What has changed in Knoxville the past 8 years? (Memphis, Lenoir City: best city, condos)

[tancee]

Hi, I lived in Knoxville for 6 years until we relocated back north for a job opportunity. We have been gone 8 years and I would like to know what has changed over the years? We are considering coming back. Living there was never a problem for us and we miss all the things we use to do and the great friends we had there. I miss how laid back it was there as well. We have lived North, South, and West. There was nothing I didn't like about Knoxville. We would had never left but, at that time the job opportunities were not available.

[hiknapster]

I've only been here five years and the revitalization of downtown has been incredible. Off the top of my head, Market Square is full of tenants and vibrant. Recently refurbished and opened were The Bijou Theater, The Regal Cinema and the S&W Cafeteria (only one in the country to be redone and opened, I THINK). Mast General Store moved in and Urban Outfitters is on its way.

The people are still nice, friendly and polite, thank goodness.

[Barking Spider]

Turkey Creek.
Red light cameras.
NO ORANGE ROUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karns now has THREE traffic lights.

[jabogitlu]

Turkey Creek... UT continues to build outward towards Cumberland Avenue... downtown revitalization... south waterfront condos & the shuttering of the hospital... I-40 completely redone through the city (no more traffic jams at the 275 interchange...

[Kitties of Domination]

The sprawl continues....now pushing towards Lenoir City. Downtown and Old North are really starting to come together with revitalization. Gay St. rehab nearing completion. Still waiting on the Cumberland rehab, which should be very nice. Wider sidewalks, new zoning for a denser, more urban feel and housing. A tree lined median and bike lanes, with car traffic going down to one lane. The basic idea is to make Cumberland look more like a college town and less like interstate off-ramp First south waterfront development nearing completion after some problems, another condo development on the north waterfront beginning. Disappointingly, one planned 21-story tower appears to be dead, though it appears the 15-story boutique hotel and office tower will happen eventually after a delay due to obvious economic factors. Knoxville ranked in the top 10 for "Best City for a College Graduate to Get a Start", "Best Mid-size City to Do Business", and "Best City to Raise a Family".

[airen123]

Hardin Valley is becoming its own little city...

[hondaguy83]

In 8 years? Other than Turkey Creek getting more stores/resturants and after alot of other stores and resturant going out of business...Not alot has really changed in Knox...Except maybe the traffic seems to be getting worse every day,But maybe thats just me,Idk?..Also in my opinion the crime here has jumped alot as well in the past few years...Alot of random high profile murders have happened here,From a church shooting that killed 2 last year..Two school shootings in the past 2 years,Shooting at Park West hospital a few months back,And of course the famous carjacking and murders of a young couple..8 years ago most of the crime here was in East Knox..Now its pretty much all over the city....On the other hand tho Downtown Knox is trying to be better...Its still got a ways to go tho in my opinion to be considered a decent downtown area for a city its size...Market Square has been a nice add the past few years with Sundown in the city and other cool lil free events they have there...Knoxville is still Knoxville...Everything is going to Turkey Creek and the rest of the city is still pretty much the same as its always been...Knoxville is still that sleepy lil river town that wants and tries to be a bigger city than it really is or needs to be i guess i should say...Thats what nashville and memphis is around for here in TN

[hiknapster]

In my opinion, Knoxville has an excellent downtown for a city its size. Ten years ago, there was hardly a downtown. Five years ago it was okay. The amount of ground gained in five years is staggering.

I asbsolutely do not want to live in Memphis or Nashville.

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[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I asbsolutely do not want to live in Memphis or Nashville.

Having lived in that area (Nash) I absolutely concur.

[tancee]

Wow, there are quit a few changes. Turkey creek was still fairly new when I left. I remember Super Target and Old Navy with a few other stores. Driving on 40 will be a lot diffrent it sounds. I have heard about the rise in crimes and have heard all the stories mentioned. Thanks for your input everyone.