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Kingsport - Johnson City - Bristol The Tri-Cities area
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Old 09-07-2008, 12:54 PM
 
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Don makes some valid points. Beware not to make the same mistakes he did. You are smart to be doing your research now, prior to a move. Doctors, sales tax, pricing of goods, housing, etc. are all things one should consider. When relocating it is wise to look before you leap, so to speak.
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Old 09-16-2008, 02:04 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donsabi View Post
If you are a retiree on Medicare you should make darn sure you can get an doctor who will accept you as a patient. After six months of trying I pretty much gave up on finding a doctor at this point.
BTW, don't overlook the 9.5% sales tax.
Don
This sounds bad---I was up in Alaska earlier this year and the local paper had an article about how primary care providers were not taking ANY new Medicare patients. I am retired military and have Tricare, but, Medicare is my basic coverage and Tricare the secondary (if that makes sense?) Bristol sounds like a great place, but, if you can't get medical care at my age......

Any other thoughts?
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Old 09-16-2008, 06:58 PM
 
Location: Beautiful East TN!!
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Have you checked out the VA hospital in JC? Maybe give them a call. Being a vet might hold more weight when getting an MD?
I do hear of few folks having issues finding Doctors so I don't say much as I am not doubting there situation nor know their entire situation. However I am on BCBS and did not ever have to fill out an application or wait, I just called a few Dr's on my providers list and went to a few before I found the one I like and trust the most. I don't know why but people have had different experiences when it comes to PCP's. My folks in Rogersville did not have problems either and they are on Medicaid. They have great specialists too in Kingsport but they have to travel to them because there just aren't as many in the smaller towns. I guess it is a toss up. I too would suggest you make several calls or go visit some Dr's office as part of your research trips here.
Not sure if that helps at all but hope it does.

Last edited by mbmouse; 09-17-2008 at 09:15 PM..
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Old 09-17-2008, 08:44 PM
 
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mexicomike,
The problem here in Kingsport is that there are a lot of seniors here. You may not find the same situation in Bristol or JC. If you like Bristol I would call a local hospital there and see if there are doctors that are taking patients with you insurance.
As mbmouse mentioned there is a big VA hospital in JC. I go there myself but it is about thirty miles form Kingsport. If you could be happy with VA care that may work for you.
Don
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Old 09-20-2008, 01:20 PM
 
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Hi again:
Thanks for the updates. I was aware of the VA Hospital in JC, but, was under the impression that you had to have service-connected injuries or have a super loooow income. Of course every now and then, they "open the books" for new patients.
Thanks again.
MM
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Old 01-07-2009, 10:11 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
9,501 posts, read 16,397,168 times
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Originally Posted by mbmouse View Post
If you own a house/property here, the real estate tax burden in comparison to a lot of other states (NY and FL included) is VERY minimal. You will happily, with a huge smile on your face, write that property tax check and walk it to the court house yourself and frame the receipt hahahahha especially if you live out side of city limits.

However, if you rent, it may seem like more as the difference in day to day taxes/other expenses can add up even though less for some things. Here are some examples.

Like someone said earlier, sales tax is high, almost 10% on everything including food. This can really effect someone on a fixed income.

If you rent a property verses own, several utility companies require a deposit which can be up words of a few hundred dollars. If you own, and have decent credit, no deposit.

TN has no state income tax, however, some investment/dividend income is subject to income tax.

The cost of other things are much cheaper in comparison, such as.

Car registration in Washington County is $24 per car per year for standard tag (more if you want a pretty one or one that supports a organization) I believe it is about the same rate in Sullivan Co.

Mine and others on this forum have seen hundreds of dollars a year less in car insurance premiums.

Homeowners insurance is also much cheaper, mine went down over a thousand a year here verses FL and that was in 97'! Compared to now, that number would be very plural.

There are no toll roads. No extra school tax. No personal property tax.

I have found gas to be noticeably lower here also. Sometimes close to $0.50 less here than New England.

