Why is land in Sneedville, TN so cheap? (Knoxville, Martin: home, employment)

[JstLookin]

I'm looking for mountain land and came across very cheap Sneedville property. What is wrong with the area, why is it so cheap? Will this be the new Western NC soon? Is it a good time to buy? Anywhere else in East TN this cheap?

[mbmouse]

It is cheaper than most areas in North East TN because it is very remote. There are very few stores and even less employment opportunities. Yes there are other areas that have about the same price tag per acer, but they will be about the same for amenities and jobs.

[jjbradleynyc]

Sneedville is located in Hancock County, which has always been a sparsely populated county, and one of TN's poorest. It is super remote, lots of woods and farmland, and very few employment opportunities. It reminds me of portions of Eastern Kentucky--which is very remote, rural, and poor. It may be considered beautiful country to some people, but it is an economically depressed area (Hancock County).

[knoxgarden]

Sneedville is home to WETP, East Tennessee's Public Broadcasting television station
Etptv - Public Broadcasting for East Tennessee | PBS East Tennessee | Public TV East Tennessee | Knoxville Tennessee Public Broadcasting
There's also a big plant nursery out there and an odd country store. There have been several stories written about it, but I can't find them now. Some artisans have discovered it.
Gorgeous country.

[AppalachianAngler]

It is a good place - bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin is from there. Doyle Lawson also lived there for many years (another bluegrass legend in the making). If you are looking for a small country town with mountain views, this is a good place. If you are looking for a profit later on the future then don't bother.

[JstLookin]

No, I'm not looking to make a profit. Maybe my future generations can or maybe they will keep it in the family forever. I'm just looking for a place in the mountains for everyone in my family to "get away from it all."

[mbmouse]

Well, if that is what you are looking for and don't need work that might be a perfect town to be in.
It is beautiful county.

[angel2007]

There are several good reasons land is so cheep in Sneedville, TN. It's inaccessible. Most of the land in Sneedville is made up of hills and mountians that are so steep that a billy goat couldn't climb. What little land is accessible is still one or more hours drive to civilization. If you do get land that's close to town, you only have 45 minutes to drive to get to civilization. I don't count the town of Sneedville as civilization since it only has three resturants, Hardee's, Subway, and a mom and pop, one grocery store, one mom and pop clothing store, two automotive, one hardware, and two pharmacys. It has no malls, no major grocery stores or a Wal-Mart without a 45 minute drive over mountianous roads, which I might add is so fun in the winter. The poverty level is around 36.3% and anyone that has a decient paying job drives to the nearest town, you guessed it, 45 minutes or more away through mountians. I forgot to mention that all of the roads leading to and from Sneedville are two lane, steep, and very curvy. I also forgot to mention their wonderful schools. Check out their school grade card, http://www.k-12.state.tn.us/rptcrd05/system2.asp?S=340. I won't have to say more. Becareful about buying land there. The price of land hasn't risen in decades. I could only imagine how hard it would be to get rid of it.

[williboy]

Also the name is just missing something. " Sneedville "

[parisstuart]

A lot of the reason is because of the land form. It is mostly hills. I owned a 100 acre farm, and most of it was a hill, although it is great soil. There is a lot of natural beauty, but i warn you, there aren't many jobs. The schools are great, and the people are super friendly, but there just aren't any jobs. There aren't many roads that lead out of the county that aren't full of sharp curves. Even Tractor-trailers dread the hills. But there is one good thing about the county, it is a great place to meet friends and raise kids, and the people will help you no matter what. I now live in Jefferson County because of the lack of jobs, but Hancock County will always be home. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me, I will be glad to answer.

parisstuart@hotmail.com