Suggestions for visitor investigating TN (Memphis, Knoxville: houses, to live in, moving to)

[Marsh man]

I will be visiting Tennessee next month. It’s a quick trip arriving in Memphis Thursday morning then driving across the state by way of Nashville, Knoxville, Kingsport, and ending in Chattanooga no later than Saturday morning (I have a flight to catch in Atlanta GA Saturday afternoon). My wife and I are thinking about moving to the eastern part of the state because of the mountains but I also want to see west and middle TN first.


With only two full days I may skirt around Nashville proper as we have no desire to live in a large city. And since my goals is to get a feel for the people and communities I plan to visit small town grocery stores, hardware stores, local diners and such as much as I can. Figuring on 8-10 hours of driving and 4 hours of feet on the ground each day it seems like a reasonable plan for a first impression of TN. Then if its positive we can both return to visit some more specific communities once the summer weather kicks in.


I will have my route well planned before I go and will have researched the areas I plan to visit. But I would value any suggestions about this trip from you folks that know the area. Thanks.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Marsh man

I will be visiting Tennessee next month. It’s a quick trip arriving in Memphis Thursday morning then driving across the state by way of Nashville, Knoxville, Kingsport, and ending in Chattanooga no later than Saturday morning (I have a flight to catch in Atlanta GA Saturday afternoon). My wife and I are thinking about moving to the eastern part of the state because of the mountains but I also want to see west and middle TN first.


With only two full days I may skirt around Nashville proper as we have no desire to live in a large city. And since my goals is to get a feel for the people and communities I plan to visit small town grocery stores, hardware stores, local diners and such as much as I can. Figuring on 8-10 hours of driving and 4 hours of feet on the ground each day it seems like a reasonable plan for a first impression of TN. Then if its positive we can both return to visit some more specific communities once the summer weather kicks in.


I will have my route well planned before I go and will have researched the areas I plan to visit. But I would value any suggestions about this trip from you folks that know the area. Thanks.

Since you'll be on I-40 and want to visit small town grocery stores, check out Spring Street Supermarket in Cookeville, opened over 50 years ago in downtown Cookeville and is the oldest supermarket between Nashville and Knoxville:
Home

Here's a great local diner in Cookeville:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...Tennessee.html

[crltn19]

Originally Posted by Marsh man

I will be visiting Tennessee next month. It’s a quick trip arriving in Memphis Thursday morning then driving across the state by way of Nashville, Knoxville, Kingsport, and ending in Chattanooga no later than Saturday morning (I have a flight to catch in Atlanta GA Saturday afternoon). My wife and I are thinking about moving to the eastern part of the state because of the mountains but I also want to see west and middle TN first.


With only two full days I may skirt around Nashville proper as we have no desire to live in a large city. And since my goals is to get a feel for the people and communities I plan to visit small town grocery stores, hardware stores, local diners and such as much as I can. Figuring on 8-10 hours of driving and 4 hours of feet on the ground each day it seems like a reasonable plan for a first impression of TN. Then if its positive we can both return to visit some more specific communities once the summer weather kicks in.


I will have my route well planned before I go and will have researched the areas I plan to visit. But I would value any suggestions about this trip from you folks that know the area. Thanks.

When you head down from Knoxville toward Chattanooga, use US Route 11 (Lee Hwy) instead of I-75. You will drive through "downtown" areas of Lenoir City, Loudon, Sweetwater, Athens, etc. and it's a scenic ride as well.

[Creekcat]

Honestly, if East Tennessee is your target destination, I don't think you are giving yourself enough time this trip. Memphis to Kingsport, skirting Nashville, with 4 hours feet on ground, could be well after dark you arrive in Kingsport.

[Marsh man]

With two days I'm counting on the first night being spent in Knoxville. Then having all day Friday to explore the east and spend the night down in Chattanooga. But you are correct, it is a short time. Especially as I also need to stop by some of the HVAC supply houses as well (my industry).

[DubbleT]

Since you will be backtracking to get to Chattanooga I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to spend the night in Kingsport. It would knock about 1.5-2 hours from your drive time on Saturday. You could do the drive to Kingsport after dark and not miss anything since you'd see the same scenery on the way back, just coming from the other direction. Friday for Cookeville/Knoxville and more time on Saturday for Kingsport/Chattanooga. Just a thought.

[Stone1]

Marsh Man,

Not sure if this will help but my wife and I spent several years looking into semi retiring in TN, between Chattanooga and Knoxville; we originally felt the west Knoxville area was a great fit. We ended up moving to Cleveland TN two years ago and do not regret the move however we find ourselves planing to move to the west Knoxville/Lenoir City area with in the next couple of years.

Both Chattanooga and Knoxville have a lot to offer so take your time looking but here are three of the things that made Knoxville appeal to us, access to the river & Lake Tellico, close to the mountains and take a look at everything along Kingston Pike (AKA Hwy 11) from Lenoir City to downtown Knoxville (also Old City). This may be more than three things but I was trying to be brief. Have fun exploring!

[hiknapster]

It's not enough time and you'll make yourself crazy.

If nothing else, start in Cookeville and make your way to Knoxville, etc.

If we knew what you were looking for, frankly, we could do a better job of directing you to the best places to visit. More details, please!

[MTFan]

Skip Memphis and West Tennessee all together. Fly into Nashville instead.

[shinestx]

Fly into Nashville (BNA) and head east on I-40. Spend time in Cookeville, Crossville, Knoxville. Head north up I-81 to explore the "Tri Cities" (Johnson City is your best bet there). Spend Thursday night. Friday head south via I-81 and I-75 to to Chattanooga. Stop to visit Athens and Cleveland along the way. Spend night in Chattanooga. Next day head to Atlanta.