Looking for input from MN, IN, TN, VA...(kinda long).

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-03-2008, 08:37 PM

Hey all!

As many of ya know, my Dh is in his Junior year of college...majoring in accounting. Well, last week his adviser, two teachers, and another official spoke with him about what job he wanted to do when he graduates (15 months).

He told them the government job he was planning on (has talked to some of the people before...they've been "working" on him; they said 9 months ahead of time should be fine for apps...).

Turns out...it takes anywhere from 12-18 months to get hired into the position he wants!!! (Gotta love the rapidity of our government). So, they've lined him out with what he needs to take care of...NOW.

He has to have his resume and the BIG application packet ready ASAP and he has an interview scheduled in 5 weeks!

Ok...so we weren't expecting to have to make these kind of decisions, etc. so soon!

Here's the kicker. You have to list where you're willing to accept assignments based on their current need.

Here's where my frugal family in the lower 48 will hopefully help me out!!

We narrowed it down to (in no particular order):
~ Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.
~ Indianapolis, IN.
~ Oak Ridge, TN.
~ Radford, VA.

ANY and ALL input on these places would be SOOOOOO appreciated!! We've been to MSP and Indy, but it was back in 2000 and '01. Never been to the other 2, but what we've seen online looks real good...

Pleeeeease, help!

**Greebo** · 09-03-2008, 08:39 PM

Can't give input on those locations - but are the choices limited, or are those his preferred picks?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-03-2008, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Can't give input on those locations - but are the choices limited, or are those his preferred picks?

There are about 20-25 places on the list... Those are the ones that sound best to us... Some we ruled out out of turn (like up here!). We don't want to live on the west coast, so that ruled out quite a few.

We *were* looking at Oklahoma City, as well...but it looks like the crime is SUPER high there??? And, we're not terribly fond of tornadoes.

We do have family there...and that would be nice...

**heartofmine** · 09-03-2008, 08:53 PM

Hi Luv2BeFrugal. I'm actually in Jamestown TN about an hour from Oakridge TN. I don't know a lot about Oakridge as I've only been there a few times but if you'll maybe tell me what sort of things you need to know I'll do what I can.

Oakridge is where Y12 is which is a nuclear plant. That is probably where the governement job is there. My husband has a friend that works there as an accountant and he makes excellent money. He use to work as an employee where my husband is manager and they called my dh as a reference for him. Anyway things there are pretty hush hush so all he can really tell dh is that he's doing great and making good money.

Oakridge is spread out over a valley floor basically. Its still in some ways like small town living even though its pretty big. The cost of living is not to bad at all there.

If there is any other info you might need I'll do my best to help.

BTW my son is also in school studying to be an accountant. He's in his Junior year.

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-03-2008, 08:58 PM

I live about an hour an a half southish of Indy. I have several friends that have lived there and have loved it. I love visiting there as well. (Gotta love the dolphins at the zoo)

. From what we hear around here the economy is doing ok there still and the cost of living is fair. No one I know that lives in Indiana is terribly fond of the public school system though. (just in case kiddos are in the near future).

TN is BEAUTIFUL. I don't think I've ever been to a town there that I didn't think was pretty. Not quite sure where Oak Ridge is. Is it close to Nashville??? Chatanooga??? (Both amazing, fun areas with plenty to do.)

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-03-2008, 09:00 PM

Ooopps ... meant to post that I would agree about OK City. I have a brother stationed there and my other brother was stationed there when the BIG one went through about 7ish years ago. Neither have really liked being stationed there.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-03-2008, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the input!

Oak Ridge is about 35 min west of Knoxville.

I'm looking for info like...what kinds of stores are there and what are the best to shop at (I admit, just being on here has taught me about many stores I've never heard of...).

Any neat/special activities/tourist things, etc... Anything cool...like a water park! Anything that makes the place special...

Also, any state laws that are unusual, good and bad things,etc. Tax situations...especially property taxes (we're having trouble finding anything specific on that).

If things are more conservative in the city/town...in that area in general...in that state.

Just anything that comes to mind... Moving somewhere that's not up here is a scary, and exciting, thought!

**Moor** · 09-04-2008, 01:09 AM

What other areas have you thought about?
I have family that lives in Indy and they love it. She owns her own business and said that she wouldn't live anywhere else.
My brother lives in TN and I love it there. If you like to drink, then make sure that you live in a county that is not dry. LOL

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-04-2008, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Moor

What other areas have you thought about?
I have family that lives in Indy and they love it. She owns her own business and said that she wouldn't live anywhere else.
My brother lives in TN and I love it there. If you like to drink, then make sure that you live in a county that is not dry. LOL

There are places that don't allow liquor?!

