Kingsport Spirit

I recently saw a Facebook post that said, “Kingsport gets the least credit of the three cities, and it’s not even close.”

Then the commenters jumped in, comparing them. Here is a hot take: It is perfectly fine to be a citizen of the region. You can live in one community and enjoy everything the region offers. Hike at Bays Mountain, take in a concert at the Hard Rock, enjoy a show at NPAC, back the Bucs at a sporting event, or go sailing on the pristine waters of Watauga or South Holston Lakes.

My daughter lives in Denver and drives 45 minutes in every direction to enjoy what that area offers. Our regional attractions are much closer. It does not have to be one or the other—and certainly not “we” versus “them.”

Still, I have witnessed something troubling for years in social media comments. Too often, we seem determined to diminish Kingsport. We self-sabotage. Why is that? Do we simply not see what others see in us?

Then I saw the new U.S. News & World Report list of America’s 250 Best Places to Live for 2026–2027. Kingsport made it, ranking No. 177 nationally.

I hear it all the time from newcomers. They notice the mountains, short commutes, parks, schools, healthcare, neighborhoods, public services and friendliness. They are surprised by how much is available without the traffic, expense and frustration they left behind.

Things appear differently through a fresh set of eyes.

There is an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt. In Kingsport’s case, familiarity may simply breed indifference. We become so accustomed to what surrounds us that we stop noticing how much we have.

Those of us who have lived here a long time may no longer notice the neighbor who waves, brings our trash cart back from the curb or checks on us when something seems wrong. We may take for granted the teenager who holds the door, looks us in the eye and still says, “Yes, ma’am” or “Yes, sir.”

These small acts rarely appear in national rankings, but newcomers mention them all the time. What they recognize as warmth, courtesy and community, longtime residents may simply consider normal.

U.S. News evaluated communities on value, quality of life, desirability and job-market strength. Value received the greatest weight because Americans increasingly say affordability is their top concern when choosing where to live.

Across Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, only 31 communities made the Top 250.

Tennessee placed Franklin, Kingsport, Murfreesboro, and Johnson City.

Virginia had Burke, Leesburg, Reston, Arlington, Staunton, and Virginia Beach.

Kentucky placed Elizabethtown and Lexington, while West Virginia was represented by Weirton and Charleston.

North Carolina led the group with Cary, Apex, Huntersville, Mooresville, Pinehurst, Concord, Hickory, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and High Point.

South Carolina had only Mount Pleasant.

Georgia placed Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, Warner Robins, and Dalton.

I’d say that is some pretty good company.

The cities missing from the list are nearly as interesting. Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greenville, Charleston, Asheville, Savannah, and Roanoke, to name a few.

The difference is revealing. A city can be beautiful, popular, and wonderful to visit while becoming increasingly difficult to afford.

Kingsport’s strengths may be less flashy, but they are practical: attainable housing, short commutes, strong schools and healthcare, reliable utilities, good parks, natural beauty and a tradition of civic involvement.

None of that means Kingsport should become complacent. Housing costs are rising. Infrastructure requires continued investment. The aesthetics of downtown, neighborhoods, and gateways must always be top of mind.

But we should be able to acknowledge what needs improvement without overlooking what already works.

Perhaps the U.S. News ranking is not telling us something new about Kingsport. Perhaps it is reminding us to look again.

Maybe others see Kingsport more clearly than we do.