Knoxville and Northern Transpants (Sevierville, Seymour: mortgage, job, homes)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

Boy, do I agree, catndogs. We love the South because it isn't so rushed, but it has nothing at all to do with the character of its' citizens. Again, and I can't say it often enough, we really don't want to generalize about anyone.

I have a theory to throw out there and would love to hear back from some others about this. Here goes: I have often thought that things seem slower paced here in the southern part of the country because of the climate difference. Think about it. If you had a longer (by at least 2 - 3 months) growing season in the North, farmers wouldn't have to rush in the late Spring to get things in the ground, fertilize them to death, and quick - get harvesting and canning and shipping. Whew. Of course, they cannot waste a minute!

Also, if you are living where it is cold for 6 - 7 months of the year, you are going to be moving your booty as fast and as often as you can just to generate your own little internal power plant to warm yourself up!

Here, in the South those things are not much of an issue. Growing season is nice and long. What's the rush? Hey, Jan. and Feb. are a bit chilly, but just gives us a chance to get some of those nasty weather chores done. No need to hurry. Now, if the barn is on fire, watch out!!! We are all going to move our butts just as fast as they can go!

I think there's a lot of truth in that. It's not just here in the US, either. Around the world, climates that are hot and muggy have similar reputations as here in the southern US, whereas civilizations in climates that are colder tend to be faster and wealthier. Scandinavia vs. the Mediterranean. Japan vs. the Philippines. Northern China vs. Southern China. The advent of air conditioning has brought more balance (try doing business in Hong Kong or Singapore with no a/c) but the stereotypes are already firmly entrenched.

One thing I know: when it's 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity, I don't feel like doing much of ANYTHING except doing what it takes to stay cool (swim, sit under a ceiling fan, etc). It's not until the weather drops about 30 degrees that I go out and get things done.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Catsndogs

Don't give up. Shop!

Words to live by!

[kimnrandy2007]

I am only telling the truth about how we have been treated down here,I am sure not all cities are the same or neighborhoods for that matter.I have been told by people that have lived here all there lives that this area is not to accepting of yankees .We are very people orientated I waitress and my husband has his own business in construction where he deals with people everyday.Southern people that we do jobs for have actually told us that they can tell we r northerners because we show up for the estimates and jobs.We are church going people too,we have tryed to fit in but its constant harrasment.I am so upset because we moved down here hoping for a better life and we do well financially ,and we love the mountains and this is a beautiful state...kim

"I have observed that it does seem a bit harder for the out of staters to integrate in with the "natives"; generally speaking". This was right from a thread from one of you .It is harder we r proof.sad but true.kim

[SmokyMtnGal]

I think we got the point. Everyone has their own truth.

[kimnrandy2007]

yeah just depends on who's truth is real.I know ours is ,its documented at the sherriffs dept.on the stuff that has been happening to my family and our cars too...kim

maybe if we could just pick up our home and move it to a more family orientated sub it would work out for us...let me tell ya a little about our next door neighbors,we found out after we moved in that they have no kids and hate kids,our builder told us this.also that the man of the house was in an institute before for his behavior towards others..now keep in mind thats just 1 neighbor.the list goes on..

oh dandridge is so beautifull

[kimnrandy2007]

Originally Posted by amyevansmom

I'm from Michigan and moved to Sevierville. Started out in Seymour. Moved here for an excellent job opportunity---which has turned out to be even better than we imagined.

I do come into contact w/ a lot of transplants from MI and OH and also FL. For some reason, those 3 state seem to have a lot of people here. Do I feel welcome? Well, yes, I guess. I don't have any "problems". I've been here a year and haven't made any "friends." THere are no newcomers clubs here. We met our neighbors, but it's just friendly "hellos" in passing. We have co-workers we talk to, but not socialize with outside of work. We work at the same place, so that limits that. THe person I felt most friendly with was my realtor, she is almost the same age as we are, and from the North. I like it here, but am still not sure if it is my perfect place. THis may sound awful, but know it's not meant to, the people we've come into contact with seem to have a lot of issues and want you to help them fix them. So, it's hard for me to "connect" with people here as I feel they want something from me. Now, I live in Sevierville and work in G-burg and the locals here---the true locals---have no money. Very poor and very needy. Perhaps Knoxville would have been a better "living" place for me, but the work we are doing can't be beat so it ended up being Sevierville. Sometimes God has a different plan than us, but I am determined to bloom where I am planted. I am a city girl transplanted to the country......not an easy adjusment by any means, but one I am determined to do. Friends or not, I guess. If only I could find a newcomers club!!!

