Tell me about Knoxville, TN

[Skytrooper]

I have decided that this is the area for me. I am currently looking at several properties outside of the city to move to from this hell they call New York State. I was down in the area last week and saw a couple properties, but I didn't have the time to check out the city or too much of the surrounding area.

I don't have a lot of time to learn until I get down there. I am planning to be living there by the end of summer.

[TGTIW]

Let's see,
Cost of living - very low
Weather - reasonably mild
Downtown area is very nice.

These are generalities about the locations,
North Knoxville = historic
East Knoxville = not so nice area
West Knoxville = nice area
South Knoxville = airport
Be aware, depending on the location you can pay either city + county taxes, or just county. Either way it's pretty cheap.
Where are you looking?

[IROC]

What part of Knoxville, specifically?

Knoxville - IMHO - has the advantage of having all of the benefits of a larger city (museums, restaurants, shopping, activities, events, etc.) without most of the baggage like traffic, crime, etc. Plus, you can see the Smoky Mountains every day!

If you move to Knoxville, though, it is required that you become an SEC football fan. They make you sign a form with your license plate registration.

[Jim Richards]

Even worse, I hear you have to become a Vol.


Go Gators! Chomp.

[FLYGEEZER]

Isn't TN somewhere south of the clueline?

[IROC]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

Isn't TN somewhere south of the clueline?

Says the guy from Kentucky!!

[Skytrooper]

I am looking in the Maryville, Seymour areas...a bit closer to the smokies

[FLYGEEZER]

Yep!!! I live here & I know the clueline is about 100 miles north of my house. When I retired from the military, my favorite wife wanted to come home & a good job in Louisville was offered to me. But.........things ARE different here. My last 14 years of service was in NY, wish I could have afforded to stay. Taxes & real estate are lower here, fast women, pretty horses, burbon & sometimes great weather. But....no bang for the tax buck (education, roads etc.). Most of the good paying high level jobs are filled by "imports" from other states, mostly from the northeast. Bad drivers, bad roads, dirty streets (in town) Every intersection filled with cigarette butts... enough to build a house... Trust me ... ya gotta "dummy down" after living in the NE to enjoy it. IMO. Oh yea, I almost forgot........the democrats.

[Hugh R]

You don't pronounce the "y" in Maryville.

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

You don't pronounce the "y" in Maryville.

Yeah, I found that out when I was down there last week !

[Hugh R]

My ex-BIL moved back to Maryville last year after living in Los Angeles for 30 years. He retired back to where he grew up. Says he can live there for about 30% of the cost of LA.

You sort of pronounce it "Mervil"

[masraum]

Knoxville hosted the World's Fair in 1982. That's all that I know about Knoxville.

[72doug2,2S]

This might sound strange, but I would recommend finding a group of similar transplants in the area. The southern culture can be strange and if the city is too small you may not be accepted without years of paying your dues.

[tevake]

Hey Matt, good luck in your search, While you are cruising around that part of the country I suggest you check out the Natchez trace. On a recommendation of Dueller , My brother and I drove the length of the national park highway from Natchez to Nashville. It took us thru the most beautiful and very undeveloped countryside imaginable. A couple of times when we would pull into nearby towns I thought this could be a livable area.

At any rate I thought you might enjoy checking out this remarkable parkway.

Cheers Richard

[IROC]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

This might sound strange, but I would recommend finding a group of similar transplants in the area. The southern culture can be strange and if the city is too small you may not be accepted without years of paying your dues.

It's really not that way in this area. About 30-40% of the people I work with are not from this country (let alone NY) and they don't have any issues. Knoxville is actually a relatively progressive city (I know you'll love that word), but with ORNL, Y-12 and UT, there are actually a lot of educated people around. My neighbors across the street moved here from Pennsylvania and recently moved back (last week) due to a job transfer. They were broken-hearted as they loved the Knoxville area.

I grew up in Kingsport, TN (about 1.5 hours ENE of Knoxville) and there was a definite "you're not from around here, are ya" kind of vibe.

Another area to look is the Topside Road/Louisville area. And yes - it is pronounced like "Lewis-ville".

[Seahawk]

If you like boating and fishing, there are some truly neat places just a few short miles away.

My Dad lived outside Loudon on Lake Tellico and there is really no limit on the amount of distance you can cover in a boat. Beautiful.

He also liked going to events at Marysville college: Arts and Culture Calendar Spring | Maryville College

I've driven through a few times, looks like a pleasant place, Matt. Best of luck.

[FLYGEEZER]

No...the folks here in Kentucky pronounce it "Louilville" . Ya never hear an "S".

[BK911]

Moved to Murvulle about 5 years ago from Orlando.
Chose it by looking at a map and liked its location; near the mountains and near a city, and no state taxes.
No regrets, best thing I ever did.
Couple of years ago Murvulle was rated one of top ten places to retire in the US.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

No...the folks here in Kentucky pronounce it "Louilville" . Ya never hear an "S".

I'm sorry - I was talking about Louisville, TN.

[gacook]

My parents just retired to a little place called Big Rock, TN. I have a sister that lives out that way, too. Apparently, they love it. Quiet, neighborly, lots of outdoorsy stuff to do...but if I'm not mistaken from my memory of travels to the area, it's pretty redneck-ish. It's kinda near the Kentucky border.

Oh, and the housing is cheap as dirt. They're building a large, log cabin-style house for around $140k. Detached garage, art room, 4 acres right on a lake...definitely can't get that here in Arizona!