If you're a Colorado family feeling the weight of rising costs, political shifts, and the loss of that small-town feel you once loved, you're not alone. Over 4,100 people made the move from Colorado to Tennessee in 2022 alone, and that number continues to grow. Many of these families are discovering that the Volunteer State—and particularly hidden gems like Cookeville—offers not just financial relief, but a community that aligns with their values and priorities.
The decision to uproot your family isn't easy. But when the cost of living becomes unsustainable, when your children's education feels compromised, and when you're longing for a place where traditional values aren't just tolerated but celebrated, it's time to seriously consider what else is out there. This isn't about running away from Colorado—it's about running toward something better for your family's future.
Let's be honest about what's happening and explore whether Tennessee might be the fresh start you've been looking for.
Why Families Are Leaving Colorado
The Cost of Living Has Become Unsustainable
Remember when Colorado felt affordable? Those days are long gone. The median home price in Fort Collins now sits at $612,900. In Boulder, you're looking at a staggering $1.1 million. Even smaller Colorado cities have seen housing costs skyrocket, with average rent increasing year after year. When you factor in Colorado's property taxes and the general cost of groceries, utilities, and everyday expenses, many families find themselves working harder just to maintain the same standard of living they had five years ago.
The reality is that Colorado's robust economy has made it a victim of its own success. High-income earners have flooded the state, driving up housing costs and making it nearly impossible for middle-class families to get ahead. You're not imagining it—it really has gotten harder to make ends meet.
Political and Cultural Shifts
Colorado has undergone significant political and cultural changes in recent years. What was once a purple state with a healthy balance of perspectives has shifted decidedly in one direction. For families who hold traditional or conservative values, this change can feel isolating. You might find yourself carefully navigating conversations at work, avoiding certain topics at your kids' school functions, or feeling like you're constantly swimming upstream.
It's not about being unable to coexist with people who think differently—it's about wanting to live in a community where your values are shared and where you don't feel like you're always defending your worldview. There's something deeply exhausting about being a cultural minority in your own community.
Overcrowding and the Loss of Small-Town Feel
The Colorado you fell in love with—with its wide-open spaces and tight-knit communities—has been fundamentally transformed. The population boom has brought traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, and a general sense that you're just another face in an increasingly anonymous crowd. The hiking trails you used to enjoy in solitude are now packed. Finding parking at your favorite spots requires strategic planning. The small-town charm has been replaced by urban sprawl.
Education Concerns That Keep You Up at Night
For many families, education is the tipping point. Public school policies around curriculum, social issues, and even basic academic standards have left parents feeling frustrated and concerned. You might be worried about what your children are being taught—or not being taught. Maybe you're considering homeschooling but concerned about Colorado's regulations and the lack of support networks. Or perhaps your kids are bright and capable, but you're watching them get lost in overcrowded classrooms where teachers are stretched impossibly thin.
These concerns aren't trivial. Your children's education shapes their future, and when you lose confidence in the system, it's time to explore other options.
Why Tennessee—and Specifically Cookeville
A Cost of Living That Actually Makes Sense
Let's talk numbers, because this is where Tennessee really shines. Moving from Colorado to Tennessee means your housing costs could drop by 30-70%, depending on which cities you're comparing. That $612,900 home in Fort Collins? A comparable home in Cookeville or Knoxville runs around $365,000-$385,000. Suddenly, homeownership stops feeling like an impossible dream and becomes an attainable reality.
But it's not just housing. According to recent data, the overall cost of living in Tennessee is about 29.9% lower than in Colorado. Your grocery bill will be smaller. Utilities cost less. You'll have money left over at the end of the month—something that might feel like a distant memory right now.
No State Income Tax—Seriously
This deserves its own section because it's such a game-changer. Tennessee has no state income tax. None. Zip. Zero. Every dollar you earn stays in your pocket (minus federal taxes, of course). For a family making $80,000 a year, that's thousands of dollars annually that you keep instead of sending to the state capitol. When combined with Tennessee's lower property taxes (about half the national average), the tax savings alone can transform your family's financial situation.
Conservative Values and Family-Oriented Culture
Tennessee isn't just tolerant of conservative and traditional values—it embraces them. You'll find communities where faith matters, where families are prioritized, and where you don't have to apologize for believing in time-tested principles. This isn't about everyone thinking exactly alike, but about finding a place where your core values are shared by your neighbors, your children's teachers, and your community leaders.
In Tennessee, you won't feel like an outsider for believing what you believe. You'll find like-minded families who are raising their children with similar principles, who attend church regularly, and who want the same things for their community that you do.
Natural Beauty That Rivals Colorado
Yes, Colorado has the Rockies, but Tennessee has its own stunning natural beauty. The Great Smoky Mountains offer breathtaking vistas and endless outdoor recreation opportunities. You'll find pristine lakes for boating and fishing, hiking trails that won't require you to arrive at dawn to find parking, and four distinct seasons—including beautiful autumns and milder winters than you're used to in Colorado.
