Number 7

I'm thankful I live in the South; more specifically, Knoxville.  Although not exactly a jet-setting,  globe-trotter, I have enough traveling under my belt to know that the South is definitely where it's at!  People are more considerate, we have actual seasons without having a 9 month winter (or summer, depending on where you live), drivers tend to be more skilled (I know that's just my personal opinion), and who doesn't like to hear a bit of southern drawl?  The World's Fair was here and there was even an episode of The Simpson's where Bart and his friends go on a road trip to Knoxville.  Not to mention Volunteer football!

For me, Knoxville strikes the balance between "big city" and "small town".  It's neither really, but is somewhere perfectly placed in the middle.  When going somewhere, there's a good chance you'll see someone you know, but you don't know everyone.

I really like where we live in Knoxville too.  It's within a half-mile of the lake and from our front porch, you can see the Smoky Mountains in the distance.  Within 2 minutes, you can be in the middle of a cow pasture and swear that "town" is hours away.  But it's only a 20 minute drive to Starbucks, the mall, the movies, or downtown where you would swear that "the country" is a faraway drive.

I love local businesses like The Pizza Kitchen and I love how people still wave when driving down the back roads.  I love how neighbors are friendly and our idea of a good night might be playing corn hole or hanging out around the fire pit.  I love wearing orange and going to UT football games.  I love how when asking directions, you might hear, "well, you go down this road a little piece and turn left".  Only in the south does one know how far a "little piece" could be.

I love Knoxville and haven't found anywhere else I'd rather be.