Seriously??

(I just learned what a county was in 2000!! I have a feeling there is a LOT to learn!!).

(Nope, we don't have counties here...we have municipalities and boroughs...).

**Moor** · 09-04-2008, 06:43 AM

Yes. there are several counties in TN that are dry.
Same in Mississippi. Not sure about any other states, but I know about those two.

**anelth** · 09-04-2008, 06:58 AM

You might also want to consider that Tennessee does not have any income tax, so that is a definite plus.

My family and DH's family all live in Tennessee and they love it. I hope to retire there someday.

**cheles2kids** · 09-04-2008, 09:13 AM

Sales tax is 9.75% though.

As for Oak Ridge, I'll add what little bit I remember. I grew up in Tennessee and used to go to Oak Ridge alot "back in the day", with my Dad, he owned his own auto sales business.

Oak Ridge is absolutely beatiful, it's located about about an hour or so West of Knoxville. Knoxville has a pretty nice zoo, from what I remember, it's been years since I've been there.
From what I remember, of course those things change, but it was a pretty low crime area.

It's not located too, too far from Gatlinburg, TN., which is a HUGE visitor destination here in East TN.

Here's a website that tells you a bit more about it:
http://oakridgevisitor.com/index.html

Here's one for Gatlinburg:
http://www.gatlinburg.com/

It will have just about any kind of shopping that he'll need.
It's a pretty good sized city, so he shouldn't have any problems finding things to do.
LOTS of caves to go exploring in, and lots of hiking trails in that general area as well.

As for weather, it's pretty mild, we do have the occasional snow/ice storm in the winter, but nothing drastic.
The Fall is the most beautiful time of the year with all the mountains and the trees all changing their colors.

If there's anything else I can help with, just let me know!
Good luck to your son in making his decision.

**Kellili** · 09-04-2008, 10:24 AM

I live in Knoxville, so maybe I can help. Oak Ridge is maybe 30 mins away, tops. He could live in Oak Ridge, or even in West Knoxville and be at work in no time. There is tons of very nice shopping/entertainment in the "Turkey Creek" area (very close), and Farragut is a great area also.

We have lots of lakes, Tellico is very close and one we go to. We have parks, hiking, boating, bike trails. DH and I have a four wheeler and go up on Windrock Mountain. (google it, it's awesome) It is a few mins from O.R. also.

The Smokey Mtns are close, as is Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. Dollywood and Splash Country are less then an 1 hour away. Season passes are reasonable.

Downtown Knoxville is undergoing a revitalization. They have outdoor free movies on Market Square, there is a concert series every summer on Thursday nights for free.

This is a really great place to live, we have four distinct seasons. Winters aren't brutal, but you can tell it's winter, same with summer. Fall is GORGEOUS here.

If I recall, Oak Ridge just redid their high school. It is state of the art, Oak Ridge National Lab and Y-12 National Security Complex invest a lot of their money in the school system, so the school is great.

If you have any specific questions, or if you need me to check something out for you, feel free to PM me!

**rachelj** · 09-04-2008, 10:44 AM

I like Indy a lot - it has lots of great shopping. I would choose one of the northern suburbs to live in. Fishers area is great - probably higher property taxes and housing prices, but a really nice area.

Our governor is running for reelection and in one of his adds he talks about how many (like over 30) states are in the red budget wise and that Indiana is one of the few that aren't. Not sure if that makes a difference to you - just thought that I would add that.

**nessarowdy** · 09-04-2008, 10:58 AM

We lived in Minnesota for 9 years, and I LOVED it! Of course I'm a northern gal, and if you're used to cold weather, then I would highly recommend it! You can live in a neighboring suburb away from the hustle and bustle of big city living, yet be minutes away from all of the action. There are of course MANY lakes for recreation, but you also have the Mall of America, 2 zoos, waterparks, and shopping galore. And right now they are in a huge housing slump, so you would be able to find affordable housing very easily.

Negatives? Mosquitoes and the humidity in the summer. Although a lot of the other states you mentioned probably have their fair share of humidity, too. I wouldn't worry about the snow. The road crews are out salting and sanding the roads immediately. I definitely miss that as Montana is not nearly as efficient at snow removal.

Good luck!
-Vanessa