Moving to Pigeon Forge? Here Are 9 Things to Know

If you are considering moving to another city, Pigeon Forge has a lot to offer. It is a beautiful, picturesque town located at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee. It is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

When relocating to a new place, it’s often best to consider a few things and ask questions. For instance, the cost of living, real estate prices, amenities, community, and transit system are vital aspects to look into. Researching the culture and history of the area would also be very helpful in figuring out its lifestyle.

Here are a few fun facts about the city you should know before moving there:

The housing market here is not competing, that’s why they are known as affordable housing as well. According to Redfin, as of October 2024, the median sale price of a home in Pigeon Forge was $595K. 

Nearly 48% of the population owns houses, while the remaining 52% live on rent. There are a wide variety of properties available on the market. The diverse listings include cabins, waterfront properties, luxury estates, mountain retreat homes, and condos. The architecture and style of the homes also have a wide variety, from classic colonial homes to modern ones. You can opt for one that suits your requirements the best. 

If you love spending time with friends and family, it is an excellent place to invite them over. If you’re worried about their accommodations and that you won’t be able to accommodate everyone at your home, you can always rent condos in Pigeon Forge. 

These condo rentals can provide your guests with beautiful views and luxurious accommodations, making it a memorable vacation. Being a city where millions of tourists visit each year, there are always a lot of rental options. You can all have a good time doing activities like visiting theme parks, golf courses, theater shows, Dollywood, etc. 

If your family or friends are nature lovers, well, there’s no better place for them than your hometown (if you choose to move there). They can enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its gorgeous mountain views and scenery. Go hiking or for a scenic drive; the breathtaking views would be a perfect backdrop for family photos.

Do You Know?
The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the United States having more than 10 million visitors every year.

Though it is an unusual name, and one might wonder how it came about, it was named after two things, the first being the Little Pigeon River. The river itself was named after the large number of passenger pigeons that used to nest along its banks. 

The second element was the iron forge built by Isaac Love in 1817 on a site near the Old Mill. Together, these two historical elements gave this place its eclectic name.

It offers a mass transit option in the form of trolleys. You can sit back and relax because you won’t have to drive everywhere. You can ride it for a nominal fee per ride or a flat-day rate pass. 

The trolley travels to more than 200 official stops in the place and will take you to selective locations in Gatlinburg and Sevierville as well. The transit system has an app, so you can see the arrival times and buy and use passes.

Here, the summers are long, and the winters are short but cold. Over the year, temperatures typically vary from 31°F to 87°F and rarely dip below 17°F or above 92°F. The hot season lasts from May to September, and the cold season lasts from December to February. Subsequently, July is the hottest month, and December is the coldest. However, the city experiences wet spells throughout the year.

The weather is known to be unpredictable, as is the case with most mountainous regions, and can abruptly change during the day. Severe thunderstorms, with gusty winds and hail, are quite common during the spring season. The snowfall season can last for up to 1.5 months, from January to February. 

The cost of living here is much lower than in other popular destinations in the country. Along with affordable housing in certain areas, other factors like utilities, transportation, and food are all quite affordable (nearly 10% lower than the US average). 

The city has low property taxes and no state income tax at all. This includes retirement incomes such as pensions, Social Security, and 401(k), all of which are not taxed, which makes it a great place to live if you are looking for financial security and a retirement plan.

You would never be bored in this place. There is an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities that you can find to do at any time of the day. From theater shows, theme parks, walking tours, seasonal festivities, ATV rides, Jeep tours, and arcades to interactive museums, there are plenty of things to do. 

The famous Dollywood Theme Park features dozens of thrilling rides and attractions, from roller coasters, water slides, and live shows to other interactive experiences. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an abundance of trails, waterfalls, and scenery waiting to be explored. 

They also provide outdoor sporting activities like skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more. No matter if you’re seeking an adventure or want to peacefully enjoy the serenity of nature, it has a lot to offer.

When shifting anywhere new, you always want to find good neighbors and a decent community. It has a friendly community atmosphere that would make you feel right at home. People are friendly and love to socialize and it has some of the best schools in Tennessee as well.

There are plenty of Churches that offer a lot of opportunities for you to get involved with the locals and build meaningful relationships with them.

Enjoy living in Pigeon Forge!

Moving to a whole new city can be an exciting experience, but at the same time, it can also be quite a challenge if you aren’t well-informed or don’t know what to expect. This place provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy a peaceful life surrounded by breathtaking views. There are so many things to do and experiences to have; shifting there would be quite an adventure. Are you ready?