We've just returned from Tennessee (Knoxville, Chattanooga: homes, travel, work)

[jguillot]

Good post, Big Hubba. This is just another great example of how wonderful the people of Tennessee are. Congratulations on finding that special place in Tennessee.

[Jamison]

Hi jguillot, so many details in your posts have been ringing bells with me!! I, too, am very interested in the Cookeville/Crossville area. Just like your wife, I LOVE Macy's (it's my favorite) and I was really hoping to find out whether there's one nearby. I know Knoxville, Nashville, Chatt. aren't "nearby", but if there's a Macy's in the state I WILL GO THERE. (LOL) Also, should we take the plunge and move to TN, we can't do so for another 3 to 5 years. (mainly an economic consideration)

Further, Cumberland Cove sounds so beautiful, just like something we'd love. The only thing is, we've already built one house (which took a lot out of us) and I don't think we could go through it again. (I'm assuming there are only empty lots available in CC) Too, we still have a child at home and isn't CC a retirement community?? Wish we could find something like it for ourselves, it sounds like heaven. (wistful sigh)

Alleycat, HOORAY! Having read further down, I see you mention there's a Macy's in Nashville, ALRIGHT. (that's what I'm talkin' about) I'm only on page 1 of this (great) thread, off now to continue reading it.....

J

[Jamison]

Am back, that was a great read! We won't be able to visit eastern TN until July of 2008, and I CAN HARDLY WAIT to see this gorgeous place again with its lovely, kind people. (has been about 6 years since our last trip) I only wish July weren't so far away..... Am trying to focus on the succession of upcoming holidays, hoping to trick myself into a mental "fast forward". The wait seems interminable.

K, Labor Day is Monday, there are three birthdays this month to celebrate, then October with all its business, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas and more birthdays, then back to school in January, then..... (groan)

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by Jamison

Hi jguillot, so many details in your posts have been ringing bells with me!! I, too, am very interested in the Cookeville/Crossville area. Just like your wife, I LOVE Macy's (it's my favorite) and I was really hoping to find out whether there's one nearby. I know Knoxville, Nashville, Chatt. aren't "nearby", but if there's a Macy's in the state I WILL GO THERE. (LOL) Also, should we take the plunge and move to TN, we can't do so for another 3 to 5 years. (mainly an economic consideration)

Further, Cumberland Cove sounds so beautiful, just like something we'd love. The only thing is, we've already built one house (which took a lot out of us) and I don't think we could go through it again. (I'm assuming there are only empty lots available in CC) Too, we still have a child at home and isn't CC a retirement community?? Wish we could find something like it for ourselves, it sounds like heaven. (wistful sigh)

Alleycat, HOORAY! Having read further down, I see you mention there's a Macy's in Nashville, ALRIGHT. (that's what I'm talkin' about) I'm only on page 1 of this (great) thread, off now to continue reading it.....

J

Hi Jamison,

To the best of my knowledge, there are already around 350 completed homes in Cumberland Cove. We noticed that some of them are for sale, so if you would prefer not to build your own home, you might be able to find an already completed home that will meet your needs with the help of a real estate agent. There are a large number of retirees in Cumberland Cove, but I don't believe it is considered to be a retirement community. We've been told that there is a department store called Belks in Cookeville that is similar to Macy's. Good luck in your search for that special place in Tennessee.

[hiknapster]

Belk is not even close to Macy's. Just thought I'd point that out.

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Belk is not even close to Macy's. Just thought I'd point that out.

Thanks Hiknapster. Since we were not able to visit Belks during our visit, I was going by what someone had told me. Thanks for correcting me.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jguillot

Hi Jamison,

To the best of my knowledge, there are already around 350 completed homes in Cumberland Cove. We noticed that some of them are for sale, so if you would prefer not to build your own home, you might be able to find an already completed home that will meet your needs with the help of a real estate agent. There are a large number of retirees in Cumberland Cove, but I don't believe it is considered to be a retirement community. We've been told that there is a department store called Belks in Cookeville that is similar to Macy's. Good luck in your search for that special place in Tennessee.

