Moving to Knoxville--need advice on rentals (Franklin, Crossville: sales, apartments, townhouses)

[malloryp]

I'm moving to Knoxville in August to begin graduate school. I'm excited, but I really don't know anything about the area. I have been looking online at places to live but opinions would be much more helpful than the apartments advertisements.

I am looking for a nice place to rent, but not too expensive. I don't need anything fancy, but I would prefer to have a furnished place. So far everything furnished seems to be geared towards undergraduate students and I would rather find a quieter atmosphere.

I am open to getting random roommates, but if the price is right it might be easier to find a one bedroom. I do like to have people over and I like to go out (but not all the time) and I'm 23.


So far West Knoxville seems pretty pricey while South Knoxville gets a mixed response. Does anyone have any recommendations? I do plan to look at places before I sign a lease, but it would be helpful to be able to narrow down the list/area.

Thank you for your help!

[creeksitter]

It's going to be hard to find a furnished place unless you are in a complex that caters to students. But you could post a "wanted to rent" on craiglist and luck into a furnished mother in law apartment or such from an individual. But since furnished palces tend to to cater to a more transient crowd, most local landlords don't want to fool with them.

[airen123]

I had a friend who lived in Knoxville place and it was furnished. She was also in graduate school at 24, and loved the quick walk to class and to the bars. Just a thought :-)

[airen123]

I responded assuming you were going to UT, but there are other schools. Where are you going to graduate school? This would help...

[JMT]

Originally Posted by airen123

I had a friend who lived in Knoxville place and it was furnished. She was also in graduate school at 24, and loved the quick walk to class and to the bars. Just a thought :-)

Was this when Knoxville Place was still privately owned? After UT bought it a couple of years ago they made it into dorms for upperclassmen, not grad students.

[airen123]

Originally Posted by JMT

Was this when Knoxville Place was still privately owned? After UT bought it a couple of years ago they made it into dorms for upperclassmen, not grad students.

I just visited her there last August...Hers was actually one of the townhouses on the first floor facing Clinch.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by airen123

I just visited her there last August...Hers was actually one of the townhouses on the first floor facing Clinch.

That's good to know. Since UT is getting rid of its married student/grad student housing on Sutherland (which I think is a colossal mistake) I'm glad they've got somewhere else to go.

[malloryp]

Originally Posted by airen123

I responded assuming you were going to UT, but there are other schools. Where are you going to graduate school? This would help...

Yes I will be going to UT... where is the apt that ur friend stayed? As far as furnished apts, it is not necessary. I would much rather have a place with a better location/feel.

[airen123]

The Commons at Knoxville, formerly called Knoxville Place...if you don't want furnished, I also stayed in Franklin Station and Crossing Place (I think that's the name) and loved both.

[knoxgarden]

You can always rent furniture or buy it off Craigslist or go dumpster diving. There will be plenty of yard sales.
A great place to pick up household stuff and furniture is Page Auction in Crossville, about 45 minutes from Knoxville.
Page Auction - Crossville, TN
They get a lot of cleaning-out estate sales from the retirement community at Fairfield Glade. You can pick up lots of nice stuff cheap, furniture as well as box lots with a whole lot of kitchen stuff.
UT has nice online as well as in person surplus equipment auction. They recently sold off a lot of dorm room stuff, with a full room of furniture going to $50.
Online Surplus Auction
I picked up a real nice office chair for $10.
You should be able to furnish a place cheaply with stuff you won't be afraid to toss when you're through with it.