With large metro areas and small, country hometowns, the state of Tennessee is a favorite of many for full-time living or occasional vacations. Its southern location gives it fairly mild winters, comfortable summers and a natural beauty that's hard to match. Locating Tennessee real estate to buy will depend a lot on what you're looking for, where you want to live and the kind of housing you're interested in.

Although Tennessee isn't a huge state, it does have some distinct regions. The state borders Kentucky and Virginia on the north. To the south are North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi with North Carolina also on the east and Missouri and Arkansas on the west.

Boasting an overall length of 440 miles from east to west, the Volunteer State has six pretty distinct geographical regions, each with their own draws for living and/or vacationing. They are: the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Appalachian Plateau, the Highland Rim, the Nashville Basin, the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Blue Ridge.

The state is known for its beautiful mountain ranges and gorgeous valleys. But it is also known for the metropolitan areas of Nashville and Memphis. Small town or big city, the state is beautiful year-round.

Here's what you'll find in the different regions.

Blue Ridge: This region is on the eastern side of the state. It is known for its high mountain ranges, including the Great Smoky Mountains, and its average elevation is 5,000 feet. This location is ideal for vacation homes or year-round living for those with a love for the great outdoors.

Appalachian Ridge/Valley: This area is known for its valleys and heavily wooded areas. It runs west from the Blue Ridge.

Appalachian Plateau: This lies west of the Appalachian Ridge and is sometimes called the Cumberland Plateau. It is known for its rolling hill/mountainous terrain and valleys. This area is home to Lookout Mountain, which gives a view of seven states as once. Chattanooga is the main city in this region. The area is also known for its Civil War history.

The Highland Rim: This area is west of the plateau and it surrounds the Nashville Basin with a higher elevation.

The Basin: The Nashville area itself is a basin that's known for its incredibly rich farmland in addition to its country music rocking big city action.

Gulf Coastal Plain: This area lies west of the Nashville area and is a continuation of a plain region that starts at the Gulf of Mexico and moves north into Illinois. It is characterized by rolling hills, rivers and more.

For those looking to buy real estate in Tennessee the state will prove itself one of many options. From new developments to stately old homes, the state has it all. Rivers, mountains, hills and valleys give the state some of the most spectacular views in the world. And although it's known for its southern charm and small-town feel, Tennessee is home to some major cities as well. Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and more all provide an urban taste in a state that's home to country music's greatest legends.