Tennessee

alaskanassasin

 Any of you local guys have a favorite spot to go to in Tennessee?  We would like to travel down this winter with a eye on a snowbird location a few years down the road.  We like the Boone, Ashville, New river area of NC, looking for a small town vibe. This is all we have to run on so far https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-small-towns-in-tennessee

JohnInCarolina

Paging @henapple

Langner91

I had a great-aunt that read a magazine article once in a Doctor's office that said Cookeville was the best place to retire in the US.  So, they retired to Cookeville.  They had never lived 5 miles from where they were both born in Elroy, Wisconsin.

So, put Cookeville on your list!

And, don't forget, some of them counties are dry!

alaskanassasin

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Chandler-Cove-Rd_Erwin_TN_37650_M97749-49236

 

 anyone want to go in halvsies?

alaskanassasin

Cookeville Looks nice @Langner91

REB17

Agree on Cookeville. Avoid anything around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Constant traffic and tourists. 

lousubcap

Here's a sleeper to consider in TN- Chattanooga.Most recent visit was March 2022.  Definitely exceeds its reputation.  Plenty of breweries, attractions and things to do.  Spent 3 days there with son, Dil and their two daughters ( 1 and 2 1/2 yo).  Give it a hard look.  FWIW-

HeavyG

Don't snowbirds generally "fly" farther south than Tennessee?

alaskanassasin

HeavyG said:

Don't snowbirds generally "fly" farther south than Tennessee?

Yeah I use the term loosely, 5-6 hours away seems doable for a getaway spot. 

alaskanassasin

Thanks @lousubcap

REB17

lousubcap said:

Here's a sleeper to consider in TN- Chattanooga.Most recent visit was March 2022.  Definitely exceeds its reputation.  Plenty of breweries, attractions and things to do.  Spent 3 days there with son, Dil and their two daughters ( 1 and 2 1/2 yo).  Give it a hard look.  FWIW-

Lived just outside of Chattanooga for several years after moving from the other side in Memphis. Agree it’s a great city but not necessarily the small town vibe he described 

BigreenGreg

Lebanon is nice and not far from Nashville if you get the itch for some live music 

Botch

HeavyG said:

Don't snowbirds generally "fly" farther south than Tennessee?

Southwest Airlines may have given a boost to electric charging stations, and closer second homes, of late...

fishlessman

HeavyG said:

Don't snowbirds generally "fly" farther south than Tennessee?

Best thing about wintah is seeing the snowbirds and southern white caps leave

fishlessman

alaskanassasin said:

HeavyG said:

Don't snowbirds generally "fly" farther south than Tennessee?

Yeah I use the term loosely, 5-6 hours away seems doable for a getaway spot. 

2to3 hours and you won't think about leaving. Anymore and it becomes a trip that gets tiresome. My rule was a two hour radius from home and it's been perfect but New England changes quickly with a two hour drive

EggNashville

check out Lookout Mountain and Sewanne…both a short drive to Chattanooga but a small town vibe. 

shtgunal3

30 minutes from Chattanooga is a little town called South Pittsburg. There is a Lodge Factory Outlet there if you are interested in any cast iron. Huge selection of cookware.

alaskanassasin

@fishlessman I hear you, the goal is to try and get to some nicer weather for a few months.

dmchicago

alaskanassasin said:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Chandler-Cove-Rd_Erwin_TN_37650_M97749-49236

 

 anyone want to go in halvsies?

That has butt blast potential. Petting Zoo ready and what not.

BikerBob

I'm a fan of east TN. Smoky Mountains east. It will likely be cool. We summer in Turtletown.

alaskanassasin

Thanks for all the input, I plan to update this thread as it is my goal to get the heck out of Ohio in the winter!

MotownVol

I am about an hour away from the mountains and I second East Tennessee or Western North Carolina.  Go into the park and get away from the Pigeon Forge traffic.  The drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee NC is great. 

bbracey21

I’m in middle TN about 15 miles south of Nashville. 10 years or so ago I’d have a handful of places to recommend around here.  But now there is way too many damn people! Not as enjoyable anymore due to the growth, traffic and dumb a$$es everywhere. Born and raised except for about 8 yrs of my life here. It’s  just a different place now. The further east you go it’s beautiful over there. 

alaskanassasin

@bbracey21 you guys are taking on Californians like NC pulls in Yankees

fishlessman

alaskanassasin said:

@bbracey21 you guys are taking on Californians like NC pulls in Yankees

Don't think I'll be moving there anytime soon

ColtsFan

alaskanassasin said:

@bbracey21 you guys are taking on Californians like NC pulls in Yankees

Weed smokin hippies? Sigh me up!

Botch

alaskanassasin said:

Thanks for all the input, I plan to update this thread as it is my goal to get the heck out of Ohio in the winter!

I just noticed you're "south of Columbus, OH".  
My first AF assignment was in Dayton.  All winter long it was right around 30˚, and humid/foggy, and that kind of cold chills you to your bones.  I grew up in Sioux Falls and was even stationed in Grand Forks ND for 3 years, and never felt as cold during the winter as I did in Dayton.  Ugh!  
 

JohnfromKentucky

Not in TN but Bryson City NC is an awesome little town in the Smokies.

alaskanassasin

I don't think I have been to Bryson City. thanks!

RRog17

JohnfromKentucky said:

Not in TN but Bryson City NC is an awesome little town in the Smokies.

I was just about to say this also. 

RRog17

If you like the Boone area check out Banner Elk. Cool little town at the base of Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain.