Jonesborough (Johnson City, Greeneville: credit, house, low crime)

[Terbear]

Hi...I was looking online at a wondefull farmhouse just a minute outside of Jonesborough. I am wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this area? I am looking for the 'perfect' rural community for our family. Great schools, low crime, picturesque setting etc. Everything looks amazing on line....but you never know!

Thanks in advance...
Terri in Ca

[mbmouse]

Hi Terry.
Jonesborough is a nice community, very close knit, very historic. They have very good schools. However the school I spoke of in an earlier post where a boy brought a gun to school, was the high school Jonesborough students go to. To the schools credit, they found out about the gun and got it from the student early in the morning, no one was hurt, gun never fired. Still a bit scary though, I can't recall that ever happening in schools around here. I am under the understanding that it has put all the administration on higher alert to kids having emotional issues, to pay attention to them more, which maybe a good thing. As for Jonesborough, I don't know if it is "perfect", as I don't think there is a utopia or "maryberry", everyplace has something, know what I mean? But Jonesborough is very picturesque. Here are a few pics I took a week or so ago of downtown Jonesborough. We go there for several of there festivals and parades, it is a very nice place.

[Terbear]

Thanks so much Mbmouse! I do know what you mean about my 'mayberry' fantasy! lol Funny you would mention Mayberry. I always tell my kids that I wish we could live there! lol I guess I am just wanting to go back to a kinder, more simple way of life. I might be asking too much, but it is worth a shot!
Can you tell me where I would do my major shopping? Is there anything close by?
That is scary about the gun at school. Glad it was taken care of before anyone was hurt! Do you know of any 'gang' activity? Here in Ca. it is pretty wide spread. There are some rural areas that haven't been infected yet, thank God. But it can be pretty bad in some schools. I absolutely want to keep that element away from my children, as I am sure most parents do! Also, my husband is a contractor. He does mostly remodels, but can do just about anything. Do you think there is much building/remodeling going on around the area. He doesn't mind having to commute. Just not too far!

Thanks again...
Terri in Ca

[mbmouse]

I don't see any "gang" activity in East TN, nor have I heard of any and I have been here for 10 years and I have children in the Washington County schools system, I believe in it. Jonesborough is also in Washington Co. Your could do your shopping right in Jonesborough, they just put in a big Food City about 2 years ago by the Jonesborough crossing on 11E, and just up the road there is an Ingles and a Whites. Those are all grocery stores. Johnson City is about a 15 minute drive to the East and there is everything there including a mall.
Yes, good contractors are needed in this area. Jonesborough is on the National Historic District Registry, so if he specializes in remodeling, he should do fine. I know of a good reputable general contractor that is always looking for good help, email me and I can get you in contact. Commute shouldn't be much of an issue as Jonesborough is a good location for both Johnson City and Greeneville.

[Terbear]

Wow! This is sounding better all the time! Only 15 minutes to the mall?? lol
I know my daughters would be thrilled to know that! Thanks so much for the information! Also, I don't know if you would know anything about this, but I have a son that has Cerebral palsy (love of my life). Finding him an excellent program is very important to me. He is very high functioning and needs a lot of activity! So if you know of any programs, that would be great!
You say you have been there for 10 years? Where did you live before that, if you don't mind me asking? Did you find the people in Tennessee to be warm and welcoming to newcomers?? That would be important too.

Thanks again...
Terri in Ca

[mbmouse]

We first moved to Jefferson County from S. FL. and it was ok but VERY rural, schools, just ok, was hard for us to find a house to buy that we liked, was a long drive to anywhere. We then moved to Greene Co, north west corner of the county, and I liked it a lot, good school, but rather small and my children outgrew it, they needed a bit more than the school had to offer. We moved to Washington County beginning of 05 and we love it. People are very friendly, there is a nice mix of all kinds of people, from the very country, "old timers" to the very wealthy and just about everyone in between. Sure, there are some here in the more rural areas that would prefer no one moved their "neck of the woods" but for the most part people are very friendly. I am not sure off of the top of my head about programs for your son, but let me see if I can find you some links, might take be a few days, but I'll see what I can find.

[GrannyLois]

I think you would love the Jonesborough area. And, of all the towns in the Tri-Cities area, I believe it sees more geographic diversity than any other.

I say this because of the National Storytelling Festival in October where people literally come from all over the country and many parts of the world.

And Johnson City being right down the road (where the mall is) has the local University which has some color and diversity.

Good luck to you.

[Terbear]

Thanks so much. That Story telling fesitval sounds very interesting! That is very nice to know that there is a University near by as I have one Son in college. The more I hear, the more I like this place!
Thanks..
Terri in Ca

[GrannyLois]

The Storytelling festival is always the first weekend of October and the downtown area of Jonesborough is decorated in such a festive way.

Admission to the storytelling festival is quite steep (you can do a search on google for more info about this event), but what I do is volunteer for a 5 hour shift, and then have free admission for the rest of the day. It's always fun.

[Terbear]

Wow.. it is pretty pricey! It must be something fantastic! I sure looks like a lot of fun! I would love to hear the older lady from the South tell her stories! I bet she would remind me of my Dear old Granny! Boy, could she and Grandpa tell some stories! I surely do miss them... every single day.