Getting to know JC and surrounding area (Knoxville, Johnson City: ski resort, real estate market)

[ebhjr212]

Greetings. I happened on this thread while searching for active retirement areas as alternatives to A$heville and Knoxville. From what I've seen and read so far, the greater JC area holds a lot of promise - especially as we're looking for moderately high elevation and 4 distinct seasons. I was wondering if someone local could recommend some kind of itinerary that we could use to become more acquainted with the area from a neighborhood standpoint. When we recently traveled to Asheville and Knoxville, we had really only realtor-type listing info to go off of and couldn't really feel how "connected' each area was. I'd love to get insight on new master-planned communities and their proximity to town activities. Since we're a few years away from the actual move, we'd like to visit the area for the first time knowing inside info about locales/neighborhoods that offer great future access to shopping/dining/downtown, etc. We're probably looking at building a home in a community, in the 500k price range. If this inquiry makes sense, thanks for a reply!

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by ebhjr212

Greetings. I happened on this thread while searching for active retirement areas as alternatives to A$heville and Knoxville. From what I've seen and read so far, the greater JC area holds a lot of promise - especially as we're looking for moderately high elevation and 4 distinct seasons. I was wondering if someone local could recommend some kind of itinerary that we could use to become more acquainted with the area from a neighborhood standpoint. When we recently traveled to Asheville and Knoxville, we had really only realtor-type listing info to go off of and couldn't really feel how "connected' each area was. I'd love to get insight on new master-planned communities and their proximity to town activities. Since we're a few years away from the actual move, we'd like to visit the area for the first time knowing inside info about locales/neighborhoods that offer great future access to shopping/dining/downtown, etc. We're probably looking at building a home in a community, in the 500k price range. If this inquiry makes sense, thanks for a reply!

I would start in Jonesborough and look into various neighborhoods. If you want more suburban and upscale, The Ridges is a good choice. For a more urban choice, the Gump, Gump Addition, and Tree States in Johnson City all have good access to the city.

There really aren't mastered planned communities in the Tri-Cities.

[DaveinMtAiry]

Hi eb. I'm not a local but I've been on the same mission as you are for the past 3 years. Having visited JC 3 times now I can tell you it's definitely where I'm hoping we end up, wife is still a bit apprehensive about moving so far from home (Maryland).

In a nutshell here are my thoughts for what they are worth: Johnson City and Jonesborough are really nice, both offer mountain views with Jonesborough having a slight edge. Since they are only about 12 miles apart not really a big difference one vs the other. Downtown Jonesborough has the old time town feel where JC feels younger due to the revitalization (more about that in a minute) and the prevalence of college kids from ETSU. The kids and the larger downtown area with more to do makes my lean JC but halfway in between may work too. As for the revitalization it is amazing the difference that downtown is from my first visit in 2012. Still a ways to go but it's really rocking now and will only get better.

As for neighborhoods all I can tell you is north JC is supposed to be the nicest area, larger older homes. The "Tree Streets" is a very unique area, again with older homes but they are smaller and right near downtown. It's kind of a Love it or Hate it area to me. Not for me but I can see the attraction. Seems to have more lower income people and a lot of college group houses. But that also means lots of character so that's appealing. The area we are looking are off of Cherokee Street. But we are downsizing to a modest 1,500 foot rambler type of home and that area is full of them, close to the mountains and also downtown. Not sure if that is what you are looking for or not.

[rccrain]

I could take an hour or more to wax on about JC and what it has to offer, but I don't want to, and this link does it better than I could have anyway. I recently came across this link which a local employer uses to recruit physicians to the area. It offers a very nice overview of communities in your price range.

Real Estate Market – Elegant Subdivisons, Historic Homes & Lots of Land

[jabogitlu]

That link is cool. There's a couple listings in New Halifax, a new urban-style development right outside Jonesborough. I forgot about it until now... it's a pretty cool area and walkable into downtown Jonesborough, which is pretty cool.

[DaveinMtAiry]

Is New Halifax the neighborhood just out of downtown on the way back to JC on the right? It had very interesting homes. Not for us, too close together, but very nice.

[MtnSnowBound]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

Is New Halifax the neighborhood just out of downtown on the way back to JC on the right? It had very interesting homes. Not for us, too close together, but very nice.

It is; it is immediately across the street from the new Senior Center (almost finished).

[DaveinMtAiry]

Yep, that's the neighborhood. Looked like a ski resort neighborhood in Aspen or something.

[ebhjr212]

Thanks rccrain - really good link to get started with. Just came back to this thread recently and glad I found it!! Really appreciate the actual subdivision references, they are very good to use for comparison going forward. Will visit the area for the first time this fall and looking forward to it. Thx again