Rural E TN would be a poor choice. You’ll always be the outsider and if anything goes sideways you’ll be the first to be shot and/or robbed. Trying to go it alone, which you will have to, is pretty much a death sentence. I suspect most rural places in the south will be similar. Southern hospitality is a myth and behind those toothy smiles are a pack of inbred murderers. Youd do better to form alliances where you are.
I think you mean West TN. I live in Eastern Tenessee near NC and haven't seen any of what you describe. We were accepted, invited for dinners and barbeques. Made friends at the range and folks are real friendly. And we transplanted from Massachusetts.
I wouldn't go anywhere near Nashville or Memphis.
"Yankees got purty mouths" LOL
It's very unlikely that an FR member would drag the Left Coast around with them, but keep up the good work - like this tag line.