As you reference the other states being destroyed by outsiders and I am particularly aware of how Virginia has been ravaged.  I am inclined to politely, and I mean politely point out one aspect of Tennessee culture that is being eroded by the outsiders moving here. There is no "Eastern", "Central", or "Western" Tennessee. Only outsiders say that. There is East, Middle, and West Tennessee and it's actually codified in law here.
A history lesson https://tennesseehistory.org/grand-divisions/#:~:text=The%20state%20of%20Tennessee%20is,earliest%20period%20of%20European%20settlement
That being said that is a great area of the state to be in. Public shooting ranges seem to be a bit sparse up there but if you assimilate and fit in you'll have shooting and hunting buddies from work and church. Attending a medium sized church in a small community is a great way to meet folks that are inclined to let you shoot and hunt on their farms. If they don't know you, you have a slim chance of getting on most farmland these days.
I don't know why Morristown would be poo-poo'ed. It's a great area if you're not looking for city life.