How Would Yankee Moving To Tenn Be? (Memphis, Cookeville: health insurance, home)

[MB2]

Originally Posted by RikardW

I am chuckling to myself as I write this. I had a whole different experience in Decatur County, TN. At first I was just called a Yankee. When I set up a household I became a Da** Yankee. I can't tell you how many times, once opening my mouth to speak, that I got the comment, "You ain't from around here, are ya boy".
Some of it was good natured ribbing and I would remind them that more Tennessee Regiments fought on the Union side, rather than the Confederate side, during the Civil War.
Some folks were sincerely obnoxious with their Yankee attitude though. Somehow I was perceived as being smarter than they were. They riled me to the point of an apology. I apologized for finishing 3rd grade. Granted, I did not win over any new friends with that comment.
Then I visited Shiloh National Cemetery. I finally understood some of their negative sentiment. Shiloh is a Yankee Cemetery, smack-dab in the middle of Rebel Country. The Yankees are buried in neatly arranged plots. There's a mass grave for the Rebels.
Decatur County, TN does not have much in the way of employment opportunities. Not like you can find around the larger cities. I like the post that listed the VA hospitals for you. I have been to the Memphis VA Hospital and was impressed. As you can tell from these previous posts, you WILL run into some good southern hospitality.
I have moved back to Yankee Territory, Indiana. I continue to visit Tennessee, about twice a year, and am not welcomed so negatively. Since they have very few employment opportunities, they covet what they have. I guess they just don't appreciate Yankees coming down and taking what little they have, again. Now, I am just another Yankee.

I had to laugh at some points there (a good natured laugh..lol)
I am driving since 1991, just about every year, if not twice a year, to Knoxville, to visit friends (which are more like family then anything)
She is from Kansas, him and his mom are from knoxville, his dad from alabama. Talking about the yankee's thing....lol....Boy, do I get it all the time....lol. Best thing yet, I'm a "da*** foreign yankee"...lol. (Live in "Yankeeland", and I am originally from Germany!)
But, I don't have a foreign accent, and I can talk sometimes better then some southern boy (Don't ask me how, just pick it up while I am there )
I learned so much about the history, and it's only because of them busting my butt. I love TN and I love the people there, and can't wait to get "busted" again...lol

[Kklynnt]

SKIheaven, let me make this statement...As a Veteran, I think you've earned the right to move anywhere you please. Your service and sacrifices has bought you that right--We now owe you.

Next issue, I would recommend you look at the small town of Dayton, Tn.
I'm sure all areas have excellent VA support, but the guy in Dayton is the most driven and dedicated person I've ever seen.

The vet supporters are very well organized and they maintain a van that is used to transport local vets to medical facilities, etc. You shouldn't have to worry about transportation to and from medical facilities, etc.

Dayton is located north of Chattanooga and has lots of local resources.

If you need more info just send me a private message and I'll help you.

God bless you,

Kerry

[TennesseeYankee]

I grew up in NYC, and lived in Hawaii for a number of years before coming to Chattanooga. I LOVE IT HERE!!!!! The people are among the warmest and friendliest I've ever me, and I think probably half the people I know are from other parts of the country. The cost of living - can you say, "reverse sticker shock?" At times I STILL think things are mislabeled, as they're priced so low! The beautiful apartment I have would cost at LEAST 5 times as much in NYC!

I too am on disability, and have returned to school to pursue a new career. If you're disabled, Voc Rehab will help pay for your education, and of course there are lottery scholarships. Shopping is wonderful; lots of good restaurants. There's theater, opera, concerts...all sorts of cultural activities. Good golf courses. Gorgeous scenery. Can't say there's anything here I wish we had - it's ALL here.

Can you tell I love the place?

If you need any more info or have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by Skiheaven

Hi, I'm From The Northeast And Due To Medical Reasons Must Relocate To A Warmer Place And I Don't Have More Than 130k To Spend On Housing, I Am Disabled. I Wanted To Know How Southerners Will Except Me Because I Am Not From A Southern Background. Is The Culture Much Different? I Don't Speak Like I Am From The South, Will I Ever Be Excepted Or Is It No Problem Anymore Like I Heard It Was In The Past. I Need To Learn More About People From This Area And Suggestions On Where I Would Fit In. I Am A White Female Disabled Veteran. Appreciate All Responses, Thank You

and here we go again, the weekly "will a yankee be accepted in the south" post....
Well your a veteran so I salute you, otherwise I would say something sarcastic. You will be welcomed with open arms. Turn off your hollywood images of what the south is and come on down. Trust me, we have running water and we've all moved from wagons and horses to automobiles. Ooops, I promised I wouldn't be sarcastic.
The only difference I can see is (depending on where you used to live) that houses are cheaper, people are friendlier, and as a disabled veteran you will be treated with the respect that is certainly due to you.

