Posted: 6/4/2014 8:19:44 AM EDT
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Hi.
I'm an out of place Yankee, meaning I live in New England, but don't want to. Here's my thought. My girlfriend and I are considering moving, and TN looks great. It has a nice climate, not to dry or hot, beautiful surroundings, and it looks like lots to do. I have heard nothing but good things about TN and the people. I'm a construction professional, that is to say, a professional contractor with 20+ years of experience, some education/certifications, TONS of ongoing research/knowledge under my belt, CAD design skills, Web design skills, marketing, basically lots of experience running all aspects of a contracting business. I really just want to work with a great team doing great work, and of course thrive doing it. I have a very strong entrepreneurial drive. My girlfriend is in IT and has a Master's Degree. She's an incredible woman. Her mom may come too. I/we really like music, creative stuff, good food, good company, etc. I have a lot of energy and like to be doing things, projects, etc. I'm also kind of mellow if that makes sense. I like my freedom, obviously, I like guns/shooting! Never hunted but want to. I fish. We would like to buy a house, maybe in the $150k range, and would like to grow food. A garage/shop is a must for me. So, what kind of opportunities might exist in Eastern/Middle TN? Is it relatively easy to make a circle of friends if you do your part? I may not be able to respond until later, have to go back to work, thanks! smallarms edited for opsec! |
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Beg to differ on the hot part. Granted TN is not AZ hot, but steamy summers here are no walk in the park. What we usually have is the heat and humidity. Just want to clarify this as you need to know this. Thanks. Funny you should say AZ, because it was considered due to friends out there. The GF isn't too keen on the desert. We have heat with humidity here during the summer, but usually not consistantly. Usually. |
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Thanks. Funny you should say AZ, because it was considered due to friends out there. The GF isn't too keen on the desert. We have heat with humidity here during the summer, but usually not consistantly. Usually. Quoted:
Quoted:
Beg to differ on the hot part. Granted TN is not AZ hot, but steamy summers here are no walk in the park. What we usually have is the heat and humidity. Just want to clarify this as you need to know this. Thanks. Funny you should say AZ, because it was considered due to friends out there. The GF isn't too keen on the desert. We have heat with humidity here during the summer, but usually not consistantly. Usually. You just think you have humidity 
Sounds like you'd fit in great here - just don't bring any of that "this isn't how we did it (insert some other god-forsaken place here)" and you'll be fine. Reasonably mild winters, except for a hell of a cold snap early on this year, but that's not the norm. Summers in Late July and August will just plain melt you. Lots of fishing and definitely lots of music and other stuff to get into. Let me know if you have any specific questions. You have a particular area you like? Or still exploring? |
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You just think you have humidity
Sounds like you'd fit in great here - just don't bring any of that "this isn't how we did it (insert some other god-forsaken place here)" and you'll be fine. Reasonably mild winters, except for a hell of a cold snap early on this year, but that's not the norm. Summers in Late July and August will just plain melt you. Lots of fishing and definitely lots of music and other stuff to get into. Let me know if you have any specific questions. You have a particular area you like? Or still exploring? Thanks coregon. Yeah, one thing I have learned is that while knowledge and experience makes you better, it also makes you realize that there is so much more to go  . I like to learn from other people's experiences, and share whatever I can. Ideally that can happen without anybody needing to be right all the time! A lot of people are like that here actually. 
Anyway, we're looking into traveling to the area some time soon to explore. I need to do some research and compile a list of what we would be looking for. I'm sure I'll be in touch. Thanks again. |
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i recently relocated to Nashville from NY(Long Island), it's awesome. The people are all pretty nice that I have come across, good food, safe for the most part, and an air of general consideration for others. I will agree that if you pull that "This is how we do it in NY" you won't make many friends, but if you are a good person and conduct yourself with integrity it's a fantastic place.
I've found great bagels, but yet to find any bbq I was amazed at. I shoot my rifles every weekend and found an awesome new range to call home |
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We're coming. Heading down there soon myself. |
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So, what kind of opportunities might exist in Eastern/Middle TN? Is it relatively easy to make a circle of friends if you do your part? Allow me to suggest a professional head hunting service for your job hunt. Maybe one for the GF too? I'm not plugged into either of those specific job markets, but Mid TN is not too bad economic wise. Housing is pretty good for your price range as well. Rutherford Co./Murfreesboro area is where *I* would begin my search. Only 25 miles or so from Nashville, so a commute is pretty easily done there. Lots of rural options in that county w/o the negative redneck neighbors that (say) Cheatham Co. offers. As for music, well, Nashville IS known as Music City, USA. 'nuff said.
New friends shouldn't be any issue either. Certainly there's the arfcom mafia as well as the local gun show mafia to draw from. The majority of Tennesseans are proud of our state & will usually be quick to offer their help in almost anything. So I don't believe you'll have any worries there. I suggest y'all come down for a visit, see what's what & maybe check the job market via the internet before you come down? Good luck! |
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pssst... Nashville ain't got all the music. Here is the lineup for Chattanooga's annual festival which started yesterday. A wristband for admission all week is $35. |
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Chattanooga has a lot of good music with a wide variety. Quite a bit is free.
Lots of good food also. Weather is pretty mild but fairly hot and humid in the summer (mainly June July and August). Winters are pretty mild but was really cold this past winter. Four good seasons with a lots of scenery. Pretty good fishing around. Hunting opportunities may be harder to come by. Good boating, canoeing, kayaking. Hiking and biking trails all over. Housing market seems pretty good here. Staring to see more building going on. Not sure about IT jobs though. I would at least give it a look. I've been here over 15 years and really like it. Good luck what ever you do. If you decide to come this way and need anything, give me shout. |
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This is great. Thanks for the replies. We're planning a trip. We'll drive to the Knoxville area first and make our way West! Apparently Knoxville housing is booming. On my way to work I pass a couple of new constructions going up. During a recent appraisal, the realtor guy was saying he doesn't have enough property to list for buyers. So it may be a seller's market in the area. In Knox you've got the University and businesses, you've got ORNL and all the associated sub contractors in Oak Ridge and West Knox. There was a recent article in the news that a company called Local Motors is producing the first 3d printed car in an ORNL lab in West Knox. It's a good Tech area and getting better. |