Iam sorry to hear that you also have had no luck finding friends,I also work in Sevierville and i kid around now that we have been here for 3 yrs. saying its like one big carnival down there,due to it being so touristy.And I agree lots are poor and needy but alot of that is by choice as I have stated in past post.Any ya know the old saying that misery loves company,well they dont like it if ya have your life going in the right direction.I think jeaolousy plays into that.I know for us it has.Well good luck to you and hopefully for you things will be better because it sounds like you have an awsume job.kim xooxo

[Catsndogs]

kim:
I think you picked a tough spot to acclimate as we did... meaning some little sections within a larger town or city are more dug in and resisitant to change (let alone Yankees) than others. You have to make it work. Like us, you are the newcomber. Selling your home may be pretty hard unless you make some sacrifices for profit. If you don't like your church - try going down Sevierville Road to Brown School Rd....River Oaks Community Church. One we have tried and it is very very nice.

"The Yankee in our midst" is fading out around here...so many transplants. But, we stay away from the people we know are trouble...and I Do understand where you are coming from with people in your community being deliberately unkind... may be even people you have reached out to...there are some who think very differently then the rest of us...a fence helps. But you have to find a way to exist without reacting to the way other people live. There ARE good people everywhere. It is a great time of year for exploring. But make your house comfortable so you are glad to get back home. It takes time but you can do it. I take it you haven't been here long.

[annielf]

I moved to Knoxville from Michigan because I hate snow. Lived there for 10 years. I'm sure it's much different now because I moved away 7 years ago and haven't been back since.

I found it very friendly. Since I worked at UT and lived nearby I met many northern transplants. I've lived in 4 states and TN was my favourite. Loved the hiking in the Smokies, kayaking in the lakes, the huge choice of good restaurants, hanging out in the Old City (is it still there?), the great theatres, the concerts, the KSO....

My one complaint was the number of people who (aggressively) tried to convert me to christianity. Some accepted 'no thanks' but many didn't and were quite rude. I had to keep my beliefs to myself in the workplace or risk alienating my co-workers who loved to talk about the bible at work.

[bfskinnerpunk]

The churchy stuff worried me before moving here. In fact, I called around looking for apartments and one landlord said he wouldn't rent to me because I was bringing a girlfriend, and we weren't engaged. This led me to think, "oh no! this is exactly what I feared!". I was wrong. This was just an exception and I have found that their is a diversity of world views in Knoxville as much as any other place I have lived.

For lack of a better word, I am an atheist. Keeping that sort of thing completely in the closet is getting less and less acceptable to me. When someone gets biblical with me (or any other religion), I am getting less likely to humor their beliefs in magic. See the following link for a succinct description of why I feel this way. Moderator cut: sorry, you tube links not allowed

I have joined a VERY friendly group here in Knoxville called "The Rationalists of East Tennessee". This group is made up of 50 or so people of all ages... most of whom are scientists from Oak Ridge... it's a lovely group of people who really know how to carry on a quality conversation without making references to magic, angels, devils, preachers, gods, etc.

As far as I can tell, Knoxville is as cosmopolitan as most any other city in the South. It's a very diverse place with hippies, conservatives, rednecks, musicians and just plain good people. The churchy thing, as it turns out, is no more annoying here than anywhere else that I have lived.

There are high quality people and low quality people *everywhere* these days in most major towns... and it seems that almost no one is a local anymore. People move so much these days that we are all transplants. It's not like the old days. Knoxville is a pretty good representative of the whole nation.

I'm very happy with Knoxville. Period.

[patsueq]

I'm new to this message thing but I wondered if anyone can give me an idea on the jobs in Knoxville. I am in banking (management) and my husband has a carpet cleaning business. We are looking to relocate from Florida as soon as I can sell this house (as soon as the housing recession is over) I am also looking for a nice area East of Knoxville that has some mountain views but isn't expensive..can anyone give me some help? Thanks so much!