Unwanted in Tennessee? (Knoxville, Winchester, Gatlinburg: neighborhood, bankrupt, tax)

[knoxgarden]

Here's the context of the quote:

"Two years ago, Tennessee started "Retire Tennessee" as a pilot to attract retirees, and immediately listed nine suitable counties. Ramay Winchester, who is in charge of Tennessee's program, reports directly to the state's top economic development officer.

Winchester attends as many as 12 upscale boomer expos each year, held by a company called Live South Real Estate. The shows are held in tony suburbs, places like Schaumburg, Ill., outside of Chicago, where the median income of $65,000 is 30 percent higher than in Illinois as a whole. The demographics of the Live South shows are even higher.

"Fifty-six years old, household income $250,000 and two million in assets. Those are the people we want to come to Tennessee," says Winchester, who does not even promote the second-home market "because they leave their bank account where their first home is."

Live South events go "after the top third of the market," said David Robertson of RPI Media, the Wilmington, N.C., company that runs the events and publishes "Ideal Living" magazine. In addition to high net worth and household income, "we are looking for a strong resale market. Those are the three things we know are important to bring buyers who have the ability and interest to purchase," he said.

And here's the Retire Tennessee website. Note that Knox County is not one of the counties participating:
Retire Tennessee

[goodbyehollywood]

Well, that kind of clueless arrogance is exactly what this market correction is washing out. The Winchesters of the world ought to readjust their strategy, since many of those $250K incomes might soon be collecting unemployment and Wall Street is snip-snipping at those two mil portfolios.

Perhaps Live South should rewatch Gone With the Wind. As Pork so aptly pointed out, askin' ain't gettin', especially in this economy.

You come on to Tennessee and take a look, Nancy. Maybe it's for you, maybe it's not, but you're more than welcome.

[gemkeeper]

We receive the Live South rag-mag, "Ideal Living", about 3 or 4 times a year. I think our real estate agent probably put us on a mailing list when we moved here 7 years ago. We file it under the potato peelings.

This company does not have anything to do with the likes of us. They are definitely catering to the crowd who belong to the yacht clubs and $50,000-to-join country club crowds. Most of us don't ever see these invisible people because they will not be at Dillard's, Costco, Kroger, or Walmart. They fly to NYC to shop for their lovelies and their "shoppers" pick up the grub and other local necessities and the designers come into their homes, decide what furnishings they need, then fly off to Paris and Milan to fill their order.

No need to worry about any of these folks. They are not going to take over E. TN. Some of them will buy second homes in the million dollar gated communities, but they retire where the rest of the money is - Aspen, LA, NYC, Bahamas, West Palm Beach.

Nancy thereader, you would be more than welcome in TN, fit in like Cinderella's foot in a glass slipper and feel so comfortable with all of the down-to-earth folks that gravitate to areas like TN. It is beautiful, friendly, and welcoming. They is so much to do and see for retirees and you would have an instant circle of friends of the rest of us who are far from the Millionaire's Club, also.

Take GBH up on her offer. I am sure the guest room will look great and be very cozy. You never know how you will relate to an area until you visit and spend some time exploring and visiting with folks who call this place home. We hope to be there ourselves within this next year - bailout plan awilling!

[mbmouse]

That is just utter nonsense! Nancy, we would love to call you neighbor and won't even peek at your savings statement....promise!

[Bones]

"Fifty-six years old, household income $250,000 and two million in assets. Those are the people we want to come to Tennessee," says Winchester, who does not even promote the second-home market "because they leave their bank account where their first home is."

Y'all mean this is NOT a prerequisite to move to TN....

Now y'all tell me......

Nancy, come on down and check it out, you'll love it here.....

I've met a few very very large landowners and multi-millionaires, and you would never know it by the way they dress, what they drive, talk to ya, etc. Just plain good folks to have as neighbors....

[Beretta]

Being wanted in Tennessee has nothing to do with your bank account and everything to do with your personality account.

[oldmanbob]

Hey Nancy, sorry about your reading, apparently all areas have some nutty folks, but I can assure you, many people move here, as Knoxville is considered one of the most friendly places to be. We have people moving here from all parts of the country. Most love our 4 seasons, and just enough of about every kind of culture you can imagine. Also about any kind of lifestyle you want. So like others have said, take her up on the guestroom, and check us out for yourself.

[charz]

I'm a 42 year old teacher who moved to Knoxville this summer. I wish that my income was $250,000 but it's $200,000 less. I haven't met anyone who falls into that category since I've been here. Check Knoxville out--you'll love it like we do.

[DubbleT]

Good thing I made it here before they stop letting the riff-raff in.

[gemkeeper]

Now this is what I love about Tennessee! The sense of humor is worth $250,000 and above!

Nancy thereader, it just goes to show us: You can't believe everything you hear and only about half of what you see!