Considering a move to TN

[Dixie Highway]

Our current state of residence is becoming increasingly hostile towards working families, so we’re thinking of abandoning ship (along with thousands of others). I can maintain my current position as far south as Tennessee, so that’s where we are looking to relocate. We are kind of looking statewide, omitting anywhere near the hustle and bustle of Nashville. East near some of the lakes there, Chattanooga, west near Clarksville close to the Cumberland and Kentucky Lake? Idk, suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[sunbyrned]

Consider Pickwick Lake around Savannah, TN. The lake is really nice, ideal for boating, skiing, etc. and good for cat fishing too. You can also put in on the other side of the damn if you prefer the river. It's got a current to it, but a lot of fishing going on. I grew up in the woods around there, literally. Very rural area but maybe perfect for what you're looking for.

 

[Matts18]

If you are interested in boating there is no better place to live in Tennessee than Knoxville.

 

[2kwik4u]

If you are interested in boating there is no better place to live in Tennessee than Knoxville.

I don't live in TN now, and haven't ever, but was going to say the same thing. Many good lakes nearby, and some of the nicer KY lakes are in that region as well. Seems like a large enough city to have some good amenities, but not so large as to be overwhelming.

I'm in Louisville that has a population around 600k (according to Wikipedia). Knoxville is quite a bit smaller around 187k. Louisville feels big enough to be a "big city", but small enough that there aren't many degrees of separation between anyone. Really feels like a "giant little town" so to speak.

If you don't want to go quite so far south, Louisville is a great place to live. Lots of parks and recreation. Not terrible traffic. Decent mix of culture/idea/etc. We live about 10 miles outside of town and feel VERY rural, but are only 15 min from large commerical/shopping/food districts. Patoka Lake is 45min north. Taylorsville Lake is 45min south. Ohio River offers some decent boating. Rough River, Nolin, and Green River Lakes are all within 2hrs tow. Indy, Cincy, Nashville are all within ~2.5hrs drive if you want something hard to find (IKEA, Tesla, etc). We have bad allergy seasons, but the weather overall isn't terrible. Not much snow in the winter, lots of humidity in the summer. Excellent spring and fall weather. I've been here since '91 and have no intention of leaving until the boys graduate in 2054 (18yrs away), then I'm headed south and most likely west. Sandy beaches and clear water are calling my name in retirement......but that's another thread.

Feel free to PM me with questions on this area. Good luck with the search!

 

[geohil]

We are in the same boat - the Socialist Republic of Oregon keeps bleeding us working turnips dry and I think its time to abandon ship. Our best friends just relocated to Knoxville (just like @Matts18 said) and they absolutely love it. They have tried Norris Lake and said it is an untapped treasure. The also love the lower cost of living. It has allowed his wife to stay home with their kids. All I know if for what we can sell our 4 bedroom house here for the price of a lakeside new construction home with dock access there. Keep us updated as you all decide and you might see a '17 212X in your neighborhood.

 

[TOGA]

Chattanooga is terrific but real estate is nuts. We can easily run 45 miles west on the TN River through the TN Gorge (Grand Canyon of the South) to Nickajack Lake or put in on Chickamauga Lake above the dam and run 45 miles to Watts Bar Lake. Lots of great water. Great downtown area. Easy Airport. Traffic is a getting bad on major roads though.

 

[malibu Dan]

We are in the same boat - the Socialist Republic of Oregon keeps bleeding us working turnips dry and I think its time to abandon ship. Our best friends just relocated to Knoxville (just like @Matts18 said) and they absolutely love it. They have tried Norris Lake and said it is an untapped treasure. The also love the lower cost of living. It has allowed his wife to stay home with their kids. All I know if for what we can sell our 4 bedroom house here for the price of a lakeside new construction home with dock access there. Keep us updated as you all decide and you might see a '17 212X in your neighborhood.

That’s exactly why we are bailing from Vancouver (little Portland) and heading to AZ...?

 

[haknslash]

As big of an Alabama fan as I am, I will also agree Knoxville looks to be a great area. A lot of the boat manufacturers are there and we went by there to do a factory tour and the lakes looked really nice along the area. Norris lake looks great from the wake9 vids I’ve seen.

