Relocating, help me choose an area TN (Memphis, Knoxville: low crime, home)

[gterr]

Hello, I am relocating to TN from Portland, Maine for a job promotion. I work for a large retailer and get to choose my home store. Here are my choices for cities:
Chattanooga
Johnson City
Knoxville
Nashville
Memphis
Rivergate
I have been doing some research on these places but would like some advice. I am single with 2 kids ages 16 and 10. Looking for a quiet area with low crime. I don't feel like I have to be near a big city. Any help would be appreciated...Thanks! Giovanna

[alleycat]

Tell us what else you or the kids like to do. Arts? Pro sports? The great outdoors? Music? Restaurants?

As far as I know, Rivergate is still just a mall . . . I don't think they've turned it into a city yet. ;-)

[hiknapster]

I don't think there IS a Rivergate, Tennessee!

I'm originally from New England. Portland is REALLY nice! It is also a very small city, more like a really large town. You might be more comfortable in Johnson City, which would compare in population.

Just a thought.

[alleycat]

Chattanooga might be comparable as well.

[Plain Jane]

Ditto on Johnson City if you don't have a need to live near a big city.

[alicenevada]

NOT Memphis. I wouldnt move there if I was forced. Rivergate is just a suburb of Nashville but not the best part of the city and super congested. I hate it there.

Chattanooga has improved a lot over the years and the surroundings are nice.
Knoxville has a slightly higher crime rate and a few yucky areas but is still a nice area.

Nashville is a great place depending on where you actually reside but the downtown area is really nice and expanding alot. Plus, there is alot of stuff to do.

Johnson City is a beautiful town w/ lots of prosperity and super nice poeple. It's my favorite of your choices.

[Pimpy]

Rivergate isn't a suburb, it's a retail district anchored by a large mall. It is located within Metro Nashville/Davidson County. Goodlettsville and Hendersonville are both Nashville suburbs in the area, and both would be good to look at if you end up choosing the Rivergate location.

Depending on what you're looking for, any of your choices are potentially good ones. Well, except Memphis, unless "gangs and crime" is at the top of your priority list.

Excluding Memphis, which we'll pretend doesn't exist, Nashville is the largest city on your list and Johnson City is the smallest. Knoxville and Chattanooga are right in the middle, with Knoxville being the slightly larger of the two. Nashville has the most entertainment, nightlife, and recreational opportunities, but also the most traffic. Johnson City would be perfect if you're an outdoorsman, but really, any of these cities have abundant outdoor activities.

Looks like a win-win-win-win situation to me.

[wellkids]

I'm only familiar with Middle TN. But if you really like the quiet life and don't want a big city, I'd look into Portland, TN and work at the Rivergate store. That would be a nice area and a really easy commute. You might also want to consider White House, TN.

If you opted to work in Nashville, which is a big city, there would be a lot of other cities around to suggest.

Are your kids involved in anything special?

[umograd83]

Giovanna:

DON'T even consider Memphis. Talk about crime! We relocated to the Memphis area from Scarborough. (Job transfer - we wanted warmer weather and lower cost of living - boy, did we get both!). My nephew relocated to the Nashville area. He loves it. He's into the music scene. East Tennesee will a more balanced four seasons than the Memphis area has. We've traded eight months of winter for eight months of summer. It is hot and muggy here. It was in the 80s in March! In eastern Tennessee, they actually have snow. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually miss snow! And there are mountains over there. None here in the Memphis area. Plus east Tennessee is so much closer to Maine if you want to go back for a visit. I'd live on eastern Tennessee.

[ChaseTheHorizon513]

As almost everyone else says, I wouldn't choose Memphis...because of my job, I travel all over TN a lot and am pretty familiar with all these areas. Considering I moved here when I was 13-14, I know what it's like for a 16 year old to move here...probably against her will. Then again maybe not but still. I wouldn't choose Chattanooga...I guess if I was picking, it would depend on what I liked. Nashville is a ton of fun, the area always has something going on. Never boring. Knoxville...knoxville is fun too but as far as crime rates n being a quiet city, it's not the place. I live in Johnson City, and it is a really nice place, but there's not A TON of stuff to do. I mean we're not out in the sticks or a hicktown by any means but its no new york city. But, if you don't have to be a large city, I think it might be what youre lookin for.