Johnson City "Culture Shock?" (public schools, subsidized, closing)

[jabogitlu]

Yup. A lot of people don't want their children to marry another race, just like many don't want their little Protestant son/daughter to marry a Jew, etc. etc.

I imagine that no mixed-race couple would encounter any more trouble here than anywhere else. This area of the country isn't really overtly racist anymore. There is very little racial tension here (well, perhaps with the exception of illegal immigrants).

[blueeyes30]

Originally Posted by NorthernLights

Other than that it's mostly little things you'll notice, TN drivers tailgate you like their all "drafting" at Bristol Motor Speedway and southern drivers in general consider traffic lights more of a suggestion and than a command, sitting for a while after it turns green and then running the red [which is of course why they all sit there for a second or two after it turns green] These little things will be outweighed in my opinion by the other southern behaviors such as their friendliness and almost unnerving [to a northerner] eye contact with you. I have found these folks quick to say hello but reserved to 'let you in' and be careful as folks are easy to offend where northerners are used to people being able to take sarcasm and double meanings where down here folks seem pretty literal and what you may feel is a joke may be taken to heart. Once offended folks here don't forget it either. Still, like I said, subtle differences just go slow with people you meet and you should love it here.

That's funny. I've driven all over the northeast and midwest and witnessed the same thing. Tailgating and running red lights is not limited to the south.

When I visit in-laws in Wisconsin, you can't even drive 5 minutes without someone on your tail. Some of the worst "drafting" I witnessed was in New Jersey.

But I agree tailgating is a problem in Tennessee.

[NorthernLights]

Wow,
I haven't checked into CityData for almost a year. Still love it here after moving from up north in 2007. This is truly an incredibly beautiful area. You can't swing a dead cat around in a circle without hitting a mountain vista, or running stream, waterfalls, lakes, rhododendrons blooming that will blow your mind, etc.
I still find the 'indigenous natives' [laugh] to be wonderful people for the few subtle differences and just the same as anywhere else [unless you're very far left-wing, then maybe you need to be down the road 'a piece' in Asheville] and even then, there are pockets in the Tri-cities where you will find people who share the same liberal world views and should be quite comfortable here.
The real estate bubble never quite came to NE TN so housing prices have not fallen much since I moved here...if at all. Still, the high dollar houses have fallen the most, like other locales. If I had to sell my modest home tomorrow I would possibly lose a few thousand dollars but now that I've lived here for two years I know the lay of the land and could find another 'fixer' home in a good area, possibly for less than than what I have in this place. So, I would be taking a few grand hit on this place but be able, with a little searching, to move into a better home in a decent area and end up with the same mortgage payments and a bigger house. Compared to what my friends back in MD are talking about with their appraisals dropping 50 to 90,000 dollars from what they could have sold out for two or three years ago...no comparison to the loss.
Here's what the Tri-cities needs in my humble opinion. If you want to move here just to retire, fine. You'll bring your dollars with you and spend them in our fair cities. Great, brings in sales taxes. BUT, what this place really needs is you small business owners struggling to eek out a profit paying high wages and property and business taxes up east. This is the mecca guys and gals. We have a huge labor force willing to work for wages you haven't paid your employees in ten years which they will line up to work for. They'll be happy, you'll be happy. We have low property taxes and some existing vacant industrial buildings available to rent/purchase and we have great restaurants, schools, good roads, and all the other amenities your white collar employees that you may wish to drag with you will demand. And if not, to Heck with them, we have a large, fresh batch of highly educated folks from ETSU and the local community colleges eager to accept any entry level white collar type jobs your company may require.
Bottom line; move your small business to northeast TN and enjoy a healthy, beautiful environment and mild year-round weather. You will be welcomed with open arms. This area has all the amenities, a business friendly environment and a large workforce willing to work for less than you have to pay up east due to the lower cost of living here. Don't send your jobs to China or Mexico. Move here to Northeast TN where they speak English and are willing to work hard! We are right on Rte 81. We are, and have always been, a rail hub [Heck, that's why Johnson City even exists...railroads] we have Tri-City airport with commuter jets. We are 100 miles from Knoxville which you can reach in just over an hour by 81 and for entertainment, if you can't find it here locally, then Asheville, the Paris of the South is 55 minutes south over the beautiful Smoky Mtn. Rte 26 if you're looking for more than you can find here on the weekends.
Y'all come but we'd prefer you bring some jobs...not just your retirement dollars [although that's nice too.] No, I don't work for the chamber of commerce but after living her for two years I can not believe business/manufacturers have not leaped on this area like they did Greenville SC 10-15 years ago. This place is ripe for business!!

