Kingsport Blogger: The results are in! Is Kingsport your ideal community?

Monday, August 03, 2009

The results are in! Is Kingsport your ideal community?

Recently, I asked your opinion on the "ideal community" based on the categories established by the American Planning Association's Economic Development Toolkit. Then, I asked you to compare your current community to that ideal standard. Of 311 responses, 68% were City of Kingsport residents. Click here for survey results

Kingsport got good marks, but there's always room for improvement. Below is a summary of the results:

The expectations for an "ideal community" varied slightly for City vs. Non-City residents.

City residents placed higher value on:

Good public transportation
Local symphony orchestra
Low risk of natural disasters
Near amusement parks
Short commutes

Non-City residents placed higher value on:

Low unemployment
Near lakes or ocean
Far from nuclear reactors

City residents felt that Kingsport performed beyond their expectations for an ideal community in the following categories:

Far from nuclear reactors
Local symphony orchestra
Near lakes or ocean
Close to skiing area
Proximity to minor league sports
Near natural forests and parks
Plentiful doctors

City residents felt Kingsport met their expectations for an ideal community in the following categories:

Close to relatives
Low income taxes
Near places of worship
High marks from ecologists
Affordable car insurance
Housing appreciation
Low housing prices
Low risk of tax increase
Many hospitals
New business potential
Strong state government
Sunny weather
Close to big airport
Museums nearby
Near a big city
Proximity to major league sports

City residents felt that improvement was desired in the following categories:

Affordable medical care
Clean air
Clean water
Lack of hazardous wastes
Low property taxes
Low unemployment
Recent job growth
Low sales tax

Non-city residents felt their communities exceeded their expectations for an ideal community in the following areas:

Local symphony orchestra
Proximity to minor league sports
Close to skiing area
Near amusement parks
Close to colleges/universities
Low risk of natural disasters
Near lakes or ocean
Near natural forests and parks
Plentiful doctors
Short commutes
Far from nuclear reactors
Zoos or aquariums
Good public transportation

Non-city residents felt their communities met their expectations for an ideal community in the following areas:

Close to relatives
Low income taxes
Near places of worship
High marks from ecologists
Affordable car insurance
Housing appreciation
Low housing prices
Low risk of tax increase
Many hospitals
New business potential
Strong state government
Sunny weather
Close to big airport
Museums nearby
Near a big city
Proximity to major league sports

Non-city residents felt their communities needed improvement in:

Lack of hazardous wastes
Low unemployment
Low sales tax
High civic involvement
Affordable medical care
Clean air
Clean water
Good schools
Inexpensive living
Low crime rate
Low property taxes
Diversity of local firms
Recent job growth

www.MoveToKingsport.com is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the Eastern U.S. This city of 50,000 in a metro of 308,000, was planned by renowned American planner John Nolen in his office at Harvard Square. Located in the lush green foothills of the Tennessee Valley, it is surrounded by the Southern Highlands and mountain lakes. Kingsport is home to Marriott’s www.MeadowViewResort.com and thousands of acres of unique, natural amenities at Bays Mountain and Warriors Path Parks. The natural geography provides a temperate, well-balanced climate with four seasons and a natural shelter from extreme weather. Population growth has also been well-balanced, ensuring you will not outgrow your decision to relocate. With no personal property taxes, special assessments, or state income taxes on salaries/wages, you’ll find that Kingsport has a very low cost of living coupled with an exceptionally high quality of life (see for yourself at www.BestPlaces.net). The regional airport (TRI) has direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and St. Pete/Clearwater with easy access, parking, and virtually no security lines. The public education system was planned by Columbia University and Newsweek has repeatedly recognized the local high school as one of the best in America. Year in and year out our graduates go on to the top colleges and universities (and without costly private school tuition fees). Harvard also recognized Kingsport in 2009 with the Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiative. What are you waiting for? It’s time to leave the high costs, traffic jams, and stress behind and discover this hidden gem.