Would like info on Tri Cities area (Bristol: low crime, good schools)

[LongShot]

I moved up from Fla. 2 years ago to Bristol. I am surprised that so much in this city is surrounded by NASCAR and BMS considering thats only 2 times a year. As far a wages...alot lower than what I was used to in Jax. Johnson City seems to be too busy to me for my liking. I think I would probably be happier in Kingsport though. Little bit bigger than Bristol and a little more going on. All this depends on what type of lifestyle you are looking for. Nightlife is more in the JC area. There was more of a problem with Crystal Meth up here when I moved up (Houses and Motel Rooms blowing up) but it seems to be slowing down a bit due to new laws (notice I did not say it has stopped). I still like the area tons more than Jackassville though. The people on both sides of the State Line (TN / VA) are way friendlier.

Might be considering a move to 'Nooga or somewhere in Georgia in the next few years. Just for another change of pace.

Oh yea...dont forget about the other underground community in the Tri Cities that I didnt know about when I moved here. The "New Beginnings" type. Its not to everyones liking but it is around here. It can also be a deciding factor for some people.

One last thing...it snowed in April here too....that was friggin weird to me...lol.

[NewAdventure]

Originally Posted by LongShot

I moved up from Fla. 2 years ago to Bristol. I am surprised that so much in this city is surrounded by NASCAR and BMS considering thats only 2 times a year. As far a wages...alot lower than what I was used to in Jax. Johnson City seems to be too busy to me for my liking. I think I would probably be happier in Kingsport though. Little bit bigger than Bristol and a little more going on. All this depends on what type of lifestyle you are looking for. Nightlife is more in the JC area. There was more of a problem with Crystal Meth up here when I moved up (Houses and Motel Rooms blowing up) but it seems to be slowing down a bit due to new laws (notice I did not say it has stopped). I still like the area tons more than Jackassville though. The people on both sides of the State Line (TN / VA) are way friendlier.

Might be considering a move to 'Nooga or somewhere in Georgia in the next few years. Just for another change of pace.

Oh yea...dont forget about the other underground community in the Tri Cities that I didnt know about when I moved here. The "New Beginnings" type. Its not to everyones liking but it is around here. It can also be a deciding factor for some people.

One last thing...it snowed in April here too....that was friggin weird to me...lol.

Thanks so much for the info. When you say the 'new beginnings' type~ what exactly do you mean? I'm looking forward to visiting the area to get first hand knowlege. It is too bad about the drugs. That is something that I had worried about . I've heard in the rural areas crystal meth is really bad. It's sad to watch nice people ruin their lives. I also am concerned about moving somewhere that has a racist undertone. I've heard some things that bother me. I know there are negative aspects to life everywhere but growing up in the D.C. area and being in Tampa Bay for a number of years - I've found that in the numbers of people you can find all sorts. However, the general feeling is that racism is looked down upon.

[LongShot]

New Beginnings (or Newbies as it seems to be known here) is THE Les. and Gay Bar in the Tri Cities (not trying to be derogitory here). Tri Cities, just as I read further in the Tenn Forum, is put out in the underground as a Place for Gays and Lesibians to live. I am not saying anything against it...just putting it out there. It would be a deciding factor for some people who do not want to be around that type of scene. Kinda like why some people wont move to San Fran...even though not everyone in that city is of Alt. Lifestyle. It is a part of this region...its just not that well known by people who dont live here. It can also be true for some people wanting to move to this area. Either or.

I can hit the Bristol Motor Speedway with a good slingshot from my Apt. With that in mind...during race week...traffic is hell trying to move along the Vol. Parkway during that time. I finally found the way around that traffic...lol. Most of the locals are glad when the race fans are gone and things can get back to normal.

If your just looking for a nice place to raise your family and are not into the Partying scene....I would look into Kingsport. You can always drive over to JC if needed. Kingsport has one place I like. If your into Occult or Eastern Rel. type stuff...they have Dilly's. Cool little shop. Owners will talk to you for hours if you like that stuff.

