Why I like Tennessee. (Sort of a positive rant)

[Guest TankerHC]

I know this is pretty much preaching to the choir. You HAVE to know (well most) how good you have it up there in TN. As many of you know Ill be moving there soon. I would already be there if it were not for the fact I am having a heck of a time finding a house. Im looking for something with land and its either too old or in a crappy part of the county. I have 2 realtors working for me right now and neither one of them seems to be able to locate something other than something they have had listed a year or two and are trying desperately to pawn off on someone. At this point, Im ready to lease if thats what its going to take to get moved.

Other than the obvious, my wife beaing from Rhea County, her mother getting up there (80) and not in the best of health and wife just wanting to move back home. Here is what I think of TN.

First, the people are super nice for the most part. I have had the opportunity to live in 16 states and 5 different Countries. I have visited all 50 states, mostly thanks to the Army and have yet to come across people, as a group, who are more hospitable than Tenneseans. As an example, I have been in MS now for 16 years, made a lot of friends, good people. But generally this is what the attitude is. Even though I was born and raised in the 1st State to even be a Southern State (South of the Mason-Dixon), and even though I have lived 35 of my 49 years in the south, and even though I am a Citizen of the State, registered to vote and have voted in every election in any of the other Southern States I have lived in, I often get the "Oh, you dont count, your not a Southerner" attitude. Usually until I mention to most of them that I have lived longer in the South than they have been alive and that my family is from Tatnall County, Georgia, fought in the Confederacy and still live in Tatnall County. Well, I dont get that from the people in Tennessee. When I talk to them, its like they roll out the red carpet and are very welcoming. Like I said, super nice people without attitudes (In general).

Compared to most of the other States I have lived in, Tennesee doesnt Tax you to death.

History. Im a big History buff. There is enough History in TN to keep someone like me occupied for a lifetime.

Things to do, you guys have Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Bristol, and a ton of other things. To be perfectly honest, here, unless you want to waste money in a Casino, your pretty limited. They have even destroyed the view of the Mississippi from the Vicksburg Battlefield with tacky Casino's.

The beauty of the State of Tennessee is almost unmatched in my humble opinion. Other than Colorado, I dont think I have seen a more beutiful part of the country. Unlike the Appalchians which I have spent a lot of time in, the Smokey's seem to be nearly untouched. Im sure there is development, but like the Rocky's, it seems you can drive for hours and just see the mountains and wildlife. I do like the Shenendaoh Valley in Virginia for the same reason, but compared to the Smokey's, no match.

Politics. Seems I have yet to meet anyone who doesnt have the same Conservative views I have or close to them. Maybe its just because of the parts of the state I have visited, but thats where Ill be anyway.

Fishing, Hunting and Outdoors. Not much to be said there, you guys pretty much have everything except Ocean access and thats not far away.

Im retiring to Tennesee. It has everything I want. I cant wait to get there. Chomping at the bit, only thing holding me back right now is a house and some land.

I love Tennessee.

[dieewigeteufel]

I'm from Rhea county as well. And I definitely know it's hard to find a decent house around here ATM. A lot of that being from people that are here to work on the second reactor out at Watts Bar.

[Chadastrophic]

That's because TN has enough Yankees to balance out the Southerners.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

I love TN.. I just do not love where we are right now..And K- ville isnt my cup of tea either..Just . ugly I think.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Try looking at the Homepath website. They are a lot of forclosed houses through Fannie Mae/ Freddie Mac. The selection isn't like Bank of AMerica but the prices are also not what Bank of AMerica asks. We followed a proerty that had 24 acres and a ~1,800 square foot brick home. It was a horse farm before it was foreclosed upon so nearly all the land was level and useable. It had a nice pond on the property as well. It sold recently for $168K. In 2008 the house alone would have been worth almost that.

Another option is buy the piece of property you want then build your house to suit you. I know locally there have been a number of lots that have sold for cheap.

Dolomite

[Guest FIST]

I too have come to love this state. I grew up in Southern IL (Near Carbondale) and thought it was the best state since sliced bread (Never felt as ignorant as the day I realized what Illinois really is) then the Army found me. I haven't been to every state, maybe about 40 of them (17 to go by Obamas count). With the exception of Charleston SC (hospitality) and the Rockies (shear beauty) this has been my best overall experience with a State/City. Good luck with the search for the home.

[dats82]

As far as conservatives go, Rhea Co is all about it.

From this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_Trial

To this...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114467,00.html

[daddyo]

Born and raised in SE Tennessee. Still here after 58 years. Wouldn't want to live any place else.

[Dolomite_supafly]

If I had to choose it would be TN or somewhere in the SW. I loved Texas and New Mexico. The weather was nice and there is TONS of public lands. No need to be a member of a range and no limit on the distance you can shoot.

I wish there were more public land in Tennessee where you could go shoot.

Dolomite

[Sam1]

Things to do, you guys have Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Bristol, and a ton of other things. To be perfectly honest, here, unless you want to waste money in a Casino, your pretty limited. They have even destroyed the view of the Mississippi from the Vicksburg Battlefield with tacky Casino's.

Only thing good to do there is to avoid the whole place

[Dennis1209]

Well, I sure have to agree with you on Tennessee! That's why I moved here a few years ago.

Like you, I spent 3 years active Army, seventeen years in the active reserves. I've been to 11 other countries and 35 U.S. States including Alaska and Hawaii. But...

Here's where I have you. I spent 38 years in "The Peoples Republic of Illinois" due to my former employment and family. I've had my shackles and chains removed and bear the bruises and scares of such brutal treatment.

Due to much less taxes, we now can eat beanies and weenies and hamburger instead of oatmeal and cheese & mac daily! I didn't know how to act when driving in the country and pass by people on the road and they "waved" and didn't give you the middle finger. People hear are totally different homo sapien's than the Peoples Republic.

My last year in active service in 1973 at Ft. Campbell, KY, I thought to myself, "this would be an excellent place to retire to".

In 2009 "SURPRISE", now you're stuck with me folks!

I love it here, and the Great State of Tennessee!

[gun sane]

The wife and I transplanted here in '03 from Texas, where the four seasons are Hot, Hotter, Not So Hot and Gonna Get Hot. I love it here, but it is getting a mite crowded. When you get here, make sure you don't do anything to get yourself in a lawsuit. The results are too iffy.

[Guest TankerHC]

As far as conservatives go, Rhea Co is all about it.

From this...

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Scopes_Trial

To this...

http://www.foxnews.c...,114467,00.html

About two or three years ago, a couple of lesbians started some crap in Rhea County. Like most homsexuals, they were not content to just live their lives and go about their business. They HAD to have a parade. In Dayton. I went down to watch with my BIL just to see how the residents of Rhea and Dayton would react to the funtivities. It wasnt a pretty sight. Im not sure, but I dont think they have had one since.

[plank white]

Love tennessee but my wife is from Montana and I gotta say I went there last year near bellgrade and out of everywhere on this rock we call earth I have been to that is where I want to move before I die I love TN. and the south but man Montana is a dream IMO

[LagerHead]

Love tennessee but my wife is from Montana and I gotta say I went there last year near bellgrade and out of everywhere on this rock we call earth I have been to that is where I want to move before I die I love TN. and the south but man Montana is a dream IMO

Indeed. If you haven't been out west and seen the Rockies you are really missing out. Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana: you just can't beat them for sheer rugged mountain beauty. The thing I like best about the west is when you mention humidity they say, "Humidi-what?" But I do love Tennessee. It's a great place to live and to raise a family.

[Cherokee Slim]

I repented of being a Yankee 43 years ago when I married a Genuine Southern Belle. There is nothing in the world like Tennessee. Chattanooga is my absolute favorite; I still get nightmares of working in McNairy county occasionally but you can not beat the people in this state. I'd have to be dragged out or carried in a box to leave. I even hesitate to visit Georgia and I have to go there to shoot Cowboy at least once a month.

Cherokee Slim

[AU_88]

I love Tennessee, but the people where I live can't drive and I hate the liquor, beer, wine, tobacco laws...

[TrickyNicky]

I love Tennessee, but the people where I live can't drive and I hate the liquor, beer, wine, tobacco laws...

Liquor laws are a bit stupid IMO, other than that if it hadn't of been for getting a good job back in Ca I never would have left five years ago. Got back within months of leaving said good job.

