Posted: 11/14/2012 9:13:08 AM EDT
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HOWDY! Need your advice:
Me and the little lady of 47 years are looking to retire among like-minded folks. We are 100% Americans who solidly cling to our Bibles, faith, and guns. Toss in a few horses, gardening, hiking, and a pack 'o Beagles and you get the picture. Life's journey has been pretty simple for us: either something is right or wrong; good or evil. It's stood us pretty well. Been hearing a lot of good things about Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau area. Since neither of us are now employed, jobs don't matter. However, good access (an hour's drive or so) to decent medical care is important just in case we need it. Otherwise, we live awfully simple; mostly just "meat and potatoes" kind of folks. No fancy stuff. Like to help our neighbors and friends; volunteer a lot, especially for needy kids and old timers needing helps. Time for us to give-back. Needless to say, we are not out to "change" anyone or anything ( a common defect of newcomers.) Our past work skills runs the gamut from machine trades/tool and die, farming and ranching, accounting, CPA and legal. (don't hold that last item against us!) I've planted corn, wheat, oats and bean; topped huge trees, cut and split 'em for firewood; dug a hillside spring single-handed; fixed standing seam metal barn roofs; and the usual plumbing/electric/carpentry stuff around the house I view as a "vacation" of sorts. Our motto around the homestead: "Can do!" or "We can fix anything but a broken heart!" C'mon, friends––fill me in. How would we "fit" in the Cumberland Plateau? Give us the good, the bad, and the ugly. No holds barred! Heartfelt thanks from an ex-Ohioan. 
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If you don't mind going back in time about 50 years, cross ville is a pretty decent place to live. I don't know much about the politics of that area, but you might be able to find a good place near the wildlife preserve, catoosa. I would also suggest Kingston but I've heard of some corrupt police in that area so you may want to research.
In crossville, you may be an hour away from a good hospital, but you have a mountain range to contend with if you're going to Knoxville. But, if you're retiring and want to get away from the world, that's about a good a place as any to do it. Some truly beautiful farmland up there. |
| I lived and worked in Crossville for a couple years. As retirees it wouldn't be bad, but good jobs are scarce. Stay out of the Fairfield Glade and Lake Tansi areas if you don't want to deal with the HOA crowd. I'd drive to Knoxville for any major medical/surgical issues for anyone I cared about. |
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If you're open to other suggestions in the area, you might want to check out the Maryville/Townsend areas. They are closer to medical care and have a decent retiree population, although there may be more people there than what you expect. Oh, and you gotta like mountains if you're gonna be there :)
http://www.smokymountains.org/ |
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my wife's from near cleveland. we lived in columbus for 7 years then returned to this area. have several other friends in the area who are ohio refugees.
i like cookeville better, a thousand feet below the plateau (pronounced "PLAAA - taw") in the "highland rim" geographically. may be a little culture shock. if you are coming from a city in oho, it will take you a while to learn how to shop (assuming you don't want to do 100% of your shopping at walmart) don't expect the gov services you get up there (you probably have more books than the public library, for example) but the taxes are proportionally much less. don't forget TN does have an income tax on dividends and interest, just not wages. btw, i recommend you start acclimating yourself to the area by finding a good church. |
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Great ideas, Men!
Heartfelt "THANKS!" I kind of like the reference to being a "refugee" from Ohio...it's the truth! The Ohio that I grew up in, hunted and fished in, is gone forever. People cheek by jowl (and nasty people to boot, totally lacking in any manners whatsoever.) I can't stand rude and nasty people, which seems to be 99.99% here up North. The sooner we can get to Tennessee, the better! P.S. How's the water supply in Mid-Tennessee? Over the years, we've had household water from a spring, drilled well, and city water with no problems. Any issues with potable water in Mid-State? Thanks! |
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Quoted:
Great ideas, Men! Heartfelt "THANKS!" I kind of like the reference to being a "refugee" from Ohio...it's the truth! The Ohio that I grew up in, hunted and fished in, is gone forever. People cheek by jowl (and nasty people to boot, totally lacking in any manners whatsoever.) I can't stand rude and nasty people, which seems to be 99.99% here up North. The sooner we can get to Tennessee, the better! P.S. How's the water supply in Mid-Tennessee? Over the years, we've had household water from a spring, drilled well, and city water with no problems. Any issues with potable water in Mid-State? Thanks! Heh. Pretty good supply I'd say. |
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Quoted:
Great ideas, Men! Heartfelt "THANKS!" I kind of like the reference to being a "refugee" from Ohio...it's the truth! The Ohio that I grew up in, hunted and fished in, is gone forever. People cheek by jowl (and nasty people to boot, totally lacking in any manners whatsoever.) I can't stand rude and nasty people, which seems to be 99.99% here up North. The sooner we can get to Tennessee, the better! P.S. How's the water supply in Mid-Tennessee? Over the years, we've had household water from a spring, drilled well, and city water with no problems. Any issues with potable water in Mid-State? Thanks! One or two places that have some occasional water shortage issues (or have in recent years) due to growth exceeding the capacity of their municipal water systems. Stay away from the crowded trendy areas (expensive urban and suburban), and you shouldn't have to worry about that. |
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One or two places that have some occasional water shortage issues (or have in recent years) due to growth exceeding the capacity of their municipal water systems. Stay away from the crowded trendy areas (expensive urban and suburban), and you shouldn't have to worry about that.
GREAT! just what I wanted to hear. 
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Thanks, men! Good hearing from y'all.
Great to see there are still good people and good places to retire to. Man--I am telling you--on the national level, it seems like everything these days are 180* out of sync. Great to see things are still good to go in Tennessee! |