New in Town? How to Get Connected in Johnson City, TN

A newcomer shares how he put down roots in this East Tennessee city.

By Rebecca Treon on March 21, 2024

London Vine Studios

Corey Blaske grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and lived in Nashville for almost a decade before he and his wife moved to Johnson City in 2020 after she accepted a job offer. A few years later, Blaske, who is officially a local, shares what it was like to move to a smaller city, what he loves about living here so far and how to get connected in Johnson City. 

What drew you to Johnson City? 
Coming from a major metropolitan city, there were two different things. We both lived and grew up in big cities, so moving to a place that has less population gave us the chance to get back to the things that matter to us, like spending more time together rather than commuting a long distance to work. 

Instead, we can spend time with family or get out on the trails. Affordability is another aspect; the cost of living is lower. You can choose where to live as opposed to the market dictating that based on your budget. I am a local real estate professional and was one in Nashville, so understanding the housing pattern was a big pro when we were choosing between other cities where my wife had opportunities. 

What has it been like moving to a smaller city? 
Building a community in a pandemic was difficult, but now, three years in, our community has grown significantly. This community is so much more inviting than other places we’ve lived. 

We’ve owned five different homes, and this is the first place the neighbors have actually brought us goodies, like you see on TV. I can’t even tell you how many conversations I have on a weekly basis with my neighbors. It’s just so much more friendly than anywhere we’ve ever lived, even though I have much more space than we did before. 

How did you start making friends in Johnson City? 
Faith is definitely a strong thing in our community, so getting plugged into a church was really important. I have also joined the Young Professionals of Johnson City, and that has been very beneficial. Getting involved with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce also has been one of the most important things I’ve done to build a social network. Within both organizations, there are so many networking and volunteer opportunities to become a part of the community.