Need help with ideas. Moving to Tennessee. (Knoxville, Johnson City: transfer to, high schools)

[Sfinn]

My son and I are relocating to Tennessee. I will be transferring through work. There are facilities in Sevierville Bristol Morristown Johnson City that I could transfer to. I've plenty of research on the places but hear tons of misleading information on city data. I'm a single parent looking for a area with good schools close to the mountains but close to a grocery store. I rarely go out. No need for a place that has clubs. A good safe place to raise my son. We would like to have snow. Thank you for your time

[DubbleT]

I'm not that familiar with Morristown or Sevierville, but both Bristol and Johnson City could fulfill those needs, giving the edge to JC for the schools.
Tennessee High in BRISTOL, TN | Best High Schools | US News
Science Hill High in JOHNSON CITY, TN | Best High Schools | US News

[llsmith42]

Johnson city is the largest city you listed, and is a college town.

Sevierville is a resort town will have the worst traffic.

All cities probably receive similar snowfall, with the least in Morristown.

[jabogitlu]

Morristown is not that great of a place, to be honest. I mean, it is what it is: if you're forced to be there, it's not awful. But I would pick any of the other 3 places.

Bristol City Schools and Johnson City Schools are going to be the best for your child. Sevierville is fairly close to the Smokey Mountains, but Johnson City and Bristol are within striking distance of Roan Mountain and equally excellent facilities as the Smokeys without the massive amount of tourism that Sevier County receives. If you're looking for a quieter community, I would choose Bristol or Johnson City.

(My totally biased opinion: pick Johnson City. It's the best of the bunch.)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Morristown is not that great of a place, to be honest. I mean, it is what it is: if you're forced to be there, it's not awful. But I would pick any of the other 3 places.

Bristol City Schools and Johnson City Schools are going to be the best for your child. Sevierville is fairly close to the Smokey Mountains, but Johnson City and Bristol are within striking distance of Roan Mountain and equally excellent facilities as the Smokeys without the massive amount of tourism that Sevier County receives. If you're looking for a quieter community, I would choose Bristol or Johnson City.

(My totally biased opinion: pick Johnson City. It's the best of the bunch.)

Agreed on all counts. My first pick would also be Johnson City (by far), followed by Bristol, then Sevierville, and Morristown in a distant last place.

[Sfinn]

Thank you for your responses. Amen friend of mine said there isn't much to do in Bristol except NASCAR. My son is 7. We love the outdoors but I know he will want some kid fun. I know sevierville is tourist. Is there anything else kid friendly in Johnson city or Bristol. Anybody know of before school and after school programs. I found out that there is a facility in Knoxville. I don't want to live there but is there any areas around Knoxville with the same criteria

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by Sfinn

My son and I are relocating to Tennessee. I will be transferring through work. There are facilities in Sevierville Bristol Morristown Johnson City that I could transfer to. I've plenty of research on the places but hear tons of misleading information on city data. I'm a single parent looking for a area with good schools close to the mountains but close to a grocery store. I rarely go out. No need for a place that has clubs. A good safe place to raise my son. We would like to have snow. Thank you for your time

There is a lot to do in Sevier County and the Mountains are right there, however as others have said the tourist traffic can be awful. You say you would like snow, well the snowiest part of Tennessee in up toward the Tri Cities, so Bristol and Johnson City would fulfill that need. None of the towns on your list are bad places, they all have their pros and cons.

[Rangerred]

Johnson City or Bristol would be your best bet but I'd give the nod to Johnson City. Great schools and right next to the mountains. There is the Hands On Regional Museum and the Gray Fossil Site and Museum that would be great for kids along with Bright's Zoo. There is minor league baseball in the Johnson City Cardinals along with Division I college sports at ETSU.

Bristol is only about 30 minutes from Johnson City but the schools aren't quite as good. Can't comment on schools in Sevierville or Morristown but Sevierville is a major tourist trap with horrible traffic and Morristown sort of seems like an older run-down factory town.

[RestArea]

I vote for Johnson City. I wouldn't wish Sevierville on my worst enemy. Well, actually, I might.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Sfinn

Thank you for your responses. Amen friend of mine said there isn't much to do in Bristol except NASCAR. My son is 7. We love the outdoors but I know he will want some kid fun. I know sevierville is tourist. Is there anything else kid friendly in Johnson city or Bristol. Anybody know of before school and after school programs. I found out that there is a facility in Knoxville. I don't want to live there but is there any areas around Knoxville with the same criteria

I would vote for Johnson City as it is 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Sevierville when you want the things there. It is easy to go to Ashville, NC from Johnson City as well. I live in Sevier County, but in a rural community and avoid Sevierville and Pigeon Forge like the plague except for a visit to a specific business, etc.