The outdoor lifestyle you love doesn't have to end just because you're moving from Colorado to Tennessee. It just gets more accessible and less crowded.
A Growing Economy with Real Opportunities
Tennessee's economy is thriving. Major companies continue to relocate to the state, bringing quality jobs across various sectors. The unemployment rate is competitive, and the business-friendly environment means entrepreneurial families can thrive. Whether you work remotely, are seeking new employment, or want to start a business, Tennessee provides fertile ground.
Cookeville: The Best-Kept Secret in Tennessee
Now let's talk about why Cookeville specifically should be on your radar. Located in the Upper Cumberland region, Cookeville offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. Home to Tennessee Tech University, it's a college town with the energy and opportunities that brings, while maintaining its friendly, welcoming character.
Cookeville is centrally located—you're about 90 minutes from Nashville and Knoxville, giving you access to big-city attractions when you want them without having to deal with big-city problems daily. The community is tight-knit, the schools are strong, and cost of living is even more affordable than larger Tennessee cities. Plus, with a growing population of transplants from other states, you won't feel like the outsider who just moved to town.
Education in Tennessee: Real Options for Your Family
Public Schools That Still Work
Tennessee's public schools vary by district, but many families moving from Colorado to Tennessee find the public school options refreshing. Class sizes tend to be more manageable, and in communities like Cookeville, schools still reflect the values of the families they serve. Teachers are respected, curriculum decisions are made locally, and parents have a real voice in their children's education.
The Homeschool Advantage: Freedom That Colorado Doesn't Offer
Here's where Tennessee truly shines for families considering educational alternatives. Tennessee is classified as a "low regulation" homeschool state—which means the state gives you tremendous freedom to educate your children as you see fit.
The requirements are straightforward and minimal:
Parents must have at least a high school diploma or GED
Submit a simple "Intent to Homeschool" form annually to your local superintendent
Provide 180 days of instruction (4 hours per day)
Keep basic attendance records
Students take standardized tests in grades 5, 7, and 9
That's it. No mandatory subjects. No curriculum approval process. No government oversight of what you're teaching or how you're teaching it. You have complete freedom to choose your curriculum, teaching methods, and educational philosophy. Want to unschool? Perfectly legal. Want to use a classical Christian curriculum? Go for it. Want to focus heavily on STEM or the arts? It's your call.
A Thriving Homeschool Community
What makes Tennessee's homeschool environment even better is the robust community of homeschooling families. Co-ops are abundant, providing opportunities for group classes, field trips, sports, and social activities. Homeschool families organize everything from science fairs to drama productions to competitive sports teams. Your children won't lack for social interaction or educational enrichment.
Many Tennessee churches host homeschool co-ops, and you'll find families who've been homeschooling for years ready to mentor those just starting out. The community aspect means you're never alone in this journey—you'll have experienced homeschoolers who can share curriculum recommendations, answer questions, and provide the kind of practical wisdom that only comes from "been there, done that."
For families who've felt constrained by Colorado's education system or who've been hesitant to homeschool because they worry about going it alone, Tennessee offers both the freedom and the community support to make home education truly successful.
Finding Your Community: More Than Just Politics
Let's pause here for an important question: Is sharing conservative values really enough for a fresh start?
You can find plenty of places in America where people vote the way you vote and hold similar political views. But when you're uprooting your family and starting over, politics alone won't sustain you. What you really need is a community built on something deeper and more enduring.
When was the last time you sat under teaching that took Scripture seriously? Not just preaching that made you feel good or confirmed your existing beliefs, but teaching that opened up the Bible book by book, verse by verse, helping you understand God's Word in its context and apply it to your life? Have you been searching for a church that doesn't just affirm your values but helps you grow in genuine biblical understanding?
Moving to Tennessee might solve your cost-of-living concerns. It might place you in a community that shares your political outlook. But if you don't find a church home where you and your family can be fed spiritually, where your children can see what it means to take God's Word seriously, and where you're surrounded by believers who are committed to genuine discipleship—then you've just traded one set of problems for another.
Here's the truth: Your family needs more than cultural alignment. You need biblical community. You need to be part of a church where the Bible is actually taught, where Scripture shapes everything, and where you're challenged to grow in your faith, not just confirmed in your conservative opinions.
This is where finding the right church becomes just as important as finding the right neighborhood or the right schools. Actually, it's more important.
Pilgrim Baptist Church: A Transplant Church for Transplant Families
If you're moving from Colorado to Tennessee and settling in the Cookeville area, there's a church you should know about—one that was literally started with families like yours in mind.
Pilgrim Baptist Church isn't a traditional Southern church with generations of families who've been there since the building was built. Instead, it's a "transplant church"—the congregation is primarily made up of families who relocated from out of state, looking for exactly what you're looking for. The people at Pilgrim understand the challenges of moving, of finding community in a new place, of starting fresh. They've walked this road themselves.