Utility cost per kilowatt can be lower, but that really depends on where you are coming from and what you currently pay. But I doubt it would be higher, then again TVA is talking about raising those rates soon.

So all in all, it really depends on where you are coming from, whether you plan to own or rent and where your income comes from and not really just the tax burden to look at.

I know that is not very scientific, but hope it still helps.
Some very good info here that I was needing. I have been considering retiring to Chattanooga. I am however very concerned with the high sales tax even on the groceries. I will be on a fixed income and renting. I would think I would take a huge hit by this method and high rate of taxation. I am all for sales tax but when it is the main method of taxation and such a high rate, certain people take it the hardest. Im not sure Tennessee is the lower cost area for someone on a retirees fixed income, especially if they are a renter. Not a judgement on Tennessee but naturally people have to make an honest assessment on thier own personal situation in a place. Yes one needs to look at their own personal situation when researching such matters.
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Old 01-08-2009, 06:59 AM
 
Location: Gray, TN
2,172 posts, read 4,599,284 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimrob1 View Post
Some very good info here that I was needing. I have been considering retiring to Chattanooga. I am however very concerned with the high sales tax even on the groceries. I will be on a fixed income and renting. I would think I would take a huge hit by this method and high rate of taxation. I am all for sales tax but when it is the main method of taxation and such a high rate, certain people take it the hardest. Im not sure Tennessee is the lower cost area for someone on a retirees fixed income, especially if they are a renter. Not a judgement on Tennessee but naturally people have to make an honest assessment on thier own personal situation in a place. Yes one needs to look at their own personal situation when researching such matters.
One good thing about the Tri Cities and Chattanooga is that as border cities a person could easily purchase groceries and big ticket items in the sales tax friendlier state.
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Old 01-08-2009, 08:21 AM
 
Location: Massachusetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rccrain View Post
One good thing about the Tri Cities and Chattanooga is that as border cities a person could easily purchase groceries and big ticket items in the sales tax friendlier state.
Is the tax in NC and GA that much cheaper than Tenn especially on Groceries?
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Old 01-08-2009, 08:51 AM
 
Location: Beautiful East TN!!
7,280 posts, read 21,246,607 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimrob1 View Post
Is the tax in NC and GA that much cheaper than Tenn especially on Groceries?
Yes, especially on groceries. There is none in VA and I think 1% or 2% in NC.

As for the issue of taxes on groceries, I can look at it two different ways. On one hand, I think having the taxes on food more fair to everyone seeing as everyone shares the tax burden, homeowners and renters alike. If it wasn't spread to everyone, the property taxes would have to go up...a lot, which would be the same as many other states where those who rent would have less of an opportunity to buy due the property tax expense and the homeowners would be carrying a lot of the burden, that isn't right. On the other hand, the very poor can not afford food due to the sales tax on groceries. Which causes a larger need for those to be on government assistance in the form of food stamps, which is where a potion of the sales tax revenue goes to pay for.
Not sure what a solution is?

Last edited by mbmouse; 01-08-2009 at 08:59 AM..
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Old 01-08-2009, 10:29 AM
 
Location: Massachusetts
9,501 posts, read 16,397,168 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbmouse View Post
Yes, especially on groceries. There is none in VA and I think 1% or 2% in NC.

As for the issue of taxes on groceries, I can look at it two different ways. On one hand, I think having the taxes on food more fair to everyone seeing as everyone shares the tax burden, homeowners and renters alike. If it wasn't spread to everyone, the property taxes would have to go up...a lot, which would be the same as many other states where those who rent would have less of an opportunity to buy due the property tax expense and the homeowners would be carrying a lot of the burden, that isn't right. On the other hand, the very poor can not afford food due to the sales tax on groceries. Which causes a larger need for those to be on government assistance in the form of food stamps, which is where a potion of the sales tax revenue goes to pay for.
Not sure what a solution is?
Thank you for the information. Yes I can also see where the very poor would have trouble and what that would lead to. Thanks.
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