Good to see you guys fleeing from socialist crazies!! We must stick together and not let them take this country down.

 

[buckbuck]

IL is driving me out to. TN and TX have been the states most appealing to us. Right now TX has the lead.

 

[Dixie Highway]

I’d love to join the Republic of TX, but for now not wanting to change jobs is key. I do need to consider being near an airport, which is kind of ruling out the TN/AL/MS border that looks so appealing. This kind of leaves Knoxville, Chattanooga, and maybe Clarksville? I’m personally leaning towards Chattanooga, being as far south as possible makes vacations to the gulf a quicker trip. I have some family around Atlanta, that’s a quick 90 minute trip to north suburbs. Idk guys, we are in the early stages right now but one thing we know is IL has lost it’s damn mind and we are leaving that dumpster fire ASAP while I have a little bit of property value.

 

[buckbuck]

We should get a law passed that no one from Chicago is allowed to be an IL politician.

 

[BoaTN]

I've traveled all over the country with my job and haven't found many places I liked better than TN. If I were to relocate somewhere else in TN it would be Chattanooga. You should go and spend a week there. Check out the lake, the mountains, downtown, real estate. And 10Gb internet to your house for $299 a month or 1Gb for $68 a month. Chattanooga was doing fiber to the home before Google or ATT even thought about it. Internet | EPB

Kentucky Lake is very rural, look at Paris, TN if you're considering that far west.

 

[r3volol]

Born and raised Knoxville resident. Wouldn’t move anywhere unless forced to for a job situation. Downtown has plenty to do for everyone in the family. If you’re a college football fan, catching a game at Neyland Stadium is a must even if you aren’t a fan of the team. West Knoxville is where a lot of people like to live and has more of the brick and moarter stores and chain restaurants. You have all the fun of Piegon Forge/Sevierville if you’re into that sort of stuff. Dollywood is an absolute blast for the family. The smokies are basically I’m your back yard if you’re into hiking. And the lakes... Norris is my preferred lake to use and is absolutely beautiful. Cleanest water you’ll find in this area. Melton Hill lake is another good one, but small. Fort Louden is where a lot of the more privileged people boat, but I find the murky water unappealing.

I see you’re considering Chattanooga, and it’s a beautiful city as well. I just hate the traffic there, as the interstate heading into downtown wasn’t built for the amount of people living there. Knoxville has its traffic issues as well, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve sat in downtown chatty for a few hours in traffic on numerous occasions. Other than that, Chatty is a great city. My best friend lives there now and really likes it. I don’t have as much info on their lake situation, however.

Hope that helps! If you have any specific questions about areas to live around Knoxville and such, feel free to PM me!

 

[Pinhacker71]

We live in northern KY. Ohio River not great to boat on. We travel the 3 hrs to Norris several times a summer. We will have a home there one day. Love it and enjoy hanging out in Knoxville some evenings.

 

[Weeb]

Took a quick to Nashville a couple months ago. It was a fun time with all the clubs.

 

[Brad460]

Wherever you move don’t vote for the same lefty policies that screwed up IL (not saying you did), but this is happening... it’s like a spreading disease..

 

[AboveTheBest]

I’ve been to Knoxville twice recently, and if it weren’t for family nearby we would be considering a move.

It’s a gorgeous area with lots of nice water.

You could do a lot worse...

 

[Dixie Highway]

@Brad460 the problem with IL is if you made Chicago its own state, likely it would be blue and the rest of the state would be mostly red. I agree it’s a spreading disease, unfortunately the low education voters of the state have made it hostile towards people that actually contribute. I assure you any place I move will become just a little more libertarian, perhaps a bit more conservative when I show up.

 

[Dixie Highway]

@r3volol I’m not so worried about occasional traffic to shop, etc. I work from home or travel, and likely your idea of horrible traffic differs from mine lol.

 

[Brad460]

@Brad460 the problem with IL is if you made Chicago its own state, likely it would be blue and the rest of the state would be mostly red. I agree it’s a spreading disease, unfortunately the low education voters of the state have made it hostile towards people that actually contribute. I assure you any place I move will become just a little more libertarian, perhaps a bit more conservative when I show up.

Oh trust me we all know!