Before the Economic dump (Johnson City, Bluff City: sales, real estate, foreclosure)

[MeridithJill]

We are looking at moving to the east coast, closer to my parents in charlotte. (currently living in AZ so anywhere withing a days drive I consider to be "close") We are looking at the NC mountains, asheville, hendersonville, boone, etc. However, it seems it is Tennessee is more affordable so I've added it to my list.
Just wondering about the Tri-City and surrounding areas. How was it before the economy drooped? Growing? Do those of you living there expect things to pick back up in time or was it never very good to begin with? Also, would you categorize any of the tri- cities as "nice" or are they more run down?
Other info my husband is and auto/diesel mechanic...wants to manage a shop or start his own. I am a graphic designer and will work from home. However we will not move now! We both have stable jobs and our house is worthy diddly in current market so I am not leaving til things pick up again and my husband has a job nailed down elsewhere.
-Thank you.

[redbean]

Originally Posted by MeridithJill

We are looking at moving to the east coast, closer to my parents in charlotte. (currently living in AZ so anywhere withing a days drive I consider to be "close") We are looking at the NC mountains, asheville, hendersonville, boone, etc. However, it seems it is Tennessee is more affordable so I've added it to my list. The thought of having no state income tax was what made me decide on Tennessee. Plus, I've never been to Asheville but from what I hear, I am much more conservative than a lot of people in that area.
Just wondering about the Tri-City and surrounding areas. How was it before the economy drooped? Growing? Do those of you living there expect things to pick back up in time or was it never very good to begin with? Also, would you categorize any of the tri- cities as "nice" or are they more run down? Check out the miscellaneous NE Tenn pics thread, it made me want to move yesterday! Unbelievably beautiful.
Other info my husband is and auto/diesel mechanic...wants to manage a shop or start his own. It seems like I read somewhere on the Tennessee forum that opportunities for diesel mechanics are good. Do a search and you should be able to find whatever I read. I am a graphic designer and will work from home. However we will not move now! We both have stable jobs and our house is worthy diddly in current market so I am not leaving til things pick up again and my husband has a job nailed down elsewhere.
-Thank you.

I tried to answer some things above. I'm not too good at using the quote function.

[MeridithJill]

Thanks Redbean!

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by MeridithJill

We are looking at moving to the east coast, closer to my parents in charlotte. (currently living in AZ so anywhere withing a days drive I consider to be "close") We are looking at the NC mountains, asheville, hendersonville, boone, etc. However, it seems it is Tennessee is more affordable so I've added it to my list.
Just wondering about the Tri-City and surrounding areas. How was it before the economy drooped? Growing? Do those of you living there expect things to pick back up in time or was it never very good to begin with? Also, would you categorize any of the tri- cities as "nice" or are they more run down?
Other info my husband is and auto/diesel mechanic...wants to manage a shop or start his own. I am a graphic designer and will work from home. However we will not move now! We both have stable jobs and our house is worthy diddly in current market so I am not leaving til things pick up again and my husband has a job nailed down elsewhere.
-Thank you.

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm a very pessimistic person, however your average TN person is not, ESPECIALLY on this forum. You haven't gotten much in the way of responses because you start out assuming that the economy has dropped (it has but not more than any place else), asking if the place is run down, then stating that you have a stable job and that you aren't moving. Not exactly a post that needs much response.

But to give you some response, if you're working out of home, doesn't matter where you live, a friend of mine is a diesel mechanic and has been in asheville for about 6 months now, he's currently installing pool tables, but is supposed to start with AT&T doing some sort of work in June (not diesel related).

TN = nice area, low taxes, slower lifestyle overall. NC = higher tax, both income + property, higher real estate costs, higher cost of living, but generally higher salaries (if you can find a job).

Good luck with whatever you do, but if you are planning on not moving until you "land" a good job, you may be planning on not moving, and that's not a bad plan in the current economy. If being close to mom is important, I'd look just outside of Charlotte due to it's larger size should be better jobs. But if you want to live in the mountains, I'd say TN is a good bet, next would be Asheville. But the economic downturn is nationwide, so your mileage may vary

Tony

[MeridithJill]

thanks tony, yeah, its not gonna kill me if people don't answer my posts. The only reason that I state that we are not moving without jobs is that on many of the city-data threads people practically tear others apart when they say they are moving to a particular city without a job. "There are no jobs here! Don't come without one and expect to survive!," they say. I like to check things out in advance so...thats all i'm really doing at this point. I"m 7.5 mos. pregnant so its not like we're in a big hurry, plus we want to be debt free before we move, but we do want to move in the future....to somewhere that has a few trees ya know? We live in the desert and I'm ready to get out.

