I LOVE Eastern TENNESSEE! (Knoxville, Kingsport: home, live in, restaurants)

[Lookin4myMountain]

Originally Posted by sunnyhelena

Hi Lookin4Mtn--- I moved last year from Palm Beach Cty to Johnson City- do you have kids? This is beautiful country for them- we have an acre- and no HOA fees!- we looked at Greeneville too- a little further out -you could get more land there though. People are very polite, it's a little slower- but Johnson City is 50,000 population and it has some of the best hospitals- you should have no problem as a dental asst finding work. When we drove up it took 14 hours-lol- driving in a U-Haul with three shar-peis. Quite an experience.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
sunny

Hi, we have lived in Miami for over 25 years I am fed up with IT!!!! We are a family of four, five if you include are "A.D.D." dog Rocky...Ha,ha, ..we dream of leaving in the summer 2007, but I am too scared to leave my 13 year county job to work in walmart...I need a local truck driving job that pays the bills..any advice...thanks

[hiknapster]

Sunny Helena:

I understand having to leave an area for personal reasons! Absolutely!

I wish someone would have told me when I moved to Florida ten years ago. That's why I say the things that I do about Tennessee. I don't think that it's bad. Not at all. I'm just trying to give them the whole picture. I would think that people are on the site to get information.

The same thing happens on the Florida site. People ask "What's it like in Florida?" Scores of people warn people about the major pitfalls. Then these same people tell them "Oh no, you're wrong. It's not that bad."

Whay would you ask and why the heck would people lie?

We've had a lot of locals that have said don't change anything. What has been the response? "We'll do what we want to do." Then these same people will move out after paving, subdividing, changing the laws and running off the wildlife. They'll also make sure the wildlife is run off.

If you don't want honest answers, why are you here?

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Sunny Helena:

I understand having to leave an area for personal reasons! Absolutely!

I wish someone would have told me when I moved to Florida ten years ago. That's why I say the things that I do about Tennessee. I don't think that it's bad. Not at all. I'm just trying to give them the whole picture. I would think that people are on the site to get information.

The same thing happens on the Florida site. People ask "What's it like in Florida?" Scores of people warn people about the major pitfalls. Then these same people tell them "Oh no, you're wrong. It's not that bad."

Whay would you ask and why the heck would people lie?

We've had a lot of locals that have said don't change anything. What has been the response? "We'll do what we want to do." Then these same people will move out after paving, subdividing, changing the laws and running off the wildlife. They'll also make sure the wildlife is run off.

If you don't want honest answers, why are you here?

hiknapster- what is happening on the Florida forum is some people are defensive- you cant deny crime statistics and low paying jobs -it is a MAJOR issue for ANYONE in South Florida aged 29-45 (unless they have trust funds). It makes me angry because, young people will keep blowing their money moving down there, and finding out how truly bad the job market is. As someone mentioned Fl is no longer the dream it was in the 80's- SO true. I visited Key Biscayne in 1989- it was unspoiled and beautiful. Now it looks like midtown Manhattan.

As for TN, us "normal/unintrusive" yankees get a bad rep- when rude developers, or whoever move here- then the natives think we are ALL like that. I like the quiet- don't need to "CHANGE" anything. The people here are polite and have manners- something I never saw for 8 years in South Fl (then again I worked with attys-lol)

What really stinks, as I have read your posts also, is that people (anywhere) will have closed minds. One reason I am soooo happy to be out of Fl is I was tired of 2 things:

1. the "right to work state" mentality in the office- like if they dont like someones hairdo she gets fired

2. The keep up with the joneses- to a MAJOR extreme. In Boca everyone had the same Lexus SUV- so tiresome (my husband hated this, also- if we wanted that we would have stayed in NY)

Anyway hope that clarifies. I am diplomatic (sometimes to a fault) I think So Fl is going to get worse in the next 10 yrs (as far as job issues) and all the young college grads moving there are going to suffer for it, unless Daddy lives on Palm Beach. Just my 2 cents!!

sunny

[hiknapster]

I agree!

