Driving down to check out East TN next week. What towns to visit? (Knoxville: real estate)

[PaJohn]

The wife and I are checking out places to retire. Our focus at this point is to check out the area and get a feel for what's available. Will be driving down to spend 4-5 days later next week just driving thru eastern TN and Western NC. We are looking for small towns that have nice shopping main streets, decent restaurants, yet close to medical facilities and not too far from cultural centers like Asheville. Also need decent sized mall within 30 minutes or so. So far our short list of towns to visit includes Elizabethton, Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Rogersville. Any other towns that we should include on our list.
Also, not sure were we will be staying yet. Prefer quaint, small inns or B&B's. Any recommendations?
Thanks

[insanesmooch]

Not sure if you want to come out further than Elizabethton, but there are several B&Bs on Hwy 67 toward Mountain City.

[klosk]

Look into Oak Ridge. Nice town, modern, I understand the Hospital is great, intelligent people, mall,theatre yet a small town of about 57,000. It is a strong consideration for us. Real Estate is cheap compared to where we live in Albuquerque.

[tresfolkie]

Maryville, Tennessee, is very popular for retirees. Great hospital network, very close to the Smoky Mountains, 30 minutes from Knoxville, where there's lots of great shopping of the locally owned AND major brand stores variety. Plus, Maryville's downtown is really growing with bars, restaurants and condos. And the cultural activies in downtown Knoxville--like touring Broadway plays, great nationally known musicians at the Tennessee and Bijou theaters, and cool eateries with unique cuisine--is just 25-30 minutes away. It's the best of both worlds.

[mbmouse]

I think you are looking in the right places. There are many B&B's in the Jonesborough area. I will send you a PM with a link for many B&B's in the area.

[TNGal]

I highly recommend Maryville. Close, easy commute to Knoxville for when you need city-type things. Maryville has excellent medical facilities and some great restaurants -- ask around on that one. Maryville is the only small town with the type of growth that would be attractive to someone from out-of-state. Enjoy your move!

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by klosk

Look into Oak Ridge. Nice town, modern, I understand the Hospital is great, intelligent people, mall,theatre yet a small town of about 57,000. It is a strong consideration for us. Real Estate is cheap compared to where we live in Albuquerque.

Oak Ridge only has between 27,000 and 28,000 people and the mall (supposedly under development) is nothing right now. Also there is no downtown area. There are a slew of stores but they are all spread out. If you are used to going to another town to shop at a mall or visit a "downtown" area then you might like it. If you are coming from a big city, and are used to a downtown area, I don't think you would like it. I think everything is in Oak Ridge you need, it's just not centralized. You could not live there without a car.