Where should I go? (Knoxville, Kingsport: house, employment, transfer to)

[CountryKitty654]

Hey guys, how is everyone? This is my very 1ST post anywhere on the net. I found this forum while trying to research TN. Currently live in Rhode Island and looking to relocate in near future. I was looking into Knoxville but started reading the postings for the Tri-city area which sounds fantastic. I work for Dunkin Donuts now(any of those down there?) but am a cook by trade. I plan to go to bartending school soon and will be working as one when I move. Some people dream of being a Doc or Lawyer, I dream of tending bar! I'm looking for an area in TN that has reasonalbly mild weather with very little snow(I get plenty of that in RI!). Any suggestions?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by CountryKitty654

Hey guys, how is everyone? This is my very 1ST post anywhere on the net. I found this forum while trying to research TN. Currently live in Rhode Island and looking to relocate in near future. I was looking into Knoxville but started reading the postings for the Tri-city area which sounds fantastic. I work for Dunkin Donuts now(any of those down there?) but am a cook by trade. I plan to go to bartending school soon and will be working as one when I move. Some people dream of being a Doc or Lawyer, I dream of tending bar! I'm looking for an area in TN that has reasonalbly mild weather with very little snow(I get plenty of that in RI!). Any suggestions?

Atlanta area comes to mind. Bartending in this area doesn't pay what it does in a more metropolitan area. You may get more responses if you have this post moved to the Tri-Cities forum.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by CountryKitty654

Hey guys, how is everyone? This is my very 1ST post anywhere on the net. I found this forum while trying to research TN. Currently live in Rhode Island and looking to relocate in near future. I was looking into Knoxville but started reading the postings for the Tri-city area which sounds fantastic. I work for Dunkin Donuts now(any of those down there?) but am a cook by trade. I plan to go to bartending school soon and will be working as one when I move. Some people dream of being a Doc or Lawyer, I dream of tending bar! I'm looking for an area in TN that has reasonalbly mild weather with very little snow(I get plenty of that in RI!). Any suggestions?

There are very few Dunkin Donuts down here for now, but I've been reading that DD really wants to expand here. As SMG said, Atlanta would be a good place.

I'd also like to recommend the Nashville area. Nashville newspapers are reporting that Dunkin Donuts plans on invading the Nashville market with a bunch of new stores. Nashville has very mild weather (less snow than the Tri Cities) and because it's a very young city (lots of Yuppies) it's got a gazillion high-end bars where bartenders make very good wages. The trade-off is the cost of housing in Nashville is a bit higher than in the Tri Cities, but the employment possibilities are a lot better.

I'm not trying to take anything away from the Tri Cities, however. I do know of a couple of bartenders in Nashville who make a pile of cash every weekend, so that's really why I'm pushing Nashville. The Tri Cities area is certainly gorgeous, though. You should just come on down and see for yourself!

[Beretta]

I should have mentioned Nashville. You are right on JMT!

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by CountryKitty654

Hey guys, how is everyone? This is my very 1ST post anywhere on the net. I found this forum while trying to research TN. Currently live in Rhode Island and looking to relocate in near future. I was looking into Knoxville but started reading the postings for the Tri-city area which sounds fantastic. I work for Dunkin Donuts now(any of those down there?) but am a cook by trade. I plan to go to bartending school soon and will be working as one when I move. Some people dream of being a Doc or Lawyer, I dream of tending bar! I'm looking for an area in TN that has reasonalbly mild weather with very little snow(I get plenty of that in RI!). Any suggestions?

Welcome to the forum Countrykitty!
On one hand I agree with JMT and SMG but I do have to add that the Tri-Cities might just meet your needs. TC do not have DD but we do have Krispy Kream, Kingsport has the main branch. There are a lot of places in the Tri-Cities that you could bar tend such as : Out Back, Cheddars, Chop House, Johnny Carino's and many other of those national chains that do have bar tenders. There are also a few bars and night clubs. Now, you might not make as much as a bar tender or find a position as easily as in a place like Atlanta but if you like working in the restaurant/club industry, there are opportunities here in the Tri-Cities. But you would need to come and visit and see for yourself if this is the area for you.
Maybe if you told us a bit more of what you are looking for in a new "home town" we could give you some more specific suggestions?

[CountryKitty654]

It was so nice of you guys to respond so quickly, thanks! In response to mbmouse let's see what I can say for myself. I love outdoor hobbies like hiking and biking and sitting on my front porch with a few beers. I'm a pretty low maintaince and just like living the simple life. I live in a rural section of RI and love the privacy but can't stand the cold and snow. I have 2 Coonhounds that I would rather run than go shopping, and it would be nice to be around people that actually know what a Coonhound is! Only one person I know in Rhoide Island has ever heard of those dogs and thats because he breeds them! While I wouldn't rule out a night club I would really love to work in a local sports bar or honky tonk. You know the kind of bar where "Joe" comes in every night after work and I know he's going to want a Bud Light. I clean up ok but am really a tomboy at heart. I seriously don't need to be rich, just need to be able to put food on my table and pay the bills. I am also vegetarian, have a teenage son, who will graduate this year. I don't know if he'll come with me but maybe. I can transfer to another DDs down there pretty easily which would start me off. Also ya know what bugs me about RI? I have lived in my house for 2yrs and have never met my neighbors(and I tried!) Sounds crazy but that's how people are around here. I would love a place where people wave to each other and say hi. Ok I'm going to stop now cause I could go on all day!

[vacation bound]

Welcome to the forum Countrykitty. I can't help you as far as info in moving, but I just had to tell you I had a coon hound growing up in NY. I have never seen another once since. Ours was a great dog and you just brought back some found memories. Good luck on your move. Let us know where you end up.

[tennessee pete]

franklin tennessee - upscale, growing, close to nashville

[Capt. Dan]

I think you are more likely to get to know your neighbors up around Tri Cities than in Nashville. Just remember there are still "dry" counties in Tennessee. Good luck and welcome to Tennessee!

[knoxgarden]

Give Knoxville a visit. It may be the atmosphere you're looking for since you can live outside the city and be downtown in 15-20 minutes.
University of Tennessee "strip" on Cumberland Avenue keeps the bars pretty active. Lots of sports bars around and a good live music scene.
Also plenty of restaurants in town where you can probably get work as a cook, including a lot that do vegetarian. There is a Dunkin' Donuts and a couple of Krispy Kremes.
Check out the classifieds in Metropulse, the weekly newspaper. They usually have ads for cooks and bartenders plus info on bartending schools.
Metro Pulse Online
If you want to go further into the mountains, the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is always looking for help in your line. Major tourist area but I'm sure there are some local places, too.