Where did you look before choosing TN? (Memphis, Knoxville: transplants, home)

[CMK10]

For those who moved to TN, I'm curious to know where you looked, visited, considered, or even lived before moving to TN.

The only other place we have given genuine consideration to is, Colorado. That may be out of ignorance. While I've travelled a good bit in my life, I certainly haven't been everywhere.

I'm interested in where you looked, where you choose, and why you did so, if I may be so inquisitive. Thanks, and I look forward to reading your stories!

[hiknapster]

I was born in MA and lived in the MA/CT area for 33 years. I also lived in Orlando and the southwest area of Florida.

In 2005, I did strongly consider Charlotte, North Carolina but realized that there were a lot of transplants heading that way. I wanted to avoid a transient area. I seriously looked at Johnson City, Elizabethton, Cleveland, Chattanooga, Madisonville, Sweetwater, Maryville and Friendsville, all in Tennessee, before settling in Knoxville. I also very briefly considered Nashville, Murfreesboro and Memphis and at one time thought we might even move to Fort Smith Arkansas.

I do not regret my decision.

[TN Tin Man]

Made the mistake of looking at North East corner of Georgia.... All I can say..It's not my cup of tea.

[DubbleT]

Does it count if I had the opportunity to move to nearly any state of my choice and I chose to stay in TN?
I lived in Memphis for 20+ years and wanted out.

I looked at
1. My home state of MI (Grand Rapids area) -love the lake MI beaches and there is a lot to do for fun, but after more than half my life in the south I wasn't sure I could handle shoveling snow any more.
2. St Louis area -lots of fun and inexpensive things to do, but the weather wasn't any better than Memphis. Too hot in summer and even colder in winter.
3. Fayetteville AR - up and coming from the look of things, but too hot and humid in the summer.
4. Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock NC - after looking closer they seem more like a place I'd like to visit than live, and a bit isolated for me.
5. Pittsburgh PA area -not real sure about the combination of steep hills and a good amount of snow, but if I were to move again I'd reconsider Pittsburgh.

The final decision came down to the Roanoke/Blacksburg area of VA and the tri-cities area of TN.
Part of what decided me on the tri-cities was the overall COL, housing costs, no state income tax, etc.
Plus I really love the fact that the area has a decent sized population spread out over three small cities. It eliminates some of the hassle of life in a bigger city. I sort of feel like Goldilocks who found a place that was not too hot, not too cold, not too big, not too small, but juuuuust right.

[CMK10]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I was born in MA and lived in the MA/CT area for 33 years. I also lived in Orlando and the southwest area of Florida.

In 2005, I did strongly consider Charlotte, North Carolina but realized that there were a lot of transplants heading that way. I wanted to avoid a transient area. I seriously looked at Johnson City, Elizabethton, Cleveland, Chattanooga, Madisonville, Sweetwater, Maryville and Friendsville, all in Tennessee, before settling in Knoxville. I also very briefly considered Nashville, Murfreesboro and Memphis and at one time thought we might even move to Fort Smith Arkansas.

I do not regret my decision.

When did you live in Central Fl? The last decade's acceleration of degeneration is astounding.

[CMK10]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

Does it count if I had the opportunity to move to nearly any state of my choice and I chose to stay in TN?
I lived in Memphis for 20+ years and wanted out.

I looked at
1. My home state of MI (Grand Rapids area) -love the lake MI beaches and there is a lot to do for fun, but after more than half my life in the south I wasn't sure I could handle shoveling snow any more.
2. St Louis area -lots of fun and inexpensive things to do, but the weather wasn't any better than Memphis. Too hot in summer and even colder in winter.
3. Fayetteville AR - up and coming from the look of things, but too hot and humid in the summer.
4. Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock NC - after looking closer they seem more like a place I'd like to visit than live, and a bit isolated for me.
5. Pittsburgh PA area -not real sure about the combination of steep hills and a good amount of snow, but if I were to move again I'd reconsider Pittsburgh.

The final decision came down to the Roanoke/Blacksburg area of VA and the tri-cities area of TN.
Part of what decided me on the tri-cities was the overall COL, housing costs, no state income tax, etc.
Plus I really love the fact that the area has a decent sized population spread out over three small cities. It eliminates some of the hassle of life in a bigger city. I sort of feel like Goldilocks who found a place that was not too hot, not too cold, not too big, not too small, but juuuuust right.

HA! We made a similar comparison to Goldilocks. Colorado certainly has a some astounding views and a great climate but cost of living and state income tax were 2 of the things that stuck out for us.

[CMK10]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Made the mistake of looking at North East corner of Georgia.... All I can say..It's not my cup of tea.

Lived in Mobile AL for a year... Felt the same way.

[peppermint]

We chose Tenn. over Mass. because the company here gave us a better offer. It was a huge mistake - not because of Tenn., but the company was the worst place my husband ever worked. Couldn't find another job here, so we're moving again.

[Capt. Dan]

I was born here in Hardeman County Tennessee. I spent my career in San Luis Obispo California. I couldnt even come close to being able to afford to retire out there. So I came home. Between myself.My sisters and some cousins, we control about 1000 acres of very nice land that surrounds a 200 acre,spring fed lake. This land has been in my family since the late 1700's. So I always knew I had a place to "come home" to. If I hadnt had this land to retire to, I would give serious consideration to the area around Beaufort, South Carolina. Shoot! If my kids dont start behaving themselves, I may just spend thier inheritance and buy me a shack on one of the little estuarys down there! Its a fishermans dream!

[njkee]

We're from Michigan and had decided to move south when we retired to avoid the harsh winters. We also wanted to live in/near the mountains both for the beauty and the cooler temps in summer.
We had vacationed several times in NC and enjoyed Brevard/Waynesville/Maggie Valley areas. In the fall of 2009 we were headed down there once more for vacation but there was a rock slide on I-40 so we decided to travel through east TN and spend a few days and then go on down to NC. We ended up staying two weeks and never even went to NC. It just felt like home here.
I was forced into retirement a few months later and now here we are living in Carter County.