Wondering about the political climate in Knoxville... (Cookeville, Maryville: for sale, co-op)

[blf53]

My wife and I have been looking for a nice place to settle down and get away from corporate life. A small farm would be great as we both love to grow everything from vegetables to flowers. We also love wildlife. And while we pretty much keep to ourselves, we would like to live someplace where neighbors help one another and say "hello" without judgment or strings attached.

As we view areas all over the country it seems we constantly see farms for sale in Tennessee, because of the water, the natural beauty and the friendly people.

However, having grown up in the midwest and lived in Texas, the one thing we are nervous about Tennessee, and the south in general, is the political and religious climate.

I will admit, we are progressive, but we do not argue our position with others. Religiously, I would say we lean more toward a Buddhist way of accepting life's challenges.

My question to the readers familiar with the Knoxville area is; given that the area is staunchly Republican and Christian, is it possible to live a progressive life there and be accepted?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by blf53

My wife and I have been looking for a nice place to settle down and get away from corporate life. A small farm would be great as we both love to grow everything from vegetables to flowers. We also love wildlife. And while we pretty much keep to ourselves, we would like to live someplace where neighbors help one another and say "hello" without judgment or strings attached.

As we view areas all over the country it seems we constantly see farms for sale in Tennessee, because of the water, the natural beauty and the friendly people.

However, having grown up in the midwest and lived in Texas, the one thing we are nervous about Tennessee, and the south in general, is the political and religious climate.

I will admit, we are progressive, but we do not argue our position with others. Religiously, I would say we lean more toward a Buddhist way of accepting life's challenges.

My question to the readers familiar with the Knoxville area is; given that the area is staunchly Republican and Christian, is it possible to live a progressive life there and be accepted?

Unless you're wanting to replace the American flag at the local courthouse square with a laughing Buddha, you'll be fine.

Expect your new neighbors to invite you to church and to ask you what church you go to. But they're not proselyting, they're just being neighborly. Politely tell them your beliefs, but do it with a smile and a genuine show of appreciation and they'll back off.

And remember that YOU want to live amongst THEM, so please respect their religious traditions and not try to change them. For example, if you get all offended over the fact that high school football games begin with a prayer and try to get them to stop it, you won't make many friends.

When I first moved into my house in rural East Knox County 6 years ago, three different neighbors invited me to their respective churches (all Baptist). If I had gotten all haughty and defensive, it would've been the wrong way to deal with it. Instead, I told them I appreciated the offer but already had my own convictions, and we all smiled and enjoyed being neighbors.

I know it's hard for some progressives to understand, but most church-going conservatives really don't push the subject once they understand your position. You'll certainly be more warmly received in Knoxville than an Evangelical Christian would be in Berkeley.

In addition, the city of Knoxville itself is about 50/50 Democrat/Republican (although note that most Democrats here are still pretty conservative). And some of the more remote, rural counties actually have seen an influx of granola, aging hippy farmers who get along really well with their conservative Christian neighbors.

For example, the little town of Monterey up on the Cumberland Plateau is home to an ultra conservative Mennonite community but also a new-age Buddhist camp, and everyone gets along just fine.

At any rate, just relax, enjoy the local culture (and religion is part of the local culture), and you'll do fine. Welcome to Tennessee!

[jabogitlu]

The city of Knoxville itself will be fine with your beliefs (and/or pretty much any belief whatsoever). The further out you get, you might run into a few problems, but generally people in east Tennessee are live and let live, and aren't quite as nutty about their religious convictions as people in other areas of the South. You'll still find your James Dobsons here, and in general rural people are pig-headed about things like global warming and gay marriage. But if you can get over that, you'll do fine.

The only people likely to hassle you about church are Jehovah's Witnesses. Still, in my 21 years in east TN, I think they've only came around 4 or 5 times. Well, and I did have a couple (really cute!) Mormon guys come to my door once. I didn't know they did that.

So what I'm really trying to say is that yes, you'll be fine. (Just don't live in Newport.) Just don't expect to find camaraderie or to draw inspiration from the local populace in accordance with your beliefs, because you'll probably be a lone soldier. (Now, this would be very different if you were living in an inner-city neighborhood - lots of liberals around downtown and the university.) I would focus my relocation efforts on the western side of Knoxville. I don't know how far out from the city you want to be, but the Cumberlands have a unique and charming history and in general are more well-poised* to handle something like you're describing. And, as an added bonus, you could also drive to Cookeville, which is a fun little city. And you'd be much closer to Nashville, if the need ever arises for an int'l airport (or a honky tonk ).

* As opposed to north of Knoxville (an area which is economically depressed and socially isolated) or east of Knoxville - the further towards the Tri-Cities you come, the less welcome you'd find yourself. Not talking about the Tri-Cities themselves, but the areas between the Tri and Knoxville. South of Knoxville is okay, much of it is the GSM National Park although there are some areas in Sevier County that might fit your needs well. You'd be close to Knoxville, Maryville, the tourist cluster****k of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and to the national park.

[creeksitter]

Well I don't think they'll be living in the inner city if they want to have a small farm. But I know of some progressive, possibly Bhuddist folks in South Knox county and East Knox county around Thorngrove pike. Mostly just good ole country folks for neighbors, though.

The "progressive" newcomers who aren't happy in E TN are the ones who look down their noses at ordinary conservatively religious folks.

[jabogitlu]

No, obviously, but I was just explaining how the gradient of viewpoints is laid out in Knoxville.

[blf53]

Thank you very much for the information. That is good news. I had heard of the Mennonite communities in Tennessee. My family were Mennonites a generation ago and I have a lot of respect for them and their way of life.

No, we are definitely not into changing anyone's mind about their beliefs unless it directly affects our life, such as, a neighbor spraying chemicals in a way that spreads them onto our food or into our water supply.

Again, thank you for the response.

[Pam& Bill]

BLF53,

DM coming your way.
Pam

[knoxgarden]

East Tennesseeans are pretty tolerant of just about anything. You may run into problems if you try to tell someone else how to live their lives, though.
We do have some progressive groups around.
Check in with Knoxville Permaculture, you'll find some like-minded people there:
Knoxville Permaculture Guild - Building Permanent Culture in Knoxville
Also Slow Food Knoxville
Slow Food Knoxville
And if you're interested in organic farming, check out the resources available through UT Organic Farm Initiative.
UT Organic Crop Production
The state of Tennessee is actively helping farmers go organic. It's part of their plan to help family farmers survive and is being funded by tobacco buyout money.
You might be very surprised at the attitudes you find here and the government money available to help small farmers.

[Kitties of Domination]

Though relatively small, there is an active and steadily growing organic/farmer's market/food co-op movement in east TN. We would love to have you.

[blf53]

Originally Posted by Kitties of Domination

Though relatively small, there is an active and steadily growing organic/farmer's market/food co-op movement in east TN. We would love to have you.

One place we are looking at is a small farm up near Washburn. They grow an abundance of organic produce there and participate in the CSA movement and sell at the farmers market in Knoxville. We would be looking to carry on their good work.