[leonard]

Originally Posted by NorthernLights

We have low property taxes and some existing vacant industrial buildings available to rent/purchase

I may be moving there and will be looking to open an office for my business. We may need a warehouse. Can you recommend an area where such rental buildings are? I will be there next week.

[jabogitlu]

Are you going to randomly drive around and find one? Maybe you could contact the local Chamber of Commerce for a listing or find a realtor? (I assume realtors work with industrial properties. Never having been one, nor having attempted to purchase industrial or business properties, I'm a bit out of touch... haha.)

[NorthernLights]

I have no idea how many sq. feet of space you require but there are numerous factory and warehouse type buildings in and around the Johnson City area that I know are sitting empty due to the last downturn a number of years back or that the companies moved to larger 'digs' elsewhere. I would think local realtors will have no problem reccomending commercial properties for sale or lease. I am most familiar with Johnson City but Bristol and Kingsport have many suitable industrial properties available as well I'm sure.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised and the weather is looking great for the next week or so as well so come look around!!

[dreamwvr]

Originally Posted by sharlalulu

We are thinking about moving to the Jonesborough/Johnson City area, and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the information provided on this forum, it's been invaluable! We just recently visited, and thought the area was beautiful and the people very nice!

I just have one question that I really haven't seen discussed, and understandably, it's a bit subjective. Would a somewhat liberal Southern California mom and wife, early 30's, be comfortable culturally and/or politically (althought I'm not that political) living in the area? By culturally I don't mean arts, etc, I mean world view type stuff.

Thanks for the help, any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm curious...where did you end up, and how was the culture shock??

[NorthernLights]

dreamwvr

I glanced at your profile. Are you coming from Iowa? Just a totally uneducated guess but I think you would dig it here. As other have noted. It's best to come here with a job already lined up or with a personal business idea in mind.

[dreamwvr]

Originally Posted by NorthernLights

dreamwvr

I glanced at your profile. Are you coming from Iowa? Just a totally uneducated guess but I think you would dig it here. As other have noted. It's best to come here with a job already lined up or with a personal business idea in mind.

Yes, from 'flood-country', and I just updated my profile since you mentioned it. A relative in Asheville area and a friend who visits there annually both mentioned JC. I took a trip in summer '07 to NC/KY/VA, visiting relatives along the way...beautiful area, but skipped TN since I didn't know anyone there. I suppose I need to take another road trip down that way! Looking to move the home and biz somewhere with a more temperate climate, friendly, supportive community, culturally diverse, affordable, etc. My current biz location is near a large shopping center, and large engineering employer, so very convenient for the clientele who need and can afford our services. Maybe would take a part time position with hospice or other health facility while building the biz in a new location. Any other suggestions? How's the public opinion on holistic health and therapeutic massage there? Thanks for your input and entertaining posts!

[jabogitlu]

There's a decent outlook on holistic health here, but we have several therapeutic massage and other "alternative" (I quote because massage has helped me more than anything the doctors do!) medical practices here. Not trying to discourage you, but check out the yellow pages to see if you think you can find a niche here.

As far as a supportive business community, especially with regards to relocation, you might want to look towards Kingsport. However, Johnson City is more culturally diverse.