Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville (Johnson City, Athens, Jonesborough: house, job market, schools)

[corvidae]

I'm an outdoorsy artist interested in Tennessee.

I feel like Nashville might have more of an arts scene. And I think it would be great to be around all of that music.

However I think Knoxville is probably the best for outdoors. I really want to live somewhere where I can have easy access to hiking, biking, camping, etc. I like Knoxvillle pretty well. The only thing is, the smokies seem crowded.

Is Chattanooga a bit of a mixture of the two? Seems like the mountains are a little lower there, though.

I like the geography of the Johnson City area (Roan Mountain) but the city seems to lack character and seems a bit depressed. But I've heard good things about Jonesborough.

I'd like to work at a university or college, a museum, or an arts non profit. But I'll take what I can get for a while as I'm just coming out of graduate school.

The other place that I'm looking at in addition to Tennessee is Washington State... I think the landscape there seems amazing. But I've never lived anywhere that rainy.

[Serious Conversation]

Where are you now, what's your budget, and why move to TN?

I wouldn't count Nashville out for the outdoors. While it's not as close to the mountains as Knoxville or Chattanooga, there are plenty of lakes, hills, and areas for outdoor recreation, hunting, and fishing. It may not be an outdoorsman's paradise, but it's no slouch. The economy in Nashville is by far the best in the state and is also known as the "Athens of the South." If you want to work in a university or nonprofit, Nashville is your best bet as it is the education and economic hub of the state.

That's not to say Knoxville or Chattanooga are bad. I haven't spent much time in Chattanooga, but some of my friends adore it. I am in Knoxville at least twice a month, and while I find the city to be fairly average overall (even among cities its own size), UT-K creates such a unique atmosphere that it's worth experiencing for a sports fan. Also, the Smokies are a reasonably short drive away, though they are often overwhelmed in tourism. The mountains of western NC are a bit of a longer drive, though still easily accessible for a weekend trip.

I wouldn't even consider TN east of Knoxville or west of Nashville. Johnson City itself is fine, but it's in a severely depressed area. Remote areas on the edges of TN are far worse off the the Knoxville - Chattanooga - Nashville triad and it's difficult to get to decent areas from the TN periphery.

[keithps]

I don't know how well you can access outdoor stuff like hiking in Knoxville, as I've never tried that but... I live 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga and I can go from my house to the Cumberland Trail in less than 10 minutes. I live 1/2 mile from Chickamauga Lake, 1 mile from the TN river. I can be at the Ocoee in 1.5 hours. I can be hang gliding in 20 minutes. The vast majority of outdoor activities (besides winter ones) are no more than 20-30 minutes from Chattanooga.

[Reactionary]

Tennessee is rainier than Washington state, however the rain is heavier and less frequent.

[creeksitter]

Forget Gatlinburg. There are acess points to the smokies that aren't crowded at all. With a few exceptions, once you get on the trails you may see 2-3 other parties in an hour, many trails you'll see no one at all.

Knoxville has a set of walking/mountain bike trails called the urban wilderness that start as close as 1/2 mile from downtown, most are 2-3 miles out.

[corvidae]

Thanks. I'm interested in Tennessee for the low cost of living and proximity to outdoors. It is also relatively close to where my family lives in South Carolina, but also not too close.

I think each of these cities have appealing things about them. I might just apply for jobs in different areas and go wherever my wife or I get a job.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by corvidae

Thanks. I'm interested in Tennessee for the low cost of living and proximity to outdoors. It is also relatively close to where my family lives in South Carolina, but also not too close.

I think each of these cities have appealing things about them. I might just apply for jobs in different areas and go wherever my wife or I get a job.

Personally, I feel that is the ONLY way to look for a place to live. Narrow down cities that will work for you and are a good investment, then try to get a job. Without that, don't move.

[corvidae]

Well, I'll be graduating from a graduate program, so I won't have a job to start with... but I understand your point.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by corvidae

Well, I'll be graduating from a graduate program, so I won't have a job to start with... but I understand your point.

Then move to the city that offers you a job.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by corvidae

Well, I'll be graduating from a graduate program, so I won't have a job to start with... but I understand your point.

You need to secure employment ASAP and start applying before schools ends so you don't have an employment gap on your resume. Overall, TN's job market is worse than most other states. I would move to a region with a much healthier job market.