Sad...so sad...what makes me want to flee (Sevierville: real estate, income)

[Catsndogs]

It is understandable to be very angry when you are robbed, especially the way you were. I am sorry for your disappointment in your move here but a lot of this will get better. Dishonesty really hurts when it is diliberately against you and I can relate to that. There seems to be a lot of dishonesty and robbery in places that you don't expect it, meaning in a lot of cities you know where the crime is but living in the county or a small city - it pops up any place. Perhaps if we were back where we decided to move from we would find that things are not so good either...even though we may miss a lot about the life style we got so used to there. You have gotten a lot of good input and I hope things start working out. In the meantime, please feel free to bend my ear by pm if you need someone to talk to besides the general forum. I am a transplant. Best regards.

[pdq]

Everyone here seems to be blaming the gypsies or the tourists or whatever, acting like East TN is a wonderment of joy and harmony but for these people. This just isn't so. The tourists aren't the reason for the top 5 worst ranking in meth in the US. Are the handful of gypsies causing the #1 perscription drug problem in the US? I doubt it. The problem is within. Drugs, money, and crime hidden away amongst the hills.

[amyevansmom]

AGREED PDQ!! I see it first hand. Don't let the wool stay over your eyes, everyone. It's true....sorry to wreck your perfect vision of this beautiful place....my heart was broken, too. I guess my question would be, who'd giving them the oxycontin....are the doc's to blame here??? JUST QUIT PRESCRIBING IT!

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by pdq

Everyone here seems to be blaming the gypsies or the tourists or whatever, acting like East TN is a wonderment of joy and harmony but for these people. This just isn't so. The tourists aren't the reason for the top 5 worst ranking in meth in the US. Are the handful of gypsies causing the #1 perscription drug problem in the US? I doubt it. The problem is within. Drugs, money, and crime hidden away amongst the hills.

It isn't just in them thar hills, pdq. It is everywhere. And, it isn't just drugs and crime. Dishonesty is not the shame that it once was for people. Today in big cities, little towns, East, South, North, or West, even within churches and places once thought of as sanctuaries - there is dishonesty, thievery, and ugliness. Much of it comes from people that everyone thinks is such a nice person! What a surprise.

It is the state of the world we live in today. People do not have the roots they once had to an area. Even if they stay where they were born, others in their lives are leaving so that their part of the world is ever changing. In this climate of flux people do not feel the obligation and honor once given to community, neighbors, employers, even family members. It is a cruel fact, but there are not many truly 100% honest folks left.

We do have to adapt. We must be cautious without becoming cynical or afraid. We must work with others in an honest way without affording too much trust in the other. We have to be giving and kind, but just not open the door for freebies.

We all want the kind of neighborhoods that we grew up in with the doors and windows open all night long without any fear, but sadly, those days seem to be over. We just have to eke out a bit of happiness in our world where we choose to make it. Give up on the anger and resentment, it only hurts the one being angry or resentful.

That's all.

[Catsndogs]

Originally Posted by pdq

Drugs, money, and crime hidden away amongst the hills.

It would certainly seem that way...and not just the hills but the foothills. Everyone tells you people mind their own business around here. Hopefully, that will change when it comes to crime.

[Catsndogs]

[quote=gemthornton;1462419] And, it isn't just drugs and crime. Dishonesty is not the shame that it once was for people. Today in big cities, little towns, East, South, North, or West, even within churches and places once thought of as sanctuaries - there is dishonesty, thievery, and ugliness.

Agreed. In addition, people need to step up to the plate in their own community, town, city. Making comparisons is good to a point but citizens need to participate, even if we retire, or, especially if we retire.

[Monicaabc]

Originally Posted by amyevansmom

Thievery. Plain out thieves! We run a store in Gatlinburg and were robbed by an insider. Every store owner I've spoken to in G-burg says that is the norm and you can't find an honest person to work. WHAT!!?? This so makes me second guess our moving here. This area is so not what I thought it was and it seems to be kicking me in the ass more and more. I'm told that the people that work in the area know they can get another job wherever b/c there are so many jobs available and they just don't give a ****. Apparently TN doesn't put thieves in jail. The one that has robbed us has a record w/ about 6 convictions of burglary and theft and got probation each time! Not to mention some were for over $5000!!! Why didn't we run a background check???? This person was recommended by an employee that worked for us for over a year w/out incident. It was a relative of hers!! JESUS!! I have such a bitter taste in my mouth about this area that I just want to puke all over the place to make it a better place to be. So, that being said...is it truly only THIS area??? Is it the mountain people and their damn drugs and poverty??? Or can TN be called the ****tiest place to live no matter where you are?? I am sorry but I am so dissillusioned right now I can't think straight. I feel like I've fed my family to the lions w/ the decision to move here. I don't know if I can ever overcome this feeling of disgust about the people here. Are there any good people in Sevier county????

Hi, My husband is from the mountains, the other side in GA. I think all across america there is an epidemic of meth in small towns. I do however know what you're talking about with the G'burg area. My family used to visit there when I was younger, it was beautiful. I kept telling my husband, "I wanna go to G'burg!!!" So we go. I was SOOOO dissappointed! It was like a big state fair, someone always trying to get a dollar out of you! Everyone was running scams you could just feel the "carney" vibe. There is no doubt that TN is BEAUTIFUL. You should look for different towns, Sweetwater is a beautiful quiet town. Cleveland is awesome with all the amenities you need, it's a little bigger. Clayton GA is the most beautiful mountain city & the "mountain people" are beautiful, sweet, good, hardworking people. But things are bad all over, you just have to find the good spots.

[Cookey mith]

for amyevans mom:There is crime everywhere. I lived up north. I lived in a decent neighborhood of high priced houses. One day the cops came and busted in the door of the house next to me and locked up drug dealers. This happened right next door to me and I had no idea. You have to be optimistic. Don't judge an entire area by the acts of one person. I love East Tennessee. I feel comfortable and safe here. It is beautiful. The weather is better then up North and Florida. Any tourist area is going to have problems. You just have to be "street smart". Jefferson County is a good area, especially Dandridge. Just pick yourself up and dust yourself off and get over the past.

[amyevansmom]

Thank you to everybody....I feel much better this week. Still let down, but now I'm not so angry, more just let down. I am going to swallow this bitter pill and move on. I don't want to be "run out" of this town, but I have chalked it up to a giant, costly learning lesson. I know we won't remain in G-burg for the rest of our lives, and it's horrible that it's been so tarnished for me b/c I used to love vacationing here. I will stay in TN, just unsure where in TN, but I know it won't be G-burg or Pigeon Forge. I need to feel more trust from my neighbors and w/ all the crud that's happened and been told to me, there is NO trust whatsoever here. What a shame. But, I'm done complaining....no more....I'm over it, I know what I know, and I hope all that read will know to come here prepared. Lock your doors and watch your stuff.

[bbkaren]

Good for you--onward and upward!

Suspicion isn't a bad thing; it makes us more cautious.

Good luck!