Looking for country setting, yet close to JCMC

[eeyore1and2]

You said it...we live about an hour to the Great Lakes and Canada, and about 4 hours to NYC! Upstate NY is a very big area with lots of rural counties,farms, forests, and small towns. There are cities like Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany, but a lot of space in between. Country folk are like country folk everywhere, they're there because they prefer to be in the country.

[claasycat]

There are alot of people that think because you are from NY, that it automatically means "the City", or Brooklyn. I grew up on Long Island, and if I went into the city once a year that was alot. Living up-state NY is sooo much like E.Tenn. You still have so much country, it's alot quieter,the pace of life is so much nicer, than always being in a big rush to get no where. Been down south for 19 years, last time I was back in NY was in 2001. Couldn't wait to get back down here. It was nice to visit, but you miss what you have here.

Just my 2 cents from a native NYer.

[jabogitlu]

I spent week before last in Florida. Talk about homesick. Once I got out of upstate SC and back into Asheville I was relieved!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by cody

We are moving from rural upstate NY to Johnson City. Currently, we have a 45 acre little farm with horses and donkeys right next to a 9,000 acre state forest, very private and peaceful setting, about 35 minutes from 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. I'm hoping we can find something kind of private, with views of the mountains, lots of trees, and a short commute. 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!

Cody,

Were you able to find something suitable?

[cody]

Hi all,
I spent Easter week in JC, and drove around the country. It is a beautiful area, but seems more spread out than I though. We've been "ruined" because for 15 years we've lived next to the state forest where you can't see/hear any neighbors. It is super quiet and private, so not sure we'll find that setting. We figure to find a spot that has some privacy- with the adjacent houses a few acres away at least. We will keep exploring the area and looking. In the meantime, we're renting a small apartment bet. JC and Jonesborough. Thanks for the help.