Information on the tri-cities (Johnson City, Kingsport: chapel, homes, YMCA)

[HilaryH]

Hello! My family and I are looking to relocate to the tri cities area and would like some different opinions on the area...good and bad. Here is what we are looking for in a place to live:
-growing, active community
-friendly people, young families
-Non-denominational christian church
-Organic grocery
-hiking and lots of activities outdoors
-homeschooling

I would love to hear about all three cities and what they have to offer. Thanks!

[jabogitlu]

Kingsport was what I thought of first. It's a smaller city than Johnson City, and is dominated by industry (Eastman) instead of university (ETSU @ JC). But it's relatively very progressive, is close to outdoor activities and has a giant wild park/planetarium in its boundaries.

The only thing that might hang you up is the organic groceries. As far as I know, there are no good general organic grociers in Kingsport. For that you'd have to travel to Johnson City for Earthfare (a regional superorganic chain) or the indie Natural Foods Market. Also, Johnson City is closer to Asheville, the active (biking, hiking, rafting, skiing) mountainous regions of Western North Carolina and Unicoi County TN (for rafting).

Bristol is getting better but many parts of the city still lag far behind. The population is (statistically) older and whenever I'm in the city, it feels much more "native," whereas Kingsport and Johnson City are a mixed bag of native Appalachians and relative newcomers. Bristol does have a great downtown and a nationally-reknowned Bristol Rhythm 'n' Roots festival every year.

Johnson City has many progressive elements, but its overall government is decidedly not progressive. ETSU, private industry and citizens have made up for this somewhat, but Kingsport is making huge leaps and bounds (the higher education center, the growing farmer's market, the quickly urbanizing downtown). Johnson City's downtown has a few wonderful elements (Down Home, Morrell's, Watauga and Unaka, Carver Park, Mid-City, Halo and Newman's, Frieberg's, Taste Budz) surrounded by abandoned, boarded up, dangerous looking surroundings.

[mbmouse]

Kingsport is soon to have a grocery store that has quite a bit of organics. But I agree with Jab, it is kind of a toss up, so far just about any of the Tri-Cities will pretty much fit your needs. Besides what you already listed, how about some other items on your wish list? That might help us help you narrow it down a bit more?

[rccrain]

Let me suggest Gray, Boones Creek, and Colonial Heights. All three are located conveniently between JC and Kpt. You'll love the parks, YMCA, and home school activities in Kpt, plus, you'll have the better retail experience that is JC. All three are young, growing, and have nearly every denomination possible.

[Mountain Sprite]

Thanks for the info...
I was wondering about the churches most seem to be Southern Baptist, not that I have anything against them, I was just wondering what other denominations were present.

[mbmouse]

Just about every denomination is represented here, though Baptist and Methodist are the most prominent. Which denomination are you looking for? Maybe we know of where some of those are for you to check out when you get here.

[Mountain Sprite]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Just about every denomination is represented here, though Baptist and Methodist are the most prominent. Which denomination are you looking for? Maybe we know of where some of those are for you to check out when you get here.

We attend Calvary Chapel out here in CA. They call it a Bible-based, non-denominational church. I don't know if there are any of those out there. I guess the closest thing might be a Presbyterian church, but isn't that a denomination? To make a long story short... we need a church similar to the one we attend now.

[mbmouse]

You will be happy to know there are several non-denominational churches here in the area.
Did a quick yellow pages search for ya and low and behold:Calvary Chapel - Calvary Chapel Johnson City (http://www.calvarychapel.com/church-details.cfm?ChurchID=100907 - broken link) It is in JC, but there might be one in Kingsport too and if not, JC isn't very far.

[jabogitlu]

lol, have you ever been to the South??? There's a church... for everyone... there's churches on every freaking street corner.

[Mountain Sprite]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

You will be happy to know there are several non-denominational churches here in the area.
Did a quick yellow pages search for ya and low and behold:Calvary Chapel - Calvary Chapel Johnson City (http://www.calvarychapel.com/church-details.cfm?ChurchID=100907 - broken link) It is in JC, but there might be one in Kingsport too and if not, JC isn't very far.

mbmouse:
That is so AWESOME! Thanks

jabogitlu:
LOL Haven't been there yet. A church on every corner you say? Isn't that a good thing? At least you know where everybody is on Sunday morning: