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Vonore, TN · Monroe County · ~1,600 Homes · Gated · Golf · Tellico Lake

Rarity Bay

Gated golf and lakefront community on Tellico Lake in Vonore — 1,600 homes, 18-hole golf course, marina access, and the more intimate alternative to Tellico Village’s 5,000-home scale.

~1,600Homes
~$220/moHOA / Month
$250K–$700KPrice Range
~0.55%Monroe Co. Tax
OverviewAmenitiesTrue CostEast TN Hub

Overview

Rarity Bay is the gated, more intimate alternative to Tellico Village — both on Tellico Lake, but Rarity Bay at 1,600 homes has a tighter social fabric and a gated security model that Tellico Village’s open POA structure doesn’t provide. The 18-hole golf course and marina are comparable in quality to Tellico Village’s offerings.

Vonore is in Monroe County — approximately 5 miles south of Loudon along US-411. Monroe County’s ~0.55% effective tax rate is similar to Loudon County. The location is slightly further from Knoxville than Tellico Village (approximately 50 miles to downtown Knoxville).

The gated model attracts buyers who specifically want the security and controlled access that Tellico Village’s open road structure doesn’t offer. The HOA at ~$220/month is slightly higher than Tellico Village’s ~$180/month, reflecting the gated infrastructure costs.

Monroe 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 Monroe 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

Gated entry
18-hole golf course
Marina and boat slips on Tellico Lake
Clubhouse with fitness center
Indoor and outdoor pools
Tennis and pickleball courts
Walking trails along the lake
Tellico Lake swimming and boating access

True Monthly Cost

All-in monthly cost — $400K Rarity Bay home

HOA fee~$220/mo
Monroe Co. property tax (~0.55%)~$183/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)~$628–$743/mo

Right For / Not Right For

Good fit if you:

  • Want gated community on Tellico Lake
  • Want smaller scale than Tellico Village’s 5,000 homes
  • Want golf and marina in a more controlled environment
  • Monroe County location is acceptable

Not right if you:

  • Want Tellico Village’s three golf courses and larger social scale
  • Want lower HOA — $220/mo vs $180/mo at Tellico Village
  • Need Knoxville city proximity — 50 miles out

Questions About Rarity Bay?

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

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