planning a trip to tennessee (Memphis, Knoxville: rent, neighbourhood, buying)

[california_leavin]

Ive been looking to get out of California and Ive narrowed it down to ether Tennessee or Southern Indiana. But first I plan to visit first to get an idea of the place. Where would be some good places to go in Chattanooga? Ive heard some nice things about that part of Tennessee how often do you have to worry about flooding in Chattanooga?

As far as summers I can handle hot muggy summers, but hows the winter? How often does it snow there? I do also plan to visit Nashville and Memphis. Also where in Tennessee would be the best place to have a garden and water well? Im sure the closer to the mississippi river the better but Im sure the closer to the mississippi river the better chance of flooding?

Im planning a trip pretty soon to Tennessee first to see how it is before moving there. Ive thought of Jackson Tennessee but I dont think I would want to live much closer to the mississippi river. If I do move to Tennessee my dad and his girlfriend would be moving there too. His girlfreind is hispanic so I would need to find places close to Nashville, Chattanooga that would be accepting of mixed race relationships.

Also my dad is vegetarian, how hard is it for a vegetarian to live in Tennessee? I myself feel that God made a place for animals, and thats right by the mashed potatoes. Sorry if Im offending animal rights groups. I feel that what a person eats smokes drinks is there buisness which probably makes me liberal.

If we do move to Tennesse we would want it more out in the country we would want to be in a neighbourhood where Babe Ruth could throw a rock and not hit the neighbours house. I was thinking of Indiana. I would be ok with getting used to Indiana winters, but I think the winters in Tennessee would be easier on my dad and his girlfriend. Also what are the smog laws in Tennessee?

I really do look forward to visiting Tennessee. Is Tennesse a good place if you like bluegrass because I love bluegrass, folk music is nice to. The only thing I would miss in California is the ocean, but if I never see an ocean again I would be ok with that. Im sure there are plenty of lakes and rivers to swim in in Tennessee.

[009811]

Man, no southern Indiana, you would better to find Tennessee is better than there.

I am not sure about Winter, it may have some snow in west Tennesssee, the lowest probaley 30\40, but it won't last very long (2 weeks). The east tennessee may be a little bit longer.

For summer, you would find that TN is very hot (usually 90, 100) in summer, no doubt. It won't like Northern Calfironia that it usually 50\60s in July/June (THIS IS NOT SUMMER....)

[willow wind]

Tennessee is a long state with three distinct regions- eastern, middle and western. They are all different from each other. You should do more research on the state and discover what each area has to offer.

Summers can be hot, with the Memphis area I'd say the hottest and longest summer and the eastern mountains the coolest with a warm to hot, though not terribly long summer. Snowfall obviously is greater the higher you go in the mountains. But overall snowfall is not a lot anywhere in the state and snow does not stay on the ground long. Memphis statistically has abut 5", Chattanoga maybe 4" on average..

The western part of the state is part of tornado alley, so you should be aware of that. As for a garden and a well- you can have a garden anywhere. Good growing season. Wells are very common place anywhere there is not city water- which is a lot of places. The further on the outskirts of a town or city you go, the more likely you'll find wells.

As for being a vegetarian- I don't understand your question-no one anywhere in the country forces any one to eat meat. If you don't want to eat meat- don't. No one cares.

Yes, you'll find bluegrass and other country music. I think you'd find Tennessee more congenial overall than Indiana.

If you're worried about flooding than don't buy or rent in low lying areas, bottom land or near rivers, streams, etc. Live on high ground not prone to flooding. This is due diligence on your part before moving in or buying.

Good luck

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by california_leavin

If we do move to Tennesse we would want it more out in the country we would want to be in a neighbourhood where Babe Ruth could throw a rock and not hit the neighbours house. I was thinking of Indiana. I would be ok with getting used to Indiana winters, but I think the winters in Tennessee would be easier on my dad and his girlfriend. Also what are the smog laws in Tennessee?

I really do look forward to visiting Tennessee. Is Tennesse a good place if you like bluegrass because I love bluegrass, folk music is nice to. The only thing I would miss in California is the ocean, but if I never see an ocean again I would be ok with that. Im sure there are plenty of lakes and rivers to swim in in Tennessee.

Not sure if you are going to Indiana or Tennessee,
Winters in Indiana may be more intense than winters in Tennessee but they are prepared for it with much in the way of snow removal equipment and salting trucks , i was in Nashville shortly after new years this year and a half inch snowfall had the city almost shut down as hundreds of cars with nothing more than summer tires were sliding off roads and having so many accidents many roads were closed for some time.

[california_leavin]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Not sure if you are going to Indiana or Tennessee,
Winters in Indiana may be more intense than winters in Tennessee but they are prepared for it with much in the way of snow removal equipment and salting trucks , i was in Nashville shortly after new years this year and a half inch snowfall had the city almost shut down as hundreds of cars with nothing more than summer tires were sliding off roads and having so many accidents many roads were closed for some time.

