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Crossville, TN · Cumberland County · ~6,000 Homes · 5 Golf Courses · Most Affordable

Fairfield Glade

The most affordable major retirement community in Tennessee — Fairfield Glade in Crossville with 6,000 homes, five golf courses, and Cumberland County’s ~0.50% tax rate. The East Tennessee value play for buyers who want scale and golf without coastal or suburban pricing.

~6,000Homes
~$120/moHOA / Month
$150K–$500KPrice Range
~0.50%Cumberland Co. Tax
OverviewAmenitiesTrue CostEast TN Hub

Overview

Fairfield Glade is the most affordable large retirement community in Tennessee — 6,000 homes in Crossville with five 18-hole golf courses, multiple lakes, and the most clubs and social programming of any East Tennessee community. Cumberland County’s ~0.50% effective tax rate is the lowest in the region.

Crossville sits on the Cumberland Plateau between Knoxville and Nashville — approximately 70 miles from each on I-40. It’s not a suburb of either city; it’s a self-contained retirement market. The Plateau’s elevation (around 1,800 feet) moderates summer temperatures compared to the valley below — a genuine quality-of-life difference during Tennessee’s hot summers.

The value proposition is genuinely strong: homes from the $150Ks, five golf courses, multiple pools and fitness facilities, and $120/month HOA. For buyers coming from expensive coastal markets with significant equity, Fairfield Glade is the deployment-of-equity play — significantly more home and lifestyle per dollar than any comparable market.

Cumberland County Property Tax Freeze for SeniorsTennessee’s Property Tax Freeze program locks your tax bill at its current level for qualifying residents 65+ meeting income thresholds. In a rising market, this is meaningful protection against escalating carrying costs. Verify current Cumberland County thresholds with the county assessor after purchase.
Zero Tennessee State Income TaxTennessee eliminated all state income tax in 2021 — no tax on IRA withdrawals, pensions, Social Security, or investment income. For retirees drawing $60K–$120K/year from tax-deferred accounts, this is worth $3,500–$7,000/year vs states with 5–6% income tax rates.

Amenities

Five 18-hole golf courses (Heatherhurst, Druid Hills, Stonehenge, Dorchester, Brae Burn)
Multiple clubhouses
Indoor and outdoor pools across locations
Tennis and pickleball courts
Lake access (Stonehenge Lake, Cumberland Lake)
Walking and biking trails
Fitness centers
Active social calendar with 80+ clubs

True Monthly Cost

All-in monthly cost — $300K Fairfield Glade home

HOA fee~$120/mo
Cumberland Co. property tax (~0.50%)~$125/mo
Homeowners insurance (inland TN — low risk)~$75–$130/mo
Utilities~$150–$210/mo
State income tax$0 — zero TN income tax
Total monthly carrying cost (excl. mortgage)~$470–$585/mo

Right For / Not Right For

Good fit if you:

  • Want the most affordable major retirement community in Tennessee
  • Want five golf courses — more than any other East TN community
  • Coming from expensive coastal market with equity to redeploy
  • Want the highest elevation and coolest summer temperatures on the Plateau

Not right if you:

  • Want Knoxville or Nashville city proximity — 70 miles from each
  • Want lakefront living on Tellico Lake (different lakes here)
  • Want new construction — mostly a mature resale market

Questions About Fairfield Glade?

We can run your Cumberland County tax estimate, Tennessee income tax savings, and true all-in cost comparison.

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