i read all the other posts and im looking for my own opinions

[Kitties of Domination]

My rant was not targeted towards hiknapster, but rather an earlier poster in the thread. Hiknapster "is a good'n". And yes, sometimes I like to play a bit of the devil's advocate to keep everyone on their toes. Interesting side note: There is, in fact, a degree of discrimination towards "outlyers" within certain areas of Knoxville (especially west). Many people from rural areas commute to the city to work and are sometimes mocked for their "less refined" southern accents ("hillbilly" accents, as opposed to the more genteel seqouyah hills variation), improper grammar, and lack of sophistication. People in many areas of Knoxville become offended when they are lumped in with these "surrounding county types" (Oak Ridge, Maryville proper and parts of Sevier Co. are usually exempt). I have also been guilty of the same judgements, hiknapster.

[myndsplyntur]

Not sure if you were aiming your frustrations at me?

I have not traveled to a lot of different places (outside of the South, anyway). I did live in Henderson, NV (10 minutes outside of Vegas) for a year and a half though. The thing I noticed out there was racism of hispanics against whites - but again, these are generalizations! Not everyone is like that, and I'm sorry if anyone thought that I was saying that!

The point being that I'm not basing what I'm saying by living here in Knoxville alone. Everything that you said is true - hate is everywhere in the U.S. - and obviously Knoxville can't be all bad because I came back. But the gentleman who started the thread was not asking about anywhere but Knoxville, so I gave him my take on it - as someone who was born and raised here. I've seen the good parts and the bad parts. Others may not have wanted to say it, because they didn't want to get picked apart, I guess.

Anyway, there's more good than bad to Knoxville. It's bigger than you think it would be, it's just that it's spread out. Lots of restaurants here, we like to eat in Knoxville. Music scene is so-so, I guess it all depends on what your flavor is. The housing market (as far as buyers are concerned), in comparison with the rest of the country, has remained relatively stable. There's plenty of opportunity for investment in fixer-uppers. Downtown in really starting to try and take off, I think it may make it this time. And the downtown area, though it is sprouting up and spreading out, still maintains that slightly bohemian feel.

See, I have good things to say too lol

[debby-j]

Originally Posted by myndsplyntur

For those of you NOT familiar with Halls, an easy brief description would be that when I was going to school, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, there was NEVER a single black student in my grade. Occassionally a black student came through with the intent of desegregation, never seemed to work. Homosexual students in my school were terrorized.

Firstly, homosexuals everywhere were terrorized when we were in school. It was only around 93 and later that that all changed. Or so I thought. And what did you honestly expect, for the city to transport in a bunch of non -whites? Wouldn't "desegregation" actually be racist? "I know this is your neighborhood where you have either chosen to live or are used to, but we are going to start making your children go to a different school now because you're black." That sounds racist to me, and I never did understand what was supposed to be accomplished with that.

[bbkaren]

I think I remember reading something about that inter-district busing.

Instead of blending people of different races together, it plucked them from the peers and culture they knew and plopped them down in the middle of a bunch of strangers who looked and acted differently.

From what I recall it was considered a dismal failure...? Do I recall correctly?

[SmokyMtnGal]

Originally Posted by mikewu9900

hi everyone. im a 27 year old male. im currently in tampa florida for the past 6 months and im orig. from new england. i moved here to tampa looking for a laid back and nice place to live, southern hospitallity i should say. lets just say florida isn't what i expected on that note. i have many likes and dislikes about it here. i will not bad mouth anything, im very opened minded and the grass is always greener on the other side ya know, i could honestly live here forever and be somewhat happy, but im looking to be totally happy.

to get to my questions:

is knoxville a good place for someone 27 and single?

also i am an auto body painter for 9 years now, does anyone know how that job market is?

i would be renting, but i own a dirt bike and i wont be owning land, are there places to ride? tracks, open land the cops wont mind ect?

what areas would i fit in better being a single guy?

i havent come to knoxville to check it out yet, but everything ive read seems very promising. and everyone seems so nice. sounds to good to be true.

any help would be greatly appreciated

Just wanted to remind everyone of the OP's questions so we can stay on topic. Thanks

[bbkaren]

Riiight! lol

Where is that Windrock place, isn't it near Oak Ridge? It's a huge place for dirt bikes and quads...

[myndsplyntur]

Originally Posted by debby-j

Firstly, homosexuals everywhere were terrorized when we were in school.

Oh, I guess that makes it OK then.

Originally Posted by debby-j

It was only around 93 and later that that all changed. Or so I thought.

Yeah you've been misinformed, I didn't graduate until 2000 and the same redneck bravado was running strong.

Originally Posted by debby-j

And what did you honestly expect, for the city to transport in a bunch of non -whites? Wouldn't "desegregation" actually be racist? "I know this is your neighborhood where you have either chosen to live or are used to, but we are going to start making your children go to a different school now because you're black." That sounds racist to me, and I never did understand what was supposed to be accomplished with that.

I wasn't saying it was SUPPOSED to have been done or that I supported it or didn't support it. All I said was that the attempts that were made resulted in these poor students being harrassed until they had to transfer back. I think the intent was good - because diversity is nice - but it was just too much on the kids imo.

[myndsplyntur]

Originally Posted by SmokyMtnGal

Just wanted to remind everyone of the OP's questions so we can stay on topic. Thanks

Sorry, I have a tendency to get off topic a bit sometimes.

[mikewu9900]

wow, a lot of hostility. so I've yet to make it to Knoxville due to getting busy at work this past month. i noticed this thread has gone from people being very welcoming to some arguing about how the people are in America. it is true that some people are ignorant and some are not, i guess what I've learned in this post is i will just have to see for myself like i did when i came to Tampa. ultimately what I'm looking for is just a more laid back lifestyle where the people are nice.

When i came down to Tampa to check it out for a few days before the move, i remember meeting this 29 year old woman when my flight was delayed due to lightning. i talked to her for about 2 hours, one of the sweetest girls i probably ever talked to. She was from Tennessee. See where I'm going with this??? idk, just have to come there and see i guess. thanks