I have been offered a job in Kingsport. (Knoxville, Johnson City: sales, real estate)

[ken-zee]

I have a job offer from Kingsport. I am from the Detroit/ Toledo area. Please give me some pros and cons about living there. I realize it's a lot slower paced then what I am used to. If there is anyone out there who has moved to the area, let me know what you think. I already know I will miss sailing on Lake Erie all summer. But I know you have lakes there as well. Before I jump I like to know all the facts! I see the sales tax is higher then I am used to with our 5.5%. What else is the real estate person not telling me that I should know?? Any information you have good or bad is helpful. I also would be moving away from my entire family which some would say is a good thing but not for me, my family is very close. I really have a tough decision to make. The company has now brought me to Kingsport 4 times to "Wine and dine" me to relocate. But I am still not sold on the idea. Give me your thoughts!
Thanks!
Ken

[jjbradleynyc]

Kingsport is a wonderful and safe town for a family. I was born there, and my family still lives there today. It is a "planned" city, in terms of zoning and layout, so that makes it quite unique, with respect to where the stores are, housing, industry, commercial, etc. It has a TON of shopping and restaurants for a comparable city of its size (around 45k population). There is a very close-knit feeling amongst the people living there--yet the city is gentrifying its downtown quite nicely.
The area is in the Bible belt--and very resistant to change. It is a primarily caucasian area with little diversity, although over the years this has slowly started to change with the influx of a small korean, indian, and hispanic population (like I said, small though).
The area is super conservative, and it is the land of George Bush and Baptists. It is not liberal at all.
The people are super nice, helpful, and go above and beyond, for the most part. The cost of living is inexpensive, and the quality of life can be wonderful: lakes, mountains, parks, and outdoor activities are everywhere and very close. The nearest "big" city is Knoxville--an hour and a half (roughly) to the southwest. Johnson City is bigger than Kingsport, and has East TN State University to add a little culture to the area.

[dreamofmonterey]

I wouldnt go so far as to call it the land of Bush. My neighnors voted the other way due to the economy, and while they weren't celebrating at the Dixie Barbeque restaurant, the area is changing. I am in JC though, the Med and pharmacy school bring students and doctors from all over.

sales tax is rather high, as there is tax on groceries, alot higher than other states.

[jjbradleynyc]

Yeah, that *might* have been extreme. But it is a solid red state!

Johnson City is definitely more liberal than Kport or Bristol, that's for sure. Kport has liberal people, of course, but just not as many as conservatives.

[Beretta]

What line of work are you in? Certain arenas are doing better than others.

[ken-zee]

Thank you for your help. Yes when I was there I could not believe how friendly everyone was. I was actually shocked! That was another item I was not too sure of. I am not a huge religious person, (even though I work with nothing but nuns in Toledo!!) I do not have any children they are all grown and on there own. I am having a bit of trouble with housing though. I cant seem to locate anything I am interested in in Kingsport. But then again I have only been there 4 times for the weekends. I guess I will stop down again and do a bit more wandering around and see how winter is there too. Thank you for your help!
Ken

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

Kingsport is a wonderful and safe town for a family. I was born there, and my family still lives there today. It is a "planned" city, in terms of zoning and layout, so that makes it quite unique, with respect to where the stores are, housing, industry, commercial, etc. It has a TON of shopping and restaurants for a comparable city of its size (around 45k population). There is a very close-knit feeling amongst the people living there--yet the city is gentrifying its downtown quite nicely.
The area is in the Bible belt--and very resistant to change. It is a primarily caucasian area with little diversity, although over the years this has slowly started to change with the influx of a small korean, indian, and hispanic population (like I said, small though).
The area is super conservative, and it is the land of George Bush and Baptists. It is not liberal at all.
The people are super nice, helpful, and go above and beyond, for the most part. The cost of living is inexpensive, and the quality of life can be wonderful: lakes, mountains, parks, and outdoor activities are everywhere and very close. The nearest "big" city is Knoxville--an hour and a half (roughly) to the southwest. Johnson City is bigger than Kingsport, and has East TN State University to add a little culture to the area.

[donsabi]

Ken,
Sales tax is 9.5% here. Coming from a large city area you will not find the kind of shopping convenience that you are used to. Air quality leaves much to be desired and the odors range from mild to "knock your socks off" bad. Allergies here are ranked one of as one of the highest in the nation. Medical care and veterinary care is the worst I have ever experienced.
If the job offer is a really good one you might consider Johnson City and surrounding areas for living but that would mean a commute to work.
Don
I am not in the real estate business.

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by ken-zee

I am having a bit of trouble with housing though. I cant seem to locate anything I am interested in in Kingsport.

I was born in Detroit, years ago, Is the company going to buy your place up in the Detroit area, with the housing market there I'm not sure how a sale there would go. With regard to buying a house in Kingsport, I'd look outside of town and search the surrounding area, there is really very little traffic here and you can live anywhere and have a decent commute, although closer is better. Gray is great, boones creek, etc.

Having to decide about taking a job and being wined and dined is fabulous, enjoy it and do what's best for you and yours, TN is nice, do you plan on staying here permanently? If not, you could keep your michigan house and move back if you get bored here.

Great position to be in, seems like you can't lose either way.

Happy Holidays

Tony

[tvlcompanygirl]

Originally Posted by ken-zee

I already know I will miss sailing on Lake Erie all summer. But I know you have lakes there as well.
Ken

The lake(s) here are NOTHING like Lake Erie. I still haven't figured out why they call Boone Lake a lake! It's more like a still river...lol! There's certainly no sailing though! I have seen pontoons or speed boats to water ski/tube from or fishing boats. I grew up on Lake Michigan and Long Island Sound, so I understand what you'll be missing.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by tvlcompanygirl

The lake(s) here are NOTHING like Lake Erie. I still haven't figured out why they call Boone Lake a lake! It's more like a still river...lol! There's certainly no sailing though! I have seen pontoons or speed boats to water ski/tube from or fishing boats. I grew up on Lake Michigan and Long Island Sound, so I understand what you'll be missing.

There is a lot of sailing on Watauga Lake. It's probably 1 to 1.5 hours or so from Kingsport. Again, nothing really like Lake Erie (size wise), but it's clean and I've watched people sailing many times from The Captain's Table.