Feedback on Knoxville, Maryville, and E. Tenn. in General (Chattanooga: relocating, transplants)

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

My paradise is not necessarily yours.

That is SOOO true hiknapster! I couldn't agree more. There is also something to be said for "being in your own shoes". 5 people can look at the same thing and all 5 have different opinions of it. This site is GREAT for gathering information and others OPINIONS but when it comes right down to it, one has to decide for themselves and come visit on their own before they pack up and move. I moved here in 97, this site or any other sure weren't around then. I knew my family and I would love TN in general because of the economy, pace of live and values that are here, but as for what town was right for us? Well, after 3 moves within TN in the first 8 years of being here before we found the right place for us, yea I wish CD was around then to get others opinions of an area first, so I could have at least weighed some of them against my own notions of an area to go along with the facts I had already found, it would have saved me a move or maybe even 2.
I think you have to take the facts and opinions of others who have the same views you do on other things and then come up with a formula that works for you to find just the right place. Well, at least the right places to check out first.

[gemkeeper]

I have to agree with both of you, hiknapster and mbmouse. The forum is great if you are looking for specific tangible things - mall locations, state parks, restaurant, websites for real estate, etc. But, when it comes to making a life altering choice to move to someplace, one really has to visit - and not a weekend trip - and get a very firm feel for different areas geographically, culturally, socially, economically, and so on. These things are interpreted in very different ways by each so-called expert.

And, you are right, hiknapster. There are a lot of rose-colored glasses bobbing around E. TN. Best to take the glasses off and get a true look before making that critical leap.

I hope by now, my husband and I are looking at things with open eyes. We know what we want and like and have decided what we are willing to accept and live with, including things we don't care for. Our choice. Live with it or move on. Feels like the right choice for us...maybe not someone else.

[hiknapster]

Well said, both of you.

That's why I think this forum is great for finding things after you have moved here and there are a lot of people on here that are VERY helpful with that stuff.

[pdq]

Hey hiknapster,

Great call, Great post!

Why are all these people who don't even live here or recently moved talking up TN like it's Nirvana wrapped in Utopia with a sweet little Eden on top?

So many people here don't like it (and sometimes really HATE it) when folks (like me) happen to share some facts that aren't always cheerful. Like the way they tried to spin the data on the huge meth problem in TN. I was just quoting Sen Lamar Alexander, he thinks it's a huge problem, I do too. It can never be a good thing to be #2 in the USA in meth labs.

I think the rose-colored glasses folks are nice and cordial, but I also think they're trying to sell you something that doesn't exist anywhere.

Good call gemthornton, I like it when we agree! I too think it's best to spend a lot of time in a area before you make any life altering decisions. If you are moving by choice and can't visit at least a dozen times, rent for a year before even considering to buy. You'll know the in's and out's and what you really want. Why move, hate it, need to sell, and flee? Yeah yeah I know the realtors love it when people come and go quickly. Commision, comission, comission...

Best of luck everyone.

[Monicaabc]

hmmmmm goodness gracious! You guys keep me on my intellectual toes. I like to read the different perspectives. It's good for the brain. Thinking is good. LOL

I, however, am not moving by choice. The forum has been an exceptional tool for me because I value the insight of the people who LIVE in the area. People can only post what they know or perceive themselves. Everyone gave me some positive input regarding Fountain City for instance. But when I got there it wasn't for me. It sorely reminded me of all the things I didn't like about the town I live in now. Who on the forum could have THAT insight???????? Please!!!
I agree with gemthornton there are things that you just can't know until you live in a place. Like Mbmouse said 5 people 5 different outlooks.

I think the forum is what it is. A light hearted, informative place to gather information & opinions. Everyone reading the forum should be wise and discern where people are coming from. Rose colored or not!

[Catsndogs]

I see and understand all of the "perspectives" that have come back on this thread for E. Tennessee and the value of the Forum... My point was and is that for us and I believe many many people...all of the news articles, statistics, lists, Best Places to retire or raise a family, quizzes, etc. were still misleading without not only visiting (which we did-once and came back to buy the next trip)but getting perspectives, as well. We really could have used that prior but it still helps...a lot. The perspectives are here. On the forum, there are differences of opinion: over simplified versions and over glorified accounts besides the people who boldly tell it like they think it is which I personally appreciate. But, I guess that is what a forum is. You have to find the average. I didn't have a clue about the air quality before I came. As for the poor working conditions and pay for some blue collar...didn't get the full picture. We had a plan and it fell apart soon after we got here due to a whole different economy than we knew. We had it good where we were with high property taxes because we were used to higher wages and choices of jobs...not true here at all. Now, I see pdq and Smokey Mtn Girl telling people wanting to move to Maryville to get the job first or don't even come here. That is very true and honest.

What does not make sense to me is people talking about moving here without talking about visiting first. We beat ourselves up for moving to a place we only visited twice -which is really wrong...you should be very familiar with your next or final destination...like going there every summer for years kind of thing. I think a lot of people handle the advice they give very well. Don't forget some people don't move by choice, or have much time to look around and research. Again, this forum is a great resource for a variety of people. tnx.

[gemkeeper]

You bring up very good points, catsndogs, and that is the value of this forum. Several excellent posts today on this subject, different perspectives presented, yet all quite valid.

