Rick,
Having lived in all three areas and worked in all three cities, before my Real Estate Career, I can truly tell you the ever so slight differences. Bristol, TN/VA is a Great Place for quality life with Bristol Motor Speedway leading the lifestyles & bringing in a great deal of revenue to the area. The People are friendly & most have originated from families from Virginia roots. Hospital growth is a major employer here. There are many restaurants and good schools, with colleges all around the city & plenty of Shopping Malls within minutes for merchandise that is reasonably priced. Housing is reasonable and many older large homes can be found with attention to detailed workmanship in abundance. One can walk down State Street there & be in either State -TN or VA.
Johnson City is more diverse because of the University (ETSU), Medical School & newest facility- a School of Pharmacy, with shops & Malls everywhere to accomadate most personalities. The ratio of young to older population would have to be younger dominant of course. Friendly people abound in each city. Symphonic, country, blue grass & jazz concerts with University Grassroots can all be found through many individuals that are in this city as well as the other two. There is quality housing throughout this city & newly annexed parts that makes the population growth higher than the Bristol & Kingsport. Obviously you will find more condo living in Johnson City than other Tri City locations, but that too is changing daily.
Kingsport has been built around the Church Circle, which formed a foundation for the city as it grew. It was a planned city from the start with Industrial charm placing it together, gravitating around that & medical areas the growth of many working class friendly citizens that grew the city. Schools are tops in all the rivals of the three, sports, music, & academics come next to none other in the State. The family is probably what makes this city. It's importance to the culture with Symphony, Lakes, Golfing, New Downtown College/University growth where more than one type of individual can find training for the jobs of tomorrow. Restaurants, Malls, Parks are in the city with two Major Hospital Facilities. Downtown Broad Street has antique shops & concerts weekly throughout the Warm weather. Kingsport champions the long running "Fun Fest" Event, which is a week packed full of fun with low to no cost for young & old to give of their time and talents to make this commuity event. All Enjoy the talent of some Well Known Entertainers bringing in thousands of people yearly, who plan to come back again next year for the best week long Event in the State of Tennessee & known throughout the South!
Many people are moving to our Area. Housing is more affordable and the mountains are beautiful all year long in North East Tennessee & South West Virginia. We love our North East Tennessee Mountain Region!
May I find you a property in our part of the World?
Marilyn - Licensed in TN since 1997. Tom - Licensed in TN & VA since 1999. (A Husband & Wife Team with a Website Presence for more than 10 years!) Lived in NETAR all our lives!
Marilyn C. Adams, CHMS, CRS, GRI
Tom Adams, BROKER, CHMS, CRS, GRI
REALTOR
State of Franklin Real Estate
Office: 423-247-2600
Email: homes@2adamsrealtors.com
Website: http://www.2AdamsRealtors.com
http://www.sofrealestate.com
Call My Mobile: 423-384-8395; 423-292-1305
"Opening Doors in TN/VA & Beyond to Home Ownership!'
"Hello to friend Brian Copeland in Nashville area!"

I used to live in that area of the world. Believe it or not, to be so geographically close, I found all three area so different. Since I wasn't native to the area, I'm able to give an "outsiders" look at what I noticed. I found Johnson City to be very neighborhood-oriented with a rich diversity of homes. If you like historic homes, they are there. If you like new construction, they are there, If you're a ranch guy, they are there. I found Kingsport to be a bit industrial and cold for my taste. While it has it's nice areas, I'd place it #2 on the livability list. Bristol is a pretty place, however, I found the people not as welcoming as the JC/Kingsport people.

If you're looking for good advice in the area, Cindy Edwards is one of the smartest real estate experts in the area. I've linked her website below. If you contact her, please send her my "hellos."

Rick, without a local response to your question, would you like me to introduce you to someone in the area ((I practice in the areas close to Nashville TN, but would be happy to introduce you))?