Well, I have lived here for my entire life so I am kinda prejudice to the whole area. I actually live in Kingsport though. JC does have better restaraunts
Most people are easy going and kinda laid back so you shouldn't have a problem. Remember, JC is a college town with a medical school so people are used to a diversity. If you like the mountains- when you take your trip get on interstate 81 (now i think its called 26?) towards Erwin. You will go straight thru the mountains and there is a place to pull over and check out the view-an outlook point. It is beautiful and only about 20 min or so from JC