The pastor and his family are also transplants who moved to Tennessee nearly eight years ago specifically to start this church. They came with a vision: to build a church where the Bible is taken seriously, where Scripture is taught expositionally (book by book, verse by verse), and where families can find both biblical depth and genuine community.
What Makes Pilgrim Different
At Pilgrim Baptist Church, you'll find expository preaching that takes you through books of the Bible systematically. This isn't topical preaching that bounces around from passage to passage. It's not feel-good messages designed to make you comfortable. It's the kind of teaching that opens up God's Word, explains it in its context, and shows you how it applies to your life today. The goal isn't just information—it's transformation through understanding and applying Scripture.
The church is Bible-believing and unapologetically committed to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. When you walk in the door, you'll know exactly where the church stands on what matters most: God's Word is true, it's reliable, and it's our final authority for faith and practice.
A Community That Understands Your Journey
Because Pilgrim is made up largely of transplant families, there's an immediate understanding when new families walk through the door. The people there remember what it's like to be new in town, to be looking for Christian fellowship, to be navigating a major life transition. They're quick to welcome newcomers, eager to help families get connected, and genuinely invested in helping you feel at home.
This is especially valuable for homeschooling families. Pilgrim has numerous homeschool families who not only understand the challenges and joys of home education but who actively support and encourage one another. They've figured out what curriculum works, which co-ops are worth joining, where to find the best resources in the area, and how to navigate Tennessee's homeschool laws. They're ready to share that hard-won wisdom with families just starting their homeschool journey or continuing one they began in another state.
The community extends beyond Sunday mornings. Families gather for fellowship, children grow up together in church programs, and there's a genuine sense that you're not just attending a church—you're part of a church family.
Built for Discipleship, Not Just Attendance
Pilgrim Baptist Church exists not just to draw a crowd but to make disciples. The commitment to expository teaching reflects a conviction that people grow when they understand God's Word deeply. The church emphasizes not just hearing the Bible but studying it, not just knowing doctrine but living it out, not just attending services but being equipped for service.
For families who are tired of shallow Christianity, who want their children to see what it looks like to take Scripture seriously, and who are looking for a church that will challenge them to grow rather than just make them comfortable, Pilgrim offers something substantive and lasting.
An Invitation to Visit and Explore
Whether you're still in Colorado weighing your options, actively planning your move to Tennessee, or already packing boxes, consider making Pilgrim Baptist Church in Cookeville part of your relocation research.
Start by listening to past sermons online at https://pilgrimbaptist.church/sermons/. This will give you a feel for the teaching style and theological depth you can expect. You'll quickly discern whether this is the kind of church where you and your family could grow.
When you're ready—whether that's before your move to check out the area or after you've already relocated—visit in person. You'll be welcomed warmly, not bombarded with pressure to join or sign up for everything. You'll meet families who've made the same journey you're making, who understand what you're going through, and who genuinely want to help you get settled and find community.
A move to Tennessee could be more than just a change of address. It could be the fresh start spiritually that your family needs—a place where you can afford to live, where your values are shared, where your children can be educated according to your convictions, and where you can find a church home that takes God's Word seriously and helps you grow in your faith.
Making the Decision: Your Next Steps
Moving from Colorado to Tennessee represents a significant life change, but for many families, it's exactly the right change at exactly the right time. Tennessee offers financial relief through dramatically lower cost of living and no state income tax. It provides a cultural environment where traditional and conservative values are the norm, not the exception. It gives you educational freedom, particularly for homeschooling families, that Colorado simply doesn't offer.
But more than all of this, Tennessee—and specifically Cookeville—can offer you genuine community. A place where you're known, where you belong, where your family can put down roots and thrive.
The real question isn't whether Tennessee can offer you lower housing costs or less traffic (it can). The real question is whether you can find a community where you can grow in your faith, where your family is supported and strengthened, and where you're part of something bigger than just finding a cheaper place to live.
If you're tired of feeling like you're treading water financially while swimming upstream culturally, it might be time to seriously research what Cookeville, Tennessee has to offer. Look into the housing market. Research the job opportunities in your field. Connect with other families who've made the move. And yes, investigate whether Pilgrim Baptist Church might be the church home you've been looking for.
This is your family's future we're talking about. It deserves more than settling for the status quo in a place that no longer serves your needs or aligns with your values. It deserves the kind of careful consideration that leads to making a decision you won't regret—a decision to move toward something better.
Tennessee is waiting. Cookeville is ready to welcome you. And Pilgrim Baptist Church would love to have you visit and see if it might be the church home you've been searching for.
Pilgrim Baptist Church is located at: 170 4th Ave. Cookeville, TN 38506
Listen to past sermons online at: https://pilgrimbaptist.church/sermons/
Contact the church for more information about the area and community at: 931-219-2224