Any places in Tennessee meet these criteria??? (Knoxville, Chattanooga: house, teaching jobs)

[lookingtorelocate33]

I am starting to explore the possibility of relocating my family in the next year or two and was hoping to get some advice from others. Right now we live near Chicago and are tired of the terrible winters, high cost of living, high taxes, and flat farmland. Ideally we are looking for the following (in no particular order):

1. Good schools - Specifically we are looking at high schools (kids will be out of middle school by the time we relocate). We are not opposed to private schools but would definitely prefer public if possible.
2. Within an hour of jobs. I work in finance and my wife works in education.
3. Decent cost of living - We will be relocating from Chicago so I am sure most area would be better than here. Taxes, housing and gas here are all high.
4. More rustic area - Ideally we would like a wooded area with some hilly topography (northern Illinois is SO flat). Family likes to be in nature (fires at the firepit, swimming in the pool, hiking, fishing, camping, etc).
5. Not overly congested.
6. Housing - Homes between $250k - $500k.
7. Safe and clean
8. Better climate - We hate the cold, long winters of Chicago. We really enjoy being outside.
9. Small-town feel would be an added bonus (holiday events, festivals, quaint downtown area, etc).

I know we might not find an area that meets all there points but am hoping to target a couple of areas that are close. Thanks in advance!

[Serious Conversation]

The jobs need to come first. I'd target Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, likely in that order, since you want some hills. Outside of Nashville, professional jobs can take awhile to come by.

IMO, Knoxville would probably be the best option if you want hills, especially at that budget. There's no need at all to be an hour out for some "peace and quiet" and access to nature. Personally, I don't think metro Knoxville is that congested, although I-40 and Kingston Pike at rush hour can be challenging. City schools in east TN are generally better than county schools.

Johnson City would also work if the stars lined up on the jobs.

Nashville is going to have a higher cost of living than Knoxville, and your budget won't go as far. Still, the job options are going to be a lot better.

Even then, prepare for a likely reduction in pay coming from the Midwest. I'm from northeast TN, but lived in Indianapolis for three years. I'm kind of at the intersection of IT and finance, and while I was able to bring back my Indiana salary, most positions in my field just pay a lot less in Tennessee.

Tennessee winters are certainly better than Chicago - we frequently get days in the 50s and even 60s in January. There is no snowpack, and snow usually melts within a few days at most in most areas. Still, Dec-Feb are frequently overcast and drizzly. It's a lot better than Chicago in the Midwest, but it's not Florida by any stretch.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by lookingtorelocate33

I am starting to explore the possibility of relocating my family in the next year or two and was hoping to get some advice from others. Right now we live near Chicago and are tired of the terrible winters, high cost of living, high taxes, and flat farmland. Ideally we are looking for the following (in no particular order):

1. Good schools - Specifically we are looking at high schools (kids will be out of middle school by the time we relocate). We are not opposed to private schools but would definitely prefer public if possible.
2. Within an hour of jobs. I work in finance and my wife works in education.
3. Decent cost of living - We will be relocating from Chicago so I am sure most area would be better than here. Taxes, housing and gas here are all high.
4. More rustic area - Ideally we would like a wooded area with some hilly topography (northern Illinois is SO flat). Family likes to be in nature (fires at the firepit, swimming in the pool, hiking, fishing, camping, etc).
5. Not overly congested.
6. Housing - Homes between $250k - $500k.
7. Safe and clean
8. Better climate - We hate the cold, long winters of Chicago. We really enjoy being outside.
9. Small-town feel would be an added bonus (holiday events, festivals, quaint downtown area, etc).

I know we might not find an area that meets all there points but am hoping to target a couple of areas that are close. Thanks in advance!

You have just described Cookeville.

1. Excellent schools. Cookeville High School offers 20+ AP classes and also has the International Baccalaureate Program.
2. Cookeville is an hour'ish from Nashville which has, by far, the best economy in the state. The economy in Cookeville itself is thriving, too. The last few years Cookeville has been among the top 10 fastest growing micropolitan areas in the country, and its economy has grown 15% in the last 3 years.
3. The cost of living in Cookeville is considerably lower than in Chicago. There are several Illinois refugees in my church in Cookeville who are living large after leaving Illinois.
4. Cookeville is a town of 35,000 and is surrounded by beautiful countryside: 100+ waterfalls, a dozen state parks, and 1200 miles of lakeshore within 40 minutes of town.
5. The only congestion in Cookeville is in school zones as schools are starting/ending.
6. You can easily get an in-town mansion or a country estate in your price range.
7. Very safe, very clean.
8. Much better climate with four distinct seasons, heavy on the warmer seasons.
9. Cookeville's downtown is quaint and charming, and the town has festivals and downtown events throughout the year.

Here are some homes that have recently sold in your price range in Cookeville.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...90083730_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...41995250_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...1989121_zpid/?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...1989728_zpid/?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...1982957_zpid/?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...41989713_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...41992011_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...1991195_zpid/?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...41990871_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...41991954_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...41994885_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...41982825_zpid/

A recent House Hunters episode featured a family from California seeking essentially the same things you're looking for, which they found in Cookeville, and then got their extended families to also leave California for Cookeville.
https://watch.hgtv.com/tv-shows/hous...-in-cookeville

[1rebmem]

I immediately thought of Cookeville also when I read the OP post.........

[crltn19]

Maryville

[Geneyus]

Make a trip to Chattanooga. It's beautiful there, and it checks just about all of your boxes.

[tnff]

I think the whole Nashville/Murfreesboro/Cookeville area fits nicely for what you described. While I think Chattanooga is an up and comer, the school system still lags. Honestly, that's also probably the biggest issue in Nashville proper. Nashville schools have been having some issues lately. However get outside Nashville itself and there are some outstanding schools in the outlying communities.

If you're looking for a little more micropolitan area, the tri lakes region of Winchester-Manchester-Tullahoma fits many of your checkmarks at a much lower cost of living. Most limiting item on your list would probably be finance jobs.

[KathiOH1]

Maryville or West Knoxville would be good options. Both have more mountain views and yards with trees/nature. These two locations also have top schools. Employment is good here, too, though teaching jobs are hard to find in the best schools. PYA is a nice accounting firm to look at. Lots of larger companies in Knoxville that may hire in finance.