Is Jackson, Tennessee really that beatiful? (Knoxville, Lexington: homes, buying, live)

[Beretta]

Hi McMar! Maryville is about 20 minutes to Knoxville; you were close!

[McMar]

Originally Posted by SmokyMtnGal

Hi McMar! Maryville is about 20 minutes to Knoxville; you were close!

Hi SmokyMtnGirl! I suppose I misremembered because I always drove from North Knoxville to the Smokies to hike, then down to Maryville for one of those awesome Chicago deep dish pies, then back to Knoxville. Those were good days.

[DRD]

Originally Posted by perszona

I would like to move from SF to a not so expensive, beautiful place with mountains and water and lots of green, but not too far from a city. Someone told me Jackson is really gorgeous and inexpensive and is near Memphis. Is that true? Any other suggestions? Thanks...

If you're looking for beautiful in Tennessee look on the east side of the state over around Knoxville.

Just to the south of Knoxville you have little towns like Pigeon Forge, home of Dolly Parton and home to her theme park called Dollywood. Your also at the gateway to the Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg which is breathtaking. Gatlinburg has the feel of a small Swiss mountain village.

Jackson is a descent town in west Tennessee about 80 miles east of Memphis. They have good shopping, especially at the new Columns area of town but thats about it. Being close to Memphis is not necessarily a good thing, check out their info at www.citydata.com and judge for yourself.

Been in the south for ten years myself and have finally had enough and moving back up north this coming summer, but will continue to visit Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area for the rest of my life.

Visit these great towns online at
Gatlinburg Tennessee: Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains
Pigeon Forge Family Vacation Destination Guide – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
About Knoxville

Good luck on your move.

[Loonyliz]

Is Jackson beautiful? Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To some people Jackson is the perfect place. Others think it is the worst. There are Jobs ranging from Factories to retail to farming. Which brings us to what Jackson really is. For the people in between. Country or City? Why not both. Jackson is a mix of the two. With complete country or complete city with in a hour drive. No we don't have gorgeous mountains or lakes. You can get to them with in a half a day if you want to vacation. There are nice parks around town and fun things to do out side if that is what your looking for. If shopping is more your style than there are plenty of stores.
As for the crime. Its a city get used to crime. Let me know of one place where you won't find it. If your smart and have some sense than you can avoid trouble for the most part. I have lived here 17 years and never been robed, raped, or arrested. I live on "south side" which is considered the bad end of town, and just recently had my first ever problem. Someone trying to peek in windows late at night. Which was quickly taken care of by one simple call to the police.
Everyone on my street with the exception of two families have lived on this street for 10+ years. My family and everyone around us loves where we live. I was raised here. Many have raised there families here. The only reason I want to leave Jackson is because I want to explore new places. Really though Jackson has everything that I need. Every place has its flaws. So Jackson my have a few more than other places. PRO's and Con's. I say for me the pros out way the cons.

[livinitup28]

While I realize all of this was posted months ago, I just wanted to reply. I have lived in Jackson my entire life and I can't imagine wanting to live anywhere else. I have traveled many places and I prefer life here very much. Yes, Jackson has grown a lot in the last 10 years but I do not believe that has taken beauty or comfort away from Jackson. I think that Jackson is the best of both worlds. If you like upbeat life, live in North Jackson with its many shopping centers, restaurants, and subdivisions. If you like quiet, not-so-busy life, live in South Jackson or one of the many close surrounding areas such as Beech Bluff, Pinson, Henderson, etc. I live in a very secluded, private area that is definitely rural;however, I can drive 20 minutes and can eat in a variety of restaurants or shop at many different stores.

Also, traffic here is not very bad compared to other cities of its size. Rush hour is not even all that annoying.

As far as beauty, Tennessee is a beautiful state. Jackson does not have mountains or anything like that but in the Eastern and Southern areas of the city, we have fields and trees that go on for miles.

I love it here and I would recommend it to anyone no matter their tastes.

Also, just for comparison, Jackson is 100% better place than Memphis. Memphis is a lot more crowded and a lot more run down....not to mention their crime rate is sky high.

