What makes TN unique? (Memphis, Knoxville: transplants, houses, school)

[radraja]

I have to relocate next year for grad school, and one of my potential options is in TN.

Despite the changes the state is going through, I know that there's still a lot of local culture and things that make this beautiful state unique.

What are your favorite things that are special about TN?

And is there anything I should know about life in TN to help me make my decision?

[Tinman313]

The "People" !

[snowflake73]

Slower-paced way of life.

[jabogitlu]

Originally Posted by radraja

And is there anything I should know about life in TN to help me make my decision?

One thing you should realize immediately, which will help you narrow down where you want to move, is that the state is divided into 3 sections which differ drastically in culture and geography.

West TN is very flat, much more sparsely populated (as a whole) and more "Midwestern" country. Well, then there's Memphis in West TN.

Middle TN is also flat, for the most part, but has rolling hills in some areas. I'm actually not sure if the escarpment is considered middle TN or east... But anyway, Middle TN's epicenter is the Nashville metro, and the counties surrounding Nash-Davidson are booming with transplants/immigrants.

East TN has some flatlands (the valley of East TN), but for the most part is rugged mountains, especially the more east you go. Most of the people who live here are "native" except in Knoxville, but that is changing rapidly. Middle and East TN are much more similar as far as people go than West TN.

[Suzanne1945]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

One thing you should realize immediately, which will help you narrow down where you want to move, is that the state is divided into 3 sections which differ drastically in culture and geography.

West TN is very flat, much more sparsely populated (as a whole) and more "Midwestern" country. Well, then there's Memphis in West TN.

Middle TN is also flat, for the most part, but has rolling hills in some areas. I'm actually not sure if the escarpment is considered middle TN or east... But anyway, Middle TN's epicenter is the Nashville metro, and the counties surrounding Nash-Davidson are booming with transplants/immigrants.

East TN has some flatlands (the valley of East TN), but for the most part is rugged mountains, especially the more east you go. Most of the people who live here are "native" except in Knoxville, but that is changing rapidly. Middle and East TN are much more similar as far as people go than West TN.

The weather in East TN is very similar to Chicago/Milwaukee, except for the amount of snow that hit WI this year. Temperatures are very close. We are originally from WI and the areas of middle TN and East TN are what brought us to the decision to retire in TN. We feel we will have similar surrounding minus the snow and below zero temps. Good luck to you.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Suzanne1945

The weather in East TN is very similar to Chicago/Milwaukee, except for the amount of snow that hit WI this year. Temperatures are very close. We are originally from WI and the areas of middle TN and East TN are what brought us to the decision to retire in TN. We feel we will have similar surrounding minus the snow and below zero temps. Good luck to you.

The weather here doesn't even remotely resemble Chicago and Milwaukee's. For example, yesterday it was a whopping 31 degrees for a high in Milwaukee and Chicago, and 67 degrees in Knoxville. One day, I know, but rarely is the weather the same.

Chicago's weather is similar to Massachusetts, and neither one is anything like East Tennessee's.

My husband is from Chicago, and we've lived here going on three years.

Um, no.

[Eat]

Originally Posted by Suzanne1945

The weather in East TN is very similar to Chicago/Milwaukee, except for the amount of snow that hit WI this year. Temperatures are very close. We are originally from WI and the areas of middle TN and East TN are what brought us to the decision to retire in TN. We feel we will have similar surrounding minus the snow and below zero temps. Good luck to you.

The last time I was in Wisconsin, it snowed..........in August. Sorry, the weather here isn't remotely like Chicago or Milwaukee. If is was, we wouldn't be here.

[phyll]

Originally Posted by radraja

I have to relocate next year for grad school, and one of my potential options is in TN.

Despite the changes the state is going through, I know that there's still a lot of local culture and things that make this beautiful state unique.

What are your favorite things that are special about TN?

And is there anything I should know about life in TN to help me make my decision?

I think seeing mnts all around me is beautiful, the peolpe are friendly and I don't feel like I am living in a rat race to keep up.I see and smell and hear nature instead of exhaust fumes, and horns beeping.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by phyll

I think seeing mnts all around me is beautiful, the peolpe are friendly and I don't feel like I am living in a rat race to keep up.I see and smell and hear nature instead of exhaust fumes, and horns beeping.

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoy our little corner of the universe.

[TnHilltopper]

What I find unique about Tennessee is that it is a microcosm of the world rolled into a single neat little state.

We have flat plains, monster rivers that flow like molasses, and fields of cotton next to the sounds of jazz and the smell of BBQ. There are primeval swamps with towering cypress trees and Spanish moss hanging from their branches, and we have only hit the western boundary.

We have rolling meadows and quaint fence lines that fall off onto the horizon that surround rolls of hay that look like something out of a Frost poem. Large cities that bustle with commerce and a grand night life. From the finest restaurants to the most humble diners to a hot dog cart on a corner selling Nathens.

Moving east we rise ever higher and in the distance one strains to see where the hilltops end and the sky begins. Roads lined with the folding of rock, twisted over eons and standing ever still, amidst a cacophony of color and sound that marks the motion of seasons. A student on their way to give their thesis on electo-chemical artificial intelligence who pauses for a deer or turkey to cross their path.

A flat highland where cool breezes always blow and orchards of apples join with the grapes in the vineyards. Houses hewn from the stone of the land, tire swing hanging from the hickory out front.

Deep valley as far as the eye can see, warm and moist from the lakes that dot the floor. Picturesque towns with neat little squares, fourth of July and the smell of honeysuckle. A massive college of top notch caliber that is settled in a city thats like a big town. Rolling pastures and patchwork farms, you look off to the distance and see a dragons back.

Covered in snow that looks like a the opened mouth of a dog. Lines of cars awaiting their turn, to see tropical fish and ride the flume in a log. The sound of thousands all crowding a track that is over shadowed by a roar of a river in spring.

Four equal seasons, a heritage that rocks, country that speaks to your mind and a people that speak to your heart. Main street, Maple street, interstate and 3rd avenue, all in the same town. A place where people just seem more tuned into the land and into each other.

It is a world unto itself.

(and you should see the back yard!)