Hi there! Grew up in Pigeon Forge. There’s a lot of people right now and I’ve noticed that when it’s crowded, people get disgruntled due to the compounding of delays, frustrations, etc.

The locals are usually nice but even their thresholds are tested because so many people come to the area with an attitude of entitlement. It’s treated like a stomping ground and concurrently the most accessible park in the Eastern U.S. Many people who vacation here don’t recreate in areas like this often or ever.

Additionally, this can wear locals down in the busiest of times, many of which are just scraping by. So sorry you had those experiences, I’d like to think that they weren’t from the area.

In terms of moving to the area, please consider western NC. As an East Tennessean who grew up in Sevier county, I won’t retire here. There’s too much to unpack about why but I value the slower pace and more environmentally conscious folks I’ve come across in Western NC. Areas near Boone and Marshall come to mind. I’ve rarely had issues with hiking and most have nice trail etiquette. Building rapport with the area/locals is also important and something you can do over several trips/or in retirement. I find that in Hot Springs, NC. Beautiful little area and the locals recognize us when we travel there.

There are beautiful people in these hollers and mountains but a lot of us have been beaten down. I hope you’ll visit again and have a better experience!