Cost of Living Not As Low as They Say It Is (Knoxville: apartment complex, rental)

[aquarijen]

Eegads, Who are you hanging out with, Foust Family???
This is my home. I have no southern accent. I was born in New York. I can imagine that people might bristle and treat you as an outsider if you treat yourself like one or if you say things like "XYZ was better up North" etc. I have never been treated like anything but someone who belongs when I say things like "This is my Home" and "I love my Home" and "I love Knoxville". There are no qualifications with that - there are no exceptions. I'm here now. Here, I will stay. I have never, ever been treated like an outsider.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by aquarijen

Eegads, Who are you hanging out with, Foust Family???
This is my home. I have no southern accent. I was born in New York. I can imagine that people might bristle and treat you as an outsider if you treat yourself like one or if you say things like "XYZ was better up North" etc. I have never been treated like anything but someone who belongs when I say things like "This is my Home" and "I love my Home" and "I love Knoxville". There are no qualifications with that - there are no exceptions. I'm here now. Here, I will stay. I have never, ever been treated like an outsider.

Excellent post.

Just about everyone I work with is from up North or from Europe, and only one of them (a gal from Boston) wishes she lived somewhere else.

I teach at UTK, by the way. It says a lot that even though UTK pays less than many of its peer institutions in other states, at least in my field, there is no shortage of people from other places who want to live here. And as professors in my department retire, every one of them has chosen to stay here. The same can be said for all those super educated engineers and researchers at TVA and ORNL.

There's nothing flashy about Knoxville. It won't win any glamor awards for its architecture or (lack of) city planning. But it's a fantastic place to live, and it's one of the few big cities in the country where honest workers making civil servant salaries can afford to own their own homes.

[Pam& Bill]

Faust Family- I am not going to blast you or even judge you because my experience has been the opposite of what you found. Knoxville is a great place that I fail to see how anyone can be lonely. Whenever I go out alone I find plenty of people to talk with. From my cab driver, to my fellow diners at the mall food court, to the women working in whatever store I happen to be in, to the complete strangers sharing smoking space outside.I can happily pass hours talking with folks I had never crossed paths with till that moment in my life. I'm from upstate NY and in my 3 years here in Tn.I don't think I have ever been treated like an outsider because I don't see myself as an outsider, this is my beloved home now. But I think I see the world differently then some and that could be why my experiences have been positive for me.This topic is personal and not everyone will have the same experiences I have. When I go out and about, I see it as an opportunity to learn something new or meet strangers that could be future friends. That is as far as my expectations go, I've never expected others to make the first move nor do I avoid eye contact and a smile and a hello from me costs nothing. Now I am not suggesting you don't do these things because I don't know you, I'm making a broad observation which is different from what I normally do. Actually I am using the image of my mother as a comparison. My mother is a classic, she expects everyone to welcome her and pay attention to her, she waits for it. I on the other hand create it for myself. Which is why she has lived in the same small town for 20 years and doesn't know her neighbors. We've lived in this apartment complex for 5 months and I know most of my neighbors names.
I think it is unfair to represent Knoxville as back stabbing and unfriendly when it really comes down to a persons social skills and how they see the world.
Pam

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by aquarijen

Eegads, Who are you hanging out with, Foust Family???
This is my home. I have no southern accent. I was born in New York. I can imagine that people might bristle and treat you as an outsider if you treat yourself like one or if you say things like "XYZ was better up North" etc. I have never been treated like anything but someone who belongs when I say things like "This is my Home" and "I love my Home" and "I love Knoxville". There are no qualifications with that - there are no exceptions. I'm here now. Here, I will stay. I have never, ever been treated like an outsider.

I'm curious how long you have lived in Knoxville? It could be that the newer transplants than you are being treated in a less friendly manner because Knoxvillians (sp?) are possibly starting to dislike having so many new people there. This is happening in other cities in the SE. I notice on other City-Data sites that many people, especially from the northern states, are considering a move to TN. How will the natives feel when so many northerners overwhelm their southern culture. Look at the Charleston site. They even have bumper stickers saying, "I'm a native Charlestonian."

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

How will the natives feel when so many northerners overwhelm their southern culture. Look at the Charleston site. They even have bumper stickers saying, "I'm a native Charlestonian."

Yes, that is a drawback of too many new residents, especially those who come with a "tude."

[leonard]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

They even have bumper stickers saying, "I'm a native Charlestonian."

Humm, I think I will get one that simply says "I am a native ..." and let them guess.

[William Sold]

Foust Fam,

Sorry to hear about your bad run of luck in TN. I was born and raised here in Knoxville, and have lived here all my life minus 3 1/2 years for college (Cleveland,TN). What strikes me as most odd and perplexing about you being treated as an outsider, is that by and large Knoxville is a large "outsider" city. I haven't done the proper research to throw out stats, but a large number of Knoxvillians were and are transplants and relocators from another part of the country. I tend to think that our citiy's hospitality rivals most that I've been to, especially given the size. As Pam and Bill said, random lengthy conversations with absolute strangers have been the norm for me, and I can honestly say I've never personally witnessed any "culture hazing". One thing I'm curious of is whether the people you have came into contact with that formed your opinions were from here, or elsewhere? Bad attitudes can be brought here, though just as easily be a part of here. Sure, Knoxville has grumpy, proud, locals, but what city doesn't? By and large you'll find that everywhere, I just think it's less abundant here in Knoxville. Most if not all of the people I've worked with has been pleasantly surprised and elated about their move to Knoxville, the acceptance they've received, and new found friends in short time spans. I hate to hear otherwise from you. As always, one bad apple spoils the whole tree, or something like that. I think next time someone wrongs you, look around for the next smiling face and open ear and I don't think it will be far away. With the good comes the bad, and with the bad comes everyone's certain understanding of tolerance. Hope your next four years change your opinion, and when someone new moves here you greet them with a smile.

[aquarijen]

Originally Posted by staywarm2

I'm curious how long you have lived in Knoxville? It could be that the newer transplants than you are being treated in a less friendly manner because Knoxvillians (sp?) are possibly starting to dislike having so many new people there. This is happening in other cities in the SE. I notice on other City-Data sites that many people, especially from the northern states, are considering a move to TN. How will the natives feel when so many northerners overwhelm their southern culture. Look at the Charleston site. They even have bumper stickers saying, "I'm a native Charlestonian."

I've been here three and a half years. Not terribly long, no, but I think long enough to know I will stay.

[mysticfire0213]

I have only been here since July of 2008 and while there have been a few that have not been the nicest, most people are delightful to be around. I love TN, it is my home and I hope it always will be.

[gailli]

I came here from the South, Fl to be exact, and I find this the most friendly place I've ever been to, thats part of why I chose to move here. I have met more people here and made more friends then I ever had in FL. Everywhere I go people start talking to you and everyone smiles or waves hi. I have asked people I dont know on the street a question and before I have the answer we are exchanging phone numbers. I love it here and find the people to be more than hospitable and friendly, maybe you need to change your attitude, walk around with a smile, wave hello to everyone and I bet you will end up loving it here.