relocating from Florida to Tennessee (Knoxville, Johnson City: high crime, home, buying)

[MommaKate]

Hi! Our family is also interested in possibly relocating to the E. Tennessee area, as are many South Floridians! My husband recently visited the Johnson City area and came home with pictures of land. I have never visited Tennessee, however, I hear that it is beautiful! We are eventually looking to move away from all of the hustle and bustle of the South Florida traffic and zero lot line homes! I have two small children and really don't want to raise them around the chaos down here. Not quite sure about Johnson City.. I do want somewhat of a City life, but not too much. Any suggestions on Johnson City?

[mbmouse]

HI Momma Kate,
I moved my children to TN, from South FL. (about 10 years ago)for the same reasons you are looking to move. After 3 moves, Washington County, where Johnson City is, is the best place for us. I love the school system here. My oldest is in Daniel Boone High and my youngest is in Gray school. They have great state report card scores, plenty of extra activities, great teachers and I like the administrations rules. They have zero tolerance of not only for guns and drugs, but of fighting, and bullying. They actually teach self respect, respect for others and pride in your work.They don't let problem students run all over the teachers and not let them teach. I think they have it right, if you pick up the ball that some parents drop, such as self respect and self pride, you will have a lot less problems with violence, drugs and teen sex. I am not saying these schools are perfect, and they are problem free, but they are the best I have found for my children. You have to admit, the children your kids go to school with are going to have an influence on you kids, just a fact of life. Can you guarantee they won't be picked on or called names or anything else every child goes through? No, kids will be kids, doesn't matter whether they are white, blue, brown, purple or green. The kid with glasses is going to be called 4 eyes at some point, the kid with braces is going to be called metal mouth, some one is not going to like your child for a reason you will never know the "why". That is part of life and no different for adults. Hey, if everyone just got along, no matter the age, color or any other reason, this world would be a different world. We can't hide from the realities of life.
As for Johnson City, you will have the city life but it is NOTHING like South Fl cities. Sure it has it's problems, just like any where else in this country, but I can tell you for sure, there are not the high number of problems like FL and the police can do there jobs here. It is not so over inundated with drugs and crime that you only hear about the really, really bad stuff, you hear about everything here. I have never, in the 10 years I have been in East TN seen or heard of any "gang" or related incidents or seen any signs of a gang except when I visited Nashville.
There IS a mix of people here. On the other post people are arguing over "diversity" and pointing fingers at a color or nationality group, I won't get involved in that conversation. In my opinion, you have two groups here, 1 with goals, ambitions and the want to enjoy life to it's fullest, and 1 that is lazy, ignorant, wants to complain and look for a hand out. In both these groups, there is every nationality, color, religion and "type" of person. I think you will agree that you will find both groups everywhere and it has nothing to do with color, religion, sex or any other "type" of person in this world, I think it is all choice of how one chooses to live there life.
There are plenty of things to do in the Tri-City areas, there are community sports, school sports, theaters, karate, dance, music festivals, fairs, flea markets, horse back riding, water sports, biking, hiking, shopping (from bargain basements to the highest of quality), many restaurants, night clubs,golf, county clubs, volunteer organizations .....you name it.
This of course is MY take on the area and my opinion, come on up, take a trip, look around and make your own opinions of the area. You are the only one who can decide what is best for you.
Hope this helps

[Breucklyn]

The Orlando area was great in the late 70's into the very early 90's. Unfortunately, not anymore. Everyday when I venture out into the traffic, I see more trees taken down and more concrete parking lots being created. There may be 1,000 moving to the area but there are also 400 leaving. :>)

[morrischief]

Just moved here from Tampa Bay to Chattanooga. I love it. People are nice and friendly. I am also a waitress and found work quickly. The only challenge to me is driving on the different terrain. But the views are phenominal and I love the southern hospitality. Hope you like sweet tea. It's good here.

[maryn]

my husband and I are in the process of building a log home right now. it is in Spencer TN in a community called Hawks Bluff. we bought our property 3 years ago as an investment, and now we can't wait to move! it is 52 miles from Chattanooga, and 8 miles from Fall Creek Falls state park. your son would love the park. great fishing, camping, biking, beautiful waterfalls!!! It seems that this area will be growing, and a good place for someone in the construction field. a great place for someone to sell real estate as well! if you would like more info, please email me. in the meantime, check out hawks bluff website. if you live in certain states, they will fly you there at their expense if you qualify! give it a shot. let me know if you would like more info, and if you are interested in going to see, i will give you a name of a great contact!
mary

[sunnydays4me]

Yet another SW Floridian looking to relocate to TN. My husband has the opportunity to transfer to the Johnson City area from Ft. Myers if we decide to do so. Don't want to make a mistake just a few years from retirement so need some advice. Is it possible to get a home on one of the TVA lakes-such as Patrick Henry at a reasonable cost -$350,000 or under? Also what about flooding? I read where the area had extensive flooding in 2003. We are looking to get away from the hurricanes so don't want to exchange hurricanes for flooding. Any advice or facts will be greatly appreciated.

[mbmouse]

Hi,
I am a bit confused.....I live in the Johnson City area, but I have not heard or seen Patrick Henry Lake. There are the following lakes, that I know of, Boone, Cherokee, Watuga, Holston, and Douglas. All of which, yes you can find a home at or under 350k, depending on which lake, size, gated community or not, things like that. Now, some of the bends in the Holston River have names, is that what you are speaking of?
Now, this is not to say that lake is not around, there are a lot of things in the area I have yet to explore, but I have been to quite a few.
As far as flooding, the lakes I have mentioned, I know some houses that are considered lake front are not even required to have flood insurance because of the elevation. I can't recall hearing of lake houses being flooded on these lakes. No wait a few years back I think some of the homes on Douglas Lake had some water damage. We do get road flooding from time to time in the spring.
Give us a bit more info about the lake you are speaking of and maybe someone will be able to find you some info on it?

[sunnydays4me]

Wow! You must be a night owl like me! I saw a house for sale in one of the housing books located on Fort Patrick Henry Lake. I just pulled out my JC map and it is located actually closer to Kingsport. Close to the junction of 36 & 93 by Warrior's Path. I believe Boones Lake would be closer for us however. So you can get a decent 3-4 bdrm, 2-3 bath house w/basement for $350,000 or under? Wow!

Thanks

[mbmouse]

Now I know where you are talking about! It is really just a widening in the river. That is common here to name the larger parts of the same river. The Holsotn River must have 50 or more different areas like that in Hawkins County alone! hhahahhaha
Where you are talking about to Roan St. (Embark) would be about a 20 minute communte. That area is nice.
I got your email, reply sent!

[joni]

Hi all,

We thought the same thing that all of you awaiting your escape from Florida thought...
Quaint, cheap town. Beautiful mountains. Quiet. City rats moving to the country.
Though south Florida is getting to crowded and it was time for us to leave, we found the mountain people to be very unwelcoming and sometimes mean. If you want to live your life like it is still 1974, by all means... go to east Tennessee.
We only lasted six months.
We are now in Savannah, Georgia. It is perfect.