looking to move to tennesse,can someone help?

[suzycue]

I also appreciate someone sharing their experience living in Knoxville. But I also agree that when you move you must have an open mind and be very aware of how different it will be before you move. I visited Knoxville in May and fell in love with the city. I realized how different it will be from Miami, but that is what I am looking for. I hear comments all the time here in Miami from other people say things like: how boring TN is, how different it will be for us, how cold it is there, etc... But you know what I DON'T CARE! To say that Knoxville is BORING and that there is nothing to do is very personal. The way people entertain themselves can be very different. (FYI, I saw many things to do in Knoxville, TN..it is just a different kind of place) I am searching for a much lower pace, friendlier, quieter place to live where the cost of living is major factor as well. I am looking for a nice place where my children can be raised well, and have good schools available to them. I am over the BIG city paradise! Miami is no paradise for me…It is a beautiful city, but I am disillusioned and I am not happy here any more. I am ready to adjust to a new place and a new culture. I am not afraid of what is to come, just of the uncertainty. I am confident things will improve for me, and my husband and I will be happier. Thank you for sharing your experience, but I am ready to call my new home TN!

[TedTAce]

Originally Posted by lgreene14

Wellllllll, I was not going to respond to this--But I just have to---

First of all "littletownblues"---I am offended and have taken this personally.
OK, admittingly, I probably shouldn't. But I did.

To ALL---If you are moving from somewhere to here--Knoxville TN area, do not expect the glitz and glamour of the huge cities you are coming from.

If you choose to come here--Come to enjoy the friendly people and be friendly yourself also--realize that stores close earlier then what others have gotten used to in our "gotta have it now society" and enjoy the simple fact of the beauty and--Slower pace---

Realize there is a reason it is NOT like FL or NY. And those are the exact reasons people are flocking here.

I am from Minneapolis MN and my fiance is from Philly. Yes,,Yankees.

We spent the last 3.5 years in Florida-No, FL was not for us.

We came here because it was small--because the stores close at a decent hour so people can go home to be with their families, because the people are so friendly, because we were not after the same things in the places we were from or where we just moved from---

We came to Knoxville to be part of Knoxville. To add to Knoxville. To add to Tennessee. We did not come here to change it into what we moved from. We came here because of who and what it is.

To everyone moving to Knoxville (300 per month Knoxville proper) because you are fleeing from the nightmare you now live in and hate--(like we did),

Come here to enjoy the quiet neighborhoods(ours shuts down about 8:30pm)--Come here to enjoy something simpler---Come here to sit out on your porch and have the neighborhood kids just come by to talk. (we live in LincolnPark). Come here to go for a drive to see all the greenery---Come here to sit and listen to the wind blow through the trees as you have your beverage out on your porch--Come here to enjoy the fun, food and events that do go on around town and enjoy them just for exactly what they are meant to be,,,,,relaxing and enjoyable.


Come here to be a part of the friendliness and beauty of Tennessee.

With VERY little editing this post should be a locked sticky thread at the top of the knoxville/TN fourms. Brilliant!!

[littletownblues]

Then you will likely love it here. After reading your posting I couldn't help but to think how true the old saying is "the grass is always greener on the other side" and it certainly is lovely in E. TN. We moved due to the hurricanes not looking for major cultural changes and I guess we were naive or ignorant. We don't regret the experience despite the expense. If you're moving for a change in culture and a slower pace then this is the place for you. Best wishes and enjoy.

[mhd2136]

Moving is scary. You can't be sure you'll be happy with your decision. So it's a BIG step.
I've recently moved to Powell, TN, after spending all 50 of my years in and around NYC. Big changes? Yes! Love 'em? Almost every one. I did, however, spend over 2 years in planning the move, the job change, the home purchase (by the way, I could NEVER have afforded my own home in NY), AND my children each moved here, separately, several years apart, so I've visited before. They and my grandchildren are here, so I already know someone. I have a list of things I want to do in and around Knoxville, as well as in the surrounding states. I've been busy, so I haven't done many, yet, but I don't see "bored" in my future, for a few years, at least. I believe planning is key, and I'm certain having an existing base of friends or family is very helpful, in such a move.

