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I was hoping for some input on a possible move to Tennessee.
I am originally from Michigan and we are considering moving back there as well but the Michigan economy scares me... But my entire family is back there...
Anyway... I visited Maryville last July and had a great time! We loved the rafting, parks, outdoor activities. We love to go boating and spent some time on Lake Tellico while I was there and it was amazing.
I want to move my family to 4 seasons again... Texas is just too HOT! Great schools are very very important to me. We love outdoor activities. My kids are 7 and 8. We want to be very active in 4 H. Love to go to farmers markets. Need to find a place on a few arces for the 200-350k range. My husband is in the air force and has a few possibilities lined up and I am a RN.
I was hoping to get opinions from people that have lived in either Texas or Michigan that has an input on Tennessee?
I was hoping for some input on a possible move to Tennessee.
I am originally from Michigan and we are considering moving back there as well but the Michigan economy scares me... But my entire family is back there...
Anyway... I visited Maryville last July and had a great time! We loved the rafting, parks, outdoor activities. We love to go boating and spent some time on Lake Tellico while I was there and it was amazing.
I want to move my family to 4 seasons again... Texas is just too HOT! Great schools are very very important to me. We love outdoor activities. My kids are 7 and 8. We want to be very active in 4 H. Love to go to farmers markets. Need to find a place on a few arces for the 200-350k range. My husband is in the air force and has a few possibilities lined up and I am a RN.
I was hoping to get opinions from people that have lived in either Texas or Michigan that has an input on Tennessee?
Thank you
I'm looking to move back to Tennessee myself. Yes, I have lived in Michigan (Detroit two years, Kalamazoo area 3), before moving to Florida.
I have also spent some time in Texas when I was in the Air Force, not just San Antonio, but the Dallas area.
You can find good schools just about anywhere, but just do some research ahead of time. I started a thread on here for some "non family" information about the Clarksville area, but as of yet, with 35 views, no replies. Maybe I just know to much about the area.
I have a son that is 8, a daughter that is almost 1.
What part of Michigan did you live in, and where are you looking at moving back to? As you know the areas are quite different based on which part of the hand you are pointing at.
As for Tennessee, I can't recommend east Tennessee. Very "mountainous" area, with small towns separated by a few miles line of sight, but you've got to go way out of the way to get around the mountains. For areas that resemble the "Irish hills" areas south of Jackson, I'd look for something no further east then Cookeville.
If you like city amenities near by, like major sporting events, concerts, etc, anywhere within an hour drive of Nashville will suit you. Yes, Cookeville is in that radius, as well as Clarksville, Dover, and areas to the south of the state, although I wouldn't move to far south of Nashville. There are some nice suburbs, and nice cities within driving distance.
West Tennessee is very rural, for the most part. Flatter then the rest of the state, lots of river bottoms, etc.
Its been 12 years since I've lived in Tennessee full time, but my family is still there and I visit often. I have heard that some neighborhoods and areas around Nashville have gone to the Hispanic populations.
So I guess what I'm asking is, just what are you looking for? Lots of rivers and lakes around Tennessee to raft, hike, hunt, etc.
As for Tennessee, I can't recommend east Tennessee. Very "mountainous" area, with small towns separated by a few miles line of sight, but you've got to go way out of the way to get around the mountains.
Maybe if you are talking about the more out of the way places? It's not necessary to go out of the way to get around the mountains for most of the decent sized cities and towns, maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean?
OP I grew up in MI and spent several years in Houston.
West TN reminds me too much of Houston weather wise, very hot and sticky in the summer, days of bone chilling wet in the winter.
If having a desire for four seasons means snow to you, it will limit your options because very few areas in TN get any kind of snow on a somewhat regular basis.
The Cumberland Plateau area and northeast TN remind me more of MI, especially northern MI, lots of lakes, rivers, waterfalls and streams everywhere. There is more vibrant tree color here in the fall than in the western part of the state too, which also reminds me of MI. The weather is more tolerable and if a little bit of snow is what you want, then this is the part of the state you want to look at.
Cookeville, Knoxville and surrounding towns, and Johnson City/Kingsport are all areas I'd recommend you look into.
I was hoping for some input on a possible move to Tennessee.
I am originally from Michigan and we are considering moving back there as well but the Michigan economy scares me... But my entire family is back there...
Anyway... I visited Maryville last July and had a great time! We loved the rafting, parks, outdoor activities. We love to go boating and spent some time on Lake Tellico while I was there and it was amazing.
