Need help in making a huge decision (Knoxville, Murfreesboro: appointed, homes) - Tennessee (TN) - City-Data Forum

LilyLiz · 02-23-2007, 02:17 PM

I have been checking as much as possible both Maryville and Greeneville. Do any of you long time Tennesseans have any information that would help me choose one over the other?

As I have said in other threads, it will be my daughter (15 yrs. old) and myself. We need a safe, friendly place, probably a smaller town with good churches. She is homeschooled and I am not looking for a job so those 2 things aren't a worry for me. We would love to be near the mountains and love beautiful scenery.

While visiting Tennessee twice 12 and 13 years ago, we stayed in Fall Creek Falls and Gatlinburg. I do want to live in North East Tennessee, but am having a hard time deciding which of the 2 cities I mentioned would be best for us. Please help me. I don't have the money and help to take extra trips down there. Thanks!

LauraC · 02-24-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilyLiz

I have been checking as much as possible both Maryville and Greeneville. Do any of you long time Tennesseans have any information that would help me choose one over the other?

As I have said in other threads, it will be my daughter (15 yrs. old) and myself. We need a safe, friendly place, probably a smaller town with good churches. She is homeschooled and I am not looking for a job so those 2 things aren't a worry for me. We would love to be near the mountains and love beautiful scenery.

While visiting Tennessee twice 12 and 13 years ago, we stayed in Fall Creek Falls and Gatlinburg. I do want to live in North East Tennessee, but am having a hard time deciding which of the 2 cities I mentioned would be best for us. Please help me. I don't have the money and help to take extra trips down there. Thanks!

Maryville isn't in the northern part of East TN. It's south of Knoxville. Maybe that's why people haven't answered. They're confused. Also, people don't know what, besides beautiful scenery and church, is important to you.

AppalachianAngler · 02-24-2007, 01:16 PM

I grew in Greeneville and it is an enjoyable small town. I don't really know much about Maryville, so I can't comment, but I have heard good things about it. As Laura pointed out, Marvyille isn't northeast TN, Greeneville is. Greeneville is about 1 hour Northeast of Maryville.

What else is important? Do you need to be by a big city? Greeneville is close to Johnson City (25 minutes) which is growing a lot (I think it is a little over 55,000), but Maryville is close to Knoxville which obviously is a lot bigger than Johnson City and will give you a lot more options.

Both Greeneville and Maryville have beautiful scenery. Greeneville is very safe, but again I don't know about it compared to Maryville so I don't know if the rates are better/worse. All I can tell you is that Greeneville was a great town to grow up in, and a great place to raise a family with plenty of good churches. The folks there are very friendly, but it may be hard for your daughter to make new friends there if she is homeschooled. It is a small town and most people have lived there their whole lives.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

JMT · 02-24-2007, 02:37 PM

I agree with AppalachianAngler, Greeneville is a really nice town. I like Maryville, too, but if you don't need to worry about jobs and if you want someplace that's relatively quiet, Greeneville would be hard to beat. It's got a fantastic, historic downtown, it's close to the mountains, and the countryside is absolutely gorgeous. The Maryville area is also beautiful, but it's much more urban; the Knoxville airport is right on the outskirts of Maryville as well as the gigantic Alcoa aluminum factory. Traffic in Maryville can be more intense than in Greeneville.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Greeneville. But I also would not be disappointed if I had to live in Maryville.

Ridgerunner · 02-25-2007, 07:34 PM

I vote for Greeneville, but Maryville isn't bad either.

LilyLiz · 02-26-2007, 12:35 PM

Thanks guys! I think Johnson City is probably big enough to get what we need but cannot get in Greeneville itself. A 25 minute drive doesn't bother me after living in California for 4 years.

Church is very important to us so I hope I can find a good Baptist church in Greenville or even drive to Johnson City if necessary. Middle Tennessee Baptist in Murfreesboro is where we would love to attend, but I don't think we'd like living there from what I've read - NE Tennessee sounds much more our style. thanks for all the input!

Lily

AppalachianAngler · 02-26-2007, 01:32 PM

You are in luck if you are Baptist.The big one is First Baptist Church of Greeneville, which is located downtown across from the library. I'm not Baptist but a lot of my friends are and have been lifelong members of this church and love it. There is also Tusculum Baptist Church right on the campus of Tusculum College, Towering Oaks, and who knows how many other smaller ones.

Also, as JMT pointed out, Maryville has a much more urban feel. Greeneville is more of a laid back, slow paced atmosphere.