Of course, among the reasons I chose to move here is how DIFFERENT from my previous home(s) I found it here. Slower pace? As a native NYer, I have to work at this one, but I enjoy it, generally. Businesses unavailable nights and weekends? It takes a while to re-train yourself, but this is one of my reasons for choosing this area. I LIKE the respect and support for family life that this demonstrates. I am old enough to remember when almost NO stores except restaurants and a drugstore (alternating within the neighborhood) and a bakery -in the morning, only- were open on Sundays, in NY. Livestock up close and personal? I'm a city kid at heart, so I still get excited when I see a cow, a goat, the horse and her colt that live right on Emory Rd. in Powell. Bible belt? Well, it's a relief to me to be among people for whom "Amen" or "In God we trust" are acceptable and respected concepts. Southern hospitality? Well, of course, there are people who live that way and others who don't ... just like anywhere in the world. Overall, I really like the people I've met.

I'm still learning. There are many ways my new and old homes differ, and many in which they are similar; some are surprising, others "not so much." I expect to continue to enjoy the learning process.

As far as being "bored" I really think that is something that happens to you if YOU don't take any action to correct it. This doesn't have to cost much, either. Get involved in something. Go to the library or on the internet and read up on the area's history, as well as activities. If you're a AAA member, get their free tour book for TN. You'll find things for mom & dad to do all or with the kids.

Nothing is for everyone. If it's not for you, and you are in a position to move on, that's great. I wish you better luck in your next move... and I really suggest putting a good amount of research and planning into it. I think I've found my rea HOME. I hope you find yours! : )

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by littletownblues

my family and I relocated to Knoxville from South Florida after being hit by 4 major hurricanes and in search for a smaller community. The area is absolutely breath taking in beauty, the weather is amazing, you get to taste all seasons but just a little bit of each. After a year our little town blues have melted away and we're planning to head back to good ole Florida. Why? We're bored to death. The re are 2 malls (that we know of) and neither has impressed me. The people are all very nice, but it has been a total cultural shock. We have not been able to adjust to the Southern culture which is not to say anything negative about it, just very different to what we are used to. They don't sweat the small stuff, it seems you can't get anything done on Fridays as most places (doctors, business) are closed, etc. They may be doing it right by taking it easy, but I'm an urgency addict with a S.FL-NY mentality and it's not working for me. In addition, I am Cuban and when this is revealed they seem to be under the impression that all Cubans came to the US inside innertubes. My family flew in to Miami in the late 60's but it seems no one here knows there were flights from Havana to Miami back then and I find myself having to tell my life story so no one thinks I'm an illegal. Again, they're nice people but totally different lifestyle than what we're used to in South Florida or NY. If you're planning to move to the area you'll need to accept that Knoxville is not by any definition a big city at all. We thought different and like you wanted to have a house in the offskirts and then be near city, it ain't happening here.

littletownblues, I am from TN originally, and now live in CT. I love to visit TN and love to take it easy there. BUT--it is not for me at this point in my life either, so I see what you mean. It really is not for everyone. And that's how it should be. Where do you think you'll move? Back to FL?

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by TedTAce

With VERY little editing this post should be a locked sticky thread at the top of the knoxville/TN fourms. Brilliant!!

HEAR, HEAR! Very well said, TedTAce, and the very reason we are moving to the Knoxville area ourselves. After being raised in the Philadelphia area (love to visit), raising our 4 sons in the Detroit area (lots of wonderful memories) and presently just existing in the Atlanta area (ready to leave), we cannot wait to sit on our porch and watch the fireflies, listen to the crickets and greet friendly good neighbors.

[mrodgers]

I moved here from Wva in 85 I love it here

[john t]

Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, etc areas offer more interesting choices and their outskirts offer small home town appeal. These areas are in or close to beautiful mountains. Raleigh is under 2 hrs to the beach, Atlanta is under 4 hrs to the beach. All are inland and offer protection from hurricanes. If you have a professional or an unusual job they offer more opportunities as well.

[yenes85]

Tennessee seems to be the place! My husband and I live in California and want to visit Tennessee to see if we would like to perhaps relocate. We hear it is absolutely beautiful. We are an interacial couple and very peaceful, friendly neighbors, what areas would you suggest we look in??