Morristown, Tn. (Knoxville, Greeneville: violent crime, unemployment, neighborhoods)

[mommakj]

I am relocating to Morristown, TN. I need to know if any one knows good schools, hoods, what to stay away from etc.... I currently live in Northern Virginia.

[Tennesseestorm]

Hi Momma.... I have only went through Morristown a few times. Our main objective of going was to visit the local NWS (National Weather Service) office in Morristown. I do remember going along the main stretch - seems like a nice little town.... I remember West 1st North St. - for some reason, that street sign stuck in my head.

[NCTNOH]

you need to be more specific to get any answers. Rent, buy? Price? Country, city? Subdivision? Farm? Age of children? Religious preferences? public school, private? Are you planning to stay here for a while or just passing through? That is, do you need property to resell?

[sogapeach]

I am also looking to relocate to the Morristown area. Did you receive any information on areas to live and schools to attend. I will be moving within the next 4 weeks and I am trying to find out as much information as possible.

[bbkaren]

I was under the impression it was a bit of a rough area, for some reason. I don't know details but I recall being told that...?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

I was under the impression it was a bit of a rough area, for some reason. I don't know details but I recall being told that...?

I agree. I've never lived in Morristown, but I've been through there quite a bit. It's in a nice setting and has some nice neighborhoods. But as a town, it seems kind of run-down and gritty compared to other towns in the area, particularly nearby Greeneville which seems much cleaner. If I had a job in Morristown, I'd probably rather live in Greeneville and commute.

[tsimmu]

I haven't ever heard of Morristown being called a "rough area" -- perhaps what they meant was "rough around the edges" meaning mostly country folk as opposed to those accustomed to more urban forward-thinking areas. For the most part, I hear good things. Very convenient to Knoxville, too, for resources found only in larger communities.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

I haven't ever heard of Morristown being called a "rough area" -- perhaps what they meant was "rough around the edges" meaning mostly country folk as opposed to those accustomed to more urban forward-thinking areas. For the most part, I hear good things. Very convenient to Knoxville, too, for resources found only in larger communities.

For me, I consider Morristown to be "rough" because the town just isn't very attractive. It's dirty, gritty, very industrial. I don't think it's any more or less "country" than other towns which are nicer. I really do think Greeneville is much more attractive than Morristown. It's as if the people of Morristown decided about 40 years ago that they just didn't care how nice the town looked, they just wanted more and more factories. And now with such a huge Hispanic population in Morristown (overwhelmingly poor Hispanics) the town really is quite a bit different from the rest of East Tennessee.

[bbkaren]

Hmmm... I specifically recall someone I know from TN telling me "you don't want to live there" but can't remember why. Sorry if I've steered wrong!

[bbkaren]

Okay, according to the "other" site, both property and violent crime are a 6 compared to the US average which is a 3.

They have a large (16%) hispanic population and according to the comments I've read, many of them are illegal aliens.

I also read complaints about an hour or more commute to get decent jobs and local jobs all requiring spanish speaking employees.

Unemployment is 6% vs. US average of 4.6%, and 24.65% of their households have an income of $15,000 or less.

Just doesn't paint an encouraging picture.