The McMillans are trading a life of soaring prices in Maui for a slower, more affordable one in Maryville.
The family is one of thousands that have relocated to East Tennessee in recent years, drawn by many of the same qualities that continue to fuel the region's population growth: access to the outdoors, lower taxes and a cost of living that remains below many parts of the country.
Nearly 4,000 people moved to Knox County between 2024 and 2025 for many of the same reasons, and growth has spread across the region. An estimated 1,500 new residents arrived in Blount County, anchored by Maryville, during that same period.
"This part of the country is beautiful, and it's not part of the country we've been able to explore yet," Ben McMillan told Knox
News.
He and his wife, Shelby, found a three-bedroom rental on a quiet street in the Willard Addition neighborhood that was perfect for the couple as they homeschool their two children and save for a down payment on their first home.
The family is still settling in after moving from 4,000 miles away. Just this week, they bought a bird they named Maui, and Ben took the girls to a place they didn't have on the islands for a true mainland American dining experience: Applebee's.
There wasn't a single moment when the family decided to move. Instead, years of rising costs and a tough job market gradually pushed them toward a fresh start, Ben said. The family's circumstances, Shelby agreed, "kept putting us backwards in life."
A friend suggested Tennessee, and the idea stuck. Before they knew it, the McMillans were on a 12-hour flight to Knoxville.
Get the Daily Briefing newsletter: Keep up with growth and development in Knoxville and Knox County
Comparing home prices between Colorado, Hawaii and Tennessee
The family's nine years in Hawaii weren't always smooth sailing. The family was living in a friend's rental property in Maui and struggling to make ends meet, despite Ben and Shelby working three jobs combined.
Ben has a remote position in tourism marketing and is working toward becoming a home inspector. Shelby did hair and makeup for weddings but wanted to homeschool their two daughters, 9-year-old Daisy and 6-year-old Isla.
Homeschooling felt impossible in Hawaii, where the cost of living is 87% higher than the national average, according to data from financial technology company SoFi. In Tennessee, which SoFi data shows is one of the Top 10 affordable states, Shelby is able to homeschool full time.
The family had considered moving to their home state of Colorado after a few rough patches, including when Ben's tourism job took a hit during COVID-19 and when the 2023 Lahaina fires plunged Hawaii into crisis. The average home price in Colorado, though, is $532,748 compared to $460,000 in Maryville.
East Tennessee felt like the right choice for Shelby, who said she's found a new sense of freedom in Maryville. Last week, she had time to bake muffins with the girls. And when it came time for their math lesson, they sat on the front lawn.
McMillan family is excited to 'build a life' in East Tennessee
The McMillans pay $2,100 per month for their rental but are looking for a permanent residence in the $250,000-$300,000 range. Shelby envisions a home on an acre of land where they can have a garden and raise chickens. Daisy is pushing for a goat.
"We want a casual homestead," Ben said. "It's one of the reasons we moved to Tennessee, because that dream is still realistically attainable."
As nature lovers, they also wanted a place where they could explore. Coming from Hawaii, Shelby said, the Smoky Mountains and nearby hiking trails are a "comfort."
Their spot in East Tennessee feels like the "perfect blend" of nature and urban life, with the city of Knoxville less than an hour away. Shelby said she loves downtown Knoxville and its history, and Ben appreciates having an airport close by for visiting friends and family.
The conservative political climate in Maryville, the couple added, is also a plus.
Ben's remote job gives the family some flexibility in where they land, though they hope to stay in East Tennessee. As they save for a down payment, he is trying to "maintain hope and positivity."
"It's been the biggest change − being rooted somewhere," Ben said. "Finally pulling stuff out of boxes and starting to build a life."
Sophia Tiedge is the growth and transformation reporter for Knox News. Email: sophia.tiedge@knoxnews.com
Support strong journalism and unlock premium perks at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why a Maui family moved to Maryville, and what it says about East TN growth | Exclusive