[MomsTn]

Originally Posted by Dd714

Trust me, we have running water and we've all moved from wagons and horses to automobiles.

Funny thing, when I was a kid, it was my Grandma in West Virginia that didn't have running water, and still had an outhouse halfway down the hill.
All my relatives in Tennessee had running water... and indoor plumbing.

[raggysgirl]

I am also a Yankee from Boston area and moved to Tullahoma in August. I love it here and some people will say your not from here because of my accent but when I tell them where I was from they have all said welcome to Tenn. I have yet to meet an unfriendly person. I have gone back to Boston for a visit during the holiday and I couldn't wait to get back to Tenn with the friendly people again. So you should have no problems with being a Yankee

[takemebacknorth]

Originally Posted by RikardW

I am chuckling to myself as I write this. I had a whole different experience in Decatur County, TN. At first I was just called a Yankee. When I set up a household I became a Da** Yankee. I can't tell you how many times, once opening my mouth to speak, that I got the comment, "You ain't from around here, are ya boy".
Some of it was good natured ribbing and I would remind them that more Tennessee Regiments fought on the Union side, rather than the Confederate side, during the Civil War.
Some folks were sincerely obnoxious with their Yankee attitude though. Somehow I was perceived as being smarter than they were. They riled me to the point of an apology. I apologized for finishing 3rd grade. Granted, I did not win over any new friends with that comment.
Then I visited Shiloh National Cemetery. I finally understood some of their negative sentiment. Shiloh is a Yankee Cemetery, smack-dab in the middle of Rebel Country. The Yankees are buried in neatly arranged plots. There's a mass grave for the Rebels.
Decatur County, TN does not have much in the way of employment opportunities. Not like you can find around the larger cities. I like the post that listed the VA hospitals for you. I have been to the Memphis VA Hospital and was impressed. As you can tell from these previous posts, you WILL run into some good southern hospitality.
I have moved back to Yankee Territory, Indiana. I continue to visit Tennessee, about twice a year, and am not welcomed so negatively. Since they have very few employment opportunities, they covet what they have. I guess they just don't appreciate Yankees coming down and taking what little they have, again. Now, I am just another Yankee.

I live in Henderson Co., TN and I am from Wisconsin. I dislike TN a great deal. I can very well relate to what you are saying about Decatur County-Henderson Co. is very similar --no jobs, no hope of getting any industry, city government in shambles, drugs. the good ole boy syndrome is alive and well here. We are moving back up north in 2007.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by takemebacknorth

I live in Henderson Co., TN and I am from Wisconsin. I dislike TN a great deal. I can very well relate to what you are saying about Decatur County-Henderson Co. is very similar --no jobs, no hope of getting any industry, city government in shambles, drugs. the good ole boy syndrome is alive and well here. We are moving back up north in 2007.

Well I'm sure you'll be happier back in Wisconsin where there is plenty of industry, efficient city governments, no drugs, and everyone gets along just fine. It sounds like it's just as well that you dislike Tennessee so much.

[SwaggerMagic]

hey im originally from MA and moved down here about a year ago...i havnt met any person who wasnt sweet and welcoming. it amazes me. when people ask me where im from because of my yankee accent they say ohh welcome and ask me how i like it here and i find myslef always saying that i wouldnt ever want to go back north for good everyone down here is s much nicer and there is so much less frantic rush syndrome of the north. i started out in murfreesboro and didnt like the city aspect so now i live in woodbury and absolutely love it. i went back to MA for X-Mas and could not wait to come back home....it really already feels like home down here. and you can definitley buy a house for way less than 130k me and my boyfriend bought our 3 bedroom brick house with a good sized yard for 69k soo i mean you are probably looking at anywhere between 70 to 110 for housing depending on what type of house you want

[Braves_fan]

Guess it all depends on how you carry yourself and how you come across when you speak in some places. These days, with all the people relocating here, and alot of the younger families not teaching or embracing the Southern Culture and the old Southern Way of living as much as it use to be taught, anyone can make friends and fit in.