eastern part of the state (Knoxville, Johnson City: house, to buy, square footage)

[restlessyankee]

I liked the Ashville NC area but looking to retire soon since I'm 61. Eastern TN looks good.
I'd be looking to buy a smaller home around 1000 sq ft under $200,000
I like anything near the water and walking/hiking in the woods. Groceries within 30 minutes max would be good and dog friendly.
I'm just starting to look and house purchase would be cash.

[Serious Conversation]

You can find a decent home for $200k at that square footage in the Tri-Cities. Johnson City is generally the most attractive city in this area, closest to Asheville, but is a bit more expensive than Kingsport or Bristol.

Other than maybe creek frontage, you're not going to find "on the water" at that price. Walking/hiking/lake access is generally available within thirty minutes anywhere in the area.

[bounty80]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

You can find a decent home for $200k at that square footage in the Tri-Cities. Johnson City is generally the most attractive city in this area, closest to Asheville, but is a bit more expensive than Kingsport or Bristol.

Other than maybe creek frontage, you're not going to find "on the water" at that price. Walking/hiking/lake access is generally available within thirty minutes anywhere in the area.

Where can I find creek frontage?

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by restlessyankee

I liked the Ashville NC area but looking to retire soon since I'm 61. Eastern TN looks good.
I'd be looking to buy a smaller home around 1000 sq ft under $200,000
I like anything near the water and walking/hiking in the woods. Groceries within 30 minutes max would be good and dog friendly.
I'm just starting to look and house purchase would be cash.

Sounds to me like Loudon County, specifically the cities of Loudon, Greenback, and Lenoir City or the Vonore and Madisonville areas of Monroe County.

[restlessyankee]

Thanks. I'm thinking of selling my house in NY this spring. I don't want to be in a city. I like some distance between neighbors.
I also use the VA for healthcare. I see there is a VA hospital in Knoxville,Nashville and Johnson City so those areas would work.
I'm in northern NY now with lakes, rivers, creeks and trees. Hoping to find something similar.

[suzytx]

There's places like Butler, Hampton, Elizabethton that are fairly close to the Johnson City VA. Some say Mountain City and Roan Mountain but I think those are too far away from JC and the VA. DH is a veteran so we chose Elizabethton just outside its city limits. Some great mountain views there with the Doe and Watauga rivers and the Watauga and Wilbur dams.