Moving into area from PA . . . Help! (Johnson City, Kingsport: extended stay, crime, hotel)

[Bob & Linda]

Could use some help... we are moving into the area and have no clue as to which areas are good. We like Elizabethton; Jonesbourgh. Would like to find a Realtor who knows the area to help us with leg work. Any help would be appreciated.

[jabogitlu]

You will find many similarities to Erie country here, but it's warmer. I-81 between Kingsport and Bristol reminds me so much of upstate NY.

You mentioned Elizabethton and Jonesborough. Both of these cities are pretty close to Johnson City. Are you retiring? If not, do you have a job somewhere?

The easiest way to decide where to live is basically to figure out which main city you want to live near: Johnson City, Kingsport, or Bristol. Each city has its ring communities, a few of which are more or less in the middle of two (Gray, Piney Flats).

How rural are you looking to be? Do you want neighborhoods with sidewalks? City services like trash collection? How far do you want to be from retail, dining, entertainment?

These are some basic questions that will help us help you a lot.

[cody]

Hi all,

We are in a similar situation...moving from rural upstate NY to Johnson City. We have a 45 acre little farm with horses and donkeys right next to a 9,000 acres state forest, very private and peaceful setting, about 35 minutes to Syracuse. We can't take the animals with us to TN, but we would still like an area that has privacy...I don't think we're used to tract housing and having neighbors right next to us. Plus, TN houses with land are more expensive than ones up here, so we couldn't afford anything like 45 acres.

That said, it would be nice to have something closer to the city and the conveniences of a quick run in for groceries, etc. We love the outdoors, nature, hiking, canoeing- that's one of the reasons we chose Eastern TN, it's hilly and scenic like upstate, but without 5 months of snow on the ground. So, I guess we'd like to be close to trails and greenspace areas. The wife will work at JCMC, and would like to keep the drive to 15-20 mins max. We've heard about Jonesborough, Piney Flats, and Erwin...any suggestions or comments?

Thanks for your help!

[Bob & Linda]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

You will find many similarities to Erie country here, but it's warmer. I-81 between Kingsport and Bristol reminds me so much of upstate NY.

You mentioned Elizabethton and Jonesborough. Both of these cities are pretty close to Johnson City. Are you retiring? If not, do you have a job somewhere?

The easiest way to decide where to live is basically to figure out which main city you want to live near: Johnson City, Kingsport, or Bristol. Each city has its ring communities, a few of which are more or less in the middle of two (Gray, Piney Flats).

How rural are you looking to be? Do you want neighborhoods with sidewalks? City services like trash collection? How far do you want to be from retail, dining, entertainment?

These are some basic questions that will help us help you a lot.

We are retired! Not into big cities. Like more suburbs / rural but close to store, etc. Eat out but if we want entertainment will travel for that. More of nature type.

[jabogitlu]

Well, you're in luck, you won't find any big cities up here. (Or, rather, down here, from your perspective.)

There are tons of suggestions I could give you but they would all be fruitless at this point. Right now I could talk about living anywhere from Southwest Virginia to Rogersville to Greeneville to Erwin. My only suggestion for you is to come down, spend a week in a hotel, and check out Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol to see which one you like best.

[Bob & Linda]

Been down and know the area some. Concerned if there are areas to avoid. Around Erie I can tell you where not to buy, because of drugs/violence for when you buy a house you buy a community... Johnson City especially we saw some cute houses but were unsure of what to avoid... Jonesbourgh realitor told us there is nothing to avoid there... That's our main concern.

[donsabi]

Bob & Linda,
There is very little to be concerned about as far as crime goes, so that realtor is correct. Things I suggest you check out are medical care. In Kingsport there is a serious problem finding a doctor that will accept Medicare and that may include surrounding areas. Electric rates vary town to town, so make sure you ask what the electric rates are. Some areas had water problems last year that I think are resolved now that the area has gotten plenty of rain. BTW, allergies are really nasty here all year long.
As one poster suggested, spend a week or so in the area and you will get a feel for it. There are plenty of extended stay motels that charge about $200 for a week.

[jabogitlu]

Yep, there are definitely areas to avoid, but if you see a picture of the house you'll know. I don't think you have much to worry about because you're looking more rural. The only way you'd run into problems is if you were an urban pioneer trying to buy a house in Carnegie, Keystone, downtown etc.

I agree with donsabi that you might want to check out electric rates. JCPB tends to be the highest in the area I believe.

[Bob & Linda]

Thanks folks, wouldn't have thought to check electric rates. Pa lets you pick your own provider.

[TNGal78]

Gray, Blountville, Fall Branch, Rock Springs, Piney Flats, Mt. Carmel, Church Hill type areas. Near a city, but not so near that you get all the traffic or etc.

I live in Colonial Heights area, which is being annexed more and more by the city of Kingsport ! Now I am wishing we lived in Gray.

We have Johnson City power and rates have gone up HORRIBLY. Like 100.00 more than what we were paying this time last year.


My husband works in Johnson City and it's a 15 minute drive depending on traffic on the interstate. Personally, Johnson City feels too big and congested for me to consider living there but, to each his/her own.

Anywhere near the "Big E" (Eastman) in Kingsport and you will be dealing with quitting time traffic starting around 4 and ending around 6. Where I'm at in Colonial Heights on Fort Henry Drive it can be pretty bad and also along John B. Dennis hwy.


ALSO please be aware that if you live in BRISTOL or NEAR Bristol you will be dealing with Nascar fans and it gets reeeeeally crowded in Bristol during that time of year. School lets out early due to race traffic/events/etc. (At least Sullivan CO. does). It's even more crowded in Kingsport right now because of the Bristol Race.

There are a lot of options here. I'm sure you can find something you will love.