Tri-Cities or Knox?

[jabogitlu]

Originally Posted by w8tn2go

This is almost exactly what I'm looking for too! LOL However, I just want a "transplant" friendly place and don't want people to not accept us only because we're not from the area - if that makes sense! We live in a town w/ 5,000 people, 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, 1 high school, 5 churches and no alcohol! LOL Now I don't want religion beat down my throat (however we do go to church), but I also want to be able to go out for supper and have a drink Any areas I should avoid??

For the TRI, Jonesborough might fit you well enough. Also check out Blountville.

[w8tn2go]

Thank you everyone! I am definitely going to check out Jonesborough too.
Gosh, I just can't wait to get there!! All of you on these boards have been so wonderful and extremely helpful that I'm sure we will find a spot we love. I know for sure that we can find a beautiful, laid back place to raise our kids in TN!
Are there certain areas you think I should avoid or you think won't make a good fit?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I feel the general people are nicer

I think the Knoxville people are nicer, too. I've dealt with a lot of people in the Tri Cities area and most of my conversations were not very good. I came across a lot of abrupt and rude people. Must be bad luck, huh?

Also, I live in Knoxville and I spend all day waving to neighbors, people in other cars, etc. The Tri-Cities don't have a lock on that. It's the friendliest place I've ever lived.

And trust me, Christianity is alive and well in Knoxville. It's just that if you like an alternative those can be found. But it's not like Knox County voted for Barack Obama or suddenly became overrun with hippies. Not even close. In fact, I've yet to meet a hippie!

We originally considered moving to Johnson City, but the bottom line was that there were not enough jobs. It's worse now due to the recession.

[jabogitlu]

But hik, Johnson City!? You'd have missed out on beautiful North Knoxville. If I could pick one place in Tennessee to live I would move lock, stock and barrel to Fourth and Gill. (Okay well you could probably stick me in Fountain City and I'd be happy too. )

I agree that what is really holding Johnson City back from competing with Clarksville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and other "second-tier" TN cities is jobs. (Well, that and our suck-ass airport.) Many other factors, but that's the main one.

Anyway, to the OP re: places to avoid or where you won't fit. Just avoid places that are totally provincial. It's best to stick with Knox, Anderson, Blount, Washington, Sullivan, and maybe parts of Jefferson, Sevier, Carter, Hawkins, Greene and Unicoi counties. Cities located in other counties - like Newport, Tazewell, Maynardville, Sneedville etc. tend to be more provincial. They also tend (unsurprisingly) to be increasingly economically depressed and socially and culturally isolated.

The exception is poor Mountain City, which really is quite friendly, but is very isolated.

[w8tn2go]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

And trust me, Christianity is alive and well in Knoxville. It's just that if you like an alternative those can be found. But it's not like Knox County voted for Barack Obama or suddenly became overrun with hippies. Not even close. In fact, I've yet to meet a hippie!

So would you consider Knoxville to be a pretty conservative city?! Seriously, no hippies?! LOL

[w8tn2go]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Anyway, to the OP re: places to avoid or where you won't fit. Just avoid places that are totally provincial. It's best to stick with Knox, Anderson, Blount, Washington, Sullivan, and maybe parts of Jefferson, Sevier, Carter, Hawkins, Greene and Unicoi counties. Cities located in other counties - like Newport, Tazewell, Maynardville, Sneedville etc. tend to be more provincial. They also tend (unsurprisingly) to be increasingly economically depressed and socially and culturally isolated.

THANK YOU for this!!