Dale Hollow / Celina area (Cookeville, Livingston: fit in, rentals, crime)

[Berrie]

Hi,

I'm in North GA and am looking for some property in a rural area, close to a lake.
I found several reasonable properties in and around Celina, and I want to drive up there soon to look at the area.
Anybody local who can tell me a little about the area, or maybe even the property when given the address?
We would be looking at it more as a retirement property, and probably not do anything with it for a few years.
Also, since we would want to spend the night there, are there any accommodations? I couldn't find any hotels in Celina.
Thanks!

Berrie

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Berrie

Hi,

I'm in North GA and am looking for some property in a rural area, close to a lake.
I found several reasonable properties in and around Celina, and I want to drive up there soon to look at the area.
Anybody local who can tell me a little about the area, or maybe even the property when given the address?
We would be looking at it more as a retirement property, and probably not do anything with it for a few years.
Also, since we would want to spend the night there, are there any accommodations? I couldn't find any hotels in Celina.
Thanks!

Berrie

There might be a tiny motel somewhere around Celina, but I don't remember seeing one. Otherwise, you'll most likely have to stay in Cookeville which is only about a half-hour away from Celina.

Dale Hollow is my favorite lake in Tennessee. It's definitely remote. The lake is large, uncrowded, and clean. I don't live there and can't go look at property for you, but I cannot imagine that there's anything around Dale Hollow that's unattractive.

Good luck!

[firepower]

Actually there is a little bitty one in Celina. It's just south of Celina on hwy. 53 just before you start up and over the hill into town.
It's a little local job about 6 rooms or so, so I don't know how nice it will be. I actually also think I remember seeing a similar one across the Kentucky line in a little town called Burkesville which is not too far.

But, of course, if you want national chains Cookeville would probably be your closest...


firepower

[firepower]

Or....

Here's another option...

Horse Creek Dock & Resort - Tennessee - Dale Hollow Lake Fishing, Boat, Cabin, Cottage & Houseboat Rentals
They have several cabins for rent on the lake. It'd be a beautiful base to look from and it's 5 miles from Celina.


firepower

[pta4uk]

Originally Posted by Berrie

Hi,

I'm in North GA and am looking for some property in a rural area, close to a lake.
I found several reasonable properties in and around Celina, and I want to drive up there soon to look at the area.
Anybody local who can tell me a little about the area, or maybe even the property when given the address?
We would be looking at it more as a retirement property, and probably not do anything with it for a few years.
Also, since we would want to spend the night there, are there any accommodations? I couldn't find any hotels in Celina.
Thanks!

Berrie

It is 38.6 mi – about 54 mins from Celina to Cookeville. It is a very nice area but it is really, really remote. Celina only has about 1,400 people in it. I do not believe that there is a town within 20 miles in any direction that has over 4,000 people in it. That being said Dale Hollow lake is absolutely gorgeous (but Celina is not). My favorite lake in TN. Good luck.

[Berrie]

Thank you for your replies! We'll probably try and stay in the lake hotel in Burkesville, IF we can get reservations, the're close to being booked out until Christmas.

Berrie

[gary1958]

Celina is a very depressed area. There are many empty and run down building's. Unemployment is very high. Crime is bad,mostly petty theft's and drug's. Scenery is beautiful. Lake is nice. Local's hate outsiders. Property is cheap for a reason.

[TamedAngel]

Hi Berrie...

Celina is a nice li'l town to pass through as long as you don't blink. Just south of it there's a motel in Livingston (Overton Motel and Diner). Nothing to brag about but it's about as close as you'll get to a place to stay around here.

Anything you want to know about the area, just shoot me an email and I'll try to get you what you need. Personally, my opinion of life in the area isn't something the town would want me to share but if you read the post here, you'll get the jist. Let's just say, don't expect anyone to invite you over for a weekend BBQ and really mean for you to actually show up!
We did that about 3-4 years ago so ..... been there, done that got my feelings hurt too. Of course we're not a family who is a part of the "good ole boy" clicks... and around here, if you don't fish, hunt, drink Bud, party or farm, you just "ain't fittin in" as we were told years ago.

The jobs are also few and far and the ones you happen to find that's not fast food jobs, are paying "top dollar" ($7.50 - 8.00 an hour.. if your credit report is A+ and they hire you). Hense the reason we feel like we've stepped into the Black Hole of TN


Anyway, shoot me an email (tamedange gmail.com) and I'll give you first hand info.

Talk to you soon.... TA, not from TN but stuck here for now.

[gary1958]

Originally Posted by TamedAngel

Hi Berrie...

Celina is a nice li'l town to pass through as long as you don't blink. Just south of it there's a motel in Livingston (Overton Motel and Diner). Nothing to brag about but it's about as close as you'll get to a place to stay around here.

Anything you want to know about the area, just shoot me an email and I'll try to get you what you need. Personally, my opinion of life in the area isn't something the town would want me to share but if you read the post here, you'll get the jist. Let's just say, don't expect anyone to invite you over for a weekend BBQ and really mean for you to actually show up!
We did that about 3-4 years ago so ..... been there, done that got my feelings hurt too. Of course we're not a family who is a part of the "good ole boy" clicks... and around here, if you don't fish, hunt, drink Bud, party or farm, you just "ain't fittin in" as we were told years ago.

The jobs are also few and far and the ones you happen to find that's not fast food jobs, are paying "top dollar" ($7.50 - 8.00 an hour.. if your credit report is A+ and they hire you). Hense the reason we feel like we've stepped into the Black Hole of TN


Anyway, shoot me an email (tamedange gmail.com) and I'll give you first hand info.

Talk to you soon.... TA, not from TN but stuck here for now.

Well said in a nice way I've been going to this area for over 30 years and even thought I had some friends,until I sold my property in Byrdstown and moved to clay county. Now it's all different. I don't fit in with the "good ole boys" now. LOL They think they can steal from me and come on my property and plant their weed. Well they will find out the hard way what's gonna happen when I catch them. Forget the law helping if your not from here.

[TamedAngel]

I absolutely think that it's in the water! for lack of a better excuse/reason.

And thank you Gary1958. I do try not to cut people's throats or belittle them and for the most part, I am polite MOST of the time but even a saint can only take so much of it. What happened to southern hospitality?? It's bad in America when you're in the south and can't find a friendly face you can rely upon.

I don't think lasting friendships are possible anymore...especially in an area where you're not accepted cause you're "not from here". I thought it would be different for our 17 yr old since she's attended school with these people for the last 5-6 years and remained friends with at least 4 since the beginning of her 8th grade year but since her graduation in May, she said she's not heard a peep from her 4 BFF's unless they were texting to let her know of things happening in their lives (bragging on a new b/f or g/f or what college they are considering) but when she's mentioned something going on in her life, they have blown her off. It's hard to explain why kids are like that when it's the same way for the adults who just "don't fit in".

Time for me to get off my soapbox. Life is life, people are people, just have to be who we are and accept things as they are now... FUBAR!!