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Declan Brown
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Working in Johnson City -salaries realistic?
Hello, You can expect to pay around $957 for rent here. Anyone in a similar situation? Thanks for reading.
20 upvotes
22 Replies
Megan B.
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Sofia Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
dallasmind2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Declan Nelson
spot on
31 upvotes
Alice Davis
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
Logan Ramirez
100%
26 upvotes
Emma Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Adrian Wright
100%
24 upvotes
Zoey T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Nathan C.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
19 upvotes
Brielle Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Ezekiel Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Evan N.
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Valentina Bailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Waylon
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
12 upvotes
Lily
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Everly Rodriguez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Sophia T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Isaiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Asher Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
Caleb Cox
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
0 upvotes
detroit_austin
seconding this
0 upvotes