Questions about Johnson City (Knoxville, Kingsport: sales, real estate, condo)

[adenlee]

Is Eastern TN or Northeastern TN LGBT friendly? I know that Johnson City is relatively more progressive, but it might still not be as progressive as many bigger cities in other states. How about the level of tolerance among different cities and towns in the tri area as a whole? Are there some places for LGBT residents to socialize?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by adenlee

Is Eastern TN or Northeastern TN LGBT friendly? I know that Johnson City is relatively more progressive, but it might still not be as progressive as many bigger cities in other states. How about the level of tolerance among different cities and towns in the tri area as a whole? Are there some places for LGBT residents to socialize?

Not as much as nearby Asheville. There are like minded people wherever you go.

[Serious Conversation]

There is a gay bar, New Beginnings. South side of town, university, and downtown are more liberal and diverse. JC is much more open to LGBT than surrounding communities. Asheville is much more progressive.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by adenlee

Is Eastern TN or Northeastern TN LGBT friendly? I know that Johnson City is relatively more progressive, but it might still not be as progressive as many bigger cities in other states. How about the level of tolerance among different cities and towns in the tri area as a whole? Are there some places for LGBT residents to socialize?

Eastern TN is very much "Bible Belt" still, and mostly conservative.

Lots of folks will stay out of your business completely on the whole. But in East TN you will still get strange, shocked looks from residents if you are holding hands with the member of the same sex, or exhibit any PDA.

Johnson City is by far the "most gay friendly," but pales in comparison to many university cities and towns in the US. As others have said, Asheville, North Carolina is definitely more gay friendly, and definitely more progressive, and has been nicknamed "mini San Francisco."

In East Tennessee, Knoxville would be less conservative and more progressive for sure. Johnson City is still bogged down by the many Bible-thumping folks who consider the LGBT lifestyle a bad thing/sin. ETSU and the medical school definitely bring in a more diverse group of folks into the city, and that allows for a more cultured/world view with the environment of JC. As opposed to Bristol and Kingsport, which are both pretty much dominated by conservative Christians who look down on the LGBT lifestyle, unfortunately.

If interested in East Tennessee outside of Knoxville, I would still shoot for Johnson City to live.

As for other towns which might be more open in East Tennessee, definitely take a look at the tourist areas of Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville.

[Ted Bear]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

JC is much more open to LGBT than surrounding communities. .

But we still had a movement a year or two ago to ignore the Federal laws regarding gay marriage. The preachers got their flocks out by the busload. Not that the people were that offended by it, but they behaved as the head of the flock told them to. It really was a very sad moment for "Christians" who theoretically are tolerant and humane toward others. They certainly were NOT during this episode.


The Council voted it down...by one vote as I recall.

[adenlee]

I currently live in New York State and am considering to move to JC, TN in the near future. I've heard that the real estate tax isn't high around Johnson City, but I visited a few real estate websites and it seems that people still pay at least about $1000 a year for a 1200 sqf house, and some even pay much higher. I wonder if the online data is accurate? Would you mind sharing how much real estate tax that you pay if you live near the JC area? Other than real estate tax, do you also pay additional taxes such as school or village taxes? If so, how much?


As I said, the sales tax in my current New York State is high (8%). However, there is no tax for grocery shopping (unprocessed food). Is that true that people in TN pay an even higher sales tax, and even for your groceries?


Thanks!!!

[Serious Conversation]

Here's a kind of basic rule of thumb of I'd use.

If located within the city limits, you'll pay both city and county taxes. If you live in the county, you will pay just county taxes. There are no school or village level taxes.

I recently sold my condo in the city of Johnson City. My property taxes were roughly 1% of the value of my condo annually, but my condo was inexpensive. With the city taxes, you also get extra services - much better snow removal, reduced cost city trash pickup vs. a private collector like Waste Management, at the curb limb collection, discounted access the JC Memorial Center (community gym/pool), etc. City schools are better than county schools here. It comes out to be more expensive than the county, but not by as much as you'd expect. Compared to NY, property taxes are a pittance. FYI - nearby Sullivan County has somewhat lower property tax rates, cheaper water/sewer, but worse schools and just isn't as nice of a place to live.

Local sales tax rates are between 9.5% - 9.75%, Unprepared food, typical grocery store items, are taxed at a rate of 5.5%. Prescription drugs are not taxed. Keep in mind that groceries here are surprisingly expensive. I'm from here, but lived in two larger Midwestern metros over the past seven years, and grocery prices here were much higher. JC has a wide variety of grocers, from lower cost options like Aldi, to mainline stores like Kroger and Food City (the dominant regional chain), and upmarket options like Fresh Market and Earthfare. Still, you may be paying more for many items than you're used to, some items are likely to be unavailable, and then you're taxed on top of the higher prices.

https://revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en...-to-sales-tax-

Also, alcohol and tobacco products are much more heavily taxed in TN than in nearby VA. It's not uncommon at all for a 24 pack of Bud Light or similar to be $22-$24 in TN, but $15-$16 in VA. Sales tax in VA is roughly 5%, but about 2.5% on food.

Even when I lived in JC, I probably did half of my grocery/Walmart/Target/Sam's shopping in VA. The sales tax savings add up over the course of a year, especially if you can find a reason to go to Bristol, VA anyway.

[jchometeam]

Serious Conversation gave a very thorough and accurate answer, though I will say that in my experience the users of this board are much more sensitive to grocery prices than the general public. Still, the information is accurate. I would add that there is no wheel tax in Washington County, so registering your car is cheaper than other areas. Registering your car annually will cost about $29 in this area. In comparison, Hawkins County has a $67 wheel tax to add to that, and other counties across the state have wheel taxes approaching $100.

Regarding property taxes- yes living in the city is basically double taxation for improved services. The county raises the property tax rate much more frequently than the city does.

[DubbleT]

I live in Bristol city limits and my taxes on a 3bd, 1000 sq ft house is roughly 1k a year

[rccrain]

It should be noted that there is no income tax or inheritance tax in TN. You probably already know that, but it had not been mentioned.