What retail is in Bristol? (Knoxville, Chattanooga: low income, real estate market, insurance)

[CranberryMars]

Just beginning to consider Bristol as a retirement location. Can you please tell me if the city has any of these stores: Target, Walmart, Kohl's, Burlington, Joann Fabrics, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Lowe's, Big Lots?

What fast food do you have? What sit down restaurants?

Is there a doctor shortage?

Are there movie theaters?

What are the names of your grocery stores?

Are there muggings? A lot of break ins? Drive by shootings?

Are gay and lesbian people even given a second glance? Would anyone bat an eye at hearing a woman say, "oh meet my wife!"

Coming from a city in NY.

Thank you so much.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by CranberryMars

Just beginning to consider Bristol as a retirement location. Can you please tell me if the city has any of these stores: Target, Walmart, Kohl's, Burlington, Joann Fabrics, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Lowe's, Big Lots?

What fast food do you have? What sit down restaurants?

Is there a doctor shortage?

Are there movie theaters?

What are the names of your grocery stores?

Are there muggings? A lot of break ins? Drive by shootings?

Are gay and lesbian people even given a second glance? Would anyone bat an eye at hearing a woman say, "oh meet my wife!"

Coming from a city in NY.

Thank you so much.

The Bristol area has most of those stores listed. If not Bristol, then either Kingsport or Johnson City, since both are within 20-30 miles of Bristol and are all 3 part of the "Tri-Cities metropolitan area" in Virginia and Tennessee.

The Pinnacle Shopping Center on the Tennessee side is relatively new and has quite a few of the "newer to Bristol and the Tri-cities stores. The pinnacle includes a new theater that is super nice.

As for the names of the local stores, Food City, Kroger and Food Lion are the standards in the Tri-Cities, along with an Ingles and Wal-Mart/Target food sections.

As for the doctor shortage and crime, I don't believe crime is too much of a factor you'd have to worry about. Doctor shortage, doubtful.

As for the gay/lesbian question, it is quite a conservative area, but attitudes are slowly changing. Keep in mind it is still by and large, "The Bible belt."

[DubbleT]

Agree with most of the above.
We don't have a JoAnn's but one of the local Walmarts has a fabric and craft dept, along with the Michaels, etc and some regular fabric/upholstery stores around.

Add Aldi's to the grocery choices, love 'em, but they are only in JC and Kingsport atm, We also have an Ollies, which is like Big Lots only bigger, and more of a true salvage type operation (like big lots USED to be ages ago). Have also had some folks from moving from the east coast make mention of our lack of fresh seafood here.

There have been a couple of posters say that finding a doctor that takes their insurance has been difficult so it might be worth while to make a few phone calls to ask around.

Crime, not much of an issue unless your lifestyle includes drugs or low income n'hoods. I work in retail and find the Bristol police to be very responsive to any problems, even the petty stuff.

And yes, Bristol and Kingsport both have older populations, so there are going to be some second glances, maybe a few whispers at openly gay couples, but that seems to be as far as it goes.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by CranberryMars

Just beginning to consider Bristol as a retirement location. Can you please tell me if the city has any of these stores: Target, Walmart, Kohl's, Burlington, Joann Fabrics, Michael's Arts & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Lowe's, Big Lots?

What fast food do you have? What sit down restaurants?

Is there a doctor shortage?

Are there movie theaters?

What are the names of your grocery stores?

Are there muggings? A lot of break ins? Drive by shootings?

Are gay and lesbian people even given a second glance? Would anyone bat an eye at hearing a woman say, "oh meet my wife!"

Coming from a city in NY.

Thank you so much.

The only one of those I know we don't have in thee Tri-Cities is Joann. There is a local fabrics stored called Hancock Fabric. Bristol doesn't have Kohl's (JC/Kingsport does), Burlington (Kingsport does), Michael's (JC does).

There are most of your major national and Southern chain restaurants and fast food options here. There is also a good local drive through burger chain called Pal's. Local dining is best in Johnson City, though Bristol has decent options like 620 State, Burger Bar, and Blackbird Bakery.

There isn't a doctor shortage, but sophisticated medical needs may be sent to a major city, usually Charlotte, Knoxville, or Nashville.