I was going to go to Indiana but my dad and his girlfriend would be living where Im going to.I know they would hate Indiana winters as they are in their 50's and 60s. So Im just going to narrow it down to Tennessee. Snowfall here in Northern california would shut down the town for a while too.

[jambo101]

Most people who for some reason cant stand winter usually move to Florida, particularly the Tampa area.

[california_leavin]

Thank you for the replys I will be leaving for Tennessee tomorrow morning.For months Ive been planning atleast a trip to learn more about Tennessee. I feel I've learned all I can off the internet. So far the weather is almost the same there as here minus the humidity.

In the summer here in California so far its been 100-110 last winter it averaged mid-upper 30s a few nights in the 20s. I understand though 105 and 20% humidity and 105 95% humidity is like night and day.I spent a summer in Sarasota Florida without Air conditioning though and I did ok. I expect Tennessee could be a little worse as it doesnt have the gulf of mexico to keep the weather cooler.

As for willow wind I dont care what a person eats drinks or smokes thats their buisness.The reason I ask about vegetarian is I know some places that is seen as being too liberal. From what Ive read though the middle of Tennessee Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga seem to be the perfect part of Tennessee for me. I do plan to keep other places in Tennessee in mind.

[willow wind]

California_leavin

Your family member who doesn't eat meat will be fine in TN. Never in my life have I have ever had anyone equate being a vegetarian with being liberal. Very weird. That is strange. I know very conservative people who don't eat meat. Nashville, by the way, is a blue island in a red state.

I wonder if that has to do with attitude rather than lifestyle ? Example, if someone goes off on a no meat rant if they are eating with meat eaters than that can be more than rude I would think. Or someone makes it part of their personna, such as " Hi', I'm Mike, I don't eat meat." That too can be weird. But really, for the great majority of people, it's just not a topic of conversation or thought.

In fact, eating healthy food is popular in TN. Both Nashville & Chattanooga have Whole Food stores and there are plenty of organic farmers and organic farmers' markets.

I think you'll truly enjoy TN- check out the Johnson City area in far northeast TN too when you visit Knoxville.

[Leonard64]

Originally Posted by california_leavin

Ive been looking to get out of California and Ive narrowed it down to ether Tennessee or Southern Indiana. But first I plan to visit first to get an idea of the place. Where would be some good places to go in Chattanooga? Ive heard some nice things about that part of Tennessee how often do you have to worry about flooding in Chattanooga?

As far as summers I can handle hot muggy summers, but hows the winter? How often does it snow there? I do also plan to visit Nashville and Memphis. Also where in Tennessee would be the best place to have a garden and water well? Im sure the closer to the mississippi river the better but Im sure the closer to the mississippi river the better chance of flooding?

Im planning a trip pretty soon to Tennessee first to see how it is before moving there. Ive thought of Jackson Tennessee but I dont think I would want to live much closer to the mississippi river. If I do move to Tennessee my dad and his girlfriend would be moving there too. His girlfreind is hispanic so I would need to find places close to Nashville, Chattanooga that would be accepting of mixed race relationships.

Also my dad is vegetarian, how hard is it for a vegetarian to live in Tennessee? I myself feel that God made a place for animals, and thats right by the mashed potatoes. Sorry if Im offending animal rights groups. I feel that what a person eats smokes drinks is there buisness which probably makes me liberal.

If we do move to Tennesse we would want it more out in the country we would want to be in a neighbourhood where Babe Ruth could throw a rock and not hit the neighbours house. I was thinking of Indiana. I would be ok with getting used to Indiana winters, but I think the winters in Tennessee would be easier on my dad and his girlfriend. Also what are the smog laws in Tennessee?

I really do look forward to visiting Tennessee. Is Tennesse a good place if you like bluegrass because I love bluegrass, folk music is nice to. The only thing I would miss in California is the ocean, but if I never see an ocean again I would be ok with that. Im sure there are plenty of lakes and rivers to swim in in Tennessee.

I am a CA refugee as well. I lived in No Indiana. Don't do it. Come here to beautiful Eastern, TN.

[Leonard64]

Originally Posted by willow wind

California_leavin

Your family member who doesn't eat meat will be fine in TN. Never in my life have I have ever had anyone equate being a vegetarian with being liberal. Very weird. That is strange. I know very conservative people who don't eat meat. Nashville, by the way, is a blue island in a red state.

I wonder if that has to do with attitude rather than lifestyle ? Example, if someone goes off on a no meat rant if they are eating with meat eaters than that can be more than rude I would think. Or someone makes it part of their personna, such as " Hi', I'm Mike, I don't eat meat." That too can be weird. But really, for the great majority of people, it's just not a topic of conversation or thought.

In fact, eating healthy food is popular in TN. Both Nashville & Chattanooga have Whole Food stores and there are plenty of organic farmers and organic farmers' markets.

I think you'll truly enjoy TN- check out the Johnson City area in far northeast TN too when you visit Knoxville.

I don't eat much meat. It is fu7nny when we are at a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings our meals. They always want to give me the steak and have to tell them that my wife is the carnivore and I am the herbivore.