

• Owner association fees and what they cover
• Golf, club or amenity fees, and whether they are required
• Boat slip or storage fees
• Any one-time fees at closing or when you join

Do not compare one number from one place with a different kind of number from the other. And do not rely on a blog for any of them, including this one. Fees change.

The honest trade-off

Tennessee National is one gate, one golf course and one marina. If you want a rotation of courses or a different kind of community, we may not be the fit. It is better to learn that on a visit.

What we can give you is a straight answer about our own place. Tellico Village can give you theirs.

See both on the same day. Have lunch at each if you can. Confirm current details directly with Tellico Village. If other communities nearby are on your list, see Tennessee National vs WindRiver and Tennessee National vs Rarity Bay.

Facts about Tennessee National come from the community. Lake facts come from TVA. Rules, taxes, loans and insurance change, so confirm anything that affects a purchase with the right office or professional before you buy.