One point you made that I think we may tend to overlook is that some people just do not have the time to research and visit several times before making the move. There are companies that transfer people willy-nilly and give them 3 months or so to make the move.

That is why I respect the advice so many have given about renting for a year, get to know the area, and make an individual informed decision about where you want to live - if you decide you want to stay at all.

I think that one of the real values of this forum is that by spending some time getting to know some of the folks that are pretty regular with posting, checking out the suggested websites, and passing ideas back and forth a bit - not always agreeing and saying so, you start to get a flavor of E. TN, its culture, its people, and their perspectives on a myriad of topics. A flavor that may entice you to try the whole enchilada or go back to the menu and start anew.

I think hiknapster really nailed it, "My paradise is not necessarily yours." And, folks like hik and so many others don't try to sugar coat things, but are still offering their particular perspectives. Wrap them all up, shake them around a bit in your head and then each one will have to make a move or not based on the many ideas, facts and opinions offered on the forum.

[Monicaabc]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

You bring up very good points, catsndogs, and that is the value of this forum. Several excellent posts today on this subject, different perspectives presented, yet all quite valid.

One point you made that I think we may tend to overlook is that some people just do not have the time to research and visit several times before making the move. There are companies that transfer people willy-nilly and give them 3 months or so to make the move.

That is why I respect the advice so many have given about renting for a year, get to know the area, and make an individual informed decision about where you want to live - if you decide you want to stay at all.

I think that one of the real values of this forum is that by spending some time getting to know some of the folks that are pretty regular with posting, checking out the suggested websites, and passing ideas back and forth a bit - not always agreeing and saying so, you start to get a flavor of E. TN, its culture, its people, and their perspectives on a myriad of topics. A flavor that may entice you to try the whole enchilada or go back to the menu and start anew.

I think hiknapster really nailed it, "My paradise is not necessarily yours." And, folks like hik and so many others don't try to sugar coat things, but are still offering their particular perspectives. Wrap them all up, shake them around a bit in your head and then each one will have to make a move or not based on the many ideas, facts and opinions offered on the forum.

well said gemthornton

[hiknapster]

And in the end, research just isn't enough. You really have to live there to find out.

Here's some of the things that I found out after I moved....

Well, jobs are hard to come by. I've talked about that before.

The pollution. That was a shocker. I ASSUMED that this was a mountainous, pristine area. When I think back on it, when we visited Knoxville, it did seem rather hazy. It just didn't "click."

Of course, that doesn't last all year, but the allergy situation seems to.

ORNL. I ASSUMED, like so many other people (the ones that actually know something about history) that the old facilities were being dismantled, that there was some research going on, and that was the end of it. I've only learned the real situation, in bits and pieces, after living here two years.

The traffic. It makes sense, since two major highways traverse the area, but once again, I was choosing to ignore this.

By the way, traffic is a breeze around here lately, but I imagine that will change in a couple of weeks, when the leaf-peepers show up, although I doubt they will have much to look at.

Every place has bad and good, and this area is no different. I still feel, that for ME, the good outweighs the bad.

The biggest problem is finding a place to permanently relocate to. I STILL have not found a community where I would enthusiastically buy a house. We like our jobs, so I'd rather not move away, but I can't seem to settle on an area.

[Catsndogs]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

And in the end, research just isn't enough. You really have to live there to find out.

Here's some of the things that I found out after I moved....

Well, jobs are hard to come by. I've talked about that before.

The pollution. That was a shocker. I ASSUMED that this was a mountainous, pristine area. When I think back on it, when we visited Knoxville, it did seem rather hazy. It just didn't "click."

Of course, that doesn't last all year, but the allergy situation seems to.

ORNL. I ASSUMED, like so many other people (the ones that actually know something about history) that the old facilities were being dismantled, that there was some research going on, and that was the end of it. I've only learned the real situation, in bits and pieces, after living here two years.

The traffic. It makes sense, since two major highways traverse the area, but once again, I was choosing to ignore this.

By the way, traffic is a breeze around here lately, but I imagine that will change in a couple of weeks, when the leaf-peepers show up, although I doubt they will have much to look at.

Every place has bad and good, and this area is no different. I still feel, that for ME, the good outweighs the bad.

The biggest problem is finding a place to permanently relocate to. I STILL have not found a community where I would enthusiastically buy a house. We like our jobs, so I'd rather not move away, but I can't seem to settle on an area.

Yep, guess we could write the book now. The milder climate and the beauty is a plus as well as low property taxes and reasonable housing...Great.

Knowing what I know now, for the benefit of people moving that have choices, maybe to all areas, not just here, but for sure East Tennessee...focus on the job, rent unless you really really know the place well. If you are changing climates you really need to give yourself time to adjust---there are even low and high elevations that affect the air and climate within this area. Do the research, do the visiting - but don't stop there, get on CD

Also, there are rose colored glasses that come with the written word on East Tennessee-be aware..the magazine articles and the Best Places: people come here a little ahead of retirement and that is not wise unless perhaps you have a government job, or the like, where salary is not a big issue. Not only are you dealing with the pluses and minuses of real estate locations, humidity (hard on older people), allergy causing situations but you may be scrambling for a job...this would be my advice. tnx.