Looking To Relocate From Southern CA to Kingsport

[beachdiver]

CobolKing,
I think you'd like Kingsport or Johnson City equally well. I have noticed a funky smell once while passing through Kingsport, but not all the time. Both cities have a lot to offer in the areas you're looking for. The air quality is said to be kind of bad, but I think it is from an allergy standpoint, as Jabogitlu pointed out. It's nothing like you might notice in your area when the Santa Anas blow, or if you are coming down from Big Bear and looking at the brown layer below!
We had allergy problems the first spring we were here but nothing since then (moved here from OC). The Chamber of Commerce in JC sent out a package of lots of helpful info & we subscribed to the paper - but it's important to come out & spend a few days looking around. Had we done that, I would have made a couple of different decisions but that's all.

Overall, it's a great area!

[Tony1790]

I think ANYWHERE in the Tri-cities is great, the towns are so close together that it doesn't really matter where you live, everything is fairly convenient.

I would have to vote for Johnson City area, Gray, piney flats, blountville, etc. Some say these are different towns, but they are so close that the different town aspect is cute but matters not. I'd live in Bristol before KPT also.

You, as retirees, would love JC and it's a great town, small and easy to get around. Can't lose either way, I moved here from the West Coast and like it.

Tony

[CobolKing]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

As a die-hard Johnson City fan, I hate to say it, but Kingsport might just be your best choice. There is quite a bit of civic/government activity and the folks there seem to be WAY on the ball with redevelopment, business attraction, etc. etc. Plus with all of the new retail developments (Target etc.) Kingsport now is on par or surpassing Johnson City in just about every way.

There is no university there, though, if that's even important to you. Kingsport does have plans for an Academic Village of sorts in its downtown with contributions from many area universities and colleges (UT, Walter's State, Northeast State, Tusculum College, etc.). It will be ultimately beneficial to the population but I don't believe it will create the "university" feel that permeates the areas around universities - hipster scene, bars, etc. That probably isn't important to you specifically, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I'm not sure on healthcare quality Kpt vs. JC. I guess there are some stats somewhere, but I believe Kingsport would be able to take care of your every need. And if you ever did have to come to JCMC it's only a 20 minute trip from Kingsport city.

ETA - yes, your original post was a tad confusing. Are you looking for more or less conservative? Kingsport is about as conservative as they come. All of east TN is.

LOL - sorry about the confusion in my post.

We are looking for a place that is definitely more conservative than our current urban area on the "Left Coast". We are for a strong military, smaller government, less taxes and more individual responsibility, and we love the USA. That said, we don't want to be in a rigid "it's our way or the highway" place. I would rather change an opponent's mind via reason and facts than destroy them. I hope this helps.

[jabogitlu]

Then you're probably looking at the right place. This area is vastly live and let live and leave me alone (it's an Appalachian thing), hellbent on the military and I swear I think these people would vote down a tax increase even if it was building a school and a nursing home.

[donsabi]

CobolKing,
After reading your posts I don't think you could pick a more unsuitable place than Kingsport. The sales tax is 9.5%. I compared the pollution standards at a well known website between Kingsport, Sullivan county, and Philadelhpia county PA, (I picked Phila. because I could not think of a more polluted area). Oddly Philadelphia scored better on four out of five categories. The stench in Kingsport ranges from actually a sweet smell, to knock you socks off, and "I can't breath." I doubt you will find many people who are open to change in the area. Medical care is the worst I have experience in my travels. Good luck trying to find a doctor who accepts Medicare. Check out the hospital ratings for bypass surgery in both Holston Medical or Johnson City Med Ctr. Look at the mortality rates. Check out the utility rates before you move anywhere as they vary widely.
If you really want to move to TN I suggest taking a look at Piney Flats.

[rccrain]

JC Medical Center is truly an amazing hospital to have in our area.


JCMC is the only hospital in TN recognized as a "Magnet Hospital" - a distinction of excellence. MAGNET

Quillen Rehab is just an unbelievable rehabilitation facility with excellent nurses.

JCMC also has one of only 6 or so branches of St Judes Childrens Hospital in the world, which provides free care to children. Combine this with the Ronald McDonald House and you see that children are well taken care of in JC and the region.

Every day that my wife's grandfather has on this earth is thanks to the care received at JCMC. He had a triple bypass 5 years ago (on Medicare). As a retired blue collar worker, I'm sure it wasn't cheap but JCMC worked with them. So the end price is not necessarily the "sticker price".