When I was looking to buy a home... my wife and I spent some time there.
We do not have the same concerns as you.. were in our pre-retirement years, and the kids (4)are almost all gone. However we did notice the area is in transition. Etowah has heavy industry, and that can be a distraction for some and the downtown area seemed empty. Lots of vacancies.
The area is very affordable, and is a small town with small town flavor. I like the outlying area much better. I do not know about the schools. Hunting and fishing is very popular with the locals.
I would stay in the area before making my mind up. There isn't (in my mind) a "bad" area in East Tennessee, but Etowah did not make my short list.
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Etowah area
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