Tri-Cities or Knox? (Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport: transplants, to buy, middle school)

[w8tn2go]

Hello again!
Our vacation is coming up in less than 2 weeks and I'm so excited to make the trip!!
We're going to try and cover a lot of ground in our 4-5 days that we're here, so I'd like a few of your opinions if I could.

Do you prefer the Tri-cities area over Knoxville or vice versa?
We have been going back and forth on these areas so I decided it was time to come and ask you guys! Now I'm sure the folks in Knox prefer that city and here too, but why do you prefer one area over the other!
If it matters at all, I'm mostly looking at schools and safety (3 small kids) and outdoor recreation type activities. My husband and I are quite laid back and very friendly. Currently live in a nice small town where we all know each other, but everyone is very accepting of each other and it's quite easy to make friends.

Thanks for all your opinions! This is going to help out a lot when we finally arrive - yeah!!!

[jabogitlu]

This is going to be a tough call. You can position yourself in a good school system no matter if you're in Knoxville or the TRI. Both areas are safe and both are very close to outdoor activities, but Knoxville's are more well known (Great Smokey Mtns Nat'l Park vs. TRI Roan Mtn etc.)

I actually prefer Knoxville because overall it is more progressive and of course has a better downtown, better university, etc. There are more shopping opportunities and (I may get in trouble for this) I feel the general people are nicer and much more educated and world-minded than the populace up here in provincial NETN.

Keep in mind that these are sweeping generalities, and there are many people in both areas that fall outside those molds. And I'm talking about the cities here, the "urban cores." As far as small towns outside of the cities, I prefer those in the TRI. They have better scenery and easier access to the three larger cities. (And my family lives in one. )

[mbmouse]

I think it all comes down to how they "feel" to you. I personally prefer the Tri-Cities area over Knoxville because I don't want bigger, but I don't want out there rural either. For my family, the Tri-Cities is a perfect fit. We also don't need 15 store options to buy one product either, 4 or 5 options are just fine for us hahahahha. I also prefer the road layouts in this area much better, others say they prefer Knoxville's layout so again, it just comes down to personal preference. Check out both areas and decide. They both have to offer what you have listed you are looking for.

[w8tn2go]

Thanks so much jabogitlu and mbmouse!
I think we both prefer the small town feel w/o the small town minds (if you know what I mean). But we want to find a nice area that will also accept us as someone "new" - if that makes sense.
It's great to hear why those of you who are from the area comment on why you're still there

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by w8tn2go

Thanks so much jabogitlu and mbmouse!
I think we both prefer the small town feel w/o the small town minds (if you know what I mean). But we want to find a nice area that will also accept us as someone "new" - if that makes sense.
It's great to hear why those of you who are from the area comment on why you're still there

Your family sounds like Johnson City or Kingsport people. Knoxville is GREAT to visit, but like Asheville, to is just too congested if you have your choice of living habitats. Living in Johnson City, you have 90% of the retail you could ever desire, plenty of outdoor activities, and a strong school system. As a bonus a trip from Johnson City to Asheville takes 45 minutes; a trip from Johnson City to Seveirville or Knoxville takes 60 minutes to 90 minutes.

[w8tn2go]

Originally Posted by rccrain

Your family sounds like Johnson City or Kingsport people. Knoxville is GREAT to visit, but like Asheville, to is just too congested if you have your choice of living habitats. Living in Johnson City, you have 90% of the retail you could ever desire, plenty of outdoor activities, and a strong school system. As a bonus a trip from Johnson City to Asheville takes 45 minutes; a trip from Johnson City to Seveirville or Knoxville takes 60 minutes to 90 minutes.

Thank you so much, that's good to know! It's one thing to look at a map and guesstimate the actual distance. And where we live now - just to get some decent groceries is a 15 minute drive where it is at least 40-50 minutes to find something "better" than the Walmart, Target and Best Buy so I don't mind a little drive at all.
I think I much prefer a nice, family friendly area to live in as opposed to the life and excitement of a bigger city.

[TNGal78]

Knoxville is too crowded for me/my family.The interstates at rush time...scares me to death in Knox. JC is also too crowded for us but not nearly as bad as Knox. Bristol is too crowded during race events (for our taste).

We are even starting to feel like Kingsport is too crowded. Of course we grew up here and remember when it was way less crowded, so it's all in what you are used to.


We are thinking about trying to find a less populated place to live. My dh's family all live in Fall Branch and it's got more of a "country" feel. We can walk down his road and all the neighbors will wave and say hi to us. We can stop and stand in their front yards and talk to them, they know our name, everybody pitches in when someone needs help. (Hey can you bring your tractor over and help me pull this stump out of the ground ? SURE !) stuff like that. Not afraid to let the kids play outside (even though we are very watchful) . Horses and cows everywhere. I love it !

I don't want to live in a "progressive minded" type town when it comes to religion and such so I am kinda the country girl, church raised, likes it less crowded type I guess. LOL. Even though I am also 30 years old and like to go out with my hubby to a concert now and then or a nicer restaurant--it's all in driving distance.

It's all just up to you and I am sure you will be able to find a fit somewhere in East Tn. It's really , really a beautiful place to live.

[w8tn2go]

Originally Posted by TNGal78

We are thinking about trying to find a less populated place. My dh's family all live in Fall Branch and it's got more of a "country" feel. We can walk down his road and all the neighbors will wave and say hi to us. We can stop and stand in their front yards and talk to them, they know our name, everybody pitches in when someone needs help. Not afraid to let the kids play outside (even though we are very watchful) ,etc.

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??

[mbmouse]

I have heard of very, very, very few people who have had a complaint about "we were treated as an outsider" in the general Tri-Cities area. And I have to admit, I think those few were a bit on the pushy side for wants, so it might have been a self fulfilling prophecy??? There are many transplants and locals all mixed up in the Tri-Cities...heck I am an "outsider" and married a local hahahahahha. It's all good, as long as you like it here for what it is and how it is and not try to de-rail what the culture is and what is going on I guess.
You can get a drink with dinner in any of the three Tri-Cities, it is out skirt places such as Church Hill, Rogersville,........um gesh, those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head where you can't get a drink......hey locals, Erwin and Unicoi aren't dry are they? LOL! Well, seeing as I too enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a good drink from a decent bar once in a while and can't think of a place off the top of my head where I couldn't do that and I live here, guess you might not have an issue with it either hhehehehehhee.
Hope that helps.

[Beretta]

I like them both for different reasons!! I think it will come down to personal preference.