Interesting conversation concerning Fairfield Glade (Knoxville, Oak Ridge: condos, homes, construction)

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

I'm with you on this one for the most part. But then I look at people like my ex who is turning into a crotchety old man before my very eyes ("Get off my lawn ya d*** kids! And turn that music down!)
I shudder at the thought of only living with older people who only want to live with other older people. I like being around young people, babies and children too. I like the energy, the enthusiasm, the noise! I can't begin to imagine wanting to live in a community where everybody else is just like me. I'd find it way too boring. I think a lot of boomers feel that way.
But my ex would probably be thrilled with a situation like that, he'd probably find it very reassuring. I think places like FFG will always have an appeal to people like him.
Oops! Thought I should edit this to add that I don't mean to imply that FFG and places like it are only for crotchety seniors.
Just meant that people have different comfort levels and places like FFG would probably appeal more to some people than to others.

What a wonderful post! You had me laughing so hard!

When I was about 19 I worked in a donut shop. I waited on this little, old lady. She told me something that I never forgot.

"When you see a mean, old person I want you to know that that person was always mean. They don't get that way because they are old."

I think that is true, for the most part.

I just can't see boomers sitting around playing bingo, having sewing circles and driving around in golf carts all day. That seems to be for the folks that are in their 80s.

Maybe I just can't shake the idea that, to me, you were always the cool kids.

[Sparkman]

I have to chime in. I'm a "Baby Boomer", will be 50 next year, have owned a Fairfield Glade Condo since 2001 and while I am not a F/T resident, I really like most things about FFG. Let me preface this by saying that we are planning on moving to Cookeville next year & we are picking Cookeville for a few reasons, the biggest of which are the schools. I still have school age kids & I will not send them to Cumberland County schools. After they are out of school, we may head to FFG F/T, not sure. I don't think I'd live in TN if not up on the Plateau. Way too hot in the valley for me in the summer. I couldn't go to much farther east, I need to have access to a ig city, I've lived 35 miles for both Chicago & Milwaukee my whole life. 1 hour from Nashville is fine, but Far East Tn just won't cut it for me. As I retire, FFG, 1 1/2 hours from Nashville may work. Dr's, Dining, and all of the things that the OP mentioned are available in Cookeville, 40 minutes from FFG and the quality in Cookeville is more than acceptable.

In every visit of mine to FFG, including stays of more than 2 weeks most years, I have not found anyone who is unhappy living there. I think many people in my generation will like developments such as this. Many friends have visited there with me, at least 50% say they would much rather retire here or to a similar type area than to FL in any other "traditional" retirement area.

TekFreek, I'm sorry you invested so much in the area, only to decide it wasn't for you.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Sparkman

I have to chime in. I'm a "Baby Boomer", will be 50 next year, have owned a Fairfield Glade Condo since 2001 and while I am not a F/T resident, I really like most things about FFG. Let me preface this by saying that we are planning on moving to Cookeville next year & we are picking Cookeville for a few reasons, the biggest of which are the schools. I still have school age kids & I will not send them to Cumberland County schools. After they are out of school, we may head to FFG F/T, not sure. I don't think I'd live in TN if not up on the Plateau. Way too hot in the valley for me in the summer. I couldn't go to much farther east, I need to have access to a ig city, I've lived 35 miles for both Chicago & Milwaukee my whole life. 1 hour from Nashville is fine, but Far East Tn just won't cut it for me. As I retire, FFG, 1 1/2 hours from Nashville may work. Dr's, Dining, and all of the things that the OP mentioned are available in Cookeville, 40 minutes from FFG and the quality in Cookeville is more than acceptable.

In every visit of mine to FFG, including stays of more than 2 weeks most years, I have not found anyone who is unhappy living there. I think many people in my generation will like developments such as this. Many friends have visited there with me, at least 50% say they would much rather retire here or to a similar type area than to FL in any other "traditional" retirement area.

TekFreek, I'm sorry you invested so much in the area, only to decide it wasn't for you.

Good golly. I'll be 50 in three years. We are tail-end boomers and kind of different than them.

Anyway, I forget that this is the decade of the gated community. I never understood that. Maybe you are all right and I am wrong. You are nothing like you all were in the 60s, are ya?

My gosh, when you all hide in your fortresses, will I be the only one outside the wall?

Interesting weather observances, MB. Since I've lived where you have, kinda sorta, I have to agree. I feel safe now that I'm away from the beginning of the Cumberlands. That was not that close, but close enough for me.

We're from up north, but we all lived in Florida, too, so we don't think it's hot here. In fact, my husband is from Chicago.

[Tek_Freek]

TekFreek, I'm sorry you invested so much in the area, only to decide it wasn't for you.

Thanks. As my wife said, it's still a good investment. If we can't find anywhere we like better it's still there to move to and if we do we'll have all the time we need to sell it, or leave to someone.

[Kachina1]

Sparkman-I'm 54 and we're trying to find something on the Plateau near I-40 and Crossville for the same reasons that appeal to you. Relative proximity to Nashville and moderated summer heat index. We have friends interested in retiring there too. We've seen some nice properties in and near Crossville that weren't in Fairfield Glade. Our friends are avid golfers but are looking outside of Fairfield Glade in Crossville as well. We don't do golf or bridge. We've got a couple of horses that would enjoy some easy trail riding at East Fork Stables. We talk about going to concerts in Nashville and exploring Chattanooga. The basic amenities are in Crossville and for more, Cookeville and Knoxville are pretty close. Do you think you'll be able to deal with the summer heat in Cookeville Sparkman? I wonder how much warmer it is at that lower elevation than Crossville. Tek Freek-I'm sorry that Fairfield Glade no longer seems like a good fit. Better to find out sooner huh? Hope you are able to settle on another retirement destination soon for some peace of mind!

