Apartments in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol,Tri-City, TN

Johnson City, Tennessee, originally Johnson’s Depot founded in 1856 as a railroad junction, retains its 19th century charm to this day. It is the most urban of the Tri-Cities, with a population of 63,152. It is home to East Tennessee State University, which has over time given the city a walkable and trendy college town atmosphere. The city was recently ranked in the top 50 small towns for business and careers by Forbes.

Located in the Appalachian mountains in East Tennessee, Johnson City has a rich southern history. For years, the city has been a popular spot for old time and bluegrass musicians. Popular across the Blue Ridge Mountains area, bluegrass has been especially prevalent in the musical acts playing in Johnson City. In the late twenties, Columbia Records came to Johnson City in search of great bluegrass and old time talent, and ended up recording records in the city. Today, Johnson City is still a hot spot for this southern style of music.

Johnson City earned the nickname, “Little Chicago” in the 1920’s when it was a hub for bootlegging liquor during prohibition. Legend has it that Al Capone used Johnson City as a distributing city for moonshine to larger northern cities, and even stayed in the city part of the time. Now there is a Little Chicago Blues Festival, which celebrates the music and culture of the 1920’s and is also a fundraiser for the local public radio station.

East Tennessee State University has long since been an integral part of the city, educating Johnson City natives and drawing newcomers to the city. It was founded in 1911 and has grown since, with over 15,000 students currently. The university’s constant influx of young students provides the city with a strong and relevant contemporary culture.

Johnson City is a beautiful Appalachian city with a fascinating history. It is an old railroad town with a young and lively feel. It boasts a calendar full of musical performances, festivals, and college events which provide entertainment to residents and visitors alike. Should you decide to rent an apartment in Johnson City, there is an active and fun community to become a part of.

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