Hello, my name is David and I live in St. Paul, MN. Basiclly I'm thinking about relocating to the region but I don't have any idea where to look or start. Anybody got some tips or suggestions? Also, I plan on marring my child-hood sweetheart who has three children and she lives in Chicago.

Well I can't say where you should live, but I live in Clarksville and I like it.  I'm 45  min from Nashville, without the city congestion.  Also close to the lakes in KY.  We're 4 hours from Atlanta, St. Louis, etc.  There is usually always something going on because the city is always doing something.  Anyway, hope this helps. Contact me if you need.  I have been living here 5 years now and we bought a house here and it seems to be a good place to raise a family.  

We relocated to middle TN in 1995 - love it. Williamson & Wilson counties are the most popular - I live in Wilson & our county ad campaign is Wilson Co. The Place to Be. It's true for our family, but FYI there are many great places in middle TN. - if you are still thinking of moving here send me your email and I can direct you to more info. Regards - Joy Barber

David, I moved here from Southern California by way of Virginia and Kentucky.  The whole south area is great in my view.  I picked Jonesborough TN to retire to, which is in the northeast point of Tennessee.  It is the oldest town in Tennessee and works hard to keep the historic feel.  They close main street on Friday nights in the summer for music, they have several events during the year which include Storytelling weekend (first weekend in October - we get about 10,000 to 15,000 attendees for this - Jonesborough calls itself the storytelling capital of the world), Jonesborough Days - near July 4, and kids events for the holidays.  Several golf courses are within an hour of Jonesborough - some closer to Johnson City and Kingsport.

Nearby is Johnson City which has the VA medical center, ETSU, Johnson City Medical Center, and all the stores.  The other way a few miles is Kingsport, which has similar ammenities including Eastman Chemical.  Then there is Bristol (Virginia and Tennessee - same town) where the NASCAR racetrack is located.  Asheville NC is an hour away.  Knoxville is an hour.   One of the most beautiful lakes - Watauga Lake is nearby, and there is Boone Lake and Holston lake which has a large park.

There are areas of farms and farm homes, exclusive residential areas, regular residential areas, mobile homes ... you name it.  You can have a 10 acre farm or a condo.  Your choice.

In full disclosure, I sell real estate here.  Having said that, I really feel at home here and the people make you feel that way.  I believe there are many areas like this, but this is the final stop for us.  If you have any more questions, my email is jacksellshomes@gmail.com or 423-948-0237.