I do miss somethings about my home state but by and large I'm much happier here. The people are first rate, I find I've never fit in politically anywhere but Tn is the closest I've come, the scenery is nice, the gun laws are great, and can't forget... The food! The food out here is absolutely fantastic! I live ten minutes away from a Corkys, there's Bar-B-Cutie, I'm even a fan of Waffle House.

Hell Ca hasn't even got a Crackerbarrel, I went through hashbrown casserole withdrawals when I left.

Love my adopted state, love it.

[Sam1]

Hey now don't be complaining too much about the alcohol laws. We moved here from Somerset KY, there was no alcohol allowed at all, most of my life for anywhere within 75 miles. A few years back they allowed 3 restaurants (that were still a long way away) sell drinks, and just a few weeks ago because the economy is doing so crappy, they finally passed a wet vote and can have iirc 4 package stores.

We don't much care for Nashville, but Knoxville was a pretty kick ass little town. Out here is just a mess with constant traffic, wrecks all the time (already been hit once in less than 3 months myself). The police keep a good handle on stuff in Knoxville as well, you have serious crime from time to time but when it happens there's a show of force and they squash it pretty quickly. Out here somewhere goes through an armed robbery and they send out a cop or two to do a report and that's pretty much the end of it... not good

[Jesse]

I use to love my town. But it has grown a lot and the bad people are starting to sprinkle in from other areas. I see a lot of thug type guys walkin the streets now. 6 years ago you never seen anyone walking anywhere. The stores are starting to get run down. I say within 3 years Im gonna have to move out further in the country. I like small towns but its getting to crowded and the wrong crowds are moving in.

[Guest TankerHC]

Our Realtors have been sending us houses for sale and before I respond to each email I check the 2010 Census stats on the towns. I was recently sent one for Englewood. So I checked. She had told me how nice it is.

According to the Census. 49% of residents are single mothers. 75% are on welfare and you are 2 and a half time more likely to be murdered there than the national average.

Ill pass.

[sigmtnman]

Our Realtors have been sending us houses for sale and before I respond to each email I check the 2010 Census stats on the towns. I was recently sent one for Englewood. So I checked. She had told me how nice it is.

According to the Census. 49% of residents are single mothers. 75% are on welfare and you are 2 and a half time more likely to be murdered there than the national average.

Ill pass.

Englewood is not too bad. McMinn county in general is pretty economically depressed, but it's still beats a lot of places. Polk county is horrible, so you don't even want to consider it.

I've got to ask, what you were doing to even make the folks there in MS question whether you were a yankee? Met my wife who is from the Byram/Raymond area while going to state way back when and I've lived in Vicksburg, Natchez and of course Starkville. Never once was there a question raised.

[Guest TankerHC]

Englewood is not too bad. McMinn county in general is pretty economically depressed, but it's still beats a lot of places. Polk county is horrible, so you don't even want to consider it.

I've got to ask, what you were doing to even make the folks there in MS question whether you were a yankee? Met my wife who is from the Byram/Raymond area while going to state way back when and I've lived in Vicksburg, Natchez and of course Starkville. Never once was there a question raised.

No one questioned it. Its just when asked and I say "Maryland" that I get the "Oh your a Yankee" or the "Not a Southerner" thing. I know its usually said in humor, so no big deal. But, it does get irritating after a while. Fifteen years of it and you start the answer with "Im from up North".

[sigmtnman]

No one questioned it. Its just when asked and I say "Maryland" that I get the "Oh your a Yankee" or the "Not a Southerner" thing. I know its usually said in humor, so no big deal. But, it does get irritating after a while. Fifteen years of it and you start the answer with "Im from up North".

Well, it's not like Maryland had a choice about secession with it's pro confederate legislators being arrested and the cities occupied by federal troops.

[Guest TankerHC]

Well, it's not like Maryland had a choice about secession with it's pro confederate legislators being arrested and the cities occupied by federal troops.

Yep. I lived on Pratt and Patterson Park Avenue for a while in Baltimore while growing up and always lived in that area. The location of the Pro Seccesion Baltimoreans attack (Baltimore Riot) on the 6th Massachsetts on 19 April, 1861. Lincoln avoided going through Baltimore, and your correct, the Mayor and all other Baltimore politicans were arrested (Under the suspension of Habeaus Corpus) and held one way or another throughout the war. Here is a good detailed article on it from the Baltimore Magazine.

http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/features/2011/04/where-the-civil-war-began