Cities in Mountains? (Chattanooga, Johnson City, Kingsport: insurance, home, school district)

[GottaGetOuttaFL]

Hello! My husband and I are interested in moving to SC, NC, GA or TN...we want to live in or very close to the mountains (hiking!) however, would also like the conveniences of a city. (i.e. Target, grocery store, restaurants, good schools, etc.)
Does this exist?
THANK YOU for your time and help. We have been researching lately and can't find anything like this. Hubby is a firefighter...so a larger city is necessary for his work (to have a decent salary) however, we love the mountains. Any advice or recommendations is MUCH appreciated. Thank you so much!!
Also, how is the cost of living in these areas? THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[kamoshika]

Given your criteria, I'd look into Johnson City. JC has good schools, restaurants & shopping (including Target) and easy access to some of the best hiking in the Southeast (e.g., Appalachian Trail, Roan Mountain State Park, Pond Mountain Wilderness, Unaka Mountain Wilderness, Big Laurel Branch Wilderness, Holston Mountain, Rock Creek Recreation Area, etc.). All of those places are within an hour's drive of JC, and Buffalo Mountain Park (with several miles of trails) is located in JC.

Mountain City is truly in the mountains, but I don't you'd find its amenities (or lack thereof) to your liking.

In general, NE Tenn.'s cost of living is among the lowest in the US.

As a fellow hiker, I think you'll enjoy the Sherpa Guides if you haven't already discovered them. IMO, they're some of the Web's very best freebies:
The Longstreet Highroad Guide to the Tennessee Mountains

Sherpa Guides

[jabogitlu]

Agreed, and/or you might want to check out Asheville.

[SPLIT]

GG; Here is a link for about 50 HIKE pages ,etc Chattanooga Hiking Club
... On the right column is the CUMBERLAND trail or CT similar to the A.T> .Our 305 mile linear park also called The Great Eastern going from Fla panhandle up to Finger lakes N.Y.
Halfback here, when you hear insurance, utilities are about 35 % of what you Pay in Fla, also no State income tax to file , you will join us. Ex-Brevard co, near Space Center. Great paved roads, great fishing, Tenn river very enjoyable, No alligators, can swim all day.
...

[Tinman313]

Best Hiking in Tennessee | Best Tennessee Hiking

[williboy]

You might also check out Erwin, TN and Boone, NC. They are smaller, but still nice and not too far from larger areas.

[mbmouse]

I third..or forth the suggestion that you look to the Tri-Cities area (anywhere around Johnson City, Kingsport or Bristol) as that region (North East TN) seem to fit the needs you have described.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by SPLIT

GG; Here is a link for about 50 HIKE pages ,etc Chattanooga Hiking Club
... On the right column is the CUMBERLAND trail or CT similar to the A.T> .Our 305 mile linear park also called The Great Eastern going from Fla panhandle up to Finger lakes N.Y.
Halfback here, when you hear insurance, utilities are about 35 % of what you Pay in Fla, also no State income tax to file , you will join us. Ex-Brevard co, near Space Center. Great paved roads, great fishing, Tenn river very enjoyable, No alligators, can swim all day.
...

And it probably looks a lot better around the state when there are leaves on the trees (meaning not winter).

[jesyjms]

My Husband & I Lived in Kissimmee close to Orlando, FL we came on vacation 3years ago and fell in love with Chattanooga, TN! We currently live in Ringgold, GA about 5mins away in a great school district for the kids and found a home that would have been way out of my price range in FL... My husband has opened his own business and I found a great job! Needless to say... it was a great move for us!

[Creekcat]

Split, would that be the Leggett Point Overlook?