Feedback on Knoxville, Maryville, and E. Tenn. in General (Clarksville: relocation, real estate)

[Catsndogs]

On my last..."scrambling for a job". I know there are preconceptions of the effect of retiring and retired people coming here and how it affect the job market and types of jobs available. But let me say, scramblling for a job when you are older and looking to retire "soon" has a whole different connotation than when you are young and have years ahead to adjust the bank account or can look forward to something better down the road that will compensate for a dry period. You really need to scope it out Before you move.

Also, People with kids...many want to leave certain areas of the country for their sake...poor schools, crime, poor role models, etc. Still, you need to do all of the prep that we have been saying here - I have met people with kids in tough financial situations since they moved - a new wrinkle they didn't fully consider. So, who is going to write the book? tnx.

[hiknapster]

I can remember buying the Best Places book back in the 80s, and anxiously awaiting the next edition. I suppose I've always been interested in this sort of thing (i.e. demographics, sociology).

When I became older, I guess I became wiser, or maybe Sperling's has turned into a different beast. I tend to think it's the latter.

Now they pick "hot" towns willy-nilly, and I think it has a lot to do with who puts a bug in their ear and less to do with actual data.

There also seems to be a different "study" every-other-week touting a different top ten places list. Whether it is Knoxville, East of Eden, or Detroit, I think it's all a bunch of bunk.

Originally Posted by Catsndogs

So, who is going to write the book? tnx.

You know what? I'm seriously considering it. I will probably start with a blog.

[pdq]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I can remember buying the Best Places book back in the 80s, and anxiously awaiting the next edition. I suppose I've always been interested in this sort of thing (i.e. demographics, sociology).

When I became older, I guess I became wiser, or maybe Sperling's has turned into a different beast. I tend to think it's the latter.

Now they pick "hot" towns willy-nilly, and I think it has a lot to do with who puts a bug in their ear and less to do with actual data.

There also seems to be a different "study" every-other-week touting a different top ten places list. Whether it is Knoxville, East of Eden, or Detroit, I think it's all a bunch of bunk.

Hahaha! Yes!

Those studies and faux publications are so funny. Eventually every town makes it on there for one thing or another. "insert town name" "best place for relocating 59-62 year old chimpanzee lovers" or "insert town name" "top ten choice for living next door to our worthless property which is next door to a meth lab".

Yes hiknapster, start a blog, I'll contribute!

[gemkeeper]

I have to agree. All of the Best Places to Retire, or Raise Kids, or Live...all commercial hype.

They have a product to sell and they aren't going to sell anything if the Best Place to Live in every issue is Sarasota, FL, Asheville, NC, Portland, OR, and WhereverTown.

And, take it from personal experience, if you are 55 or older you had better have your life set financially and not be scrambling for a great job anyplace. You will definitely be on the short side of the stick.

It is extremely important for those thinking of their retirement to know an area, be there for extended periods of time, research everything (including schools even though they don't have little ones attending - taxes, home value, demographics - all tie into schools). Once a retiree commits himself to an area, it had better be the right one or the burden of relocating again may not be an option.

Please do start a blog. A book is a great idea, hiknapster, pdq and catsndogs. I'll be a supporter, but hardly a contributer. By the time we have moved I will be much more knowledgeable, I hope. I sure am working on it now thanks to the forum and all of our jaunts to E. TN.

Thanks, all of you. You are great!

[Catsndogs]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I can remember buying the Best Places book back in the 80s, and anxiously awaiting the next edition. I suppose I've always been interested in this sort of thing (i.e. demographics, sociology).

When I became older, I guess I became wiser, or maybe Sperling's has turned into a different beast. I tend to think it's the latter.

Now they pick "hot" towns willy-nilly, and I think it has a lot to do with who puts a bug in their ear and less to do with actual data.

There also seems to be a different "study" every-other-week touting a different top ten places list. Whether it is Knoxville, East of Eden, or Detroit, I think it's all a bunch of bunk.

Glad to hear someone else thinks so... I Agree. I knew something was not on the up and up when I started seeing advertisement to retire in Waldorf, Maryland and some of the suburbs of Philly. Lots of nice things about those places but Retire there? Well that is another story. tnx.

[Catsndogs]

Originally Posted by pdq

Hahaha! Yes!

Those studies and faux publications are so funny. Eventually every town makes it on there for one thing or another. "insert town name" "best place for relocating 59-62 year old chimpanzee lovers" or "insert town name" "top ten choice for living next door to our worthless property which is next door to a meth lab".

Yes hiknapster, start a blog, I'll contribute!

Great.

Possible title of book or blog:

IT'S NOT WHAT THEY TELL YOU (it's what they don't...or won't)

"with contributions and editorial by happy E. T. natives and transplants, who have survived the commercial hype of the MOVE HERE ERA, the new pioneers of the Southland". Just a thought. tnx.

[Catsndogs]

Now, you have got me going...by the way, I think we should generalize about some specific lists and publications ...ya' know what I mean? As for Sperling who has already been mentioned...I kind of liked his lists because he has been doing it for 20 years? ...but I would have to do some additonal research to figure out if he is with us or against us. I thought initially, the Upper Respiratory Disease data was really accurate as compared to other data. Anyway, I did say this before on one thread that maybe few read and I just have to say again: I thought I really hit on something when looking for a nice list on Pollen...but...after I found the list...I could not get any accuracy on the "reporting." Pick a day and 3 cities you cared about... reported but not at the same time and the other cities you chose didn't report at all on that date. So you keep going back and back to find when Did those cities report and after a while it is futile to get any comparison. But, ther is a list. tnx.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by Catsndogs

Great.

Possible title of book or blog:

IT'S NOT WHAT THEY TELL YOU (it's what they don't...or won't)

"with contributions and editorial by happy E. T. natives and transplants, who have survived the commercial hype of the MOVE HERE ERA, the new pioneers of the Southland". Just a thought. tnx.

Very clever, catndogs, and I think it would be a hit!

[Vivianna]

Does any one out there know much about Athens TN. It's called the friendly city. Is it really? I heard it was very affordable and a rural community and at the foothills of the smokey mountains and about 50 miles south of knoxville.

[pdq]

Originally Posted by Vivianna

Does any one out there know much about Athens TN. It's called the friendly city. Is it really? I heard it was very affordable and a rural community and at the foothills of the smokey mountains and about 50 miles south of knoxville.

Well it's exactly in the middle of Knoxville and Chattanooga. Takes 1 hour to get to either. It is somewhat affordable since their are few jobs and the few have low pay. That given, it's still probably more affordable than Knoxville or Chattanooga. In so many ways (good and bad), it's a town still living in the past. I wouldn't say it's any more friendly than any other small town in the US. Really they're all about the same, it's only the perception of a new place that makes them seem better. Once the newness wears off, it's like any town USA. Unless you're from Camden NJ...