Want your input... (Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport: how much, house, neighborhoods)

[dlk33]

After doing some more research on my options for possible retirement, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that Tn. is the best place for us. However, as well as the tri-cities areas of Johnson City & Kingsport, I've become interested in the city of Knoxville or Oak Ridge as alternative choices. I'd like your input on why you would or would not choose to live in any of those places.
What in your opinion are the main differences between living in Knoxville vs the Tri-Cities areas, besides the size?

We are a couple happily married for the last 26 years, with two grown daughters that we will be leaving behind, hopefully eventually they will follow. Hubby is 63 (doesn't look his age) & I'm about to turn 49. We aren't religious, although he's a Christian & I'm Jewish by birth. We are best friends who enjoy doing everything together...good thing since we will have all that time to be together in another 2 years, 4 months. We are conservative about certain things, appreciate morals & values, but liberal thinking in a few other areas. We love the outdoors, especially playing disc golf! I enjoy shopping when I have the money to do so.
We've lived in several cities both large & small, I don't care for too large, or to small...something in the middle sounds good. Cost of living, quality of living, taxes, crime, having something to do all make a difference.
I figured it might help for you to know a little about us. If you feel the need to know anything else, just ask.

I look foward to hearing what you have to say
We are planning a visit this summer, can't wait!

[mbmouse]

TRAFFIC! That is one big difference. The other is topography. I personally prefer the North East TN better in that respect as it is easier to navigate for me and I prefer the long ranging views of the Tri-Cities verses further west. I also like be closer to VA and NC and easier to get to from here.I just feel there is more to do and see in this area. It all really comes down to personal preferences. You'll have to come spend a bit of time in each and decide which feels better to you.

[jabogitlu]

I agree, it would be nice if you guys could come up, even if you can only get a weekend away, to get that gut feeling of either Knoxville or Johnson City/Kingsport.

Knoxville is much bigger, not only in size but also in thinking. Between the three the Tri-Cities have a metro population of nearly 500,000, but it's very, very spread out, whereas Knox County itself has nearly that population. Knoxville has more people from different walks of life and cultures. (That's not to say that Johnson City doesn't have them, too, but in smaller numbers.)

I guess that that's a good way to think about Johnson City versus Knoxville. Except for some amenities (certain retail, orchestra, etc.) Johnson City/Kingsport has a lot of the things Knoxville does, except on a smaller scale. After sitting on 26 for thirty minutes yesterday morning in Grey, I'd even say we have the traffic -- it was because of an accident, yes, but I was still amazed at how much I-26 is really used.

[dcommander]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

TRAFFIC! That is one big difference. The other is topography. I personally prefer the North East TN better in that respect as it is easier to navigate for me and I prefer the long ranging views of the Tri-Cities verses further west. I also like be closer to VA and NC and easier to get to from here.I just feel there is more to do and see in this area. It all really comes down to personal preferences. You'll have to come spend a bit of time in each and decide which feels better to you.

I totally agree with MB. While traffic may be getting busier in the Tri-Cities, I don't think it compares to Knoxville (especially with the construction on I-40). We may not offer quite as much as the other larger cities nearby - but they are close enough to go to an occassional concert, etc. IMO the scenery in the Knoxville area doesn't even come close to the beauty of the Tri-Cities area. For an area it's size, I think we have very good shopping and restaurants - which are also growing rapidly. And of course, the people are great here too!!!

Deciding where to settle down is very difficult and quite a personal journey. When we moved here it just felt right. When we moved away it did not feel right and I couldn't wait to get back "home"! Hopefully your visit this summer will help to narrow down your choices.

[dlk33]

It pretty much does sound like the Tri-Cities is a smaller scale Knoxville from what I've read so far.
Would you say that Knoxville is a bit less conservative then the Tri-Cities area?
I think Knoxville is similar to Madison,Wi., where we live now. Population of 250,000 vs 183,000 or so. JC & KP have a bit over 50,000. But, KP & JC have most everything we're looking for as well, just on a smaller scale. Both places are close to the mountians & a short drive away from lots of other places & things to do.
One issue I see is the airport situation in both places. Isn't Nashville the cheapest and most convenient airport to fly in-out of?
At least I do have options, that is what I wanted. We can't wait to make our visit this summer & it will be for longer then a few days! We'll just check it all out to help us decide which place is "our best place".

About the traffic differences, You know either way being that we will be retired & not needing to "really" go anywhere at any certain time, that's doesn't seem like it would be much of an issue for us.
As for the scenery, I'm sure either city is better then Madison, Wi., since we don't have any mountains. On the minus side, I do get car sick driving through the mountians. I wonder about that being a problem.

[jabogitlu]

Well, it's not like you'll have to drive through mountains regularly, like to get to Walmart or anything. So you can control when you want to drive mountain roads, if you want to drive mountain roads. (Unless you move to a house in the mountains! )

Yep, Nashville is the cheapest airport to fly out of, and that is the Tri-Cities' biggest drawback. You're going to have to drive to Nashville... or maybe Charlotte... to fly out at a reasonable rate.

If we only had a high-speed rail link!

[dcommander]

We normally fly out of Knoxville (about 1 hr 45 min from my house) and have friends who fly out of Ashville.

[dlk33]

It seems flying out of Knoxville isn't much cheaper then flying out of the Tri-Cities, but it is out of Nashville.

Is there a Cinnabon in the TC area, or a good bagel place?
I seem to be getting much more input from the Knoxville forum, come on guys this could help me make up my mind which place to move to Maybe you should check what they've had to say & we can start a debate, LOL.
I guess we're just going to have to visit both places & get a feel for which one we think would be the better match for us. Cost & weather seem to be pretty equal. Population differences could be the tie breaker. I doubt Knoxville will feel to large, but the Tri- city area might feel to small in relation to what we're used to.

[ljay42]

Originally Posted by dlk33

I seem to be getting much more input from the Knoxville forum,

Ok, they win. Good luck in knoxville!

[GrannyLois]

Comparing Knoxville to Madison. I lived in Madison and all my kids were born there. I go back and visit at least once a year. I go to Knoxville about once a month - have family there. Both are university towns and have tons of things to do.

Madison is VERY much more liberal politically. Madison has more neat outdoors things like the trails and lakes right in town. Everywhere you look you see people roller blading, walking, pushing strollers, etc. Madison has colorful neighborhoods and well-kept historic areas and seems cleaner in the downtown area.

But the politics and the taxes are just not worth it, as far as I'm concerned. But these other differences are quite noticeable. No matter where you end up, you will have to take the bad with the good.