question needing honest answer (Knoxville, Johnson City: fit in, neighborhood, to live in)

[loves2travel]

My husband will be ready to retire in about 4 years but we want to get some land before then and I've started researching eastern TN area. Hear some great things and I've always craved getting out of this residential but very congested area where we live now-mountain views etc. But as for my question- we're up North and have no problem and happen to live in a basically all-white neighborhood but what about TN for a racially mixed couple? I was reading some funny threads about hillbillies(which i didn't take seriously) but it got me to thinking about TN as part of the South and I see statistically its like .97% Caucasian. will my get- along great w/ everybody but definitely dark- skinned husband not fit in there? are there some retirement type comm. that have mix of people anyone recommends?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by loves2travel

My husband will be ready to retire in about 4 years but we want to get some land before then and I've started researching eastern TN area. Hear some great things and I've always craved getting out of this residential but very congested area where we live now-mountain views etc. But as for my question- we're up North and have no problem and happen to live in a basically all-white neighborhood but what about TN for a racially mixed couple? I was reading some funny threads about hillbillies(which i didn't take seriously) but it got me to thinking about TN as part of the South and I see statistically its like .97% Caucasian. will my get- along great w/ everybody but definitely dark- skinned husband not fit in there? are there some retirement type comm. that have mix of people anyone recommends?

Other than Cumberland County, which historically has been quite hostile to people of color, I don't know of anywhere else in East TN where you would have any problems. If you stick to the larger communities, in particular, I think you'll be just fine: Johnson City, Kingsport, Knoxville, Oak Ridge. But I'd be willing to bet that even most small towns wouldn't care one way or another. I know here in my neighborhood in Knoxville there are people of all colors and backgrounds, and we all get along just fine. The same goes with my brother's neighborhood in Cookeville.

[GoingtoPA]

Hi Loves2travel,
I have been in Eastern Tennessee for 15 years and have seen more mixed couple that anywhere I have ever lived. There would be NO problem for you and your husband. As for the retirement communities for mixed couple I am not aware of any. We here in Tn just blend in together. Of course you are going to fine your nuts anywhere you live. Be of good cheer you would not be looked at here as a mixed couple. You would be reconized as the couple that lived next door.

[loves2travel]

thanks for your positive input. I'm also trying to sift thru all my research and look into an area that would be diverse as far as people but could be a bit more rural although not in the "boonies" where travel can be dangerous in winter as mentioned.(especially for those of us not used to ita) Also, i wouldn't want every trip to the store to be a real big deal but I would like to be on a site close to an acre of property. Also, we would like to be close enough to do the occasional cultural or nice dinner thing. I heard about Maryville - what does anybody think and yes, as you said Cookeville looks interesting along w/ Oak Ridge- which do you think would fit my "wishes"?

[rsklaw]

A cross burned in Halls Corners, no. suburb of Knoxville, about 10 years ago. It was on the lawn of the only African-American family in town, professional people with children. They moved away.