Young professional moving to Tri-City Area (Johnson City, Kingsport: 2014, apartment, rent)

[JourneytoVid]

I may be getting a promotion to Johnson City, TN. I have heard great things about the area and am really excited at this possibility. I will be making a visit to check things out for myself, but can I get any pointers? I am 31 years old and not settled down.

I know no one in the area and I'd like to live in a place where I can meet people and walk to restaurants, bars, places of entertainment, as well as exercise. I used to enjoy running, and would like to take that up again, and other athletics. I'd prefer not to live somewhere that is a bit of a eye sore.

I love history and older architecture. Any suggestions?

I work a lot, so I also need low maintenance place (which means home ownership is out)

I've heard mixed reviews on Johnson City, something about flooding, panhandlers, and an underdeveloped downtown. Is this true? Tipton Street looked really nice, is it college student driven? Is Jonesborough or Kingsport a better idea?

I really appreciate any help, and I look forward to this move.

PS - on Southern Charm, is it rude not to call someone 'Honey' or 'Darlin'?

[ChuckTheLocal]

Hi

JC is a great spot for someone with the likes you mentioned. It really depends on where you are moving from as to how your initial impression will be, just because of natural tendency to compare the area to what you are used to.

I would suggest looking around downtown for coveinent walking. Tree Streets are my favorite.
Get involved with the local young professional group and do some volunteering. There are great people in JC.

Have fun!!
Chuck

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by JourneytoVid

PS - on Southern Charm, is it rude not to call someone 'Honey' or 'Darlin'?

No, it's not rude. As a matter of fact I wouldn't suggest trying it until you've been here a while and understand the nuances. Using those the wrong way might get you some responses you'd rather not have.
Do practice your sir, miss and ma'am, that last one generally used only for elderly women or women in positions of authority.

[rccrain]

I was born here, and I've lived here a long time and I've never called anyone 'honey' or 'darlin'. Just be polite in general - hold doors, please, thank you, etc. Be yourself. If you're feeling frisky, throw in a 'yall'.

JC's downtown is "on the rise". You're coming at a good time. It used to be bad, now it's decent and working toward great.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

To me it sounds like you want a good downtown vibe but in a smaller city. Honestly all three cities in the Tri-Cities have very unimpressive downtowns and JC's is amongst the worst. Have you thought of Asheville, NC? It's a nice little town with a GREAT vibe and they have a really nice downtown area. Asheville also has a bit more of a diversity and mix of people.

[JourneytoVid]

ComicalMoodyDan - To live in Asheville would be an hour commute to work, I'd rather not do that. As for the negativity towards Johnson City, what facts/knowledge do you have to support this? I just want to know the truth of what to expect.

Everyone else, what are some great things about Johnson City's downtown and neighborhoods?

[rccrain]

By 2014 DT JC is going to be a pretty cool place. The community center will be finished on one end. The new JCCards/ETSU baseball field (hopefully all phases) will be finished on the other end. New student apts finished. Extension of NE State CC will be running. New businesses. There will be the bike trail from DT to Elizabethton.

Link: http://www.jcdevelopment.org/projects

[JourneytoVid]

Wow! Thanks rccrain! That is the type of info that I like to hear!

[jimj]

Originally Posted by JourneytoVid

Wow! Thanks rccrain! That is the type of info that I like to hear!

Journey,
We're "on the ground" here looking for a place to live. We've looked to move here in the past but life always stepped in, not this time. We went to the new Fresh Market last night, it opened last Wed in JC. What a great addition that reminds us of a combo Sprouts/Whole Foods but with a southern twist. We spent most of yesterday cruising around JC and compared to many of the metro areas we've lived in and around it'll do just fine!
That being said, the area is so varied you can't help but find what you're looking for as long as you understand it's differences and what it isn't.
It isn't NYC,Miami,Los Angeles,Boston,Phoenix,Dallas or Atlanta.

[somaticmarker]

I am a young professional (29, PhD) who has not settled down. I moved to the Kingsport area for work. For me, its been an awful place to live. Granted, I had never even lived in the suburbs before moving out here, so it was a significant adjustment for me.

JC isn't as bad as Kingsport, but it still is not an enjoyable place to live for a young, single professional. There is little here in terms of an educated workforce. I have found women here to be so extremely submissive that I have given up on having any kind of normal dating relationship here. There seems to be a dichotomy in the social life here. You are either (1) a extremely conservative christain, who spends Friday/Saturday nights watching "A walk to Remember" and playing board games or (2) a ravaging alcoholic. I have also found people here to be openly hostile against people who aren't from the area. I am Greek, and I have been called "****" on numerous occasions (**** is a racial epithet against Greek/Italian people).

However, there are some benefits. I have always enjoyed hiking and the such. And this area is great for hiking and camping. Also, its fairly inexpensive. I rent a decent 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment for $570 a month. Also with no good social life options, I have put more time in at work.

Essentially, your social life will be put on pause here. However, you can save up some money, advance your career, and spend a lot of time outdoors.

And ComicalMoodyDan is right. All three downtown areas are terrible. JC is the best and their downtown area is about 1 block of restaurants and bars. Cafe 112 is really good, and Acoustic Coffeehouse has a decent hippy vibe.

Also be prepared for rampant obesity. I know that I am on one end of the extreme in terms of being physically fit, but the sheer amount of people here who are obese is horrifying. Also, if you are into art at all (museums, galleries, shows). There is nothing here.

I would suggest to live in J, but prepared to spend your weekends in Asheville.