Considering moving family from FL (Jackson, Johnson City: for sale, crime rates, house)

[JayJ]

I can transfer with my company to Kingsport or Johnson City, and we have considered it for a couple years. We love the area and the people. Now that we're at the point of listing our house for sale and researching areas to move to I'm having second thoughts. I guess I just need someone who has made the move and has had a positive experience to reassure me.

I'm born and raised in Central Florida, and I'm looking for a place my wife and I can comfortably raise our six year old daughter. Our once small town has been overrun in the last few years, and we'd like to find a place that's more family friendly and less crowded. We want to be in the country , but within a reasonable drive to school and work. We don't care about shopping or entertainment. We like to be outside, and having a season other than Summer would be a nice change. I've read good things about Gray on here, particularly the schools. Any advice or experience is appreciated.

[mbmouse]

Hi,
I moved from Jupiter FL to North East TN, have kids and we LOVE IT HERE! It took us three moves through out North East TN but finally here in Gray and love it. Great schools, nice people and nice land. Ground isn't the greatest for gardening, mostly clay but other than that we are happy. Best move I ever did was to get my kids out of FL to raise them. You won't be sorry.

[dcommander]

Hi Jay,

Do you know of a little town called Yankeetown? I believe it isn't too far from Inverness. I lived there as a child. Then moved to Tallahassee.

My family and I moved here in 1997. We absolutely love it and would not go back to Florida. In fact, most of my family there wish they could move up here and my in-laws recently relocated here from Jacksonville.

It's a beautiful area with 4 true seasons. Also a great place to raise children.

Good luck with your decision!

[williboy]

Moved to the area from Jacksonville, FL in sept. 2007 and we really love it here. We bought a home in the Telford area just outside of Jonesborough and couldn't be happier.

[JayJ]

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear feedback from others. I'm very reluctant to move away from family, but we probably wouldn't see them much less than we do now living 20 minutes away.

[{ Durf }]

Originally Posted by williboy

Moved to the area from Jacksonville, FL in sept. 2007 and we really love it here. We bought a home in the Telford area just outside of Jonesborough and couldn't be happier.

"Whew!" It's a relief to read you post, because my wife & I are currently contemplating the same. We live on County Rd 210, just off of I-95 where the Phantom Fireworks place is......I'm sure you know where I'm talking about. We lived in Jacksonville for our first 9 yrs of marriage and absolutely hated it the whole time.....TRAFFIC!!!! Now, Cty Rd 210 is becoming just like the Mandarin area and will be unmanageable in another 10 years.....the time I will be retiring. So, we are looking for land and have been trying to find someone that's recently made the move from JAX to the tri city area to get an honest take on what they thought of it afterwards. Another concern is going to be adjusting to a different style of housing market, or so I think (because I don't really know). We are accustomed to the 1800 sq ft homes with 7 ft of yard on each side and 50-70 ft of yard in the front/back.....all in the $185-200k range to boot! How does that compare to homes in your area? (Sorry to be so long winded)

[tayhaymom]

I am a single Mom of two teenaged daughters. I moved to Johnson City in October of '06. I have not had one regret. I was originally from Brandon/Riverview Fl (that is near Tampa). So many things were going on in the high school down there and so much traffic that I just quit my job and moved. My girls are the happiest that they have been in a long time. They have made great friends. The crime rates are lower and there is hardly any traffic. There is little fear in dropping you kids at the movies or mall. They feel safer and I am at peace with my environment. My oldest daughter is graduating in May and could have went to FL for college she has decided to stay in TN and go to ETSU. I don't think that you can go wrong in your decision to move. Gray is a nice area and close to everything. Jonesborough is nice especially the downtown area. If you think you will miss the water there are nice parks and lakes here. The summers are nice and the seasons are awesome. You actually get a change in the weather unlike Florida where it is always the same. I hope that my experience is helpful.

[williboy]

Originally Posted by { Durf }

"Whew!" It's a relief to read you post, because my wife & I are currently contemplating the same. We live on County Rd 210, just off of I-95 where the Phantom Fireworks place is......I'm sure you know where I'm talking about. We lived in Jacksonville for our first 9 yrs of marriage and absolutely hated it the whole time.....TRAFFIC!!!! Now, Cty Rd 210 is becoming just like the Mandarin area and will be unmanageable in another 10 years.....the time I will be retiring. So, we are looking for land and have been trying to find someone that's recently made the move from JAX to the tri city area to get an honest take on what they thought of it afterwards. Another concern is going to be adjusting to a different style of housing market, or so I think (because I don't really know). We are accustomed to the 1800 sq ft homes with 7 ft of yard on each side and 50-70 ft of yard in the front/back.....all in the $185-200k range to boot! How does that compare to homes in your area? (Sorry to be so long winded)

I know your area well. I used to play golf at South Hampton and Cimmeron fairly often. Our home in the Telford area is in the upper portion of your range, however there are plenty of beautiful homes in the Jonesborough/Telford area that meets your price range.

Our lot is almost a full acre and our home is 2140 sqare feet and we are in your range. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding something. Call the number I sent you and you can start taking a look at some listings on line.

[Joe P]

Moved here (Johnson City) from Tampa area (Port Richey) in 2006. Best two years of my life.

[maryanne55]

Hi!
We moved from Milton,Fl. near Pensacola to Elizabethton,Stoney Creek area in 06. We were in Fl. 10yrs and had enough of the heat and hurricanes. We are originally from NY.We found our home and 3.5 acres way out in the country Moderator cut: sorry but this is advertising .We love it here.It was the best move we ever made. Good Luck to you.