Interested in personal opinions about locations (Johnson City, Kingsport: job transfer, university, living in)

[Moving TN]

Hi! We are considering a job transfer to the tri-city area. While we are doing web research, I would be intereted in any of your opinions on the pro's and con's of living in Kingsport, Johnson City or Bristol. Also if anyone has any experience with the men's softball teams in these areas. My husband is an avid softball player. We also have a son who will be going into 8th grade making the move with us.

[jabogitlu]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/kings...kingsport.html

[Moving TN]

Thanks for the thread suggestion jabogitlu!

[jjbradleynyc]

I'm originally from the area, and this is typically how each city is viewed:

Johnson City--most liberal, most progressive, has the "University" (East Tennessee State University), also is growing in population the most of the 3 tri-cities' main cities. For a long time, it had the only Starbucks (now Kport has one, several in the area Targets), the Barnes and Noble, the best mall, and most of the "cool" chain restaurants such as Olive Garden (cool is used loosely, mind you), TGI Friday's, etc., had a couple of gay bars, and is the largest in population (about 60,000 ppl, 2007).
Kingsport--well-planned with a population that has lived there for several generations (lots of families tend to grow up there and stay there), very high manufacturing base (that is changing) with a dependency on the massive TN Eastman and Chemical Company, which employs around 8,000 people, has very good shopping opportunities with 2 malls in the past (today though, the Kingsport Mall is no longer there--it's replaced with a shopping center), a bustling Highway 11-W (stone drive) full of nonstop fast food restaurants, Wal-Marts and grocery stores, and new strip malls built every year (it seems). Kingsport also has a tremendous city park in Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, and Warriors Path State Park is one of the best in TN--complete with a water slide, huge pool, and water skiing, boating on the lake. Kingsport has a much larger city feeling than both Bristol and Johnson City, in my opinion. Kingsport was planned by planners and students from Columbia University in NYC--as well as professionals from the Boston area. I think a lot of the northern designs and plans are instituted throughout Kingsport.
Bristol--always regarded as the "lesser-than" city of the tri-cities. Very unique though in its splitting of the city between VA and TN. The mall there is nice, the downtown is a bit sketchy and rough but pretty in parts, and the city on the whole does not seem as culturally up-to-speed as JC or Kpt. But, many people love Bristol for its charm and great people. NASCAR is very close to Bristol and that is a huge thing for the area.

[jabogitlu]

Excellent overview! I always think of Johnson City as having the larger city feeling, as you put it, so I guess it's what you're familiar with. Too bad Kingsport and Johnson City aren't one combined city - would be much nicer. Kingsport has a tremendous downtown, but Johnson City's burbs and newer developments are nicer.

[tn_amanda]

I cannot speak for Bristol or Johnson City as far as softball is concerned, but Kingsport has both Men's and Co-Ed teams to choose from and the FunFest Tournament in July.

As far as the towns are concerned, I am a big fan of Kingsport (something I didn't notice until forced to work in Bristol for a month). Kingsport is much better laid out (thank you, urban planners) than either of the other cities. It is a good-sized city, but still retains a small-town feeling. If you are at all involved in the community, you will quickly find that no matter where you are you always see someone you know. (One of my favorite things about it.) Kingsport is also very growth-minded right now with the downtown area being revitalized and the Riverwalk project in the beginning stages. For me, it's a very exciting time to be living here. We're getting new, non-chain restaurants and shops and the city seems to really want to be a nice place to live with lots of cultural and recreational activities available.

Hope that helps!