Mountain City (Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport: sales, motorhome, employment)

[GFG]

We are looking to retire in western NC, East Tn, or SW Va. At this point I like east Tn best. Any thoughts from people that live in east Tn? I like Mountain City. Whats it like to live there. Is it simple and uncluttered. We dont need or want entertainment and such , just the simple life.

[Plain Jane]

Simple is a good description for Mountain City. If you don't need entertainment, it may be just right for you. Good shopping and healthcare are about one hour away...

[GFG]

Okay. We are looking for about 5 acres of land, some to build on and some to plant a small garden.
Any ideas? We are looking at some at Mountain Lake Estates?

[GFG]

Is there much growth there? Please tell me no. I am tired of growth, it brings in illegals and crime.

[Rcm58]

Mountain City is never going to get too big, its not far from Boone NC, Elizabethton TN, Bristol TN and is just on the other side of the mountain from Shady Valley. Most if not all commercial development is right on hwy 421. On the rare occasion it does snow in this area a 4 wheel drive vehicle is a must to leave as most roads snake up down and around the mountains. The Cherokee National Forest is only a few miles away. From Bristol to Mountain City is about 35 miles and takes about 1 hour to drive, the road literally makes my youngest son and my wife sick to their stomachs.

[Janiesmom]

Mountain City was my husband's home town, and we lived there for two years from 1998 to 2001. I love it, love the area, love the people, and would go back in a heartbeat. However, we had a small business there and it absolutely wiped us out. We had to come back to Cincinnati, so I could get a "real" job. There just are no employment opportunities in Johnson County, so you either have to be retired, or be telecommuting, or be willing to drive at least an hour for a job. The area is growing by leaps and bounds, because Boone, NC, has become so crowded and expensive that people are finding out that they can go right across the mountain to Tennessee, find cheaper land, beautiful mountains, no state income tax (although there is sales tax on everything, even groceries). However, there are negatives, too. Mountain City is geographically isolated, so you have to drive twisty, windy mountain roads to get anywhere. I love driving the mountain roads, and the views around Wautauga Lake are breathtaking. The people are very conservative, and it's the buckle of the bible belt. There are no businesses in town, so you have to drive out of town to buy just about anything. The schools are not great, and a lot of the kids are homeschooled. There's a medical center in Mtn. City, but they only do very basic care, and anything serious is sent to Boone, Johnson City, Elizabethton, Kingsport or Knoxville. Boone, for a small town, has an excellent hospital and doctors. There's plenty of land available in Johnson County, but developers are coming in and buying up the available land, especially mountain-sides with views.
I'm going to Mountain City week after next, in fact, to have a memorial service for my husband, and visit with friends and family, and I can't wait! It's going to be very hard, being there without him, but I'm looking forward to the trip.

[Suzanne1945]

Originally Posted by Janiesmom

I'm going to Mountain City week after next, in fact, to have a memorial service for my husband, and visit with friends and family, and I can't wait! It's going to be very hard, being there without him, but I'm looking forward to the trip.

Janie, I am so very sorry for your loss of your dh. May your trip to his hometown bring much healing to you. Prayers for you.

[mbmouse]

I too am sorry for your loss. Hopefully the majestic mountains and the feeling of coming home will help start your healing process.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Personally I'd never live in Mountain City, it's in the middle of nowhere. As a poster above said the roads in that area are quite bad and you have to travel to do anything as literally nothing is in Mountain City. Have you ever considered Greenville, TN? Greenville is a small town outside of Johnson City, it's small and quiet but not too far from the "city" if you ever want to shop or eat out somewhere in nearby JC.

I've heard positive things about Greenville as it's quiet but close enough to JC to be accessible to things.

[younglisa7]

I live in Mountain City and have been in this area for over 10 years. I love it here. It is a nice small town with a lot of nice people. It doesn't have a lot going on in the entertainment department but who needs that when the outdoors is so beautiful here. As far as roads to other towns what do you expect we are in the mountains but they aren't bad at all. Boone, NC is @30 minutes away on HWY 421 which is an easy straight run and not windy. Bristol, VA(bigger shopping and lower sales tax) is @ 45 minutes and only about 1 1/2 miles through the national forest is windy. The worst road is probably Hwy 67 going to Butler and then Elizabethton and even that is not bad. My husband drives our 40 foot motorhome on Hwy 67 every year with no propblems.

We have enough stores for shopping. The only thing we really lack is clothing stores or a Wal-mart or Lowe's. But we do have dollar stores, hardware stores, 3 groceries.

As far as living down the mountain or farther west in TN, it's not for me. I can't stand the heat so I want to be at a higher elevation. We are at @2500 ft in Mountain City and @3500 in Trade, TN where we bought more property.

The sales tax is high at 8.5% but our property taxes for 40 acres is $128.00 per year. I think I'll stay.

We also had a business here for a few years and we did really well. You just have to find the right business.

Lisa