Moving to Tn? Need Help!! (Knoxville, Clarksville: fit in, new home, employment)

[amyjeremyjohn]

Hello Everyone,

I've used city-data for years and now have finally become a member and I desperately need advice.

I've seen similar questions posted but I feel I need to post my own thread to address questions on my current situation.

I currently live in conservative sc (BIBLE BELT). I am engaged and a new mother. We had plans to be married but the baby came first. Here, in sc we are judged constantly. I am not super religious but I do have faith. However, we are judged and preached concerning our faith and why we do not attend church. We live in a small factory country town and would like for our son to have more opportunities than in this small town. Most kids do not graduate high school and fall into the drug game. I know drugs are everywhere but there are no opportunities for extra curricluar activties.

We are a young couple but there is no activities for us to do as a couple or more importantly as a family. I simple do not feel we fit in to this conservative/judgemental town and would like a better opportunity for my family. And I do not want my son to grow around people who look down upon others because their views are not the same. (Just my opinion)

We are looking for a family town, less conservative, good schools and perhaps close to lakes, mountains or a big city that will have some activities available. Being outdoors, such as hiking, camping is something we are interested in. As a family, parks or malls would be nice. I am accountant and my husband to-be refinishes hardwood flooring. I noticed in gatlinburg there are many hardwood companies. We would like to one day start our own hardwood refinishing company. What are my possible options?? Any Ideas?? Just to give you an idea of how small we are.. there is a Checkers coming to town and everyone cannot stop talking about it. Everyone here is really.. really.. excited. I mean EXCITED.

[cashmannsdq]

Good morning. Sound like you are wanting an are near Knoxville or Chatanooga. While Clarksville offers a good family environment we do not offer the mountain views which you desire. I wish you the best in your search.

[Tinman313]

If you Google the local Chamber of Commerce of the town your interested in they have plenty of "FREE" information they will send you. Just go to that county / town / city and request information. I would suggest setting up a bogus e-mail address because you will have every Realtor sending you information. This way you can pick and choose who you contact....... Have fun looking.........

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Cash man is spot-on..... but for a small(er) town feel... Maryville is the ticket.

I'd also consider the Tri-city area.

[H10]

Originally Posted by cashmannsdq

Good morning. Sound like you are wanting an are near Knoxville or Chatanooga. While Clarksville offers a good family environment we do not offer the mountain views which you desire. I wish you the best in your search.

At over 62%, Knoxville is the most politically & religiously conservative major city in Tennessee...

[sassykat&joe]

Originally Posted by amyjeremyjohn

Hello Everyone,

Just to give you an idea of how small we are.. there is a Checkers coming to town and everyone cannot stop talking about it. Everyone here is really.. really.. excited. I mean EXCITED.

Oh wow, sounds just like the small SC town I live in! We're getting a Checkers soon, too.

We own land in TN up near the KY line and can hardly wait to move there. You may find that TN is also more affordable than SC - lower property taxes, no annual tax on the value of your vehicles, and, if you stay close to cities, better job prospects than many small SC towns. Hope it works out for you.

[MountainAire]

Welcome in advance. All I can tell you is that the larger of town you live in the better off you are if you have those worries. But why even bother telling anyone your business in the first place? Don't worry about a thing; just live your lives.

[mbmouse]

Hello, Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest you look to the Tri-Cities area in North East TN. It seems to have everything you have stated you are looking for in your first post. We have some great schools and parks, lots of things for families to do from seasonal fests and parades to museums and nature activities like waterways and green belts.
As for jobs, there are several employment agencies that you can contact before you move and see if there are positions for you in the area. I would highly suggest you find the jobs first and then follow those to your new home town.
Good luck and I hope that helps.