How Would Yankee Moving To Tenn Be? (Memphis, Knoxville: fit in, insurance)

[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

[SPLIT]

I guarantee you a BIG Warm VETERAN welcome in the Chattanooga area. We have active Vietnam unit here for welcome home Reserve units and also too many local Funerals. Motorcycle units for the new security/protest watch.
. Many church groups have welcomed Gulf Coast Katrina victims and even BUILT them homes so everyone is welcomed to grow our church communities.
Also I will add Chattanooga is very PRO-Active with the Prothesis industry. (One of our church members owns a company). There are many city Olympic / charity events here as is a medical / insurance employment city.
Even today our new employer stated there is a $300 hiring BONUS to bring in good people. Region is quite hilly in sections if in wheelchair, but your welcome to build right next door to me. WaterSki here, Ex snow Ski Racer...[IMG][/IMG]

[mrradio]

My wife and I are from New York State (definitely not part of the South) and have not encountered one iota of problems. In fact, we have more friends of all different backgrounds (religious, cultural, etc.) than we ever had in NY. We accept others as they are and they accept us. This area has been great to us.

[John1960]

Hi, Your welcome to come to Cookeville Tennessee because you will be with thousands of other people from all over the United States. This is a college town and it's also mainly for retired people.

John

[Mar001]

God Bless You Girl!!!!!!!!!! You will be welcomed anywhere in America!!!

[phyll]

Dear Skiheaven,
I am also a yankke trying to move to tn. I have read posts on this board and been to tn. I hvae encountered some of the nicest ,warmest peolpe here and in tn. I look forward to making my way there.

[LauraC]

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

Don't know if you need to be in the vicinity of VA Medical facilities but here is a list I found on the web:

Alvin C. York VA Medical Center - Murfreesboro, Tennessee
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center - Mountain Home, Washington County, Tennessee
Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Memphis, Tennessee
Nashville VA Medical Center - Nashville, Tennessee
VA Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9) - Nashville, Tennessee Alvin C.

There are vet centers in Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville.

[stara6]

I am also a Yankee that has relocated to Cookeville. I love it here and have never had any problems with being accepted. It's a great area, within 2 hours to several major cities if you need more action. I like the peace and quiet, plus it's cheap to live here!

[sal329]

It is great. I am originally from NY (Staten Island). The people here all make fun of me for bein a yankee but its all out of fun. The ladies always ask me to say certain words. They want to hear my "accent" they do not believe me that I do not have an accent.

[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.