Need some feedback...new job offer in Union City and need help! (Memphis: sales)

[nddomer]

I just got a job offer today to work in Union City TN. I'm born and raised in Northern Indiana, so I have very little experience with the area. I spent about an hour the day of my interview, (Unfortunately, it was all the time I had), driving around Union City and it seemed a little small for my tastes. Any cities with in reasonable commuting distances that are a little larger in size, and have more amenities. An example might be a full fledged grocery store other than Walmart, some place to buy electronics other than Walmart, some place to buy clothes other than Walmart...see the trend?

I grew up in a small town that didn't even have a Walmart, and recently took down the one flashing light to replace it with a stop sign. That said, we were also 20 min's from a town of about 200k people so we had the best of both worlds.

I'm going to want to rent and would like a nice apt complex, some good restaurants, maybe a movie theater, good bars and places to hang out, just the normal single guy stuff that I didn't really see in Union City. (Also, just to clarify Union City may have these things and I just missed them. I don't think that's the case since I drove around what I believe was the city many, many, many times in that hour period and couldn't find them)

Any pointers that you guys can give would be really appreciated. They're going to want an answer later this week so I've got some research I need to get done pretty quick.

ps...what kind of flack can a Notre Dame grad expect to get in TN? <grin>

[alleycat]

Union City is a bit "out there". It's a long drive to get to a much larger town. You might find a few of the things you're looking for in Martin just because it's a college town (UT Martin). If you don't mind a bit of a commute, you could look at Dyersburg. The northern part of West Tennessee is probably the most "off the beaten path" part of Tennessee.

Don't worry about being a ND grad. Notre Dame is followed by some Catholics here who have some connection with the school, but other than that (and the possibility of a few Michigan State fans), it's almost off the radar here. Every so often ND plays Vanderbilt or UT, but it's not often enough to make for a rivalry. Now, Florida Gator fans are a different story . . .

[Capt. Dan]

Martin has everything you are looking for. And its only 1 hour to Jackson Tennessee or Paducah Kentucky. It is a easy drive from Martin to Union City. Good luck!

[nddomer]

Thanks guys, good info. One of the admins that would be on my team lives in Martin and he suggested that I look at living there as opposed to Union City too. Anyone on this board spend any time in Martin? Just curious about the town. Looking at google maps it looks like it is about the same size as Union City. I read up on University of Tennessee Campus and I could see where the town would be a little more alive because of it. Just looking for info on restaurants, bars, entertainment, shopping, medical care (hospital, etc). All the general stuff most towns have. If I need to hit the ER I prefer it to be a short trip.

Oh one last thing, any students on this board that go to, or went to, University in Martin? I'm kicking around the idea of using some of my free time in the evenings to teach. I've got a MBA from ND and 12+ years in IT so there's some different things I think I could fake my way through. Curious if its a good school and if they use any adjuncts for night classes.

[jabogitlu]

How much do you need this job? Are you currently employed? West TN is about one of the last places I would move... it is pretty stagnant and isolated. I say if you need the job take it and make the best out of it with Martin and the occasional trip to Paducah, but if you don't, pass it by, my lad.

[beachmouse]

I spent a couple years in Martin, and it was a horrible fit for my family in a 'Death is not an option' sort of way. The college influence shows up in a couple of bars (it was beer only when we lived there- no hard liquor sales in the county) and one or two Asian restaurants that catered to the cash cow Korean, Japanese, etc. students at UTM's 'learn English as a second language' program, and isn't a huge college town in the conventional sense of the word.

If you absoultely positively have to take the job, I'd probably get a mid-sized car with good gas mileage, grit my teeth, and commute from Dyersberg, which is big enough to have some non-Walmart stuff and is also a reasonable distance from Memphis for what passes as weekend fun.

[nddomer]

Thanks for everyone's input. I took the offer today and will be starting May 1rst. They're going to put me up in a hotel or furnished apt until I can find a place to rent. I'll be checking out both Martin and Dyersberg, and hopefully some of my new co-workers may have some insight into other places to look into.

Thanks again!

[Aussie-Chik]

Hey, just stumbled across your thread.
I guess you start work..tomorrow. Did you decide on Martin or Dyersburg.
I have been living just outside Union City for just over a year now. I moved from Sydney Australia and there was somewhat of a culture shock you could say.

I miss many things that a city has to offer..but there are other factors a small town offers that I have appreciated. People are always willing to help you that extra step..or knows someone who knows someone, that can.

Anyway, just saying hi and good luck in the new job!

Cheers