Advice on where to lay roots? (Chattanooga, Jackson: fit in, 2015, lease)

[kulrich]

My husband and I are looking to make a big move somewhere. We are from Nebraska looking to spread our wings. We both had way different ideas on where to move and we finally narrowed it down to maybe Tennessee. We're looking for some ideas on where the best place would be. Any suggestions? I'm a local photographer looking to spread my work into the south and my husband is in the farming industry. We would eventually like to own our own land eventually to farm. Right now he's a ditch rider which i'm not sure if Tennessee even knows what that is. We would like to keep to our country roots as much as possible but would like to be close enough to be able to take a short dive and go out and explore a bit of city life as well. We're young and don't have kids yet so we're trying to find the right place that could be easily accommodate our little ones when the time comes. A nice place to hopefully call home and find where we fit in and we're hoping Tennessee is that place! We're looking at moving around the end of next year or early 2015 so we have some time yet and would like to have a few places in mind to visit this next spring.

[BirdieBelle]

I did have to Google "ditch rider," so thanks for educating me!

I readily admit that I have no first-hand knowledge of farming and I am not sure if that is how things are done here. So he needs to research that FIRST because I would never recommend moving here without a job.

Other than that, Tennessee is a VERY varied state, with 3 regions that have distinct personalities. I'm sure you could find a spot you like, but your budget will have a lot to do with it.

To visit, I would suggest looking at Jackson in West TN as a starting point. I am sure others will add suggestions soon.

[jguillot]

If your husband is a farmer, I believe the topography in west Tennessee might be better for farming. Central Tennessee has hills and east Tennessee is more mountainous. However, as a photographer, you will find more beautiful scenery in east Tennessee.

[Memphis1979]

Farming in the south is not what it used to be. Most of the time its locally owned or leased land to a large farming company who promises x amount of the profit, so much of the crop, or just a standard land lease fee to farm it.

As far as rural areas outside of large towns, I'd look in West Tennessee if you are suited for warmer, humid climates. Lots more land over there, and farming is still a major way of life for many folks.

[kulrich]

thank you all for you're help! we were looking fat Chattanooga but we will start looking more west. we really had not idea where to start so I went with what Google auggested. hahaha. i think we're looking for a smaller town outside a bigger town that would offer jobs until we got settled in and used to the area and got some connections. something that's a short jont into work. I'm used to a 46 minute drive to work so something around that distant but not so we don't have to live in town as we have our dogs who are used to running around out I the middle of nowhere. anyone an expert in western Tennessee?! thanks again for all the helpful information and pointing me in the right direct!

[KWGregSpackman]

Why don't you plan a week vacation, and stay in all 4 areas. That way you could see which one you like best.

By all 4 I meant, West/East/Nashville & Chattanooga.