Cookeville is changing (Knoxville, Jackson, Maryville: how much, house prices, employment)

[missinggreen]

Has anyone else noticed how much Cookeville is changing with the amount of people from other states moving here? What changes have you noticied. I have found that land and house prices and employment is getting harder to afford/find.

I am not saying that the changes are necessarily bad, but everyone seems to think that TN is a very "affordable" place to live, and many are relocating here.

I think the south will become the new "north" before too much time passes.

[brcomm0]

I agree. People move to the South and get tired and then move to TN.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by missinggreen

Has anyone else noticed how much Cookeville is changing with the amount of people from other states moving here? What changes have you noticied. I have found that land and house prices and employment is getting harder to afford/find.

I am not saying that the changes are necessarily bad, but everyone seems to think that TN is a very "affordable" place to live, and many are relocating here.

I think the south will become the new "north" before too much time passes.

I was in Cookeville yesterday and was amazed at how much it continues to grow. There's still quite a bit of construction going on, and there always seems to be more traffic. I know some of the old-timers regret many of the changes, and that's certainly understandable. But on the other hand, with the growth have come things such as a beautiful, huge hospital, museums, more libraries, restaurants, and shopping that Cookeville used to not have.

On a lighter note, I was in Ralph's Donuts in downtown Cookeville and ran in to 3 other people from Knoxville who made the detour off I-40 just to get some awesome doughnuts.

I was also glad to see that the old Wilson Sporting Goods factory downtown is being fixed up.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by JMT

I was in Cookeville yesterday and was amazed at how much it continues to grow. There's still quite a bit of construction going on, and there always seems to be more traffic. I know some of the old-timers regret many of the changes, and that's certainly understandable. But on the other hand, with the growth have come things such as a beautiful, huge hospital, museums, more libraries, restaurants, and shopping that Cookeville used to not have.

On a lighter note, I was in Ralph's Donuts in downtown Cookeville and ran in to 3 other people from Knoxville who made the detour off I-40 just to get some awesome doughnuts.

I was also glad to see that the old Wilson Sporting Goods factory downtown is being fixed up.

Generally speaking, do people move to Cookeville because they want it to be more city-like? From posts, my observation is that they are attracted to a small town feel.

If they want city-like expansion, why wouldn't they just opt to move to a city, for example, Nashville or Knoxville? The Cookeville 2007 population - 28,340, is an 18.46% increase since the 2000 census. In that same period, Knoxville's population only increased by 4.86%. That Cookeville kind of population increase is scary. The US population increase in that same period was only 5.88%. Even Maryville's population increase was only 14.33% in that same period and it's pretty obvious what that feels like to people who have lived there since 2000...although Maryville suffers from drive-throughs (people who drive through Maryville to get to and/or return from Knoxville or Cades Cove, for example, clogging up its roads, but who don't live there) that Cookeville doesn't experience. I know that 28,340 doesn't sound like a lot of people to people who live in a city but I'm not sure if people who moved to Cookeville were looking for a population explosion and expansion/modernization since I'm guessing that's not what attracted them to it to begin with. I actually think it's sad that it's changing and I've never been there but it has always been held up as an ideal medium-sized town and I'd like to see all of those stay that way.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Generally speaking, do people move to Cookeville because they want it to be more city-like? From posts, my observation is that they are attracted to a small town feel.

If they want city-like expansion, why wouldn't they just opt to move to a city, for example, Nashville or Knoxville? The Cookeville 2007 population - 28,340, is an 18.46% increase since the 2000 census. In that same period, Knoxville's population only increased by 4.86%. That Cookeville kind of population increase is scary. The US population increase in that same period was only 5.88%. Even Maryville's population increase was only 14.33% in that same period and it's pretty obvious what that feels like to people who have lived there since 2000...although Maryville suffers from drive-throughs (people who drive through Maryville to get to and/or return from Knoxville or Cades Cove, for example, clogging up its roads, but who don't live there) that Cookeville doesn't experience. I know that 28,340 doesn't sound like a lot of people to people who live in a city but I'm not sure if people who moved to Cookeville were looking for a population explosion and expansion/modernization since I'm guessing that's not what attracted them to it to begin with. I actually think it's sad that it's changing and I've never been there but it has always been held up as an ideal medium-sized town and I'd like to see all of those stay that way.

Some of Cookeville's population growth has been through annexation, and another big chunk has undoubtedly been through the increase in Tennessee Tech's enrollment which keeps setting records every fall. But still, your point is well taken that the town has been growing fairly quickly. It's not go-go growth like in Nashville's ring suburbs, but it's been growing at a healthy clip nonetheless.

And considering that Cookeville's ZIP codes actually cover portions of 4 different counties (Putnam, Jackson, Overton, and White), the area's growth has actually been a bit more dramatic than what the city stats suggest. There are about 60,000 people with Cookeville addresses in 4 counties, but only about 28,000 who actually live in the city limits.

[2mares]

I definately noticed an increase in traffic and construction and crowds. Land/home prices have been going up throughout the county over the past few years. Employment has been decreasing as many of the factories have moved out of the area and now with the economy as it is there are more lay-offs.

[missinggreen]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I definately noticed an increase in traffic and construction and crowds. Land/home prices have been going up throughout the county over the past few years. Employment has been decreasing as many of the factories have moved out of the area and now with the economy as it is there are more lay-offs.

Thats exactly my point. I think with the huge influx of people from other states, TN is going to become like the north for prices on land/houses and employment is becoming harder to find. My opinion is that it will spoil Cookeville and all that it is.

[2mares]

I agree. Not just Cookeville either. I work in Cookeville, but live up the hill. I have noticed increased traffic there as well. Also, increased property taxes, introduction of a load of various and sundry codes and restriction, water and sewer rates have increased and a decrease in open private land.

Missinggreen, do you live in Cookeville?

[missinggreen]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I agree. Not just Cookeville either. I work in Cookeville, but live up the hill. I have noticed increased traffic there as well. Also, increased property taxes, introduction of a load of various and sundry codes and restriction, water and sewer rates have increased and a decrease in open private land.

Missinggreen, do you live in Cookeville?

Yes I do. We are probably moving in the summer for hubbys job thou, which breaks my heart. I notice your name 2mares. I also have two mares and a mini gelding

[2mares]

missinggreen
Sorry you are having to move. I hope you will be able to take your horses with you.
I was wondering if property taxes and services have gone up as well in the city of Cookeville.
I have noticed the face of Cookeville change over the last 20 yrs. As JMT mentioned there are more eateries, but with the new chain restaraunts we have also lost many long time places. Same with the shopping. Im not going to give my opinion on the hospital. Given the increase in population, there still dosent seem to be much increase in the way of entertainment. Although they have bulit the new sports plex, You would think there would be an arcade or skate board park or similar activities for kids.