Coming Back in September, City Ideas? (Knoxville, Maryville: condos, hotel, home) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

hiknapster · 07-14-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimplyDeb

I'm pretty sure if we do choose TN it will be in the surrounding areas of Maryville more than closer to the city. It felt so much like home and that was nice. I think it would a comfortable transition.

Where you feel comfortable is where you should live. Period.

SimplyDeb · 07-14-2011, 11:39 AM

thx - yeah, now to see if my husband feels the same way

I laughed the other day as we were making our plans for our road trip. I said yeah, we need to check out more of FL (i vacation there often, so I've spent time poking around there too), but it feels almost pointless now (ok, not totally), my gut tells we'll be in TN.

It's a weird feeling when I only had FL on my mind for a long time. TN took me by surprise, but it was a good thing and helped me really evaluate things closer. (life, etc)

hiknapster · 07-14-2011, 11:53 AM

Be smart. Skip the entire relocation to Florida thing. Otherwise you'll be like me. Of course I wouldn't have ended up with my daughter if I went straight to Tennessee.

Once again, though, Florida makes sense for a lot of people. I'm just not one of those people. On the other hand there are people that come up here from Florida and hate it.

It sounds like you are skittish like me, though, in which case Florida can be terrifying in so many places. Unlike much of this country, Florida's neighborhood vibe can change from street to street. I never saw anything like it. And I lived in some tony places in Florida. You could be on a very lovely street and a block or two over they were selling drugs on the street corners. ugh.

SimplyDeb · 07-14-2011, 08:56 PM

Yeah, one of the things reading the boards that struck me was the overall satisfaction of people living in Knoxville, vs the people living in the FL/and particularly Orlando area - felt very different.

I have a lot of friends in FL who are transplants and love it - but they've all come from cold climates and are in love with the easier winters, and close beach access, etc.

I told myself, this way it's still a nice place to visit (FL) - but TN might be the nicer place to live.

I'll update you after my September trip - again, thank you as always. You have a voice of experience, and that I can appreciate. You've been both north, south, and now have found yourself here.

RobertAlton · 07-15-2011, 06:57 AM

Deb,

First and foremost, if you would mind being in 90+ degrees and 90+ humidity for 6 months of the year, dont move to Florida. I know the winters are wonderful here, but we pay for it.

I transplanted here from NJ in 87 and really miss the changing seasons.

From what I can see, I can avoid the severity of Northeast winters and the blistering, endless Florida summers in the eastern TN area.

Yes, Florida has some magnificent beaches. However, with that close beach access exists the annual hurricane threat. Who needs that stress? Not I! Besides, my hangin at the beach days have come and gone. Now, it only takes about a 1/2 hour before I am looking for the nearest air conditioned cafe or pub to beat the heat.

No place is perfect, but as I've entered my 50's, I have come to appreciate moderation and less stress in my life. A lot of what I have read and heard of Knoxville and the surrounding areas leads me to believe that this is an area I can enjoy my middle and later years of life.

Like you said, Florida will be a nice place to visit while Tennessee will be a better place for me to call home.

hiknapster · 07-15-2011, 07:25 AM

I lived in Orlando for awhile. The crime is horrendous but I liked it. Of course I was in my early 30s. I was scared out of my mind, my first adventure away from home. I don't know if I could deal with all of that craziness now. I'll be 50 in November.

Then I made the grave mistake of moving to southwest Florida, a major retirement enclave. I have never been around so many miserable people in my life. They literally ruined the experience.

And I'll tell you what, up in MA I was almost an hour away from a beach and I went more up there than I ever did in Florida. I can count the times on one hand and I lived down there for almost 10 years.

The weather is perfect up here if you have lived up north and down south. And the people. The people are just amazing.

But retirement homes are crazy cheap in Florida, right now.

Here is the bottom line for me. I always felt this strong tacky, superficial vibe with an undercurrent of sleaze when I lived in Florida. There are con artists all over the place down there. Ever notice how many wanted criminals are found down there? Good luck finding old money class down there. Bear in mind that my daughter was born in Naples.

There is an authenticity in Knoxville. People trust each other, support the arts, believe in greenways. People say, "hello" and mean it.

Down there you are lucky if they growl at you.

SimplyDeb · 07-15-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertAlton

Deb,

No place is perfect, but as I've entered my 50's, I have come to appreciate moderation and less stress in my life. A lot of what I have read and heard of Knoxville and the surrounding areas leads me to believe that this is an area I can enjoy my middle and later years of life.

Like you said, Florida will be a nice place to visit while Tennessee will be a better place for me to call home.

This exactly! Thanks for your input, it's greatly appreciated. This is what I'm starting to realize when it comes to balance. TN threw me a curve ball and I caught it and am running with it. I was pleasantly surprised - and "just like that" I think it climbed over my visions of FL. My husband is even blown away by the change.

Now I'm just waiting for my husband to be blown away as well...so we'll see come September. He'd love to just stay in this area of NJ (it's lovely, not what others envision of Jersey) - it's just too darn expensive to continue living the lifestyle we enjoy.

Thank you again for your input.

hiknapster · 07-15-2011, 08:39 AM

I have a friend from Flemington. Beautiful town. New Jersey is gorgeous. Most of the people in this country don't realize that. Kind of like people don't understand that most of New York is rural.

RobertAlton · 07-15-2011, 10:11 AM

Yes, NJ can be quite beautiful. Unfortunately for the state, most only know the sights (and smells) of driving the NJ Turnpike past the refineries of Linden/Elizabeth, etc.

And yes... that is a good word Deb... balance. It's kind of what we all seek and I get a good feeling talking to folks and reading things that my yin may meet my yang in the foothills of the Smokeys.

btw, I have been to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville before, so I do have somewhat of a feel for the area. Even though the first two are basically tourist traps. Last fall I also visited Chattanooga. I liked it there, but feel Knoxville will be more to my liking. I even visited the Publix in Ootelwah while there.

Looking forward more than ever to visiting Knoxville. Hopefully in September as well.

SimplyDeb · 07-15-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I have a friend from Flemington. Beautiful town. New Jersey is gorgeous. Most of the people in this country don't realize that. Kind of like people don't understand that most of New York is rural.

I was just in Flemington this afternoon for my workout...about 20 mins from me. How neat that you're familiar with it. Take Flemington, make it about half less crowded and that's my town. Flemington is one of our shopping areas.