There are several Macy's in Nashville which is just over an hour west of Cookeville. (Your wife might enjoy the one at the Mall of Green Hills in Nashville, it's a more upscale mall, and rumors are flying that either Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's is coming to that mall soon.) Belk is a nice department store although it's no Macy's. Still, your wife might consider it a good alternative to Macy's for her regular shopping. And it's always fun to go spend a day in Nashville for the times when she just HAS to go to Macy's.

As far as living in Cumberland Cove with kids, I'm sure there are people who do it, but I don't think there are many. And if you do have kids, it's important to live in the Putnam County portion of CC since the closest schools (Monterey) are in Putnam County. Putnam County's schools are excellent, but they're getting pretty strict these days about not allowing out-of-county kids into their schools.

[Jamison]

Fabulous posts everyone, thank you!! Btw, just want to let jguillot, hiknapster, and JMT know that I've been reading all of your posts on City Data for two weeks and have completely enjoyed them. You've all generously contributed a wealth of helpful and humorous information, which I think is great. :-)

jguillot: 350 homes already completed, and on approx. 8,000 acres??? So gorgeous!! And that's 350 more than I thought was actually there. (LOL)

Just so happens that Belk is one of my favorite stores, too - Macy's first, Dillard's second, then Belk..... Um, k (red face), THIS is a tad embarrassing! (now you know about my dependence on retail) Well see, post Katrina life has me totally bummed out and, therefore, I've sort of developed this habit of shopping when I'm upset/angry/blue which, unfortunately, happens quite frequently as of late so..... SIGH. Okay I'll admit it, everything you guys/gals said about shopping was music to my ears!!! (btw, who is the guy, who is the gal?? I know jguillot is a guy!)

Very, very helpful info about schools JMT, THANK YOU!! Putnam it is.


J

[TheShadow]

I just returned from my exploratory trip to Tenn also. Yes it was hot, but we are going to be 104 here in Sacramento today, and all weekend, so even with the humidity in Tenn, it was not much worse than here in that respect. And I know that this is out of the norm for Tenn, it's totally normal for Sacramento at State Fair time.
We had a great trip, I just wish we had longer to stay and maybe a local to show us around. We went from Atlanto to Chattanooga, to Tellico Village (Near Loudon and Lenoir City) and then to Knoxville, Gatlinbug, Maryville and back to Atlanta. We spent time with a realtor in Tellico Village and we saw some great homes in our price range. I know that a golf/lake community is out of some people's budget, but for us it will be perfect. It was just lovely, nicely paved roads, with lots of cul de sacs. Many homes had either lake or golf course views, and there is access to the lake and plenty of boatsips at the various marinas. We wish we could afford waterfront, but then we'd just sit on the porch eating top ramen, cuz' we'd be too poor to buy a boat or travel.
We thought the Maryville area was just lovely, and the drive through there was so pretty. The mountains were pretty and we wish we had time to relax and enjoy them, but this was a fact finding trip and we only had so much time. We did enjoy Ruby Falls and Rock City. I will post pics later on a new thread.

[hiknapster]

Hey Jamison! Thanks for being so nice. Lately, I've felt like people don't want me to post, or they take what I say the wrong way, so I haven't bothered much.

Anyway...

I'm a woman!

And I think Belk is okay. It really is, but I prefer Dillard's. I really like the store. Like JMT says, it's not Macy's, but honestly, I have found some incredible deals there. I bought a pair of Frye boots that originally were $230 for $30, or something close to that. I buy most of my stuff there. My husband just bought a Ralph Lauren shirt for about $25.

Unfortunately, I think Dillard's is not doing very well, if you read the business news, so I guess that is why they have the rock-bottom prices. I hope they stay in business. I'll do my part and shop 'til I drop!

I hope my post cheered you up!