I want to move my family to 4 seasons again... Texas is just too HOT! Great schools are very very important to me. We love outdoor activities. My kids are 7 and 8. We want to be very active in 4 H. Love to go to farmers markets. Need to find a place on a few arces for the 200-350k range. My husband is in the air force and has a few possibilities lined up and I am a RN.
I was hoping to get opinions from people that have lived in either Texas or Michigan that has an input on Tennessee?
Thank you
I am a native East Tennessean. My husband is a native Texan spending his entire life in San Antonio before moving here 10 years ago. I lived in San Antonio and Longview/Kilgore area.
We bought a house in Maryville 10 years ago. We do have Blue Bell ice cream now but still no Bill Miller's, haha. We both love east TN.
Maybe if you are talking about the more out of the way places? It's not necessary to go out of the way to get around the mountains for most of the decent sized cities and towns, maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean?
OP I grew up in MI and spent several years in Houston.
West TN reminds me too much of Houston weather wise, very hot and sticky in the summer, days of bone chilling wet in the winter.
If having a desire for four seasons means snow to you, it will limit your options because very few areas in TN get any kind of snow on a somewhat regular basis.
The Cumberland Plateau area and northeast TN remind me more of MI, especially northern MI, lots of lakes, rivers, waterfalls and streams everywhere. There is more vibrant tree color here in the fall than in the western part of the state too, which also reminds me of MI. The weather is more tolerable and if a little bit of snow is what you want, then this is the part of the state you want to look at.
Cookeville, Knoxville and surrounding towns, and Johnson City/Kingsport are all areas I'd recommend you look into.
My Grandmother lived in Farragut TN for several years, I just never like it there.
I can say I didn't go to the UP or extreme northern Michigan very often, and it is very rural like Eastern TN. But if you aren't close to Knoxville or Chattanooga, there isn't much over that way.
I've been all over, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Michigan, and everywhere in between. Everyone, in every state, mentions Nashville.
Knoxville is ok, but its a very "is college in session" kind of town.
I will give you that snow is not in massive amounts throughout the state, but even in the eastern regions its nothing like being in the snow belt of Michigan. Northern TN in the central and Western regions get snowfall every year, but it is light and usually just a few inches at the most. Winter is there though, a lot more then Texas.
Thats why I asked the OP what part of Michigan they are wanting to mimic, Three very different terrains. BTW, working in Michigan in the summer was no different, and no less "sticky" then it was in Western Tennessees summers. One thing I hated about Michigan was that the lakes never got above the low 70's water temps. Always cold to swim there, even in the summer.
Wow! Thank you everyone for the quick responses. I grew up in Port Huron MI. Both my husband and I are from there. We have job opportunities in Mt Clemens and Kalamazoo but I really don't know if I want to go back to the long cold months of MI and coming from a good economy in TX to a bad one like MI would be hard. But there is family there, however, they are 10hr drive from TN better than the 24 hrs to SA. The heat does bother me but not as much as the dry brown environment. I really miss the big trees and green soft grass of northern states. When I went to TN in the summer the first thing I did was take off my shoes and run barefoot in the grass... I know... sounds silly right. But in San Antonio last summer my daughter did that in our front yard and stepped on a scorpion so it really did mean a lot. I loved the mountains of Knoxville area but Nashville when we went through it was beautiful I have been told that Nashville would be an easier adjustment for me because I do like all the city conveniences of SA.
Most importantly I want to get somewhere where my kids can really enjoy their childhood outside. Camping, boating, hiking... I want them outside growing up and playing sports and not risking heat exhaustion like my son did in October here!
Like Memphis1979 stated the Great Lakes are cold, even in the summer. I really enjoyed the water being just a little warmer since we will spend hours out on the lake.
DubbleT it would be fantastic to see some fall color again!! We have some friends in Knoxville and I was sooo jealous to see their beautiful pics. I loved going to corn maizes and pumpkin patches in MI when I was young.