Bristol has at least two good theaters - a new one at the Pinnacle and Tinseltown on the Bristol, VA side at exit 7.

Food City dominates the local grocery scene. I think it's the only pure grocer in Bristol. There is Walmart, Sam's Club - Target sells a few items but it's not a super Target. The grocery selection is poor and prices are high compared to larger cities or more agriculturally driven areas. There are a few more upscale grocers in Johnson City.

Crime is high in absolute terms but is basically drug/domestic related and confined to people who know each other. Random violent crime is very low. Bad neighborhoods will have more property crime, but around here, neighborhoods are about how they look.

Bristol and Kingsport are culturally conservative. Most people will not be rude to your face but will definitely keep a distance.

Johnson City would be a better fit than Bristol as it's a bit more progressive on the LGBTQ issues and offers more in the way of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

[CranberryMars]

That is excellent information, thank you so very much! It is exactly what I needed to know. I was very excited to know I had a reply and I am so happy that it was such a terrific reply.

For our retirement, we have been considering cities such a Roanoke (choice #1 so far) and Chattanooga. We are looking for a city with a more temperate climate than New York, but a city that is very affordable as we will be retiring.

We both have some middle age health issues and we'd like to be within 15 or 20 minutes drive to a medical center that could treat emergencies such as heart attack or stroke and we need to be able to go to specialists on a regular basis.

The Bristol & JC area seems so absolutely beautiful and pleasant and it also offers some key things such as the high speed internet upgrade, beautiful landscape, old buildings and cultural events. It isn't necessary for us to live in a large gay community. We have; however, become accustom to being regarded as any normal couple who has been married for several decades without any ostracizing from our neighbors, fellow small business owners and professionals. We just exist as any straight couple would, without our relationship being a topic of conversation and we'd like to keep it that way and just retire in peace.

To be honest, I am a little concerned about the distance to health care because we have medical histories that could become complicated at any moment. But that seems to be the only concern I have. Right now we live in a pretty industrial gritty city in Western New York state that has it's share of crime and we'd just like to retire somewhere with lower taxes and a little more safety. (There are many muggings and break ins in our city.)

I think we will be planning a trip to see Roanoke, Salem, Bristol, Johnson City and Chattanooga.

I am really impressed with the videos and things I have seen about State Street in Bristol as we are art gallery owners as well as cafe/bakery owners. We'd not own a business there, but it is a culture we appreciate and would like to patronize.

Thank you again so much!

[CranberryMars]

PS: Judging from the thoughtful and honest replies here on this thread I feel so happy that I found out about the Bristol/JC area because it seems to have the best thing you can ask for in a city: good neighbors. Thank you everyone.

[Rangerred]

All three cities have good hospitals although the Level I trauma centers are in Kingsport and Johnson City and within the next few years I think Johnson City will be the only one. Most of the major medical services are concentrated in Johnson City where there is also a medical school (at ETSU) and a large VA facility.

Johnson City will be much more welcoming towards same-sex couples as it is a college town and more liberal than the surrounding area which leans hard to the right.

[rccrain]

I would be surprised if you need to worry about healthcare access. Unless you have a rather rare condition, there should be suitable physician to treat you in the TriCities.

[Serious Conversation]

Chattanooga will be several degrees warmer in the winter, and is likely to avoid most of the snowfall we get in the Tri-Cities. While it's far from a northeastern winter, there can be a good amount of snowfall, especially in higher elevations. There isn't a consistent snowpack like up north.

Most of your general medical needs can be dealt with here. I know a couple who had a child with a complicated pediatric cancer and a buddy of mine had some severe burns recently in an accident. That type of thing gets transferred out - not fairly routine heart treatment.

I don't know if you would be directly ostracized in Kingsport or Bristol, but it will definitely be less friendly than JC.

[CranberryMars]

This is all great news! Thank you!

I'm going to look into the real estate market in Johnson City as well thanks to your advice. I was a little worried because I know real estate in a college town can get pretty pricey but it will be worth looking at.

Also it seems you all have a pretty positive attitude about your towns. That will be so refreshing!

I hope you have room for two more porch sitting old ladies. LOL.

Thanks.