Want your input...

[mbmouse]

Kingsport has a Krispy Kream bakery in down town.
I personally love Kingsport even though I live in Gray, work In Kingsport though. There is a lot going on there and lots more coming in the near future. Good bagles...nope haven't found any yet. There are a few good bakeries for the area though. There is Roses Bakery in down town Kingsport and Patsies bakery in Church Hill....she makes the best cakes.

[ljay42]

Einstein Bros bagels is probably the best I've found in this area but I haven't tried the bagel place on state st in bristol yet.

[Tennesseestorm]

The Tri-Cities is in a "valley" area and is areas of flatter land or rolling hills. Most roads, especially in urban areas are straight. If mountain roads make you ill, you can avoid those. You do not have to cross any mountains in the metro area and even when you cross over the moutains, its not that bad going on I-26 toward Asheville.

Originally Posted by dlk33

On the minus side, I do get car sick driving through the mountians. I wonder about that being a problem.

On a side note, I have mentioned this before, but not on this thread. I know that for some reason, you have no interest in Bristol, but since people are expressing opinions between Knoxville vs. Kingsport/Johnson City, I will chime in. I like Knoxville personally. I prefer it to JC or KPT, despite being a Tri-Cities native. I like Bristol better than KPT or JC because I guess its not only where I am from Bristol and used to it, but Bristol is more spread out than JC and there are "quieter" places to shop than most areas in KPT or JC. Exit 7 area of northeast Bristol is busy, booming and fast paced, whereas many other areas of Bristol is slower, except when the races are here twice a year of course, then its busy, busy, busy, busy all over- especially Bristol! We were in the JC mall about 3 weeks ago... I was reminded how much faster paced it seems there in JC than Bristol. I cannot explain it, but even the people in JC seem different in general to me than Bristol people.

Before you make a final selection, I highly suggest that you spend some time in Knoxville, Kingsport and Johnson City (if you have narrowed it to those three). If you have not visited Bristol, I suggest you check Bristol out as well before making final decisions. Bristol has a nice historic downtown (which is currently being renovated with upgrades/facelifts), fast paced and growing retail area on the northeast side, easy access to a major freeway (I-81), which actually almost goes right through the middle of Bristol. This area is getting busy though, so much that the state of Virginia has installed 4 traffic cameras around the exit 7 area of I-81 in Bristol, as well as message boards, but mostly, traffic flows nicely... you als have views of the mountains, lower taxes (5% in VA vs. 9.??% in TN) (if you shop on the Virginia side of the city), and still have only a 20-25 minutes drive from KPT or JC. I know there are other threads on here with people "dissing" Bristol (while many here act like Bristol does not even exist and this should be be called the "Twin Cities" (JC & KPT) and thats understandable, its not everyones cup of tea, but I would not rule it out before checking it out, as well as the other areas. Who knows, you may find Knoxville more appealing than the Tri-Cities. As mentioned, I like Knoxville metro. My dad is actually from Maryville, a town on the southwest side (where the airport is) and I love it there. I especially like the typical 3-5° warmer temperatures down there, but when compared to Wisconsin you should like the weather much better if you like warmer weather.

Good luck with your selections.

There is a bagel shop in historic downtown Bristol that I have heard has superb bagels. It is on the opposite side of the road from the coffee shop and down from the Billiards. If you do not mind coming to Bristol that is....

Originally Posted by dlk33

Is there a Cinnabon in the TC area, or a good bagel place?

[dlk33]

Tennesseestorm....
I know that you have brought up the Bristol area before in other threads as a possible city to consider a move to. The main reason I discounted it is due to the fact that we MUST have a disc golf course within the city limits of where we decide to live. Some people desire living near a golf course as a prerequisite, ours is a disc golf course. Disc golf is an activity that we would want to do daily, which means we'd prefer a short drive to get there (no more then 10-15min). Other then that, and the fact that it does seem more rural then what I think we'd perfer, I have nothing against Bristol
In response about the traffic at the JC Mall, did you happen to go there on the weekend? Usually that's when everything is busy, no matter where you go, in most populated cities. I do have the flexibility to shop during the week to avoid "crowds", which I make a point of doing. Somehow though, I find it hard to believe that it could be any worse in that mall, then the two malls we have here, since the population in madison is 250,000 people.

