Loved Our Tn Vacation - Cookeville/Crossville! (Monterey: new house, neighborhoods)

[Lucky Eddy]

Originally Posted by JMT

One of the things Crossville is beginning to experience is what many Florida retirement communities are experiencing: all those retirees who move to town love the low tax rate and absolutely do not want an increase in their property taxes even for schools. Since they have no children in the local schools, they're often don't see the need to give more of their own money to the school system. I've seen it happen over and over in Florida, and I fear the same thing is beginning to happen in Crossville.

I guess taxes is something people will debate about forever. I have lived in Florida now for over 6 years, and have never had a say on how much our taxes will be for schools. The school board and county commissioners decide what the schools need for the year and the taxes reflect that amount. If a new building needs to be built, its funded into the taxes. When I lived in Ohio, the voters had a say. We voted on bond levies, operational levies, etc. Sometimes a levy would be on the ballot many times before approved by the voters, and it wasn't a retirement area.

As far as retirement communities, usually they add to the tax base without taking a seat in the classroom. No new classrooms or teachers are needed for housing taken up by seniors. And if the schools invite the seniors to be active in the schools, like helping in the classrooms, and also offer something for the seniors, like night classes on computers, the seniors support the school taxes. I know LOML, who's still certified to teach K-8 in Ohio would love to volunteer at a school if we were in TN. She has subbed here in Florida.

I read where there may be a wheel tax ($25?) in Cumberland County to support the schools. Seems like a band-aid fix, and too small of a band-aid. Might as well bite the bullet and do it right by property tax increases. Do the voters decide on property tax increases in TN?

[firepower]

Originally Posted by Lucky Eddy

I guess taxes is something people will debate about .

Do the voters decide on property tax increases in TN?

Not in Cookeville we don't.The city council or county commission votes in a property tax increase & it's a done deal.

Don't know if anyone else in TN gets to vote on it...


firepower

[Pam& Bill]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

Just left Cookeville, on the way to tour the tricity area. We are temporarily in Loudon cuz of full hotel rooms between Knoxville and Bristol due to the nascaar race this weekend, and the biker HOG thing in Knoxville. However, we did spend a day in Cookeville....and I must say......we will be back. It is everything you folks say. Lots of community and college pride. It is clean, friendly, gorgeous, and just plain great. The TTech campus is pristine. We did not spend nearly enough time there. The tricities area has a new standard to beat!!! We also went to Crossville, but we didn't feel it "spoke" to us like Cookeville did. We hope to make some time on the way back home to spend more time in Cookeville. It is one of only two cities so far in our retirement search that both hubby and I liked completely and felt good vibes in.
As an aside, to those who are near/in Dandridge, we had hands down the BEST pulled pork sandwiches we have EVER had anywhere at a litte place with smokey in the name. I feel awful not to remember the complete name. Very nice place, cute, cozy, country. Just fantastic. We are sooo enjoying our time in TN. We had not considered this fine state before being tempted by many of your postings here. Thank you sooooo much for opening our eyes and your hearts to us.

It is called "Smokey's" and it does have the best pulled pork, and BBQ all the way around. Spring and summer sitting on the porch is a favorite thing for us to do. Going to eat at Smokey's is a real treat.

[SKYSEA]

Originally Posted by jguillot

Hi Robbied,

My wife and I were there in August and we bought property as well, in Cumberland Cove. We will be doing the same as you, hanging on to our property and building later. You are right about the area. It does have many things to do and see. It is a beautiful area. We can't wait either!

My wife and I just purchased property off of Bear Creek Road near Paren Road near the 136. Is there a name for this area of Putnam County just north of Cookville such as Cumberland Cove? We're in Southern California now and will be moving in three years to build our dream home in a dream area. We too are absolutely enthralled with the beauty of the area and the people. Can't wait!!!!!

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by SKYSEA

My wife and I just purchased property off of Bear Creek Road near Paren Road near the 136. Is there a name for this area of Putnam County just north of Cookville such as Cumberland Cove? We're in Southern California now and will be moving in three years to build our dream home in a dream area. We too are absolutely enthralled with the beauty of the area and the people. Can't wait!!!!!

This area is between Bangham and Post Oak, so I am not sure if it is called by either. The closest area there with a common name is Algood. From what I gather, Algood has some of the best schools around and in fact many people in Putnam county have moved in that area just so their kids can attend school there.

Hope that helps some

[SKYSEA]

Thanks for the info. Just counting the days to get out of the rat race in So. California and get to Cookeville where people treat people with courtesy and respect. Believe me, I sure won't ever try to say to anyone, "Well, back where we come from, we do it this way." We want to leave it in the dust

[2mares]

Hilltopper
Dont know where you got that info. From what I hear Algood had to cut their Kindergarden program this year. Algood and Cookeville are pretty much the same place so you maybe thinking of Cookeville schools.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by 2mares

Hilltopper
Dont know where you got that info. From what I hear Algood had to cut their Kindergarden program this year. Algood and Cookeville are pretty much the same place so you maybe thinking of Cookeville schools.

I have heard this from the many people that I know who live in this general area. Here is a link that according to this site claims Algood schools rate fairly high. As to their kindergarten, I was unaware of this.

http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...school/tn/2495

While Algood and Cookeville are in close proximity, they are two distinctively different places with their own governments and services. As shown on this particular map, the OP's location seems to be located in what is called Oak Park Estates. However, I believe this area to be Putnam county and neither Algood or Cookeville.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Bear+C...i=map&ct=title

[2mares]

I have heard this from the many people that I know who live in this general area. Here is a link that according to this site claims Algood schools rate fairly high. As to their kindergarten, I was unaware of this.

Intersting site. Didnt seem like the parents rating was as high as the states. There were signs and meeting all over about the kindergarden situation. I honestly dont know how the Elementary school is in Algood, but I know the town is very small and kids go to the Cookeville High School.

However, I believe this area to be Putnam county and neither Algood or Cookeville.

Thats true. And techically they are completely different, but physically you wouldnt know when you left one and entered the other.

[redbeardslady]

Originally Posted by SKYSEA

My wife and I just purchased property off of Bear Creek Road near Paren Road near the 136. Is there a name for this area of Putnam County just north of Cookville such as Cumberland Cove? We're in Southern California now and will be moving in three years to build our dream home in a dream area. We too are absolutely enthralled with the beauty of the area and the people. Can't wait!!!!!

Yupp..right there with you. We're from SoCal also, Huntington Beach to be exact. I've lived here since 1973 and I never thought I'd say this but I can't wait to leave this Rat Race... My hubby and I bought some property in Quebec, outside of Sparta. I think about it daily; the beautiful hills and peaceful surroundings. I'm not sure if we'll build on it at that time, since its a little out of the way, and I'm not sure how I'll adjust to that drastic a change, but at least it sounds like there are a few of us countrylife newbies, so it should be fun.