Mountain City and nearby cities (Chattanooga, Johnson City: work, health, house)

[musicman]

I will be attending a college in Western North Carolina next spring and am looking at nearby areas of Tennessee for a possible home purchase. Any input on these areas would be extremely helpful as I plan this big move for my family. I am curious about cultural offerings and food choices for health conscious individuals as well. There is little information online and this concerns me. Thanks!

[SPLIT]

Just moving into northern CHATTANOOGA, City has many WEB sites to see all the museums, aquariums, civic centers, river-front music, etc. Just finished up 9 day river-bend festival. Mtn hike trail 300 mile linear Cumberland Trail, kayak, mtn bike tours / trails will have you healthy. House prices lower the further North you go away from city. Very many churches here for family life.

[Joe P]

Calling that town Mountain City is pretty misleading. Plenty of mountains..not much for city.

Very rural. Would Johnson Ciy be too far to commute?

Joe

[musicman]

I have heard many good things about Johnson City. I would like to be closer to my school in Sugar Grove, NC but ultimately want my family to be happy with the move and would consider a longer commute. We have a 15 year old son and my fiance will need to find work as a school teacher and I don't want to move them to an area where we will likely encounter huge culture shock and limited opportunities. My dream town would be a location close to natural beauty populated with open minded and tolerant residents that is within 20 minutes of independent shops and restaurants and a developing arts community. Thanks for your input.