Etowah, Tenn? (Knoxville, Johnson City, Kingsport: low crime, good schools, university)

[outdoorman]

Anyone familiar with this town and the area?
I was talking to someone on the phone today who wanted to discuss
a potential job offer in pikeville area and said etowah was a great place to live and raise a family.
Can anyone describe the feel of the area--I mean what the people are like here?

[mbmouse]

Etowah....this is a tough one for me as it is very hard to explain the area and not have to follow the rules of the forum, then delete my own post! hahahahaha
Etowah USED to be a thriving town, many years ago the plants and industries up and moved out of there or closed down. I found it very dirty and behind times. I find it very interesting that the stats of thefts and burglaries are so high in a less than 3 square mile town. I guess desperate people will do desperate things? I will leave it at that.
Best bet is to always travel to a place and get a feel for it for yourself.

[Griffis]

mbmouse, I see that you are a big booster of Eastern Tennessee, which I have no doubt is gorgeous.

I'd like to ask some more questions about the area E. of Knoxville. In particular:

The "Johnson City/ Kingsport/ Bristol" triangle, Elizabethton and Erwin.

To sum up where I'm at:

I'm 38, with a wife and three children. I'm getting my masters degree in library science this December. I will be looking for a job at a public or university/college library.

We live in Oklahoma now and do not like the summer heat or the flat, boring landscape.

We want hills and mountains! Fresh water nearby. Cool summers and some snow in the winter. We love wood fires on a cold snowy night.

We want to avoid "dying" towns where industry, etc. has dried up, leaving poverty or desolation. We also are looking for good schools and low crime.

Cost of living and housing prices/availability would be helpful. General ballpark estimates for that area. We are not rich people, but I hope to make a good living. Any communities with strong library activity and support would be nice to hear about.

We are not very poltitcal, but would say pretty liberal. Not fans of Bush. We are also not very religious folks, but we admire small town values and atmosphere. We are good people who like to help those around them. Friendly.

We are not partiers and don't need a big nightclub or bar scene, but nice restaurants and shops would be nice.

We love the outdoors, camping, etc. Just being in the mountains or thick woods.

We also love traditional music and are interested in things like farmer's produce markets, craft fairs, music festivals, etc. But we don't want to be in a lot of hustle and bustle either. Rural living, near to a good sized city. Or outskirts of town, sort of thing.

I know this is a lot of questions, but I'd love for you to try to sell me on E. Tenn.! Sounds friendly and beautiful.

Thanks so much!

[mbmouse]

Hello again Griffis,
I won't say I am a "booster" of East TN, I just answer a lot of the questions on here about East TN as that is what area I know the most about.
I answered your same questions on an earlier thread you posted labeled "A niche in E. Tennessee? " here on the Tennessee site on 8-31.
I would still give you the same info, although, the more I think about it, you might want to also look hard at Jonesborough as they have not only a large library but they have the National Story Telling Center and host to a huge story telling festival every year.
Hope that helps!

[strivingmoon4]

Cool summers? I live in middle tennessee and most of the summer is very hot! Of course the winters are relatively mild. It is usually only really cold in January and February. I am origionally from Ohio so I really enjoy the weather here.