Thinking about moving to Tennessee, but could really use some help. (Knoxville: houseboat, high school)

[2mares]

(This probably sounds funny but some of the worst complaints I've read on various CD forums is that a poster moves to a place that doesn't offer a type of food they like, and it's apparently very upsetting to them.)

Im sorry this is OT but reminds me a a sitcom long time ago where a couple wanted to move out of their apt. in the city. Found a great house in a great neighborhood with great schools. Everything was perfect until they found out there was no chinese takeout so they backed out of the deal.

[jonnyshaw66]

Wow thanks a lot. I was trying to do research but i didnt really have any kind of starting point. Im going to look up all of these places.

The only problem that im finding with cookeville is the school situation. I cant go to utk because its too expensive, and its looking like tennessee tech isnt too much cheaper. If i could find a good 2 year school at first, that would be ideal. But i guess beggars cant be choosers.

And 2mare, i dont think i could go without chinese takeout so add that to the list. That has priority over college. haha just kidding

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jonnyshaw66

Wow thanks a lot. I was trying to do research but i didnt really have any kind of starting point. Im going to look up all of these places.

The only problem that im finding with cookeville is the school situation. I cant go to utk because its too expensive, and its looking like tennessee tech isnt too much cheaper. If i could find a good 2 year school at first, that would be ideal. But i guess beggars cant be choosers.

And 2mare, i dont think i could go without chinese takeout so add that to the list. That has priority over college. haha just kidding

There's also a 2-year community college in Cookeville, a branch of Nashville State:

Cookeville | Nashville State Community College - Nashville, TN

[AmberFlynn]

Also, Vol State is in Gallatin and has many online classes you can do as well.

As far as the accent thing - you will not sound like a northerner. You might sound like a Surferdude, but it's different While I was a few years younger than you, I moved to a town of 2000 people - a very introverted city in West TN, and I never felt like an outcast - however, that will have a lot to do with your attitude and initiative to reach out to others.

You sound like a smart kid with a good head on your shoulders - my guess is you'll do fine wherever you end up

[AmberFlynn]

Oh and as far as research, I'd make a list of all my must haves and start googling --

2 year schools in TN
Drag racing in TN
etc

See what towns overlap or what seems to show up the most often and go from there. GL!

[jonnyshaw66]

Thanks for the advice. Im honestly about to go get some paper and make a list. But my final decision will obviously have to be made after I visit and see for myself. So I guess flying into and out of Knoxville would be my best bet, and Ill just go from there.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by jonnyshaw66

Thanks for the advice. Im honestly about to go get some paper and make a list. But my final decision will obviously have to be made after I visit and see for myself. So I guess flying into and out of Knoxville would be my best bet, and Ill just go from there.

You might want to consider flying in and out of Nashville instead. Southwest Airlines has a hub in Nashville which means air fares are almost always much cheaper from California to Nashville than to Knoxville.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by jonnyshaw66

Thanks for the advice. Im honestly about to go get some paper and make a list. But my final decision will obviously have to be made after I visit and see for myself. So I guess flying into and out of Knoxville would be my best bet, and Ill just go from there.

As JMT pointed out, flying into Nashville is probably cheaper, but both are pretty easy airports to get in and out of and not far from I-40 which is our main east-west thoroughfare.

It may take a little time and effort but there is a link at the top of the City-Data page that lists various towns by size and most have pictures associated with them. Take a peek and see if something catches your eye. This in combination with google maps to get the location (or use the map to find the town, then look at stats and pictures) and get an idea. There is a lot of good information and data on towns here. Once you have a basic idea of where and what you would like to see, hop in the car and drive as there is no substitute for being in a place in person.

[eloyfan]

Originally Posted by jonnyshaw66

I understand that this isn't the first time you've heard this question, but here goes:

So I am 18 years old and I'm about to graduate high school. I'm a pretty conservative Christian. I love fishing, hunting, racing, country music, and pretty much everything else like that. Except, I'm from California and I obviously don't talk like you do there. So how would this turn out? Would I be excluded from society or anything?

I am just so tired of the fast-paced lifestyle of Sacramento, and the overwhelming liberal influence. California seems like it's going down fast, and I don't want to be on that ship when it sinks.

And also, could someone let me know what are some nice smaller towns in middle or eastern Tennessee. I would love to live in a town thats definately not flat. Hopefully somewhere where I could do some hunting and fishing, maybe some racing.

I'm going to be taking a trip here in a few months, but I would love a starting point. So anything helps.

Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate it.

Chattanooga. I took my family there on vacation last summer and we loved it enough that we may move there in a couple of years.

[eloyfan]

And about the "northerner" issue.......way too hyped, we are from Massacusetts and have lived in NC for the past 5 years. If you are nice to other people you stand a great chance of getting it back at you.

People who have a problem with my accent can take a hike.