possible retirement move to Knoxville area (Johnson City: to rent, how much, live in)

[johninvegas]

Hi guys!

My wife and I currently live in Las Vegas and we have decided that we want to retire in about six years to an area with trees and water. One of the areas that was suggested to us is Knoxville.

I have family in Hickory, N.C. so a move to Knoxville would allow me to reconnect with them. I previously lived in southwest Missouri for 16 years in the 70s and 80s, and I think the populations are about equivalent. So, I'm kind of interested in the area.

One thing that is a possible concern to us is that my wife suffers from SAD (seasonal affected disease) and she would not like it if the area is under constant cloud cover for a number of months in the winter. She is originally from Chicago and the clouds covered the city pretty much from November to March. So, is there constant cloud cover in the winter? We realize that there will be plenty of cloudy days, but what I'm referring to is it being totally overcast for a month at a time.

We are driving to Maryland and Virginia in late April so will drive through Knoxville on the way back to Las Vegas so will take a look at the city at that time.

Thanks for your help!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by johninvegas

Hi guys!

My wife and I currently live in Las Vegas and we have decided that we want to retire in about six years to an area with trees and water. One of the areas that was suggested to us is Knoxville.

I have family in Hickory, N.C. so a move to Knoxville would allow me to reconnect with them. I previously lived in southwest Missouri for 16 years in the 70s and 80s, and I think the populations are about equivalent. So, I'm kind of interested in the area.

One thing that is a possible concern to us is that my wife suffers from SAD (seasonal affected disease) and she would not like it if the area is under constant cloud cover for a number of months in the winter. She is originally from Chicago and the clouds covered the city pretty much from November to March. So, is there constant cloud cover in the winter? We realize that there will be plenty of cloudy days, but what I'm referring to is it being totally overcast for a month at a time.

We are driving to Maryland and Virginia in late April so will drive through Knoxville on the way back to Las Vegas so will take a look at the city at that time.

Thanks for your help!

There are some sunny days during winter; however, most of winter does have a general cloud cover and seems "gray" to me. But, I hate winter. We have a lot of snowbirds in the area. You can always check weather internet sites for this type of information to get more true and accurate information. I know some people in the area who actually do light therapy due to SAD.

Good luck!

[geranium]

Try WeatherSpark:

the month of January in Knoxville experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 54% throughout the month. The highest chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 55% on January 3.

The clearest day of the month is January 28, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 48% of the time.

For reference, on January 3, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 55%, while on September 21, the clearest day of the year, the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies is 67%.

[hiknapster]

Try this.

https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/...pctposrank.txt

[Barking Spider]

Or try this one... https://www.currentresults.com/Weath...f-sunshine.php

[johninvegas]

Thank you!

[DaveinMtAiry]

When compared to most of the east Knoxville appears to have a bit more sunny days. But when compared to Las Vegas it will appear like Seattle. All depends on how much sun you wife needs, and there are always the lights others have mentioned.

[onetoughkitty]

It definitely isn't like Seattle or Chicago when it comes to cloud cover but we are in the mountains after all so we certainly have grey days. Maybe I don't notice because I work inside during the day 5 times out of the week LOL. A month long though...it doesn't seem like we get weather like THAT BUT I will defer to our more seasoned locals. It's certainly not Vegas though.

I don't want your wife to be unhappy so I hope that you guys find a nice place to settle. Good luck.

[Gingercoyote]

Knoxville is fairly cloudy and gets a lot of rain. Quite gloomy in winter compared to Vegas. In addition to the lights previously mentioned, your wife might want to take vitamin D if you move there.

You might want to rent for a year, just to be sure it works for you both. I have sad, so I understand what your wife goes through. It isn't easy.

[DaveinMtAiry]

Originally Posted by Gingercoyote

Knoxville is fairly cloudy and gets a lot of rain. Quite gloomy in winter compared to Vegas. In addition to the lights previously mentioned, your wife might want to take vitamin D if you move there.

You might want to rent for a year, just to be sure it works for you both. I have sad, so I understand what your wife goes through. It isn't easy.

When you say a lot of rain that does mean days of rain on end or days where a late day storm is common? I was told that was the case in Johnson City, many nice days with a late day thunder boomer that distorted the "number or rainy days" stat.