With nearly one in three Kingsport residents age 55 and older, many seem to consider the Model City an ideal retirement community.

Considering the area’s natural beauty, low cost of living, strong health-care system, mild year-round temperatures, and active arts and volunteer communities, it’s easy to see why.

We’re within a day’s travel of probably 50 percent of the United States,” Dave Light, assistant to the city manager for the city of Kingsport, said of the region’s appeal for seniors. “We have an extremely low crime rate. We have an outstanding symphony, an outstanding theater guild – there’s just a ton of stuff that makes us attractive.

“First and foremost in Kingsport is, of course, our senior citizens center, which has a full range of activities for seniors of just about any age,” said Light. “And we have a health-care system that I would put up against anybody’s anywhere. Wellmont and Mountain States Health Alliance provide world-class health care.”

With so many community groups and opportunities for outdoor recreation, seniors have plenty of entertainment and volunteer options in the area.

“We’re located in the most beautiful part of the county,” Light said. “We have Bays Mountain Park, which has a full array of activities for folks of all ages. And of course our scenic beauty, state parks, Greenbelt, all those things are conducive to activities that seniors enjoy.”

“Kingsport is known historically as a community that places a great value on volunteers. As a matter of fact, we enjoy several amenities today that have been due largely to the efforts of volunteers in the past.”

Light cited the Kingsport Public Library, Fun Fest and the Greenbelt as fruits of the area’s abundance of volunteer labor.

Getting to and from daily activities is easy in Kingsport as well – a feature appreciated by many seniors. Thanks to the Kingsport Area Transit System, major shopping and medical facilities are a short ride away.

And when it’s time to come home, Kingsport planners make sure there are plenty of options for folks looking for convenient housing.

“One of the things that we are strategically focusing on is increasing our housing stock in the $100,000 range. There are quite a number of condominiums and single-level townhouse-type configurations that have been built or are being built in Kingsport that would be suitable for retirees or families without children,” Light said.

The senior neighborhood Pinebrook Place, offers seniors the option to own or lease in the community that includes two bus stops for transportation around the city.

Modeled after the successful Cobblestone development, Pinebrook Place was named 2005 sub-division of the year.

For the 45 to 55 age group, two maintenance-free living communities, Rosemary Villas and Crockett’s Ridge at Old Island, offer active seniors upscale living without the responsibilities of maintaining a yard and grounds.

Several assisted living facilities already are available throughout the Tri-Cities.

Retirees can also appreciate the wide variety of activities and resources provided by senior centers in Kingsport and surrounding areas:

Kingsport Senior Center
1200 E. Center St., Kingsport
Director: Shirley Buchanan
Phone: (423) 392-8400
Fax: (423) 224-2488

Mount Carmel Senior Center
101 E. Main St., Mount Carmel
Director: Wanda Davidson
Phone: (423) 357-3281
Fax: (423) 357-3281

Rogersville Senior Center
407 E. Main St., Rogersville
Director: Carolyn Shipley
Phone: (423) 272-9186
Fax: (423) 272-9185

Johnson City Seniors’ Center
607-609 E. Myrtle Ave., Johnson City
Director: Sue Orr
Phone: (423) 434-6237
Fax: (423) 434-6244

Jonesborough Area Senior Center
1521 Persimmon Ridge Rd., Jonesborough
Director: Carol Clifford
Phone: (423) 753-1075
Fax: (423) 753-1027

Bristol – Douglas Senior Center
711 Oakview Ave. No. 130
Bristol, VA
Phone: (276) 645-7370

Copyright Kingsport Times News, Reprinted with Permission. http://www.timesnews.net/