Gone but not Goodbye...

[BridgeTroll]

Well... we did it...

The pandemic was the final nail... my wife and I have been contemplating a move from Jacksonville for a few years. We explored Chattanooga, Knoxville, Dahlonega, Greenville and a myriad of other places. What we determined was that the urban scene was not where we wanted to be... suburban was not what we wanted either... we settled on a beautiful small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains... Blairsville Georgia.

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/georgia/georgia-mountain-parkway-road-trip
 
https://www.visitblairsvillega.com/

The natural beauty,  national parks and forests, lakes, streams, and trails were the main draws but the Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Authority dedication to a huge fiber optic network surrounding the town made finding a home in the mountains possible as both the wife and I are now permanent work from home people. 
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=3bd99237324749f8a4fe960571489548

Jacksonville served it's purpose after I retired from the Navy...  we raised a family, FSCJ provided a computer science degree for me and another 20+ year career, wife found a great career with Florida Blue. We are leaving now mainly because we can... but also because Jax never seemed to be able fulfill it promise... we were early proponents of the downtown and urban lifestyle but... it really hasn't changed or upgraded very much in 20+ years and that scene lost its luster to us quite awhile ago.

Jacksonville is important to us even though we are leaving... we have many friends and memories here so we will always remain in contact. I hope to remain as a Mod here as I have supported this site in its various forms over the years... but be assured I will keep posting.  Not sure of our last day here but it may be near the end of March.

Go Jags!  Go Shrimp!  Go Icemen!

[jcjohnpaint]

Really wish you could stay, but totally understand. Looks like a wonderful place you are going to live. Post lots of pictures.

[thelakelander]

Congrats on your decision! It sounds like a pretty exciting move and relaxing scene. We definitely want to see pictures and learn more about the area. Also, no worries, you'll continue to be a moderator. Thank you for all of the help and support over the years.

[BridgeTroll]

Congrats on your decision! It sounds like a pretty exciting move and relaxing scene. We definitely want to see pictures and learn more about the area. Also, no worries, you'll continue to be a moderator. Thank you for all of the help and support over the years.

Thanks Ennis... you are sincerely one of the finest people I have ever had the honor to meet.  Keep at it...you're going to win...

[Adam White]

Well... we did it...

The pandemic was the final nail... my wife and I have been contemplating a move from Jacksonville for a few years. We explored Chattanooga, Knoxville, Dahlonega, Greenville and a myriad of other places. What we determined was that the urban scene was not where we wanted to be... suburban was not what we wanted either... we settled on a beautiful small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains... Blairsville Georgia.

https://www.southernliving.com/travel/georgia/georgia-mountain-parkway-road-trip

https://www.visitblairsvillega.com/

The natural beauty,  national parks and forests, lakes, streams, and trails were the main draws but the Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Authority dedication to a huge fiber optic network surrounding the town made finding a home in the mountains possible as both the wife and I are now permanent work from home people. 
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=3bd99237324749f8a4fe960571489548

Jacksonville served it's purpose after I retired from the Navy...  we raised a family, FSCJ provided a computer science degree for me and another 20+ year career, wife found a great career with Florida Blue. We are leaving now mainly because we can... but also because Jax never seemed to be able fulfill it promise... we were early proponents of the downtown and urban lifestyle but... it really hasn't changed or upgraded very much in 20+ years and that scene lost its luster to us quite awhile ago.

Jacksonville is important to us even though we are leaving... we have many friends and memories here so we will always remain in contact. I hope to remain as a Mod here as I have supported this site in its various forms over the years... but be assured I will keep posting.  Not sure of our last day here but it may be near the end of March.

Go Jags!  Go Shrimp!  Go Icemen!

Wow...that looks amazing! Good luck with the move.

[BridgeTroll]

Thanks Adam... we are very excited!

[BridgeTroll]

Really wish you could stay, but totally understand. Looks like a wonderful place you are going to live. Post lots of pictures.

Thanks Jc!  The first thing we noticed was how friendly and polite folks were...

[CityLife]

Congrats on the move. My Dad retired about an hour from you in North Carolina. Blairsville and Young Harris are both really nice mountain towns and Chatuge Lake is beautiful. It's in the middle of nowhere to the north of you, but Nantahala Lake is also amazing. Good luck!

[BridgeTroll]

Congrats on the move. My Dad retired about an hour from you in North Carolina. Blairsville and Young Harris are both really nice mountain towns and Chatuge Lake is beautiful. It's in the middle of nowhere to the north of you, but Nantahala Lake is also amazing. Good luck!

Thanks CL... Almost had a place just north of Young Harris... we look forward to mountain life...

[Charles Hunter]

Frack! I had a brilliant post, but hit a wrong key and it disappeared. I shall try to recreate it, but t'will only be a shadow.

Will you be high enough to have to worry about potentially slippery winter access?

Whenever you need a Faux Bavarian fix, it looks like Helen isn't too far away.

====
[begin good-natured kidding mode]

Really wish you could stay, but totally understand. Looks like a wonderful place you are going to live. Post lots of pictures.

Thanks Jc!  The first thing we noticed was how friendly and polite folks were...

I guess they haven't got to really know you ... like we do! 

[end gnk mode]

[BridgeTroll]

Frack! I had a brilliant post, but hit a wrong key and it disappeared. I shall try to recreate it, but t'will only be a shadow.

Will you be high enough to have to worry about potentially slippery winter access?

Whenever you need a Faux Bavarian fix, it looks like Helen isn't too far away.

====
[begin good-natured kidding mode]

Really wish you could stay, but totally understand. Looks like a wonderful place you are going to live. Post lots of pictures.

Thanks Jc!  The first thing we noticed was how friendly and polite folks were...

I guess they haven't got to really know you ... like we do! 

[end gnk mode]

Lol... thanks CH!  Yes we may get light snow and icy road conditions. It will certainly be something we learn to contend with. But I am friendly and polite... my wife and I joked that we had to move north to live in the south...

[Jason]

And not too far from Helen, GA.  I'll be staying in nearby Clarksville for a week to visit Tallulah Falls and Helen the first week of April.

That area is beautiful!

[Charles Hunter]

And not too far from Helen, GA. I'll be staying in nearby Clarksville for a week to visit Tallulah Falls and Helen the first week of April.

That area is beautiful!

Will you be taking the last train?

[BridgeTroll]

And not too far from Helen, GA.  I'll be staying in nearby Clarksville for a week to visit Tallulah Falls and Helen the first week of April.

That area is beautiful!

It is... and that's why we are going.

[Ken_FSU]

Man, Blairsville looks BEAUTIFUL.

Can't say I blame you.

Thanks for all you're service, both to Jax and the country.

Been great to have you here over the years.

Look forward to seeing pics!!!