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Nestled deep in the weathered Appalachian Mountains in the very north eastern corner of Tennessee, the small town of Mountain City (population 2,500) calls out to retirees seeking a simple, rural lifestyle in a beautiful mountain locale. Virginia is 10 miles north and North Carolina is just 5 miles east, but with rolling hills thick with forest all around, this quiet hamlet feels in a world all its own. Twisting, barely traveled country roads ramble through some extraordinary scenery, and the mountain stillness can be heard for miles. Not a lot goes on in Mountain City, and amenities are few, but this is Appalachia, and conservative values, respect for God and country and an appreciation for hard work create a strong sense of community. Of Mountain City's population, 48% is age 45 or better.
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Many families have lived here for years, enjoying a low crime rate and a cost of living nearly 20% below the national average. The median home price, $125,000, is also well below the national average (the median price for homes with acreage is higher). Foreclosure properties start in the $20,000s. And while Mountain City maintains its historic character, developers have discovered this area. Higher-end planned communities have popped up, and one of them, Red Tail Mountain, has homes starting in the $300,000s.
Explored by frontiersman Daniel Boone 1769, this area saw the beginnings of Mountain City in the late 1700s, and elegant mid-1800s residences still stand today. The town is the county seat, and it is home to the lovely Heritage Hall Performing Arts Center, a venue for middle school concerts, Johnson County Community Theatre shows and church group presentations. The Johnson County Public Library is small but has 10 public access computers with internet access and an interlibrary loan program.
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| The annual Johnson County Fair each August is a traditional county fair with rides, agricultural events and lots of unhealthy but tasty food. The yearly Sunflower Festival celebrates the pleasures of small town life with 80 vendors, crafts, food and music. Within 50 miles, other small towns have NASCAR racing, flower festivals, historic re-enactments and rodeos.
Scenic Watauga Lake, 10 miles southwest of Mountain City, is where many residents spend their time. Swaddled by the Cherokee National Forest, it has several marinas along its 105 mile long coast and little commercial or private development to spoil the views. The fishing (black crappie, bluegill, trout, bass, walleye and more) is particularly excellent. For hikers, the Appalachian Trail runs past Mountain City 15 miles to the west.
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Johnson County Community Hospital is small (2 beds) and is a part of the Mountain States Health Alliance, which owns 13 hospitals and has won awards for excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and from the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence. JCCH provides 24-hour emergency care as well as outpatient and inpatient services and accepts both Medicaid and Medicare patients. Three more hospitals are within 25 miles. The nearest VA medical center is in Mountain Home, 45 miles southwest.
The Johnson City Senior Center (for people age 60+) is managed by the First Tennessee Area Agency On Aging and Disability and provides a number of services, including legal assistance, scheduled transportation, congregate meals, resource referrals and minor home repairs.
Mountain City has a few retailers and three groceries, but there are no big box stores (i.e., no Wal-Mart). It also has a couple of good restaurants, and one, a place called Suba's, receives 5-star reviews from just about everyone. Red Tail Mountain's clubhouse is a nice spot for dinner and drinks.
With an elevation of 2,924 feet, the climate is cooler than might be expected. Summer temperatures are in the 70s, 80s and low-90s, and winter temperatures are in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Four to five inches of precipitation fall each month (including a few inches of snow each winter), and humidity is 90% in the morning, tapering off to 60% by afternoon. The sun shines 205 days of the year. Both the air quality and the water quality are significantly above national averages.
It is worth keeping in mind that much of this region is poor, and Mountain City has a high poverty rate, double the national average. Jobs are few and far between. There is no public transportation, and roads, while scenic, are hilly and often in rough shape. The town is also losing population, 3% in the last decade.
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While Mountain City has a lot going for it, affordable housing, a low crime rate, inspiring scenery and outdoor recreation, the remote mountain location, lack of public transit, high poverty rate, limited senior services and small hospital probably outweigh the positives.
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