Dunlap, TN critique requested (Sparta, Spencer: real estate, sex offenders, crime)

[firemediceric]

After spending some time in various parts of East Tennessee we settled on the Spencer area. We also like Sparta and the other surrounding towns. A current real estate listing in Dunlap, TN has our interest. In searching here and elsewhere the feedback on Dunlap seems mostly positive. I did find some negative comments about crime and a high rate of sexual offenders living in the area, but I am inclined to dismiss those comments as anomalies. That said, what do you folks who know the area have to say. There have been no recent threads on the area since 2011 according to my search of this forum. Only sparse mention of Dunlap in other threads.


In the way of background, although I read that Dunlap has a religious population we are not church goers. I also read of issues with the education system and employment. Those are also two areas that do not concern us although we hope those deficiencies do no translate into a lack of skilled service and professional people, blue and white collar, that can be called upon as needed.


I read that Dunlap tends to get a little more snow than most other areas of the Cumberland Plateau area. What concerns us perhaps a little more is that it tends to run about 5° to 7° warmer in the summertime than the surrounding areas. I'm guessing that's due to Dunlap being at a lower elevation and in a valley. I'm thinking however that it will still feel not nearly as oppressive as east coast central Florida during the summertime.


Please let us know the good and the bad about Dunlap.

[SPLIT]

DUNLAP, in the Sequatchie valley is sort of known as farming region... I don't know of any big employers in that region.. There is a super Wal Mart and some schools.. Good area for four wheelers, dirt cycles, ATV, etc,
winter hunting on both plateaus, .. For crime I would not leave those sport vehicles out side at night time,
as well as enclosed contractor trailers... No license plates are needed for trailers, so easy target for theft..
. Should be plenty of summertime creeks for swimming to cool off.,, heavy wooded trees, .. We were also prior central Fla for 12 years.

[An Einnseanair]

Religious: It's a small town in a rural area of the southeastern US. The population will be more religious as a rule. Churches generally serve as community centers and as such are the center of life for many people in such areas. Expect most of the people you meet to invite you to church if they find out you are new in town. They are only being polite; I suggest similar politeness when you decline, or else decline with a vague offer to check it out in the future.

Education: Don't mistake a lack of education for lack of intelligence. Skilled service and professional trades gain those skills outside of the public education system. You may not be able to find a local engineer (lack of demand), but you will find plenty of good lawyers, doctors, HVAC repairmen, etc.

Sex offenders: A quick look at the map shows no more of a concentration than around any other town. The dots look more dense than the surrounding area simply because the population of the town itself is more dense. I seem to remember a discussion of that here with a similar conclusion in the past. Also, instead of just looking at dot density, look into actual offenses. TN Map: https://tnmap.tn.gov/sor/

Weather: I disagree with the snow, and Dunlap isn't on the Plateau. It's in a deep valley. It would be more accurate to say that Dunlap is representative of normal conditions for that region, and temperatures on the mountains are 5° to 7° cooler because of altitude. It's the southeastern US, so it gets hot and muggy in the summer. That said, it will feel like a paradise compared to central Florida.

[firemediceric]

Thanks for the feedback on Dunlap. I hope other knowledgeable people will also contribute. We are also seeking recommendations for a contractor. Someone to do a home from start to finish. Must be licensed with reputable references.