Possibly moving to Johnson City or Morristown (Knoxville, Kingsport: low crime, buy)

[mjlunsik]

I am graduating from school in May and might possibly be moving to JC or Morristown area. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the areas and which one a single 34y/o guy would probably like more? What is there to do in these areas? Is there a place inbetween the two that is nice to live in with low crime and good values on housing? Any and all help is welcome! I am going to look at the area in a week or so, but was trying to get a heads up before I even go there as to what to look for.

Thank you!

[jabogitlu]

Hmm.... hard to say. I'm going to have to go with the tried and true, "Please come visit and see for yourself."

Morristown is a LOT closer to Knoxville, East Tennessee's economic, social and cultural hub and basically "the" only place with a very active nightlife (well, except for Gatlinburg, but that's different). However, Morristown is a strange, dirty little town and its future doesn't look to be picking up any. (Just my opinion, of course.)

Johnson City is quite a few steps ahead of Morristown. There is a large and growing medical community here fueled by two large (comparatively) hospital systems and East TN State University's School of Medicine and new College of Pharmacy. We also have (obviously) ETSU and the usual downtown bar/music haunts and assorted retail (Target - TJ Maxx - Ross - Old Navy - Best Buy et. al.).

However, JC is a good hour and a half drive from Knoxville. So it really depends on what you're looking for. Yeah, you're a single 34 year old guy, but what do you like to do? How large of a city do you prefer to live in? Johnson City is a bit closer to good mountainy outdoorsy stuff, and is a good way away from the over-touristed Great Smokey Mountains.

Johnson City and Morristown are an hour or so apart (on a good day) so finding a place between the two is sort of iffy. If you're dead set on it, the only recommendation I have is Greeneville, a pleasant town of 16k (but with its county-burb it feels more like 25 or 30k) about 30-40 minutes from Morristown and 25-45 minutes from JC (depending on which side of Greeneville you live - it's very long).

If you can give us a better picture of yourself, I'm sure we could help you out a bit more. The main question I'd be asking myself is will Johnson City suffice for all my needs, or will I find myself going to Knoxville often?

ETA - the Tri-Cities (of which JC is a part) have a great, very active traditional, folk and bluegrass music scene fueled by Bristol [birthplace of country music] and ETSU's Bluegrass program. So if you're into the jam-music scene at all, you'd like it here. There are tons of evening/night festivals in the spring through fall all over, from Jonesborough to Kingsport. Of course, a lot of the same can be found in Knoxville, but I've found [and again, this is my opinion!] that the music produced a bit farther NE here in JC is a bit more homegrown feeling. Not knocking Ktown, I loved it there when I lived there.

[rccrain]

I can't think of any logical reason that a 34y/o male would go to Morristown. It's the armpit of East TN.

JC, Greeneville, Jonesborough, or any of the Tri-Cities would be better options. Greeneville/Jonesborough are places in between the two that are nice to live in with low crime and good values on housing.

[mbmouse]

Personally, doesn't matter what age, I'd go with JC over M'town for sure! But...that is just me.
Defiantly make the trip and check them out for yourself.