Dear Tennessee,

We love you. A heck of a lot. Except here’s the thing: You’re not perfect and there are some bad things about Tennessee. We know it’s hard to accept, but it’s true. Take, for instance, our violent crime rate or the below-average percentage of people who graduate from college. The thing about it is, once we are aware of the worst parts of living in Tennessee we can learn to fix them. We can pull together and eliminate the bad things about the state. And then, when someone asks, “Why Tennessee is a bad place to live,” we won’t have a single answer for them.

11. We're #15 in the nation with our 5.6% unemployment rate.
TaxCredits / Flickr
Ouch...
10. 27th worst state for drivers, with 1.4 crashes per 100 miles.
César.Gutiérrez/Flickr
If you've ever driven in Nashville traffic, then you're probably not too surprised. Plus, it probably doesn’t help that Tennessee is home to the most dangerous road in America.
9. 28.4% of our state population is obese.
Marjan / Flickr
Too many calories, too little movement. It’s not our fault, though. Famous foods in Tennessee aren’t exactly the healthiest dishes, but they sure are good!
8. On that note: A recent study noted that less than HALF of Tennesseans exercise regularly.
Gillie Rhodes / Flickr
That's much too little - half?! Get on a bike, guys. And that’s a real shame because there are plenty of places in the state for some fun physical activity, including this huge adventure course in Nashville.
7. CNBC awarded Tennessee 63 quality of life points - out of 300.
Mr. Nixter/Flickr
We were in the last ten most desirable states...

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6. With 18.3% of our population below the poverty level, it makes us #8 in the nation.
Luis Felipe Salas / Flickr
How are we thinking about the needy? Does our mindset need to change? Something needs to be done because this is definitely one of the worst things about Tennessee.
5. Only 24.4% of adults over 25 have a bachelor's degree.
CollegeDegrees360 / Flickr
Unfortunately, that's even lower than the national average.
4. Our 76.3-year life expectancy is one of the lowest in the nation.
Pino / Flickr
The Southern states take the cake when it comes to lower life expectancy - places like California and Oregon break solidly into the 80s.
3. Our annual income runs at $37,558.
Mike Lawrence (www.creditdebitpro.com)/Flickr
We're looking at $19.01 an hour - before taxes.
2. The Volunteer State was named most violent by the FBI in 2012.
Brandon Anderson/Flickr
It's a real problem. Of course, some cities fare better than others. Take a look at the most dangerous places in Tennessee for a more in-depth look at how the state’s cities rank.
1. Overall? We've been ranked #46 in the nation.
pagology / Flickr
This breaks our sweet Tennessee hearts. Don’t get too down, though. The state has plenty to be proud of. For instance, did you know Tennessee is number one at these things?

So, do you agree – are these the worst parts of living in Tennessee? When you think of bad things about Tennessee, what comes to mind? If someone asked you, “Why is Tennessee a bad place to live,” what would you say? And remember, together, we can build Tennessee up – we can be number one. Share to make a difference!

Don’t let the bad things about Tennessee give you the wrong idea, though. There are tons of perks to living in the Volunteer State. Not so sure? Here are some of the best things about Tennessee.

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Best Things About Tennessee

Daniella DiRienzo | May 12, 2022

What are the best little-known attractions in Tennessee?

 

Life in Tennessee isn't all bad. In fact, there's a lot to love about the state, including the amazing little-known attractions in Tennessee. And as far as little-known attractions go, Lost Sea takes the cake! An adventure like no other, a visit involves a three-quarter-mile guided tour through a cavern. Along the way, tour guides will regale you with the fascinating tale of how the cave – and its rare formations – came to be. Unique geological formations aren’t all you’ll find in the cave, though. There’s also an underground lake! The Museum of Appalachia is another hidden gem in Tennessee that belongs on your bucket list. Located in Clinton, the living history museum sheds some light on pioneer mountain life through historic buildings, artifacts, and more.

What's the most beautiful hike in Tennessee?

 

In Tennessee, the good far outweighs the bad. For example, there are tons of beautiful hikes in Tennessee. One trail that shouldn’t be overlooked is the Burgess Falls Trail. The highlight of Burgess Falls State Park in Sparta, the trail leads straight to, you guessed it, Burgess Falls. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, the towering fall drops more than 100 feet into the Falling Water River below. Though rated as moderate, the Burgess Falls Trail is just over one mile, making for a short trek.

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