[Tinman313]

Well I must be the "Grumpy Old Man" of this group, I'll be 60 next spring........ Dag Nabit and those kids and their loud music.....
I still like the Crossville area, something is calling me their, I have not got a clue for what reason. But the last two trips to that area I felt at peace, Yeah the 127 down town out by Walmart. That's the pits but I guess it's like that any where now a days. But some thing... O " Friendly People" People that have pride... Now FFG is a little up scale for me, still very nice with all the little lakes...... I guess time will tell......

[DGlenday]

We just got home to MD after spending a few days in FFG, and looking at Tellico Village on the way home. IF we decide on FFG instead of Tellico, we're quite keen on a lot on the 'Bent Oak' area (near Stonehenge golf course, but not on it), but the price is steeper than we're prepared to consider and we hope the owner will negotiate.

We've met a a builder in the area whose house plans, quality of work, and pricing are all excellent. I'll provide details here if you like, but it would probably be more 'politic' to provide details in DM.

We were very tempted to snatch up an extremely well-priced house:
- Backs onto a golf course
- 1,800+ sq ft
- Hard wood and upscale cabinetry
- Stainless steel appliances
- Silestone (sp?) countertops
- Large deck split into two - part covered and screened, part open
- Brand new, and all for $209,000

BUT we didn't put in the offer, because there are a few things we want, and this house dod not have: Walk Out Basement, woods or some sort of total privacy in the back yard, and we want to be on the north side. If we get the Bent Oak lot, we plan to build this exact house plan - with a walk-out. The builder gave us a copy of the plan, and my wife is already making subtle changes to the layout. I'll bet her changes are going to add to the cost

[Sparkman]

Originally Posted by Kachina1

Sparkman-I'm 54 and we're trying to find something on the Plateau near I-40 and Crossville for the same reasons that appeal to you. Relative proximity to Nashville and moderated summer heat index. We have friends interested in retiring there too. We've seen some nice properties in and near Crossville that weren't in Fairfield Glade. Our friends are avid golfers but are looking outside of Fairfield Glade in Crossville as well. We don't do golf or bridge. We've got a couple of horses that would enjoy some easy trail riding at East Fork Stables. We talk about going to concerts in Nashville and exploring Chattanooga. The basic amenities are in Crossville and for more, Cookeville and Knoxville are pretty close. Do you think you'll be able to deal with the summer heat in Cookeville Sparkman? I wonder how much warmer it is at that lower elevation than Crossville. Tek Freek-I'm sorry that Fairfield Glade no longer seems like a good fit. Better to find out sooner huh? Hope you are able to settle on another retirement destination soon for some peace of mind!

We have there Late July/ Early August every year since 2002 and have spent some time in Cookeville each time. Have noticed a couple of degrees warmer, humidity seems to be about the same. A few of the years it has been really hot & humid when we've been there, others, like this year, have been perfect. If it is too humid, just have to cut down outdoor activities, just like we pretty much do for the winters here. So, do big deal. I love the fact of having a real Spring & a real Fall, we just don't get enough of that up here. I'll keep my condo up there unless I just can't afford to, so we'll always have days to go up to FFG.

[Sparkman]

Originally Posted by DGlenday

We just got home to MD after spending a few days in FFG, and looking at Tellico Village on the way home. IF we decide on FFG instead of Tellico, we're quite keen on a lot on the 'Bent Oak' area (near Stonehenge golf course, but not on it), but the price is steeper than we're prepared to consider and we hope the owner will negotiate.

We've met a a builder in the area whose house plans, quality of work, and pricing are all excellent. I'll provide details here if you like, but it would probably be more 'politic' to provide details in DM.

We were very tempted to snatch up an extremely well-priced house:
- Backs onto a golf course
- 1,800+ sq ft
- Hard wood and upscale cabinetry
- Stainless steel appliances
- Silestone (sp?) countertops
- Large deck split into two - part covered and screened, part open
- Brand new, and all for $209,000

BUT we didn't put in the offer, because there are a few things we want, and this house dod not have: Walk Out Basement, woods or some sort of total privacy in the back yard, and we want to be on the north side. If we get the Bent Oak lot, we plan to build this exact house plan - with a walk-out. The builder gave us a copy of the plan, and my wife is already making subtle changes to the layout. I'll bet her changes are going to add to the cost

Which course was it on? At that price, I'd have to bet it's at Druid Hills. The "older" area of FFG and houses seem to be a bit more reasonable there.

What did you think of Tellico Village?

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Good golly. I'll be 50 in three years. We are tail-end boomers and kind of different than them.

Anyway, I forget that this is the decade of the gated community. I never understood that. Maybe you are all right and I am wrong. You are nothing like you all were in the 60s, are ya?

My gosh, when you all hide in your fortresses, will I be the only one outside the wall?

They have 55+ gated communities to keep out those wild and crazy 54 year olds.