wages vs housing costs? (Knoxville, Maryville: mortgage, lender, transplants)

[Jammin4]

In Crossville, it's occurred to me that anyone who has skills pertinent to the aging population, they will probably do well. Sorry to be morbid, but that will include medical related and funeral related.

Other less morbid are those businesses which haven't gotten here yet that retirees were used to back where they came from. I personally miss Dunkin Donuts (there's only one Donut shop here presently) and drive the 38 miles to Cookeville every 3 months to pick up my bread at the Great Harvest Bread Company.

A lot of us retirees are buying inexpensive homes here and delight in the freer time we have for projects we could never do before. That's why Lowes is booming...there ought to be a Home Depot and more landscape related services...even classes. For those entrepreneurs out there, there might be more jobs then you might think at first. Get into the minds of the customers!!!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Jammin4

In Crossville, it's occurred to me that anyone who has skills pertinent to the aging population, they will probably do well. Sorry to be morbid, but that will include medical related and funeral related.

Other less morbid are those businesses which haven't gotten here yet that retirees were used to back where they came from. I personally miss Dunkin Donuts (there's only one Donut shop here presently) and drive the 38 miles to Cookeville every 3 months to pick up my bread at the Great Harvest Bread Company.

A lot of us retirees are buying inexpensive homes here and delight in the freer time we have for projects we could never do before. That's why Lowes is booming...there ought to be a Home Depot and more landscape related services...even classes. For those entrepreneurs out there, there might be more jobs then you might think at first. Get into the minds of the customers!!!

I read in the Tennessean (Nashville's newspaper) that Dunkin Donuts is planning major expansion into Tennessee. I think there used to be one in Crossville a long time ago in the same building where Baskin-Robbins is now.

But actually, next time you're in Cookeville at Great Harvest (which is GOOOD!!!) go to Ralph's Donuts on South Cedar downtown. It'll make you swear off Dunkin Donuts for good.

Wednesday's Cookeville paper quoted a TVA official saying that Home Depot is building a store in Cookeville's sister city of Algood. Keep your fingers crossed.

But your point is well taken, there are plenty of jobs out there for those who are willing to work. With Tennessee's growing population of senior citizens, there's a growing need for people in the medical field and those who offer other skilled services such as insurance, banking (the number of banks in Cookeville has more than tripled in the last 10 years, for example, from 4 to 13, from 15 actual buildings to 33 bank buildings and more under construction), money management, and even businesses such as lawn care and home improvement.

[kkspangl]

Hi all,

My family and I are currently looking to relocate to the Knoxville, TN area, and I am seeking some cost of living and salary information for the area. I have done a lot of research of the various forums here and have found a wealth of good information on all sorts of topics. What I am looking for to find out is if my wife and I are looking for the right salary ranges to live comfortably in the Knoxville area. I am seeking jobs with a salary range of $48000 to $55000 per year. My wife is an elementary school teacher and is looking for a salary range of $35000 to $38000 per year. We do want to buy a house and we also have 2 daughters. So based on that are these good salary expectations for us. Any info on this subject will be greatly appreciated.


Thank You

[SmokyMtnGal]

Hi, you may want to go to the online salary calculators and cost of living calculators. There is one at salarywizard and I am sure that there are others via internet search. I am sure some of our helpful members will also be able to advise you. Best of luck to you.

[hiknapster]

I HATE Sperling's. When we were moving from Florida, they had housing prices in my area at about $80,000. It was based on 2002, or something. That was 2005, and the median was about $250,000.

It said there was a fantastic job market. Yeah, at Walmart.

The ONLY salary figures that I have found to be remotely close were from government websites. Everything else is pap.

[goodbyehollywood]

Personally, I think jobs between $48K and $55K are going to be difficult to land. The competition is fierce and locals will get first pick of limited pickings.

Unless, of course, you're an electrician, plumber, etc. These jobs seem to command high rates. I had a plumber quote $650 to fix my hot water heater, which was leaking all over the garage. After I had a good laugh, I drained the whole thing, swept out the water, went out a bought a new one and had it installed-- for less than he was quoting to fix the old one. Sorry, off topic. The point is, tradespeople fare well here; office workers, not so much.

[hiknapster]

Yes. Trades people do well if they work for themselves. Look at my husband, who is an auto mechanic. We struggled until he went into business for himself.

[kkspangl]

Just wanted to thank everyone that is replying to my post. I have used the SalaryWizard site and found it to be helpful in trying to figure things out. As for my situation, I have been extended a job offer from Siemens Medical Solutions Group that is $50,000 per year. So since my wife and I have some actual numbers to work with we are seeking to break it down every way possible. She is now going to start looking at teaching jobs and she what is available in the area. Our preference is to live in the Maryville,Alcoa area first then maybe something like Oak Ridge. I do have family that lives just outside of Kingston and they are being very helpful in gathering info for us also, but this forum is a much better way of getting a much broader base of input for the whole area.

Thanks

Kevin

[SmokyMtnGal]

Kevin, congratulations on the new job!!!! What an exciting time for you! Are you going to be working at the Siemens facility off of Pellissippi? If so, you may want to consider looking for housing in the Hardin Valley or Karns area (northwest). You are coming at a great time also for your wife's teaching job. Contracts will be up for next year in the next few months. Let us know how we can help.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I HATE Sperling's. When we were moving from Florida, they had housing prices in my area at about $80,000. It was based on 2002, or something. That was 2005, and the median was about $250,000.

It said there was a fantastic job market. Yeah, at Walmart.

The ONLY salary figures that I have found to be remotely close were from government websites. Everything else is pap.

Thanks for the heads up on Sperling, Hik. We found it to be pretty right on when we made our move here in 2001. Maybe the figures were current at that time and they are still using the same data. Way off from 6 - 7 years ago!

I hate to give anyone information from a website that might not be reliable.

Welcome, Kevin. It will be great for you to be that close to your folks. I hope that your wife finds a local teaching job. Keep us up to date on your home search.