Tag: virginia
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Rewriting My Roots: Uncovering the German Influence in Appalachia
I’ve always taken pride in my Scots-Irish heritage, believing my ancestors’ lives mirrored the plot of Outlander, where Jamie and Claire settle in North Carolina, building a life among native tribes. As war with England looms, they fight to protect their home and loved ones—just as they did in Scotland. Their story closely parallels that…
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Balanced Growth: How Our Region Compares
Last week, the Census Bureau released updated population estimates for metropolitan areas from 2020 to 2024. Curious about how our region compares to similar metros nationwide, we analyzed all metros within 10% of the population of either Kingsport-Bristol or Johnson City. A healthy metro growth rate typically falls between 0.5% and 1% per year, equating…
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Southeast Georgia vs. Northeast Tennessee
I recently spent time in Savannah, Georgia, and was surprised to find that its metro population (640,193) is comparable to the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (598,800). Despite similar population sizes, living in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Tennessee offers distinct experiences shaped by differences in climate, lifestyle, and cost of living. Each region appeals to…
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Do We Still Need Newcomers?
It’s no secret that the death rate exceeds the birthrate in every jurisdiction in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, but we’re not alone. According to a March 2024 report from the Census Bureau, 69% of U.S. counties now have more people passing away than being born. However, 60% managed to counterbalance those losses through positive…
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A Southerner’s Take on Europe
Somehow, my social media feed has been flooded with British takes on America and Americans—many of them reconsidering deep-seated stereotypes. One of the more common ones? That Americans don’t travel internationally much. But as some Brits are discovering, there’s a reason for that: the sheer scale of the U.S. They explain to their friends back…
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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…
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