There are nice people that moved to Florida, saw the wretched excess, and decided it wasn't for them. They wanted a simpler life, so moved to Tenn. I'm sure those people are welcome!

But I also see folks that are complaining about the area. Too much wildlife, smoking, trailers, cars on blocks, junky cars driving around. It's killing their lifestyle! They simply do not want to LOOK at those things! It must be changed to suit their needs!

And anyone that thinks that this bunch can't ruin an entire state needs to look at "then" and "now" photos of Florida.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I agree!

There are nice people that moved to Florida, saw the wretched excess, and decided it wasn't for them. They wanted a simpler life, so moved to Tenn. I'm sure those people are welcome!

But I also see folks that are complaining about the area. Too much wildlife, smoking, trailers, cars on blocks, junky cars driving around. It's killing their lifestyle! They simply do not want to LOOK at those things! It must be changed to suit their needs!

And anyone that thinks that this bunch can't ruin an entire state needs to look at "then" and "now" photos of Florida.

lol- too much wildlife- (I prefer that to people!!!)

as for smoking- just stay out of bars, and restaurants where its not divided. This is a great area. No condo commandos. people with control issues should stay in Ft Lauderdale.

The only thing I didnt like (and it was minor) was at Texas Roadhouse- we celebrated buying our house (my husband is 48-lol) and when ordering drinks, the kid asked for ID- lol- not good business practice. I am trying to find good ethnic restaurants- heard there are some in Kingsport- tired of Chili's/Applebees chains, etc. Do you know of any?

[hiknapster]

Actually, I live in Knoxville. Subdivisions are going up constantly. Kingston Pike looks like Florida with hills. Miles and miles of cookie cutter homes, ENORMOUS traffic problem and tons of chain anything...stores, restaurants. I've yet to find any kind of locally owned restaurant.

The Floridians are definitely here. And there is more coming.

[hiknapster]

oh and they card EVERYBODY in Knoxville. It's the law. If your an 80-year-old and want to buy a six-pack you are going to get carded. Very strange.

[jmarkey]

I'm pretty sure Agave Azul (Mexican) and Altruda's (Italian) aren't chains. They're wonderful if you haven't been there yet. Tomato Head is locally owned, but it didn't do it for me. King Tut's Grille (Middle Eastern) is good too and locally owned. As are Parkside Tavern, Naples (Italian) and I think PF Chang's. Probably the best meal I've had yet has been at the Copper Cellar on Kingston Pike.

Though I know they're chains, I love Mimi's Cafe and Carabba's. Oh, and Bonefish.

I'm still searching for a good Chinese place around Oak Ridge. We've tried a couple that have been pretty mediocre. If anyone's found one, let me know.

[hiknapster]

Thanks! That info is very helpful. I have poured over tons of menus on knoxmenus.com I have yet to find a decent Chinese place, nor a decent pizza place.

Part of the problem is personal. I find that you can't get fresh seafood around here. I'm sure Bonefish is great but they don't sell cod and haddock. I think it is mostly gulf seafood. We had one in Fort Myers.

Any and all restaurant recommendations will be GREATLY appreciated.

By the way, I live in Heiskell, which is right next door to you.

I am really looking for mom and pop places. Those are the best. I also like a very good restaurant with an incredible chef. I know that Copper Cellar is local, but isn't that still a local chain? I've noticed that the best restaurants are still local chains. And there seems to be a lot of them. I was afraid that it would still seem like mass produced food. I guess I'm wrong?

By the way, I love food!

[Jim280]

hiknapster;

There are nice people that moved to Florida, saw the wretched excess, and decided it wasn't for them. They wanted a simpler life, so moved to Tenn. I'm sure those people are welcome!

But I also see folks that are complaining about the area. Too much wildlife, smoking, trailers, cars on blocks, junky cars driving around. It's killing their lifestyle! They simply do not want to LOOK at those things! It must be changed to suit their needs!

And anyone that thinks that this bunch can't ruin an entire state needs to look at "then" and "now" photos of Florida.
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Nobody could have said it any better hiknapster,