Tennesse vs. North Carolina (Memphis, Knoxville: apartments, for rent, how much)

[denmelip1978]

Currently my hubbie and I are living in Staten Island, NY and have lived here for about a year and already looking for our way out of here, its too stressful, you can't buy a home and its super-expensive and the job market is not as good as it just to be in Manhattan, which was the primary reason we moved here in the first place. We lived 4 months in Raleigh, NC and loved it! the only problem was I couldn't get a job, I have my experience in banking and have a M.B.A and I looking to switch over to Nursing. We heard Tennessee is great all-around, and is very affordable. Which areas would you recommend? We want it to be near a city but at the same time quiet, near the mountains, affordable to buy a new home. My husband works as a Apartment Community Maintenance Technician, He wants to get into engineering. I am also looking for a good Nursing school. How much is it for a apt 2/2?

Thanks so much everyone!! I highly appreciate it!

[jabogitlu]

A more or less average to nice 2/2 will run you probably around $700-$850 in most parts of the state, I would imagine. At least I know that's true here in Johnson City.

Speaking of, there's a good nursing school here at East TN State University in Johnson City, but its admittance rate is fairly low/selective. You could do some research on it, though. There are many, many apartments/landlords in this city because of the transient population inherent with university and medical.

Near the mountains more or less constricts you to east TN. Some nice cities are Knoxville (and 'burbs), Johnson City, Kingsport, Chattanooga.

[denmelip1978]

Jabogitlu:

Thanks so much for your quick response! Not bad for rents. I will check that school out. Which areas are the best in Tennesse to live in general?

Thanks again!

[jabogitlu]

That's a pretty subjective question, but you said you wanted to be near a city. What size city? The only "large" (100k+) cities in east TN are Knoxville and Chattanooga. They are both good places to live, as is the Tri-Cities metro in the upper NE corner of the state.

Most people would also agree that, as far as cities go, Nashville (and burbs) and Cookeville are nice places to live. Some people would say Clarksville and Jackson are nice places to live. A few people think Memphis is a nice place to live (lol).

But most people on this board moving to a metro region are looking to move to Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga or the Tri-Cities. All except Nashville are close to, or in, the mountains.

[Tinman313]

Check out the tax's all forms...... And compare all forms.... between the two states

[denmelip1978]

Thanks so much!!
In comparison to North Carolina what is the pro or cons in your opinion? I will look into researching this areas out. In regards to diversity how is over there? For example I come from big cities such as NYC and Florida where there is lots of culture/ minorities, is less common in Tennessee? I am latin-american born in NY so that is a concern for me as well.

[jjbradleynyc]

You might want to look at Asheville in North Carolina. A hippy, hip, and artsy city that has had that label attached to it over the past 20 years or so. Or, try Charlotte in NC and Nashville in TN. Memphis is a choice as well, but many people consider Memphis to be on the other side of the world (Tennesseans anyway).
Knoxville has some diversity, as does Chattanooga. Basically, the larger the city, the more diversity--at least that's how it kind of goes in the south.

[denmelip1978]

Thanks so much!! How about buying a home? We want to buy one price range anywhere from$150-$250 are they more expensive in NC or TN? How is restaurants, entertainment?

Job Market?? is another concern I'm in the legal field right now (Paralegal) is hard to get a job over there?

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by denmelip1978

Thanks so much!! How about buying a home? We want to buy one price range anywhere from$150-$250 are they more expensive in NC or TN? How is restaurants, entertainment?

Job Market?? is another concern I'm in the legal field right now (Paralegal) is hard to get a job over there?

Housing is much cheaper in TN than NC, so is the cost of living, but jobs and pay are better in NC than TN (generally). IF your primary goal is to go to nursing school, I'd come to TN and reassess what to do afterwards, it's not like you'll be able to work full time while going to Nursing school (you can try it, but I don't recommend it).

Good luck.

Tony

p.s. I'm from NC, I now live in TN, if that says anything.

[Capt. Dan]

I think you will find the rents alot cheaper in west Tenn than east Tenn. No mountains though.