Thanks for the info about the mountain driving.
As far as the bagels, I would drive half an hour & buy a dozen so I wouldn't have to make the trip as often. It's just good to know there is a place in the area with good fresh bagels. Do you happen to know the name of the Bagel place?

Since this thread is winding down, I wanted to point out a positive reason why I'd choose Tn. over many other states to live. I noticed that Tn. has a statewide no smoking ban in public places, which is very important to us! We have the same here in madison, although it is not statewide. I remember how it used to be before the ban, and I didn't appreciate it. I wanted to point that out since others considering relocation might want to know.

[Tennesseestorm]

Oh yes, I remember now- the disc golf course... the sport I had never even heard of... LOL.

Thats understandable for sure... who wants to do all of that unnecessary driving daily, what, with the way fuel prices are now anyway.

About the JC mall... yes, it was on a Sunday afternoon I think it was, but I am not sure. It was round about my mothers birthday in late February. The Bristol mall is just as crowded on weekends too, but there is something different about the crowds there... I cannot put my finger on it. The people seem more like out of towners than native Tennesseeans if that makes any sense.... but my great aunt and her family that live in Johnson City, where she has lived since the 1940s seem that way to me too... lol.

Ah, lastly- the bagle shop... dont quote me, but I think its called "The Bristol Bagel Co.". I will check tomorrow on my drive home from work.... I drive down State St. on my trek home from work. I will take note tomorrow.

Originally Posted by dlk33

Tennesseestorm....
I know that you have brought up the Bristol area before in other threads as a possible city to consider a move to. The main reason I discounted it is due to the fact that we MUST have a disc golf course within the city limits of where we decide to live. Some people desire living near a golf course as a prerequisite, ours is a disc golf course. Disc golf is an activity that we would want to do daily, which means we'd prefer a short drive to get there (no more then 10-15min). Other then that, and the fact that it does seem more rural then what I think we'd perfer, I have nothing against Bristol
In response about the traffic at the JC Mall, did you happen to go there on the weekend? Usually that's when everything is busy, no matter where you go, in most populated cities. I do have the flexibility to shop during the week to avoid "crowds", which I make a point of doing. Somehow though, I find it hard to believe that it could be any worse in that mall, then the two malls we have here, since the population in madison is 250,000 people.

Thanks for the info about the mountain driving.
As far as the bagels, I would drive half an hour & buy a dozen so I wouldn't have to make the trip as often. It's just good to know there is a place in the area with good fresh bagels. Do you happen to know the name of the Bagel place?

Since this thread is winding down, I wanted to point out a positive reason why I'd choose Tn. over many other states to live. I noticed that Tn. has a statewide no smoking ban in public places, which is very important to us! We have the same here in madison, although it is not statewide. I remember how it used to be before the ban, and I didn't appreciate it. I wanted to point that out since others considering relocation might want to know.

[dlk33]

Thanks, look foward to hearing back from you

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by dlk33

Thanks, look foward to hearing back from you

Dang... I drove right by it this evening and forgot to look, but I will tomorrow. It was hectic down there in downtown tonight and I was watching to make sure I did not hit a person or a $80K Mercedes ... something ritzy was going on at the Paramount theater and there were tons of people on the streets and sidewalks and fine cars along the streets. I was totally distracted. Oh well- I will check tomorrow.

[dlk33]

Tennesseestorm....
No problem, I have nothing but time......until the day I get to visit

[Tennesseestorm]

Finally, I noticed the name when I drove by this evening.... it is called "The Manna Bagel Co."... I drove by slow, was gonna get a phone #, but did not notice one on the front door, but the placed was packed with people. Must be good!

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by dlk33

Tennesseestorm....
No problem, I have nothing but time......until the day I get to visit

[dlk33]

I'd almost given up on checking back anymore We have a place here called Manna Cafe, it's a bakery & very popular! I don't think there is any connection. If it was busy, that's a good sign! Thanks for letting me know.