Move to Eastern TN - retirement (Knoxville, Chattanooga: 2013, apartments, home)

[2013MD]

Possible move from Maryland to East TN, but would like to settle in a smaller area other than Knoxville or Johnson City. Retiring and would appreciate any input as to surrounding areas for apartment living. Have friends in Morristown, but looking into other areas.

[Serious Conversation]

What are you wanting for in a town? There are small towns on the outskirts of Johnson City and Knoxville (15-30 minutes out) that will give you a small town feel, while having access to the larger cities for shopping, medical care, etc.

What's your budget? Do you have any specific needs/wants, like mountain/river views, sophisticated medical needs, etc.?

I personally wouldn't recommend Morristown - it's a town on the decline and has issues with crime. Personally, I wouldn't recommend many of the very rural counties either - a lot of crime, not many amenities, few apartments, and I'd doubt they'd be transplant-friendly.

I would look at Jonesborough or Gray if you want to focus on Johnson City or Alcoa/Maryville around Knoxville.

[jabogitlu]

If you have no allegiance to any area, small towns around Chattanooga have the added benefit of being closer to Atlanta, if that matters.

Honestly, there's small towns all around East TN with apartments. Your decision will be easier if you can figure out some discerning elements to help narrow your search. Chattanooga to Bristol is 220 highway miles so it's not a small area.

[llsmith42]

Crossville is a short drive to Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga and home to many retirees.

[NCN]

If you are looking for a place with a good transportation system Gatlinburg or Sevierville might be your choice.

I started to suggest Elizabethton but that is near Johnson City. Fairfield Glade is a place we have visited often in their timeshares. That is one of the most beautiful parts of Tennessee in my opinion but you would need a car. We were told the Glade area for some reason gets less snow than some other areas. One thing for sure is that with all the parks, there is always something to do. They have good restaurants too. We have never run out of something to do when visiting the area. They have a live theatre, discount shopping center with major stores, etc.

[2013MD]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

What are you wanting for in a town? There are small towns on the outskirts of Johnson City and Knoxville (15-30 minutes out) that will give you a small town feel, while having access to the larger cities for shopping, medical care, etc.

What's your budget? Do you have any specific needs/wants, like mountain/river views, sophisticated medical needs, etc.?

I personally wouldn't recommend Morristown - it's a town on the decline and has issues with crime. Personally, I wouldn't recommend many of the very rural counties either - a lot of crime, not many amenities, few apartments, and I'd doubt they'd be transplant-friendly.

I would look at Jonesborough or Gray if you want to focus on Johnson City or Alcoa/Maryville around Knoxville.

Thanks so much for your response. Didn't realize all that about Morristown. Thought it was growing somewhat - obviously, but not in the right direction. Since my move is a retirement one with some medical issues, I'd like to be close to resources for that, but enjoyment of the mountain/recreation as well. Still doing some homework, but really appreciate your info. Thanks again.

[Normashirley]

You might check out the Lenoir City area. I am acquainted with a woman who retired , with her husband, from Michigan to a retirement subdivision with Lenoir City as their post address.

They were happy there until she decided to own more than one horse and they bought 30 acres, lol

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by NCN

If you are looking for a place with a good transportation system Gatlinburg or Sevierville might be your choice.

If you consider tourist trolleys "good transportation."

Word of advice to the OP. Stay out of that tourist trap.

Originally Posted by 2013MD

Thanks so much for your response. Didn't realize all that about Morristown. Thought it was growing somewhat - obviously, but not in the right direction. Since my move is a retirement one with some medical issues, I'd like to be close to resources for that, but enjoyment of the mountain/recreation as well. Still doing some homework, but really appreciate your info. Thanks again.

It looks like you are living in a burb that's about 20 minutes to Baltimore. You'll find that cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga are very small and not like anything you would call a city. I know that in Knoxville, about 10 minutes out you can be in a very rural area. I believe Chattanooga is the same.

I also see that you don't like snobby people. Except for very few exceptions, our small cities aren't like that. I think you'll be shocked at how friendly people actually are around here.

Also, bear in mind that small towns may be far different than you expect.

Knoxville has some great recreational offerings. Outdoor Knoxville

I think a road trip is in order.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by 2013MD

Possible move from Maryland to East TN, but would like to settle in a smaller area other than Knoxville or Johnson City. Retiring and would appreciate any input as to surrounding areas for apartment living. Have friends in Morristown, but looking into other areas.

We chose Seymour a rural community 20 minutes from Knoxville, Maryville and Sevierille/Pigeon Forge. No downtown but a very nice area and in Sevier County you have very low property taxes. You could also look a bit south to Athens, but being close to Knoxville and having less traffic because no FRWY near is great.

[2013MD]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

If you consider tourist trolleys "good transportation."

Word of advice to the OP. Stay out of that tourist trap.



It looks like you are living in a burb that's about 20 minutes to Baltimore. You'll find that cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga are very small and not like anything you would call a city. I know that in Knoxville, about 10 minutes out you can be in a very rural area. I believe Chattanooga is the same.

I also see that you don't like snobby people. Except for very few exceptions, our small cities aren't like that. I think you'll be shocked at how friendly people actually are around here.

Also, bear in mind that small towns may be far different than you expect.

Knoxville has some great recreational offerings. Outdoor Knoxville

I think a road trip is in order.

Thanks for your response and, yes, my present area is close to Baltimore - TOO close. Depending on traffic, Camden Yards is about 8 minutes. Been here 9 years and that's 9 years too many. Retiring soon and it's time to get out of Dodge. Yes, a road trip is in order and it will be in May.