Hey, Been living here since 2013. With a population of 55,807, Kingsport is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
phoenixlocal2022
wish I knew this sooner
39 upvotes
Piper A.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Elena Edwards
this is the way
37 upvotes
Philip L.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Miles S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Delilah G.
This.
23 upvotes
Samuel Bailey
+1
21 upvotes
Kevin W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Caroline N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Nicholas Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Carter Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 38, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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