Moving to E.Tennessee. Knox or Chatt appreciate all opinions.

I've visited both and am leaning toward Chattanooga, but I
have concerns about employment opportunities given the size.

You can see our local paper at http://www.timesfreepress.com I live in Chattanooga too and it's great. :) It's a nice town and there's always something to do here. I went to public school here and loved it. Of course I graduated in 2001 so I don't know how it is today, but there's all types of schools here from public to private and religious schools if you have kids. What's your job industry? I like Knoxville but Chattanooga is more small town type of feeling. You'll love the mayor too! Check him out at http://www.ronlittlefield.com You can see our official page at http://www.chattanooga.gov There they have a section for work too. Hope you find what you're looking for. If you have any question's please let me know and I'll be happy to answer them for you. Check out or local democratic party page at http://www.hamdems.org The group is pretty active if you're the type of person to be involved in politics.

and lots of them.

I live just outside of Knoxville in an extremely Red county. Full of religious righters and right-wingers. Dominated politically by Republicans.

So, we're here and starting to make some changes, but it's a long, long uphill battle.

Coming from a more balanced area and more developed area, this has been quite a culture shock both in personal and business.

Beautiful geography, some nice people, not a very well-educated populace.

In 1997-2001 we had a democrat who was once DNC chairman of Miami, 2001-2005 we had a moderate republican and now we have an indie (he has appeared at democratic events, I'm not sure if he goes to republican ones or not since I don't keep up with republican politics). So I believe Chattanooga is pretty moderate that can swing anyway. We have a very active democratic party here and they always have meetings and doing something. Sometime last month or November Max Cleland came by and so did Governor Phil Bredesen. :D Ford has come as well in the past when he was really gearing up his Senate campaign. So there isn't the excuse there isn't anything to do here politically wise.

They have really cleaned it up over the last ten years or so and it was one of Southern Living's top family vacation spots last year. We were short on cash this year, but I usually take the wife and kids there for a mini vacation every fall and we always find something new and fun to do. My aunt & uncle have lived in East Ridge for over 30 years and still love it.

Knoxville has it's bright spots, but it's a big college town. There is never-ending road construction - for at least twenty years there has been constant delays and work on I-40, they never get it finished. Knoxville has some of the worst traffic in the state. Of course, if you are a road construction contractor, Knoxville would be paradise! The night life in Knoxville would be more upbeat. Outside of the city, some of the smaller communities are nice, but I'd think jobs would be limited.

Just my opinion, hope it helps! I've traveled all over TN and have lived here for 32 years, moving from GA when I was 3. We live about 15 miles north of Cookeville and love it here.

:hi: I love the aquarium and how it's always having something new. :) And yes we really have cleaned up a lot. I saw a picture of the town years ago (in the 60's or 70's) and we used to be very filthy but now it's beautiful. :) There's still lots to do here in Chattanooga in the nightlife but especially in the warmer months of course. :)