So anyway... as you can see still pretty vague... Can anyone just tell we where to go? LOL jk
Wow! Thank you everyone for the quick responses. I grew up in Port Huron MI. Both my husband and I are from there. We have job opportunities in Mt Clemens and Kalamazoo but I really don't know if I want to go back to the long cold months of MI and coming from a good economy in TX to a bad one like MI would be hard. But there is family there, however, they are 10hr drive from TN better than the 24 hrs to SA. The heat does bother me but not as much as the dry brown environment. I really miss the big trees and green soft grass of northern states. When I went to TN in the summer the first thing I did was take off my shoes and run barefoot in the grass... I know... sounds silly right. But in San Antonio last summer my daughter did that in our front yard and stepped on a scorpion so it really did mean a lot. I loved the mountains of Knoxville area but Nashville when we went through it was beautiful I have been told that Nashville would be an easier adjustment for me because I do like all the city conveniences of SA.
Most importantly I want to get somewhere where my kids can really enjoy their childhood outside. Camping, boating, hiking... I want them outside growing up and playing sports and not risking heat exhaustion like my son did in October here!
Like Memphis1979 stated the Great Lakes are cold, even in the summer. I really enjoyed the water being just a little warmer since we will spend hours out on the lake.
DubbleT it would be fantastic to see some fall color again!! We have some friends in Knoxville and I was sooo jealous to see their beautiful pics. I loved going to corn maizes and pumpkin patches in MI when I was young.
So anyway... as you can see still pretty vague... Can anyone just tell we where to go? LOL jk
Kingsport. It's a great place to raise children and it fits your requirements.
Wow! Thank you everyone for the quick responses. I grew up in Port Huron MI. Both my husband and I are from there. We have job opportunities in Mt Clemens and Kalamazoo but I really don't know if I want to go back to the long cold months of MI and coming from a good economy in TX to a bad one like MI would be hard. But there is family there, however, they are 10hr drive from TN better than the 24 hrs to SA. The heat does bother me but not as much as the dry brown environment. I really miss the big trees and green soft grass of northern states. When I went to TN in the summer the first thing I did was take off my shoes and run barefoot in the grass... I know... sounds silly right. But in San Antonio last summer my daughter did that in our front yard and stepped on a scorpion so it really did mean a lot. I loved the mountains of Knoxville area but Nashville when we went through it was beautiful I have been told that Nashville would be an easier adjustment for me because I do like all the city conveniences of SA.
Most importantly I want to get somewhere where my kids can really enjoy their childhood outside. Camping, boating, hiking... I want them outside growing up and playing sports and not risking heat exhaustion like my son did in October here!
Like Memphis1979 stated the Great Lakes are cold, even in the summer. I really enjoyed the water being just a little warmer since we will spend hours out on the lake.
DubbleT it would be fantastic to see some fall color again!! We have some friends in Knoxville and I was sooo jealous to see their beautiful pics. I loved going to corn maizes and pumpkin patches in MI when I was young.
So anyway... as you can see still pretty vague... Can anyone just tell we where to go? LOL jk
All I ever saw of Port Huron was a cell site on the river next to the bridge.
All of Tennessee has green grass, trees, etc. More trees in the mountains. Hiking the trails out there are good.
I don't know about kingsports schools, my uncle lived there for a few years, and there wasn't much to do outside of the local community, going to the Indian casino, or Bristol (if you are lucky enough for tickets).
I think Cookeville would be a good fit for what you are looking for, or somewhere in that area. As I said, schools vary, even where there is one good school district, move five miles away and you are in no mans land at a bad school. Do your homework on that before deciding to move.
I wouldn't drive to MI, I'd fly if I lived in Tennessee.
BTW, just talking to friends up there this year, there was almost no snow. Kalamazoo, no snow on the ground in winter? Weird. But that isn't normal, as you know.
hbold
After I left MI I lived all along the Gulf Coast and then spent 20 years in Memphis, and I never lost my yearning for a MI fall and some beautiful white winter snowfalls. The first year I moved to northeast TN in the fall I nearly cried because it smelled like a real autumn, all crisp and clean, and an abundance of trees that turned color other than just shades of yellow. It was great!
If you really enjoy the big city amenities then Kingsport might be too small for you. The tri-cities area doesn't have a big airport, a zoo, not much in the way of museums, or tons of upscale shopping and dining, things of that nature. It does have everything you could want in the way of day to day living, good schools, and a great place to be if you like being able to go outdoors and enjoy yourself most of the year, summer and winter.
Knoxville is ok, but its a very "is college in session" kind of town.
Not anymore, it isn't.
By the way, you can go from the Tri-Cities through Knoxville and all the way to Chattanooga and never, ever have to climb over a mountain. They call it The Tennessee River Valley for a reason.
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