[Tony1790]

Are you in Phoenix? The AZ housing market is hard for sellers right now, I say one report last week that said parts of AZ are down 50% from the peak

7.5 mo pregnant, yeah you aren't moving real soon, but if you can have hubby shoot out some resumes or make an advance trip, he should line something up. Just don't be surprised at a difference in the pay scales here vs there.

A job lined up has always been my mantra, I moved here with no job, still don't have a decent one. I graduate school in August and will need to evaluate my job situation at that point.

Good luck with the baby, I'm doing my OB portion of nursing school now, take care of yourself, elevate the feet, low stress, good nutrition, Enjoy the new baby, God bless

Tony

[mbmouse]

Yes, the economy has "dumped". It has effected us here in the North East TN area as far as job layoffs, some national brand stores closing (Circuit City/ Ashley Home Furniture) and some manufacturing plants laying off hundreds of employees (Exide battery/Eastman Chemical) and the available jobs are scarce. However our local economy, by the numbers, has actually improved in several aspects. Our sales tax revenue has increases every quarter for the past year and a half. Our property values have seen an increase, not a decrease (well except those few properties that were WAY over inflated in listed sale prices in the first place.) Our recent property tax assessment has lots of people up in arms because we saw a value increase anywhere from 10% to 35%. We have seen very few local business close up and our bankruptcy/foreclosure rates are not that much different than it was before the "dump" so all in all, by the numbers, this area is doing pretty good comparatively.
When it comes to looking at this area of the country I tell people, don't just look at the numbers. Yes, it can be MUCH cheaper cost of living for homeowners (not so much renters as sales taxes are higher and everything is taxed, even food.) as far as property taxes, car registration, no state income tax, etc. However, it is the way of life and other things that one should look at. We are not your average "city" as far as amenities. We do not have what Phoenix has. Our buildings are older, we do not have "super malls", we do not have near as many choices of restaurants, specialty stores, etc. But we do have what I believe sufficient shopping choices, that varies by choice I guess. We do have trees...lots and lots of trees. We are a short trip to lots and lots of parks, hiking trails, rafting and lots more out door activities. Very little snow in the winter great 4 seasons.
Do you have allergy issues? I know a lot of folks specifically move to the Phoenix area to avoid allergies, many folks have visited/moved to this area and complained about allergies they have never had before, so I would suggest that you make a few trips here during different seasons to make sure you or your family members don't have those issues.
The schools here are very good for the majority. I have two children in school and have been very happy with them.
Hope that helps some.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by MeridithJill

Just wondering about the Tri-City and surrounding areas. How was it before the economy drooped? Growing? Do those of you living there expect things to pick back up in time or was it never very good to begin with?

I would say that the TriCities were growing at a sustainable pace. Currently, the only thing holding back the economic growth is job losses, stemming mostly from the global slowdown. The good news is that our localities with the exception of Bluff City are financially stable. We should have some opportunities to do some good things with the economic stimulus and capitalize coming out the end of this recession.

Also, would you categorize any of the tri- cities as "nice" or are they more run down?

I guess that depends on the definition of "nice" and "run down". I would say the Tricities are nice with small patches of run down. Johnson City's downtown is not all that it could be. And in rural areas the things that people leave in their yard can be amusing. But run down is definitely the exception.

Other info: my husband is and auto/diesel mechanic...wants to manage a shop or start his own. I am a graphic designer and will work from home. However we will not move now! We both have stable jobs and our house is worthy diddly in current market so I am not leaving til things pick up again and my husband has a job nailed down elsewhere.

If I woke up in your shoes, I would save up and have the hubby start his own place. That would probably be the only way to get what he is truly worth. There are plenty of people that are mechanically inclined around here but most just don't have the skills necessary to run a successful business. One thing your hubby would have on his side is a nice web site.

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