[B]Is Cleveland, TN a Good Place to Live?[/B] (Knoxville: loft, house)

[Dixie Dawg]

Is Cleveland, TN a good place to live?

We currently live in South Georgia and we are miserable. This is a small, depressed area in the trees and we are a little too ambitious or "active" for this area. I am a webmaster of my own site and my husband is a minister and former VP of a University in Texas. He is an author and writer as well. We are looking to move to a cooler climate where there is a lower cost of living, a lot of beautiful scenery and a place to show his car at car shows. (He has a 1930 Model A Ford Hot Rod). Most importantly, though, we need to be in a place where there is an opportunity to either have our own full-time business or be in a place that is friendly to writers and artistic people. We also want to be in an area where he can possibly speak in churches and pursue Christian ministry.

We had thought about North Georgia, going to Florida ( I lived in JAX, FL for six years), and possibly Texas; however, the Tennessee area is looking like an area that may possibly suit our interests.

So far, nothing we have done in South Georgia has really worked. These people are nice people; however, they honestly don't have much interest in anything or anyone outside of their families. (and that is not a bad thing) However, it is not an easy place to pastor a church, start a business or try to develop anything new and imaginative.

Last year, we produced a CD in honor of the U. S. Troops and Veterans and thought that it would be well-received down here and we've practically received no response. We distributed this CD free of charge in a supposedly patriotic area, to include people at the VA Hospital, to include newspaper articles and very little response. We're frustrated and feel in our hearts that it is truly time to move on. Can anyone offer any information about the Cleveland area?

I know that it is home to Lee University and several ministries as well as a publishing house. In addition, it's in a beautiful area that is not too large, but not too small. Any other info would be great.....

[melaniedeon]

Cleveland is the best! It's between Knoxville and Atlanta - close to Nashville for pro football and a weekender - it's also excellent for education for children - it has Lee University (aka the Harvard of the South) - for higher education as well...the property taxes and cost of living are reasonable and job opportunities are available as well...

[Dixie Dawg]

Thank you very much for replying. Does Cleveland also have a lot of community events, such as car shows, concerts, art shows, etc? If we were to start a business, we just want to be sure it wouldn't be risky. Down here, I have seen businesses come and go in two weeks' time. (No kidding)

[SPLIT]

D.D. : Whole S.E. part of state has plenty of family activity to enjoy. Newspaper just past week featured a minister who finished a COBRA kit car to enjoy hobby and promote church.
. . Anyone can click on upper left WHITE city-data.com logo and enter the city of choice and get pictures more links. We started our house search in Cleveland, but ended up on the WEST SIDE OF RIVER FOR MORE BOATING. Yes at least once a month town square has car show in Cleveland. Other big stuff along Rt #27 ,4th of JUly in Soddy - Daisy, Oct 13th , next sAT in lower Soddy at Mile Straight Baptist church, Resurection rod run, very big, feed everyone in Cafe.
. . Aug not exactly cooler climate, record highs at 104 degrees, but we do have share of all 4 seasons. Very active military support<I was in Viet Vet chapter, much support for the soldiers who can come home on leave, between training assignments. . Tri state convention center very close to Cleveland, with many SHOWS, crafts, organization, conventions, etc as is the major draw of Chatt, and nine day summer music, RIVERBEND festival.
. Write again if we can help with anything else.

[Dixie Dawg]

Thank you very much, SPLIT. This is all a big help. We plan to come up there in the next few weeks to look around. Are there any residential areas we should look at or any that we should avoid?

We want to be in a safe and nice area, but we're not interested in putting a "boat-load" of money into something that is going to require a lot of time in landscaping, etc. We had rather put money into a business or a ministry.

Also, are there good golf courses up there?

[SPLIT]

D.D. : Seems like Cleveland was your 1st target, take a good close look. Harrison Bay State Park , west of Cleveland has a golf course right off Rt #58.
.Also West of the river up Montlake rd is Golf Course right on edge of Bluff lookout MontEagle Course, should be scenic.
. Dont think the South side of Chatt is your cup of Tea. Much of Cleveland is being re-modeled into LOFT features, may be opportunity for ya.?? LOts of History and scenery all over this area. Hiking, kayak, biking, music jams, etc for new friends. Athens also religious College, north side of City. Scenic RailRoad towns all north in the Rt#11 , Rt #411 valley, base of Mtns.

[Dixie Dawg]

Thank you so much for your information - this will help us a lot. It seems that so many people are looking for the things we hope to find. A nice town, not too small or large, safe, scenic, little traffic and lots of opportunity. Six years in JAX, FL and a 13 mile drive to work taking an hour was enough for me.

We're in a small town now, but it is too small. Truly no opportunity at all - unless you fry chicken or cut down trees.

[sway77]

Hi,
I think Cleveland is a great place, and on the weekends it is the hot spot for the teenagers to go and show off there highly modified cars but you have to watch out for the cops after dark because if your just sitting in a parking lot, they will give you a ticket for loitering. And I promise you will not get out of it. Just a heads up.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by sway77

Hi,
I think Cleveland is a great place, and on the weekends it is the hot spot for the teenagers to go and show off there highly modified cars but you have to watch out for the cops after dark because if your just sitting in a parking lot, they will give you a ticket for loitering. And I promise you will not get out of it. Just a heads up.

LOL... somehow I don't compare a middle-aged religious couple who show off vintage cars at car shows to teens who hang out at the Walmart parking lot cruising and showing off mod cars. I think the folks above don't have to worry about the ticketing part.