Union City (Jackson, Dyersburg, Martin: bankruptcy, good schools, tornado)

[CFrank3]

Hi: I have a great job opportunity with Goodyear in Union City. The posts I found on the plant and town are outdated so wondered if anyone could give me any insight into the area?

I'd be relocating from PA - have a horse so need a horse friendly town.

Are the people nice, climate?

Thanks!

[seasons121]

Gosh...anyone out here that can comment??? Thanks~

[strumpeace]

I've been to Union City several times. I know more about Martin, which is in a neighboring county.

As far as I remember, Union City is not a very 'happening' place. It's pretty quiet. The town is not growing population-wise, and the population that is there is aging. (The median age in Union City is 37.8, which is considerably older than the state as a whole.) There are several small towns in the Weakley/Obion area that are at a sort of stand-still; Union City appears to be one of them.

[JoAnn5]

It has great roads, thanks to former governor Ned McWherter

[kaygirl05]

na I wouldn't take it if I was you. my dad works at the Goodyear here, and on their last strike they cut the pay down for newcomers. you'd start at $13 an hour. whereas my dad is making about $22 an hour. not many people are willing to work out there in those conditions, for just $13 an hour, and 1/3 of Union City's population works at Goodyear, so if they go on strike again or close the plant altogether, good luck on finding another job here. you'd be screwed. I've lived here my whole life, and jobs are no easy thing to come by. Unless you don't mind working at a fast food place, like Hardee's, McDonald's, etc...cause that's mostly what exists here, and would be the easiest jobs to get. well you don't see a horse and buggy in town if that's what you mean? but I live on the outskirts of Union City in the country, and have neighbors with a few horses, so that's what you'd need to do. Depends on what you call nice? you'll run into alot of rude idiots (especially on the road) because they don't care about anybody but themselves. YOU have to be the one watching out for THEM if you don't plan on running into their car, when they pull out from a side road. (it's happened quite a bit)
As far as the climate goes, it can be quite windy here, especially when a hurricanes weather is coming all the way up here, and when a tornado is passing by. (Union City is just barely off to the side of the Tornado Valley)
and we get more than the national average of rain. we should be called "the city of thunderstorms) cause we get them frequently. and we're in an area that's bad about humidity, but it won't be so bad for you if you've already lived in a humid place? sorry if there's no positives about living here, but I'm doing you a favor, this town is a drag =/ you're also a good 1 and a half hours drive from a decent mall, (Paducah, Ky or Jackson, Tn) and nice restaurants that go along with the nicer, bigger cities. I'll gladly give you more info, if you need any. Take care.

[ladynascar88]

Originally Posted by CFrank3

Hi: I have a great job opportunity with Goodyear in Union City. The posts I found on the plant and town are outdated so wondered if anyone could give me any insight into the area?

I'd be relocating from PA - have a horse so need a horse friendly town.

Are the people nice, climate?

Thanks!

Goodyear appears to be not as stable here as before. Shutting down for a week here and there and lay offs are not uncommon. My husband and son worked there for almost a year, suffered a tremendous lay off for several months. We ended up having to file bankruptcy and my son moved his family to Erie, PA. Rumors are it may close contract time BUT that is only a rumor. If you have a decent job I wouldn't recommend giving it up for the Goodyear plant here.
As far as the people here go, you have the good and the bad as in any small town. The worst thing about the people here are it's like "Peyton Place". Everyone knows everyone's business and if they don't know they make it up. I've lived here all my life and the worst thing about Union City is the gossip and snottiness of most of the population. If I could, I'd move in a heartbeat.
I have no complaints about the weather. It is very humid but it has some beautiful scenery.
Horses aren't a probelem as long as you keep and ride them outside the city limits.

[beachmouse]

We spent a couple years in nearby Martin in the mid-90s, and that region always seemed less than friendly to Yankees. Attitude was that we'd gone down there and taken jobs from some poor locals who desvered it more.

You do get used to the drive to Jackson/Dyersburg/Paducah for the times when you need contact with a slightly bigger city, and in terms of shopping, the internet's your friend.

In terms of national prices, it would be pretty cheap to get a couple of acres for the horses. Reelfoot Lake's a cool but kind of creepy place to visit.

[KC38506]

Husband is from Union City. Hated it every time I visited. In the middle of nowhere, full of big fish in a little pond. Goodyear often threatens to close since it's the oldest manufacturing facility the company owns and the strikes get pretty nasty.

[Memphis1979]

I'm from UC, and I would suggest you do not take a job at goodyear. Rumors are it'll close, sooner rather than later.

Good news is, the interstate will be coming through soon, and hopefully some new jobs with it.

The town itself is very small townish. Not much to do there, hell they just got liquor by the drink like 3 or 4 years ago.

Its a good place to raise a family, good schools, good people. If you are single, I would advise against it. If you're big on a night life, I'd advise against it. If you like the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and church, its the place for you.

[kishwaukee]

Can anybody give me an update on the progress of the DPA??