Progressive enclaves in East Tennessee? (Memphis, Knoxville: violent crime, homes, buy)

[VinceTheExplorer]

Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler

We are not overwhelmed with religious types where we live. I was a being a bit tongue and cheek, but at the same time, I would prefer to live in place where my brother and his husband will feel comfortable when when they visit. I was not expecting that a town like Erwin would be a good fit. I doubt you can get decent a decent vegan meal there. That's probably the biggest concern for my wife. Me, I'll listen witnessing all day if it means I get good BBQ

I have a close friend from high school, a conservative Christian, who lives in Lewisburg now. As I mentioned before, we were planning on heading to TN this summer and visiting him was on the itinerary. We are certainly able to agree to disagree. From how he describes Lewisburg, it seems like a nice place with lovely people, but it's not a place that would be a good fit for us. More or less, I'm looking for a cheaper Asheville (proximity to mountains included) if such a thing exists. Chattanooga is also on on our itinerary. Looks like we should add Knoxville and probably Johnson City. Johnson City will be easy since hiking Roan is part of the motivation to make the road trip.

There’s no such thing as a “cheaper Asheville” anywhere in East Tennessee, and you won't find any vegan meals or eateries (to our knowledge) here in Erwin.

Asheville is ... well, Asheville and nothing that many here in the area want to see migrating this way (certainly not us, and why we’re here and not there). If we want Asheville it’s an easy 40 minute drive away which is good enough for us.

Best bet to find what you desire is to try Chattanooga or the cheaper outskirts of Asheville like Waynesville, Swannanoa, Brevard and such. Good luck.

[suzytx]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

The most difficult thing for me is there is a fair amount of ignorance, and some people feel free to make stupid comments with the assumption that you probably feel the same way they do. But then I've found that to be true everywhere I've lived.

A gasoline on the fire statement such as that is not likely to endear you to the natives. I've seen the term 'ignorance' thrown around quite a bit in this forum.

[jjbradleynyc]

In far northeastern Tennessee, Johnson City is your best bet.

There's actually a decent-sized LGBTQ population in JC, and there's also a pretty good gay bar, believe-it-or-not.

Elsewhere in northeast East Tennessee, it is tricky, and while folks in Bristol and Kingsport mind their business, there are lots of Bible-thumping, fundamentalists around, and it's pretty conservative overall, with exceptions of course.

Knoxville or Chattanooga are great options going further west, in east Tennessee. Knoxville has a much larger population and overall could be a better fit. Chattanooga is the same.

If you looked to Nashville or Memphis, those are the best overall in Tennessee, of course, but for northeastern East Tennessee, Johnson City first, then for East Tennessee overall, Knoxville and then Chattanooga.

[SchoolHouseRock]

Try Virginia. It's overrun with liberals. Fairfax, Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach, etc. Take your pick.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by suzytx

A gasoline on the fire statement such as that is not likely to endear you to the natives. I've seen the term 'ignorance' thrown around quite a bit in this forum.

One of my coworkers did not understand why a middle eastern woman was wearing a hijab while shopping. Because she didn't understand she made a stupid, racist comment. Ignorance, not stupidity, due to lack of exposure, isolation, poor access to the internet, poorly performing schools, etc., blame it on lots of things, it still remains a fact in many areas.
I get along just fine with the 'natives', IMO ignorance is best educated by example and knowledge, not by force.

[WestRiverTraveler]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

In far northeastern Tennessee, Johnson City is your best bet.

There's actually a decent-sized LGBTQ population in JC, and there's also a pretty good gay bar, believe-it-or-not.

Elsewhere in northeast East Tennessee, it is tricky, and while folks in Bristol and Kingsport mind their business, there are lots of Bible-thumping, fundamentalists around, and it's pretty conservative overall, with exceptions of course.

Knoxville or Chattanooga are great options going further west, in east Tennessee. Knoxville has a much larger population and overall could be a better fit. Chattanooga is the same.

If you looked to Nashville or Memphis, those are the best overall in Tennessee, of course, but for northeastern East Tennessee, Johnson City first, then for East Tennessee overall, Knoxville and then Chattanooga.

Very helpful. Looks like I have my list of cities to visit. Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Erwin (just kidding.)

[yellowcat123]

Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler

Very helpful. Looks like I have my list of cities to visit. Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Erwin (just kidding.)

Good luck, I hope you enjoy Tennessee!! It would be cool to see an update after you visit to see your before and after opinions .

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler

Very helpful. Looks like I have my list of cities to visit. Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Erwin (just kidding.)

Yeah--you'll be pleasantly surprised by Knoxville. The area is affordable with beautiful geography and a lot of options. Plus the resort area of Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg & the Great Smoky Mountains is 30 minutes away, roughly.

Chattanooga is an amazing smaller city that I would look very closely into. The northside neighborhood is cozy, quaint, and hilly, with an artsy vibe to it that is cool. Downtown Chattanooga also offers a great livable option, with loads of restaurants, bars, retail and fun things to do.

Johnson City has East Tennessee State University, and a growing medical school. This brings in a diverse population from all over. The region is fortunate to have just some stunning mountain backdrops, and has become a mountain biking destination over the course of the past 10-20 years, and downtown JC has some great momentum with gentrification happening. JC has a thriving mall (shocking I know) that is bustling, and northeast Tennessee's first Home Goods store and Chipotle are coming to the mall this spring. There's also a "higher end" shopping center planned on I-26 as you drive towards Gray, TN, about 10 minutes from downtown JC. This should bring some retail to the region that is common in larger areas of 500k+ or so.

Jonesborough is worth looking into too--about 15 minutes to the southwest of Johnson City. It's Tennessee's oldest town and is just a gorgeous step back in time "movie set" downtown. There are some brand new retirement neighborhoods in the region there, and it's growing pretty fast.

I lived there in the area from 2017-2020, and I knew several LGBTQ friends who moved to Johnson City from Asheville, due to rising housing costs in Asheville. JC is a bargain and Asheville is just a 45 min drive over the gorgeous I-26 mountain border between TN and NC.

[trobesmom]

Originally Posted by SchoolHouseRock

Try Virginia. It's overrun with liberals. Fairfax, Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach, etc. Take your pick.

It's pricier than TN though.

[doc1]

In the 18 months we've lived here (NJ escapees) we've found TN to be very friendly and welcoming to newcomers. We love it here for the same reason as VinceTheExplorer.

Can't say we've come across the the type of people that those in other parts of the country stereotype in a condescending manner. Maybe we haven't looked hard enough.

Understand that although TN has a sales tax that's higher than many other states there in no tax on income and property taxes your home are very low,

That's may rankle many progressives who feel TN'ans are not paying their "fair share" to the state and local political classes but we like that among many other things about TN. YMMV.