Johnson City "Culture Shock?" (Jonesborough: how much, high school, university)

[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!

[fallfanatic]

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!

Hi sharlalulu... I don't believe you'll have any problems. I have read many times throughout these threads something similar to what you are asking, and the general opinion is that it's kind of a "live and let live" attitude. As to weather or not you will be comfortable, well only you can answer that, but world views etc. are probably not going to be a problem for you.

[jjbradleynyc]

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!

Hmm. Well, a place (anywhere) is what you make of it and I think the most conservative types can live harmoniously with highly-liberal areas, and vice-versa. It all depends on the choices of the individual!

With that being said, I grew up in the tri-cities area and visit frequently (couple times a year). The area, geographically, is probably one of the most scenic and beautiful in the US. Of the 3 "big" tri-cities, JC is definitely the most "liberal," albeit just slightly. This is due to ETSU's presence, and the in/out flow of many college students from all over the country/world. There are a couple of gay bars in JC as well. BUT--keep in mind that Northeast TN is the bedrock of the BIBLE BELT, and Baptists rule the area. It's a very conservative and Republican area overall. Might I even go so far as saying outside JC, you may be shocked to encounter very much anti-gay behavior, what-the-man-of-the-house says, goes behavior, and a lot of looking down on mixed-race marriages or any culture not of "Baptist upbringing."

Don't let all this stop you from moving here--there are a LOT of amazing people in the tri-cities and it is a wonderful place to raise a family. Just be aware of some of the attitudes and "backwardness" that does still exist here, even in 2008. And believe me, it does--I have many first-hand accounts.

Check it out for yourself and decide. Best of luck.

[GrannyLois]

To add my 2 cents worth: I moved here in 1983, and it took a year to adjust.

Looking back, though, I think it was because we had unwittingly gotten into a very fundamentalist and unhealthy group of Christians (which exist in many places across the world, but our experience was here).

But I think any major move will need adjustment because there would have to be cultural differences. You can focus on the differences or you can focus on the similarities and the beauty of the area.

I have NEVER regretted moving here. It's been 25 years and I still LOVE it!

[williboy]

My wife and I were at Concert on the Square in Jonesborough on Friday night. There was a young mixed race couple (white male/black female) there with his parents. They were sitting a couple of rows in front of us and all seemed to be having a very good time.

[sharlalulu]

Thank you all for the input. I definitely think moving anywhere is going to be an adjustment, just trying to decide how much of an adjustment we're ready for. We love the area and the people are so incredibly nice! We like the idea of raising our kids in a small town, definitely want a slower pace of life. I think we're going to go out in July and just spend a couple weeks spending a little more time in the JC area and some other areas in TN, NC, and VA to decide what area is best for us.

[williboy]

Welcome to TN and be sure and take the kids to Dollywood.

[jabogitlu]

Yeah, it's going to be a culture shock. Too many people, though, associate that concept with "liberal vs. conservative," when it's really a different way of viewing life. You'll come to understand if you don't already; people in California tend to operate in different ways than people in the South, and than people in the Northeast. All three are disparate.

But as far as liberal vs. conservative goes, hmm... You'll find that most people native to this area are very negative of people who are non-Caucasian (and non-American), people who are gay, people who choose to live different than "normal" (even including people who choose to stay single), people who are atheists or agnostic, etc. This tends to go hand-in-hand with the fact that many NETN natives have little more than a high school education and haven't traveled far beyond Mid/East TN, Western NC and SW VA.

However, there are some natives altogether more accepting and open-minded. Also, the TC (especially Johnson City) is seeing a big influx of newcomers to the region, and with them a different attitude of a more inclusive nature.

In the end, I agree with jjbradley, it's what you make of it. If you want to live here, then you should live here. Don't let others worldviews dictate your own life, else "they" (small minded people) have won.

You'll be able to find cultural opportunity to match your personality, though. It might just be smaller than you're used to. Downtown JC is experiencing good growth with nightclubs, restaurants (a new German cuisine place opened last week), coffee shops, art galleries, etc. And nearby, ETSU brings in all the opportunities (music, lectures, plays, etc) that a strong regional university affords.

[12buttons]

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!

what part of socal are you from? Venice? ORange COunty - apples and oranges right there...

[rccrain]

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!

People around here generally keep their politics to themselves. In fact most are pretty fed up with both parties. Just don't expect Democrats to get elected in the local elections, and expect people to have a healthy aversion to any mention of higher taxes or increased regulation. Less is more.

The only place I could see a problem is if you joined a conservative type church. You can even protest the war on S Roan St if you would like. I've seen protesters in groups of about twenty ... no one really pays them any mind.