How did you discover the Tri-Cities?

[normanguy45]

I don't live in East TN yet, but it's in my plans soon. I've travelled through there on I-77 many times and was awestruck by the beauty of the area. I've always been into hiking, kayaking, cycling and soon paragliding and this area from what I've investigated, seems to be about as perfect a setting for these activities as I could find. I was in Knoxville-TriCities in Oct for a few days researching the area and the foliage was incredible, right up there with what I've seen in New England during the fall. So, soon it'll be goodbye Oklahoma, hello TN.

[odessa3]

My husband and I have been coming down for the NASCAR races at Bristol since 1992. Thus, we've gotten to know the area quite well. And now I DREAM of moving there someday very soon! I can think about nothing else! We would stay with my cousin who lived on Powder Branch Rd. in Elizabethton, till she died 2 years ago. Now, we stay with a friend in Watauga. As an avid motorcyclist, your roads are Nirvana for us! We trucked our dual sport bikes down last August and had a blast! Coming from Pennsylvania, which has the WORST road conditions in the country, it is a joy coming down your way, where even the most obscure backroads have excellent pavement. We love going up to Watauga and Wilbur dams, or simply finding a road we've never been on to just "see where it goes". The people everywhere are exceptionally friendly, quite a difference from around here. As an RN, I know I would have little trouble finding a job, but my husband, who is in upper management for a large car dealership, might have a harder time finding something comparable. He is also a volunteer firefighter here and he would LOVE to have a paid firefighter job, though his age (48) may be against him. It does take guts to make a major move, and I admire anyone who's done it, and did so successfully. Hopefully some day we'll find the courage to do it, as I'm so anxious to move from this area.

[JoshB]

Thanks for filling this out odessa3!

[Tri-Cities Native]

odessa 3 - Are you guys going to make it down this year for the race(s)? If so are you going to bring your bikes? I'm curious to know where you guys rode when you were down here. I probably know of some more areas that would be some good riding for you. I enjoy my Ultra Classic on the "twisties" but I'm sure a sport bike would be much more fun!

[Bailey.]

I'm from CT - and moved down to Norton to be with my SO. I spent 5 months there - and really disliked it. We had traveled to Kingsport and JC for some shopping occasionally but it was a long-ish drive.

After going up to CT for 5 days in May of 2008, we came back to VA and decided we wanted out of there. We didn't have the means to move really far, but the opportunity came with Jason's Deli was hiring and he was hired as a manager. We spent 8 weeks in Richmond VA and 2 weeks in Knoxville TN living in hotels for training (wasn't bad, the Richmond hotel was bigger than our old apartment! One bedroom living room, kitchen, etc)

Anyway, we found a place while we were back here - and had one day to do it - so we put a deposit down on the first thing we found.

Johnson City has its ups and downs. The area is beautiful - nobody can deny that. You can go from the center of JC and have pretty much any store you want to visit, then drive 10 minutes and feel like there is nobody within miles of you - with great views!

It isn't where we want to spend the rest of our lives, though. Unlike JoshB, this area has reaffirmed our issues with religion and politics. I don't want to change the area - that isn't my place, but I love what it has provided us with. I highly recommend it to a lot of people.

[odessa3]

Tri-Cities, check your messages...

[JoshB]

Any transplants to the tri in the last couple of months?

[Ridgerunner]

I grew up in SW Virginia about 60 highway miles NW of Kingsport. As recently as the '70s everyone in that area had to travel to the Tri-Cities for shopping or specialized medical care. And many spent their entire working lives commuting back and forth every day. A common joke back then was that children were taught four things in school: reading, writing, arithmetic and how to get to Kingsport. We moved here in '94 to be near my JC job and chose Carter County because of the mountain scenery and reasonable home prices. When my job went south (literally) in '07 we didn't even consider leaving the area. My new profession has taken me to 33 states and I've met lots of nice people and seen lots of nice scenery, but no place I've been is more appealing than NE Tennessee.

[TNGal78]

Born in Kingsport, I should say. Was raised in Colonial Heights...moved to Sullivan Co near South High School....went to college in Morristown and NE State. Moved to Carter's Valley for 2 years. Moved back to Colonial Heights.

My parents were born and raised here, too.

My mom's parents are from Greene Co.

Dad's parents are from here as are all the generations on that side that go way back.