Let me whine for a minute here please (Knoxville, Oak Ridge: sale, rentals)

[2mares]

Sorry to say the lack of job opportunity is why TN has been such a beautiful, slow paced state especially in the poor rural areas that folks seem to love so much. It has olny been in the last 10 yrs that TN was discovered for its "cheap" land and low taxes which has been a big draw for retirees. I wish you and your husband all the luck finding jobs, but I am always amazed that people are surprised and or upset that they cant find a job immediately and often blame it on locals being clanish. My stbx was born/raised here, has an Engineering degree, has been laid-off since January and has applied to local Universities and companies with no luck. OK there is my vent. LOL.
Anyway, just try to be patient. The job mkt is slow, but Im sure with both your backgrounds you will find jobs.

[Robbied]

Originally Posted by 2mares

Sorry to say the lack of job opportunity is why TN has been such a beautiful, slow paced state especially in the poor rural areas that folks seem to love so much. It has olny been in the last 10 yrs that TN was discovered for its "cheap" land and low taxes which has been a big draw for retirees. I wish you and your husband all the luck finding jobs, but I am always amazed that people are surprised and or upset that they cant find a job immediately and often blame it on locals being clanish. My stbx was born/raised here, has an Engineering degree, has been laid-off since January and has applied to local Universities and companies with no luck. OK there is my vent. LOL.
Anyway, just try to be patient. The job mkt is slow, but Im sure with both your backgrounds you will find jobs.

I know we will get there someday. I know in time when it is right for us, we will move. I just really get antsy when I see all the beautiful photos or read the seven wonders and see all the bird photos.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for something to open up for your husband.

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by mrs.x-fast

I do technical writing and my husband is in high-end specialty retail management/sales.

I would think that with the proper search you should be able to find a company that allows you to do this from home over the Internet. There would probably be some travel involved, but that's still better than having to move.

Check here:
Technical Writers - Technical Writing Services - Copywriters
under Don't need a technical writer onsite?

Freelance Writing

ProEdit's Hot Jobs
Under Technical Writer there is a job in Nashville listed.

Writing, Editing, Proofreading: Business, Technical, Medical, Science, Grants
Click on Technical at the top to see how they offer services.

I found these by entering technical writing from home in Google.

[hiknapster]

I've seen a lot of houses in Knoxville where they are empty because the family has already moved on. I imagine jobs could be the reason.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I've seen a lot of houses in Knoxville where they are empty because the family has already moved on. I imagine jobs could be the reason.

It could be my imagination but in thinking about the forum a year to a year and a half ago, it doesn't seem like as many people are moving here. I wasn't thinking jobs, though. I was thinking they can't sell their houses in their current states.

In Tennessee, leisure and hospitality are doing well as are business and professional services and food service with regard to employment numbers through April from March 2008. Still, I can't help but think the leisure and hospitality employment category is going to take a dive due to the gas price situation.

Employment numbers up from last year at the same time (April 2007 vs April 2008) - educational and health services gained 8,700 jobs, local government employment increased by 2,100 and accommodation and food service jobs were up 2,000. Manufacturing jobs were down from a year ago with employment decreasing by 10,700; financial activities employment lost 1,200 jobs.

[hiknapster]

Well, that was my big warning a year ago. If people can't sell their houses somewhere else, they can't move here. I got told that Knoxville was different. I didn't buy it and I was right.

But I see a lot of houses for sale where the people have moved on. I wonder if that has a lot to do with the job market.

I also think there will be fallout from the people that couldn't sell their house elsewhere but went ahead and bought here, anyway. There were a lot of land sales from people that planned on retiring here many years down the road. If they have financial dificulty they might try to sell that land. If they can't find a job, have two mortgage to pay, they will have to move on.

I played that scenario out in my head last year. Looks like some of it has happened, but I bet there will be more situations like this to come.

I think all of the state relocation forums have slowed down a lot. Even Florida. I also think there are a lot of "tire kickers," people that would love to move, but may not have the money, jobs or ability to sell the house.

I see a lot of "when I move to ________ it will just be grand. Can you recommend a good neighborhood/school/job?"

Down the road, you realize the chances of them moving here anytime soon is very slim.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by LauraC

It could be my imagination but in thinking about the forum a year to a year and a half ago, it doesn't seem like as many people are moving here. I wasn't thinking jobs, though. I was thinking they can't sell their houses in their current states.

I've noticed the same thing. The forums don't seem nearly as busy as they were a year or two ago. It seems the Tennessee forum is filled now with posts saying "I WISH I could move to Tennessee" whereas a couple of years ago they were saying "WHEN I move to Tennessee." (Interestingly, however, the Nashville subforum seems to be immune from that.)

And the main US forum seems to have a lot more posts of people desperately seeking someplace else, ANYWHERE, to live that's affordable.

I do think some people have completely unrealistic expectations; they want someplace with lots of jobs, cheap land, excellent schools, no crime, perfect weather, and beautiful scenery.

Frankly, it's one reason I don't post here much anymore. Maybe it's the teacher in me coming out, but I'm getting tired of seeing posts by people who want other people to do their research for them, and those who moved somewhere without doing research and then complain when things aren't what they thought they'd be.

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Well, I am moving there Just waiting for my son to graduate. That's the nice thing about being a nurse......we always have a job.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by HengyMama

Well, I am moving there Just waiting for my son to graduate. That's the nice thing about being a nurse......we always have a job.

Refresh my memory please HM, are you an RN or LPN?

[gemkeeper]

We'll be happy to see you, HengyMama.

JMT and LauraC, I think that you are both correct. I know I fall into that black hole myself.

The plans were all settled a year ago, the house didn't sell yet, and our plans to move forward are waiting for a magic wand.

I feel very concerned for those who forge ahead in spite of the economy and the warnings that the job market in E. TN isn't all that great just now.

There are those who will still move and maybe it is out of desperation. They would rather be in a place where the cost of living is purportedly lower without a job, than in an area where the COL is high and still without a job.

To me, nothing plus nothing still equals nothing. But, not everyone thinks in a logical manner when desperate - or even when not desperate.

JMT, it does get old to tell new poster one after the other to use the search engines on C-D, as well as, other internet searches to be sure they are going to be in a place that actually IS better than where they are leaving.

But, I guess that is what I signed on for by becoming a regular on City-Data. I will keep telling them and making suggestions until all 303,000,000 US residents move to TN to see for themselves! Fortunately, some still want to go to FL and NC.

I'll get there with my DH, but it will just have to take us a bit longer than we anticipated a couple of years ago. Now, if anyone is looking for a nice all-brick house outside of Atlanta, you can just let me know!

I think you were dead-on with your initial assessment, hiknapster. You made the right choice, but not too many people has the insight that you do - as well as other regular posters on the forum. There are quite a few folks that have been planning on their move to TN or somewhere, but are now in the position of not going anywhere. Still, they insist that they are moving soon. (I am excluding myself from this group because along with HengyMama, I am moving soon -er or later!)