With the drugs...I came from "The Crossroads to the US" as called by DEA. Here the drugs of Choice is Prescription Pain Meds, Meth and Pot. Unlike where I came from where you had your choice from just about anything...lol. They are getting harder and busting alot more places to help try to lower the drug availability...which is better than just going after the users.

[LongShot]

Oh yea...the only reason I moved to Bristol...I saw pics my brother took when he came to the races....lmao. I made the decision to move one weekend and the next weekend I had a Moving Truck rented and loaded...northbound! Me and my Pup were on the road. Now I am in a relationship and got a son. Things are pretty good for me. Now I need to get my business going. Oh yea.... Home business licenses...they are cheap. Did all mine for like under $100 easy.

Maybe we should start a Tri-Cities Florida Refugees Forum or something. I have heard of alot of Flordanians moving to this particular area.

[eva-girl]

We are seriously looking at Bristol as an alternative to Asheville, NC area for several reasons. The biggest drawback I can see is that Bristol may not be as pleasant an environment as Asheville. Sperling's ranks Asheville as 45 for comfort index and Bristol as 41. Are the summers humid in Bristol?

[NewAdventure]

Hey Longshot,
You had mentioned the drug scene in the area. Is this a big problem with the high school scene? I know the partying that went on when I was young but the new drugs, pills, crystal meth, etc. are really scary. I keep telling everyone that the drugs can't be half as bad as they are in Florida but I have heard how crystal meth has taken over small towns. Does it seem to be a big problem in this area? I've seen really nice and good people ruin their lives with drugs. I know it is bad everywhere but have painted a picture of Eastern Tenn. as being an ideal place to raise a family. I don't want my bubble busted and know I've been asking lots of risky questions about the area but it is important for me to have a somewhat 'realistic' awareness about any place that I plan to move my family to.

Please forgive me for asking so many personal questions about anyone's hometown. I just want the best for my family.
Thanks again.

[LongShot]

I am not in touch with the Highschool scene so I really dont know. I have not seen on the news any Drug bust that occured in schools. I am sure...if its around it will be in the high schools too...just like when I was in HS back in Jax., Fl. Only one way to stop that is to eliminate the drugs themselves. Like I stated before...they seem to really be trying to do that. Hear about 1 major bust a week if I am thinking correctly. Trying not to make it sound like a drug ridden area...just the police are focusing on it. I will say I have never seen more people using Prescrip. Pain pills anywhere than here. Sort of like the Lortab Capitol of Tennessee. Meth seems to be slowing down though due to the available supply...or lack of. They have laws in place to track sales of Sinus Meds...which Meth is made from. You have to show ID and sign a form to even get Sudafed. Labs just get them from other states so it make it a hastle for the Labs to get the meds. Pot...about like anywhere else in the country.. its around. Thats seems to be about it for this area.

My background was in Law Enforcement so its in me to keep my ear to the ground about that stuff.

[kmeister]

I have just moved here from Atlanta this month with three kids: 13, 9 and 6 years old. We used to live in New Tampa (Tampa Palms) before Atlanta. After having children in the Hillsborough County Public School System, I will forever more choose the SCHOOL SYSTEM FIRST before I even get lured into looking at beautiful homes. Schools are outstanding in the Kingsport City Schools system. Schools are good in Johnson City. I would prefer the lifestyle in Johnson City but we have chosen Kingsport Schools and we are now house-hunting in the district. I have friends that have pulled their kids out of JC schools and commute them/pay tuition just to attend Kingsport City Schools. Academically, if made a priority, children will receive an excellent education in Kingsport. The lifestyle is more humble in Kingsport thanks to a dress code in both middle school and high school.

This will be a huge lifestyle adjustment but nothing is more important in this stage of my life than raising my children armed with a great education.

Good luck!

[Lutz Lady]

Like you, school system is at the top of my list. Where is the best place on the web to compare school districts in the state of TN? Not sure what area of TN we will be moving to, but probably middle TN.

[mbmouse]

You can check out all the schools in the state here : http://www.k-12.state.tn.us/rptcrd05/index.asp
I have tow children, now 15 and 11, they and I LOVE the Gray school system in Washington County.