Jackson does, however, have its downfalls in a few neighborhoods that should be redone.....old houses that should be torn down, etc....but its qualities by far outweight its negative characteristics.

[TerrieK]

I am ABSOLUTELY ticked off and offended by the above "Honest" opinion left by one of the listers! I have lived in Jackson, Tennessee for the last 19 years and I can tell you that this is a GREAT city! I happen to live in Springbrook, a subdivision in the county that has five BEAUTIFUL lakes just about 2 miles away from lake Graham and just 15 minutes away from Beach Lake in Lexington (and only about 45 minutes from the Tennesse River...and We go and camp and canoe on the Buffalo River three times a year...it's also about 45 minutes away!) It's GREAT!! For it's size, Jackson is filled with many opportunities and things to do! You just have to get involved! I am an active member of the Jackson Theatre Guild and have performed in several plays and a member of the Arts Council which displays fine arts and crafts every month! We have a FABULOUS symphony, a ballet, and tons of musical venues such as the Rockabilly Hall of Fame! We are blessed with an overabundance of churches and church activities happening all the time! And, as far as restaurants go....we have MORE than our fair share!...We actually have an area that is known as restaurant row!...Tons of chain restaurants such as TJIfridays, TJMulligans, OCharleys, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, Chilis, ect...as well as home owned restaurants such as Baudos that has been in business for over 30 years (They also run our live stand up comedy club that is open every weekend!) While there is some crime in Jackson, (as there is in any city) it is mainly only in certain "bad" areas of town and I can honestly say I have NEVER been scared in this city! We are working very hard to bring people back into our downtown are with our downtown development project that has an open downtown fest the first weekend of evrey month and they are renovating the downtown buildings into loft apartments that are available to the public. While the traffic may be a hassel at times, I would remind people that this is because so many people from other surrounding smaller towns come here all the time to eat, shop and hang out! While we do not have mountains, we have beautiful rural areas (and that is what we started out as and are the most proud of!) Jackson, in my opinion, is the best of both worlds!....A small town feel that is just big enough to offer most emminities...and is close enough to the big cities that you can go there without any trouble if you desire....one hour from Memphis and about 2 hours to Nashville! I get to live in the country, but I am only about 15 minutes from the small city and more than close enough to the big city! I used to travel for a living and I made a desicion to call this city home because I love it! I went to college in Memphis and would NEVER live there! Jackson still feels like a southern home town!
Truly,
Terrie K

[Mike in TN]

Originally Posted by TerrieK

We are blessed with an overabundance of churches and church activities happening all the time

Some may not consider that a blessing.

We actually have an area that is known as restaurant row

Most cities do.

Tons of chain restaurants such as TJIfridays, TJMulligans, OCharleys, Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, Chilis, ect...as well as home owned restaurants such as Baudos that has been in business for over 30 years (They also run our live stand up comedy club that is open every weekend!)

The comedy club is unique, but all else can be found everywhere.

While there is some crime in Jackson...

Yeah, the FBI only listed it as like the 9th most dangerous city, per capita, in the US.

We are working very hard to bring people back into our downtown

Never gonna happen on a large scale.

[strumpeace]

I can't imagine being 'ticked off' and 'offended' at what some anonymous person wrote on an internet forum.

RE chain restaurants -- That's nothing to brag about. They're everywhere. That's why they're called chains. They're not unique. They don't make your town unique. Baudo's is great, though.

RE crime -- Jackson is consistently ranked among the FBI's most dangerous cities list. At times, Jackson has ranked as high as fifth.

RE downtown -- Jackson's leadership has made it clear that north Jackson, and now northeast Jackson, are the city's priorities for development. Downtown Jackson is an afterthought.

Too many exclamation points and lack of paragraph breaks make posts difficult to read, btw.

[CurtKaren]

Jackson is a great place. If you are sick of sitting in traffic, dealing with big city snobs and high real estate prices ... check this city out. AND nice quiet lakes with good fish ! ! We are new people from Texas but the low property taxes is what made we come look.

[ymp54]

Does anyone have any opinions of the Hardeman county, Henderson, Tennessee area? I am looking to relocate and trying to find a rural area to retire in. Thanks!