Goodbye east TN.

Flight Service wrote: Tennessee has higher sales tax and actually the average family pay more in taxes in TN than in any other state in the union. This was as of 4 years ago and I am sure it has changed, but don't be stupid and think no state income tax means less out of your pocket. You also have full tax on food, which most states with income taxes don't. If you have a family and don't bring in 6 figures, I would say food is a significant part of your budget, and Tn's lovely tax tags 9.25-9.75% on top of it. With the exception of a few pockets of growth (Nashville, Chatty), Tennessee has went down hill in jobs. Education has fallen (Hey being top 10 of the second from the bottom is good right? ), the # of kids not graduating high school is one of the highest in the nation, teen pregnancy and drug use is up, especially meth. If you have a child with Autism, you have ZERO supports from schools or insurance. Unless you are on TennCare (Medicaid)(which is insolvent I might add). Newport TN is considered the Chop Shop Capital of the Country. Those boys can strip a a car quick. The housing market outside of the growing pockets is still falling, (ask me how I know that one.) Tennessee is the #2 producer of weed in the country (second to California) I don't care how you feel about it, in Tennessee it's very illegal. Tennessee ranks in the top 5 for political corruption and in violence year over year. Tennessee salary do not peak as best in any category and are the lower third in most,( If cost of living is 110 on the index you need to make 110 to be even. IN TN your index is 85 you will make 80 so you are losing money being underpaid. But say in California where the cost of living index is 110 you will make 120 so you are making more. IME this is real benefit of understanding your local economy) I lived in East Tennessee most of my life and middle Tennessee for 10 years. I have watched the state go to hell in a hand basket. The people who live there defend it and put on blinders to the issues. Like most people do. They like blaming other people for their problems, just like everyone else. The big issue is the leaders have no clue and will fight you if you try to get one. I-40 from Nashville to the NC state line is the most patrolled stretch of highway in the country. To sum it up another lifetime local said it best. "Tennessee, our kids can't read but we got good roads." And Yes Western North Carolina and East Tennessee are very similar. Different sides to the same mountain. Downtown Knoxville is cool, as is Ashville, and Chatty. Outside of that...good luck.

the only part of that that I'd disagree with is the I-40 bit … when I come to Knoxville to a-x … ~ 11 times a season, I'm usually running 10 over … and I'm pretty much a moving chicane … even the THP pass me … and no they don't appear to be on an emergency call …

so yeah .. the only things that would attract me to move from WNC to ETn would be the lack of income tax, and the lower gas tax … but I'm retired now, living on Roth IRA & SS .. so the state income tax thing wouldn't be a consideration, unless I won the lottery

nicksta43 wrote: Forgot to mention the cars we saw. A couple Vipers, over a dozen Mini's, two very serious looking newish 911's, a classic 911, a couple Corvettes, 2 STI's, 1 Evo and a classic Mustang fastback. Some amazing bikes out as well, way too many to count.

The big annual MINI gathering at the Dragon starts this week, although I know a few who went down on Sunday. I heard something like 500+ cars will be there this year.

I've done most of the big MINI events in the US (on the East Coast, at least) but the Dragon is the one I haven't done yet. Maybe next year...

In reply to octavious:

I get that. I am just really frustrated with I know where the state was and where it is going. Very troubling.

I-40 thing is true, they won't touch you outside of a city limit for less than 15 over. 10 if they are having a bad day.

Interesting to note the most tickets given by an officer is out of Tennessee too. Spring Hill/Columbia area in middle TN. TN State Trooper, He writes you a ticket for 15 over and never lets you out of it for any reason. 15 is his limit.

Oh yeah, and I don' care what the re designation is (Thanks McWherter), East Tennessee is Eastern time zone only and that puts Knoxville at about the western boarder. People say E. TN they think Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg then Knoxville. Very little is thought about the rest of the area that is a larger part of E. TN then Knoxville and Tourist Central.

Not your fault man, just makes you like everyone else.