Middle Tennessee. Far enough away from the western portion of the state which is ruled by idiots and close enough to everything else worth doing to make it a perfect spot! Mountains, lakes, moderate weather and plenty of curves in the road to make it fun!
How the heck do you retire at 49?? I want some of that!
No, TN is a terrible place. It has a very High state Income tax. It has a Very high property tax. The Lakes are running dry. The mountains are wearing down. They are making the road straight. Cost of Living is very high. Houses are very expensive. It is as hot as FL in the summer and colder than MI in the winter.
Please never consider moving to TN, especially not East TN.