Desparate (Elizabethton: apartments, rental, hotel)

[sonyads46]

I am thinking of relocating to tn but I'm not really familiar with the state. I need income based housing until I'm able to get on my feet and I'm currently looking for a job in the clerical field - Data Entry, Receptionist/Switchboard Operator, etc. Can you please give me some advise as I may be homeless within the next 2 or 3 days.

Thanks

[Serious Conversation]

Coming here from elsewhere with no employment, no plan, and knowing nothing about the area is a disaster waiting to happen. Please use whatever resources you have where you are now.

[lae60]

Jobs are very hard to come by in most areas of TN, and if given the choice they will hire someone they know before hiring a person that is new to the area. So it would be extra hard for you to get a job...even more so without a very high level, specialized skill that may be lacking in the area.

Try your local Salvation Army or Goodwill to see if they have housing or job training that you can access.

[Litefoot]

Good employees, One's that will show up, do a good days work are hard to come by. If you have a good work record, w/references you should not have a hard time finding work. My neighbors just moved here from Fl with no job, He was laid off from his job there. Both, he and his wife found better paying jobs on the first day out. Not the norm.. but they both had a good work records. He's in the industrial maintenance field and she is a nurse.

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

Coming here from elsewhere with no employment, no plan, and knowing nothing about the area is a disaster waiting to happen. Please use whatever resources you have where you are now.

I have to agree with this post. Our economy here is average and you may be able to get a job after weeks of looking, but it sounds like you don't have the resources to live for weeks without a check. Also most apartments require a large deposit, and moving vans are expensive. The fact that you know nothing about the area only makes it worse. There may be churches or other charities that may be able to help you where you are, or government services. If you are serious about moving here then you should save up some money for the move, and begin to look for a job before coming. That may be a better recipe for success. I hope you find a way out of your predicament. Good luck and God bless.

[NT Fellowship]

We moved to TN from WI. Sold all but absolute necessities to help pay for the trip; ate sandwiches along the way, and had to sleep in our truck a couple of the nights because we couldn't find available hotel rooms! That said, I can only tell you about the far Eastern TN area. In the Johnson city/Elizabethton area there's a lot of poor people who are very much in need. The Appalachian mountains have some of the neediest people in the US!
There is affordable housing in the area, and there are inexpensive ($350 p/month) 1 and 2-bedroom apts; some include washer & dryer. Most go at $550-$650 p/month. If you need more than 2 bedrooms, it really jumps up...$750-$1000 p/month isn't uncommon for a 3-bedroom apt or rental house. And yes, you will need a deposit of the same amount as rent.
There is a real compassion on the poor here, with numerous food and clothing pantries available through the churches and missions. I'd stay away from the Salvation Army for a place to stay though. If you have a child 12-16 years, they'll turn you away because they don't want to be responsible for pedophiles getting them. There are numerous stories about the Sally demanding your food stamps, etc. if you need to stay there. So I'd definitely look elsewhere.
AmeriCourt Hotel in Elizabethton, TN has rooms they'll rent on a weekly basis. Some of the poor around here stay there awhile till they can get on their feet. The hotel offers breakfast along with the room, which really helps. It is an older place, but they keep it pretty clean.
Beware when looking for work. Though TN is supposed to be a "right to work" state, many businesses require you to join a union. Some of the bigger stores require Sundays; though the smaller (family owned) businesses are often closed on Sundays.
God bless, sonyads46! If you make it to these parts, look us up! We're at the AmeriCourt on Sundays, 2pm for church service. There's always a common meal we share afterwards; all who come are welcome.