On the Tennessee side, if you're looking for more scenic, moutainous areas look in Sullivan, Carter and Unicoi counties. They're generally east of the Tri-Cities (Bristol, Kingsport & Johnson City) between there and the North Carolina border. A lot of Forest Service land in those areas, but beautiful Appalachian countryside. If you're willing to get out a bit farther off the beaten track, you can find relatively inexpensive land west of the Tri-Cities in Hawkins and Hancock counties, up on the Virginia border. Still mountainous, but more just "big hills" as opposed to those of the Smokies and Blue Ridge.