Want to start fresh in a small town...Suggestions?

[iloveethridgetn]

Well, if you don't mind being in Amish country, I would highly recommend Ethridge, Tennessee. It is right outside Lawrenceburg so you have your Walmart and chain restaurants and banks and all you need, etc. but you are far enough away that you have absolute peace and quiet. The Amish keep to themselves, but you are welcome to ride up to their farm and buy jams, jellies, furniture, baskets, vegetables, you name it. We buy strawberries, vegetables, rocking chairs, etc. We bought a sweet little minor fixer upper with over 5 acres for just under $200,000; in Williamson or Davidson county it would have been worth $600,000 or $700,000. It is a lot fun looking at the little children or the buggies going by. It is really beautiful in Ethridge, TN.

[Memphis1979]

Samburg or Tiptonville TN

Literally in the middle of no where, people don't come there like they used to for hunting and fishing, and its home to the largest, natural, fresh water lake east of the Mississippi, outside of the great lakes.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

Samburg or Tiptonville TN

Literally in the middle of no where, people don't come there like they used to for hunting and fishing, and its home to the largest, natural, fresh water lake east of the Mississippi, outside of the great lakes.

Lake Okeechobee in Florida is the largest natural, fresh water lake that is east of the Mississippi. Next is Lake Champlain. It's not a Great Lake, either, although it was called one for a very brief time. Then there is New York's Finger Lakes such as Seneca and Cayuga (each much larger), Moosehead Lake in Maine, Lake Oneida in New York; Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina; Lake Kissimmee and Lake Apopka in Florida, etc. Well, you get the idea.

It is the largest freshwater lake in Tennessee but how it was formed is what makes it so fascinating. The powerful New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 created the lake. The earthquakes were so powerful that they caused church bells to ring in Boston and Toronto and sidewalks to crack in Washington, D.C. The Mississippi River flowed backwards creating temporary waterfalls and creating Reelfoot Lake. FEMA has warned that another powerful quake in the area is possible with predictions of the "highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States."

By the way, Reelfoot is very shallow and somewhat swampy in many areas.

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Lake Okeechobee in Florida is the largest natural, fresh water lake that is east of the Mississippi. Next is Lake Champlain. It's not a Great Lake, either, although it was called one for a very brief time. Then there is New York's Finger Lakes such as Seneca and Cayuga (each much larger), Moosehead Lake in Maine, Lake Oneida in New York; Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina; Lake Kissimmee and Lake Apopka in Florida, etc. Well, you get the idea.

It is the largest freshwater lake in Tennessee but how it was formed is what makes it so fascinating. The powerful New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 created the lake. The earthquakes were so powerful that they caused church bells to ring in Boston and Toronto and sidewalks to crack in Washington, D.C. The Mississippi River flowed backwards creating temporary waterfalls and creating Reelfoot Lake. FEMA has warned that another powerful quake in the area is possible with predictions of the "highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States."

By the way, Reelfoot is very shallow and somewhat swampy in many areas.

Its the total area of the lake that once was. Lots have filled in. And part of the okachobee is salt water marsh, why its not the largest.

At any rate, youre right, parts are very swampy. There are places that are 20 and 30 feet deep. Just have to know the lake.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

Its the total area of the lake that once was. Lots have filled in. And part of the okachobee is salt water marsh, why its not the largest.

At any rate, youre right, parts are very swampy. There are places that are 20 and 30 feet deep. Just have to know the lake.

First of all, no it is not the largest lake east of the Mississippi and I gave you a list of lakes that are much bigger. I could have given you a longer list but hey, I have a life.

Second, Lake Okeechobee is all freshwater.

Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA Vacation Info - Lakelubbers

Third, Reelfoot's average depth is 6 feet, with a max of 18.

It is the largest freshwater lake in the state but not in the entire area east of the Mississippi.

Reelfoot Lake Vacation Info - Lakelubbers

The hyperbole has got to stop, and I'm being very kind by using that word. This is a forum for factual information.

[Beretta]

Let's not get too worked up over posts. All viewpoints are welcome and everyone should verify information posted. One of the earlier posts on here mentioned to the OP to check out Bristol TN; we all know Bristol is well over 1000 people.

While the OP, a new poster at the time, has not been back since 2010, this thread was revived by another new poster. This thread is actually highlighting little towns that may be of interest to lurkers or future readers. All information is welcome and friendly banter back and forth makes the forum fun and inviting.

Seize the day! Beretta

[Whiskey Tango]

This thread has given me a few more great ideas on places to check out on our trip this June. It also confirmed some of the towns that other posters have recommended to me in my thread. Thanks!

[tsimmu]

Gilbert, WV. Realize that's not TN but meets all your criteria.

[Lou Ann Sanders]

Smithville is a nice small town to live in. The population is more than what you want. There is about 5, 000 people in the city and a little more than 18, 000 in the county but still a nice place to live surrounded by the lake and mountains.

Louann

Originally Posted by radio595

Hi, I'm looking to move to Tennessee, to a small, quiet community.
Things I'm looking for:
-Population under 1000
-Either a body of water or mountains nearby
-Has basic necessities like drug store, supermarket, etc. and a library

Please let me know if you know of any towns like this! Thank you!

[Vin44]

Originally Posted by iloveethridgetn

Well, if you don't mind being in Amish country, I would highly recommend Ethridge, Tennessee. It is right outside Lawrenceburg so you have your Walmart and chain restaurants and banks and all you need, etc. but you are far enough away that you have absolute peace and quiet. The Amish keep to themselves, but you are welcome to ride up to their farm and buy jams, jellies, furniture, baskets, vegetables, you name it. We buy strawberries, vegetables, rocking chairs, etc. We bought a sweet little minor fixer upper with over 5 acres for just under $200,000; in Williamson or Davidson county it would have been worth $600,000 or $700,000. It is a lot fun looking at the little children or the buggies going by. It is really beautiful in Ethridge, TN.

I agree about ethridge. I love it here. 200,000 is too high, though you can get something like that closer to $100,000. It is really cheap here and safe.