I live very close to where you're planning on moving. I'm in Blount county , about 2 miles from the entrance to the great smokey mountain national park. I'm not sure of the stats this year but two years ago Blount County was the fastest growing county in the United STates. That's because we do hav so much to offer.

Tornados don't really bother us too much where I'm at because I live on a mountain which is surrounded by larger maountains so the larger mauntains act as a shield from the winds.

My best freind is in to real estate here and she does very well . People love the mountians and they come here to vacation and end up moving here. Knox county is a fast growing place as well.

Houses and land are through the roof here though based on where I used to live in Middle TN. Land is really pricey these days.

The weather is really not that humid. I lived 10 months in south Florida and this is a picnec compared to that.

I own and operate several businesses here in Blount county and the only downside that I have found is the Winter months are slow because most families vacation in the summer time or early fall.

Knox, Blount and Sevier County are starting to become alot loke florida in many ways because most of the people who live here now are moving from other states. Years ago this part of the Country was inhabited only by the Mountain people (hillbillies) , Now we have about as many Yankees as we do Rednecks.

I'm not sure. Probably to prevent pump-and-runs...lol

It's about 55 out right now. It's still pretty hot during the day, summer's not over yet. We'll be moving to California in a few months though, so I'm looking forward to that. Yay, no more Oregon Rain! California rain is ok though lol