Hilly roads (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City: appointed, school, university) - Kingsport - Johnson City - Bristol - Tennessee (TN) -The Tri-Cities area - City-Data Forum

BennettJ · 10-10-2010, 11:14 AM

We just got back from visiting Johnson City & Bristol. The mountains are breathtaking (probably more so in a week or two with the changing of colors). We currently live in the midwest - flat city. Although I'm originally from eastern PA, I couldn't get use to the hills in JC & Bristol. Some of the roads in different developments seemed to be at a 90 degree angle and frankly scared me while driving. (My one daughter wanted to jump out of the car and walk.) We were going to visit Kingsport but didn't get the opportunity. Is Kingsport more of the same - hills? I realize the cities are in the mountains, but I didn't expect this. We had mountains in PA, but I lived in a valley so I didn't get that feeling. Perhaps I've lived too long in the midwest and just got accustomed to the flatness. Alos, is Kingsport as busy as JC and Bristol?

Bigfoot424 · 10-10-2010, 07:09 PM

I don't live here but am currently in Kingsport and have been visiting where you just were. I live near the same kind of hilly setting in VA. I couldn't live anywhere like a flat area where there are no hills or mountains. I guess it's all what you're used to.

jabogitlu · 10-10-2010, 08:20 PM

yeah, I'd say Kingsport is around the same as JC and Bristol, in hills/ hilly roads and busy-ness.

I don't notice the hills either, I had to think about where you might've been in JC, but some of the developments like The Ridges and some out toward Jonesborough can get pretty hilly.

jchometeam · 10-10-2010, 08:47 PM

Yes some of the developments are a bit hilly, but nothing that you notice (I guess at least if your from here). In some ways Kingsport is more hilly, I can think of one road in particular that is a straight 90 degree blind curve up a hill....and its a fairly main road connecting to a red light. I think of Johnson City as being pretty flat, with just a few exceptions. If this amount of hills scares you...this might not be your area. Many of the roads up toward Erwin or Butler would be very scary if the Johnson City roads were.

Also, Kingsport is also in many ways more "busy" than either Johnson City or Bristol. Perhaps you would prefer one of the outlying areas more, such as Piney Flats, Church Hill, Jonesborough, etc. These areas are not as "busy" but are still close to the main cities.

jabogitlu · 10-10-2010, 08:56 PM

Also Elizabethton is very busy. I get pissed off just driving through. So I'd avoid that.

BennettJ · 10-11-2010, 11:18 AM

Thanks for your posts. As beautiful as the mountains are and as nice as the people we met were, I just can't see myself driving those hills in nasty weather. I realize you don't get the kind of weather we get in northern IL, but even one snowstorm or ice storm would be enough. My husband is really disappointed (he's originally from the Poconos), but our kids and I agree. We're actually looking for cities near public colleges such as ETSU. I'm thinking possibly Richmond, KY (EKU). There's still a little bit of mountains (nothing compared to your view), but it's better than complete flatness. Enjoy your autumn colors. We'll need to go to Wisconsin to enjoy ours. Thanks again!

jabogitlu · 10-11-2010, 01:26 PM

Why would you be driving around in icy weather? Nothing, absolutely nothing (even ETSU) is open when weather is bad.

BennettJ · 10-11-2010, 03:24 PM

Living in Illinois, I'm just used to having everything open with snow/ice on the ground. I think my kids only had one snow day last year, and we had plenty of snow. Things are just different here, but I do hate driving in the stuff. People in 4-wheel drive vehicles practically push you down the road expecting you to go faster.

jabogitlu · 10-11-2010, 04:14 PM

Not here. Everybody goes really slow because nobody knows how to drive in the snow.

I go to ETSU, I think last winter we had 6 or 7 snow days, and several delayed start days. The city/county school systems had many more.

I guess you would have to show up to work, though

At any rate, I hope you can find what you're looking for. The Chattanooga area is pretty hilly, too. Have you considered Knoxville? It's close to the GSMNP via both Gatlinburg and Townsend. Maryville has some great views, and the University of Tennessee (a great school for the price) is located near downtown. Knox is definitely and up-and-coming city.

Soon2BTXN · 10-12-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchometeam

Also, Kingsport is also in many ways more "busy" than either Johnson City or Bristol. Perhaps you would prefer one of the outlying areas more, such as Piney Flats, Church Hill, Jonesborough, etc. These areas are not as "busy" but are still close to the main cities.

Church Hill is beautiful, country living. It is also hilly. Kingsport is definitely busier than Bristol.