Johnson City vs. Bristol (Kingsport, Morristown: how much, house, neighborhood)

[JoshB]

DubbleT and Jabogitlu hit it head on. Bristol does feel dumpy, far more then Johnson City. I'm not saying Bristol is a dump. I think Bristol's rough neighborhoods are far more discoverable then Johnson City.

I liked Bristol for its proximity to Mount Rogers. I didn't stay in Bristol this year and I kind of regret it. I did like Johnson City though, the proximity to Roan Mountain is a real plus and Asheville is like what an hour away? I've only been to Kingsport a few times so I can't really make an opinion.

[Bailey.]

I'd have to agree that it will be wherever you feel "right". Bristol has also felt kind of dumpy to me, but I rarely go to it. It has been almost 6 months since I've been there. BUT I've never been to the residential areas of it, so no opinion there.

JC has it's bad areas too. I live in one! But like others have said - unless you are on bad terms with your drug dealer or have serious family issues, you aren't typically a target for anything bad. We rarely have to leave JC to get what we need. Knoxville for Jared's and the Apple Store for the most part.

I have a personal totally unfounded grudge against Kingsport - and don't know much about it. I'd suggest spending a night in a few different areas and see what you think. I've heard a lot of good things about it though.

[jabogitlu]

It's true that Johnson City can hide its bad neighborhoods better, unless you have need of going to the VA or the Johnson City Community Theater, lol. I was in Bristol today and coming back along Volunteer I saw lots of rundown-ed-ness right off on the right.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

It's true that Johnson City can hide its bad neighborhoods better, unless you have need of going to the VA or the Johnson City Community Theater, lol.

Or if one needs to go to the unmentionable place called Watauga. I think Watauga gets completely disrespected on this forum.



I was in Bristol today and coming back along Volunteer I saw lots of rundown-ed-ness right off on the right.

It's unmissable. In Bristol, you've got areas like Volunteer, West State, Moore/Oakview, Broad St, and Hickory Tree that border main thoroughfares and areas like Terra Hills, Euclid, Steele Creek Park, Downtown and King College. If VI ever does finally go under, it could get really bad near Euclid, which is a shame because those are some of the nicest most interesting "city houses" in the TriCities.

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[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I was in Bristol today and coming back along Volunteer I saw lots of rundown-ed-ness right off on the right.

Do you recall exactly was along the stretch? Volunteer Pkwy runs a good deal through Bristol.

[Tennesseestorm]

Bristol- Dumpy as in trashy?

Its a shame that so many people have this impression of Bristol... makes me so proud to live here.

Well, I live on the southeast side of Bristol out of the city limits in a nice neighborhood thankfully. Its true too that there are alot of rundown homes in Bristol- some areas I can think of are Anderson St, Windsor Avenue (some nice homes mixed in). Most of these are OLD homes. Alot of people dont realize that Bristol has more of its old roots still planted than other local cities. There are some very nice historic homes in the Pleasant Hill area (northwest of downtown) and as rccrain mentioned, Euclid Avenue community has some nice old historic homes, but the "projects" are very near there.

Its the nice subdivisions in Bristol that are hidden and off of the main roads.... Apple Valley, Tara Hills, Copperfield Estates, etc.

FWIW, I hope that King College decides to build that medical school in Bristol rather than Kingsport... personally, imo, Bristol needs it.

I just suggest that you visit both cities... visit the downtowns, neighborhoods, shopping centers, exit 7 of Bristol, the busy areas of JC... determine which suits you.

[rccrain]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jabogitlu View Post
I was in Bristol today and coming back along Volunteer I saw lots of rundown-ed-ness right off on the right.

"Do you recall exactly was along the stretch? Volunteer Pkwy runs a good deal through Bristol."



I immediately thought of the old Hills building, but that would have been on the left. ???

[jabogitlu]

I was talking more about housing stock. The area around and immediately above Paterson Park.

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I was talking more about housing stock. The area around and immediately above Paterson Park.

Paterson Park? I am not familiar with it and I have been driving that road since 1992 (when I started driving). Do you recall any other landmarks? Perhaps there at the electric company? There is a ball field to the south of there.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

Paterson Park? I am not familiar with it and I have been driving that road since 1992 (when I started driving). Do you recall any other landmarks? Perhaps there at the electric company? There is a ball field to the south of there.

Patterson Park - Across the road from TN High, about 3 blocks deep.