-
Tennessee: Less Taxing
We recently participated in the annual Ideal Living show in partnership with Retire Tennessee. Each year, local chambers of commerce and tourism organizations collaborate to answer questions at this bustling event, where attendees explore relocation options. This past weekend, we were in Greater New York (Long Island). Over the next few weeks, we’ll visit New…
-
ACT scores: Kingsport leads region in Class of 2024
The Tennessee Department of Education recently released the district-level ACT scores for the 2023-2024 academic year. Since 2018, all students—not just those planning to attend college—have been required to take the ACT. As a nationally standardized test, the ACT serves as a valuable benchmark for evaluating district performance on a nationwide scale. Regionally, Kingsport stood…
-
These Tennessee cities are attracting the most movers, according to U-Haul
This article by Diana Leyva was originally published in The Tennessean U-Haul migration data has revealed which states welcomed the most new residents in 2024. Southern states led the ranking, with Tennessee among the five leading growth states, marking the fifth consecutive year the Volunteer State has been a top 10 U-Haul growth state. Tennessee also ranked fifth…
-
2024 Ends with Lower Prices, Smaller Home Sizes
The December 2024 single-family housing market in Kingsport was slower during the holidays with 48 new families relocating from 21 states. The median purchase price of $285,000 was 15% lower than in the past 12 months, and only 3% higher than the median of all homes sold since 2020. Although prices were lower, the amount paid per square foot was higher. Buyers…
-
Sold Out!
It seems like every time a new subdivision begins construction, social media buzzes with the familiar question: “Who’s going to buy these homes?” It’s as if we imagine knowing every potential homebuyer personally. An assumption is made that it’s only for outsiders. When someone posts on Facebook seeking advice about relocating to the area, responses…
-
Beyond the Paycheck: Cost of Living in Northeast Tennessee
It’s common to hear about recent college graduates receiving higher-paying job offers outside the region and comparing them to similar positions here. However, those comparisons often overlook critical factors, such as cost-of-living and tax implications, which can make a significant difference. Even within Tennessee, where the state government and tax structure are consistent, living costs…
-
Meet in the middle
When someone mentions “Kingsport,” we often think of the core areas—Downtown, Midtown, or Eastman. But many of the city’s thriving neighborhoods are on its outskirts, offering easy access to Bristol, Johnson City, and other nearby communities. These peripheral neighborhoods benefit from the same excellent schools, public services, and police and fire protection as central Kingsport.…
-
Remodeling the Model City – Highland Park
If you haven’t explored the side streets of Kingsport lately, you’re missing out on a story worth telling. While much attention has been given to code enforcement, an equally remarkable narrative is unfolding: the private sector is stepping up with reinvestment, and homeowners are purchasing properties at fair market value. Adding to the appeal, the…
-
Lynn Garden Reimagined
Lynn Garden sprung up as an unincorporated neighborhood of worker cottages in the 1930s for Kingsport’s legacy industries. The community grew rapidly, necessitating the creation of a county elementary school (Lynn Garden) and later a county high school (Lynn View). Fast forward to 2024 and the community is now in the city limits with full…
-
Patriots to Pioneers: Tracing My Connection to Becky Boone
I grew up hearing stories about my father’s roots in Clintwood, Virginia, in Dickenson County. It’s just over an hour’s drive north of Kingsport, Tennessee, near Virginia’s border with Kentucky. I still treasure my copy of Meet Virginia’s Baby, a book highlighting Dickenson County, the youngest in the Commonwealth, formed in 1880. What I didn’t…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Kingsport Spirit 