Looking for mid size town close to knoxville (Maryville, Farragut: real estate, apartments)

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by D&P

Hi, we're also contemplating move to Tennessee around Knoxville area and have been researching towns. No grandbabies, no jobs. Active fixed income retirees. Maryville seems the most apealing of the towns from the city-data info. Low crime, fairly affordable. We're actually heading to the area next week to look around. We'd appreciate info on things in our range. Looking for a town between aprox. 10,000 to 30,000. older House around $130,000. Easy place to get acquainted and get around in, like to hike & boat. Would also like to network with storytelling group.

I'm not a Tennessee resident, but I hope to be later on. The research I've done and the comments I've read on this forum lead me to believe that the Crossville and Cookeville areas might be excellent choices as well. Good luck in your search.

[Plain Jane]

If storytelling is your hobby, Jonesborough is the first choice since it is the storytelling capitol of the United States. Have you considered Greeneville, TN that lies between Knoxville and Jonesborough? Greeneville is about one hour from Knoxville and 10 minutes from Jonesborough.

[jabogitlu]

Or you could always live in the greater Knoxville area and come up to Jonesborough for the storytelling festivals; it's only about 1:15 drive if you come off I-81 at the Boones Creek exit.

The culture between the Greater Tri-Cities (inc. Greeneville) and Greater Knoxville is verrry different!

[Plain Jane]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Or you could always live in the greater Knoxville area and come up to Jonesborough for the storytelling festivals; it's only about 1:15 drive if you come off I-81 at the Boones Creek exit.

The culture between the Greater Tri-Cities (inc. Greeneville) and Greater Knoxville is verrry different!

Since I am moving to Knoxville this fall from the Tri-Cities area, please explain your comments!

[Angelo]

Are there old sections of Maryville?

[BarbG]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Are there old sections of Maryville?

Inside town, close to Maryville College, are some nice older restored homes. I'm not sure how old they are, though. And there are the cute restored war-time homes too. You can buy an older home and restore if that's what you are asking.

Then, there's downtown, which has some older buildings and a few really good restaurants.

[gemkeeper]

My husband and I are thinking of retiring in the Knoxville area, also. We have no clue as to which nearby communities might best suit us. We want to be close to the mountains, I-75, affordable housing, cultural and educational events and opportunities. We have thought of Maryville ourselves, but know very little about the town, what it has to offer, people, economy, etc. Any feedback would be helpful. We will probably be looking at new homes in the $350K range.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Maryville would be good for schools for the grandkids and easy commute to Knoxville. Lots of people seem to really like Maryville. email me if you would like some links, I will be more than happy to help if I can.

mbmouse: My husband and I would really appreciate any links that you could provide concerning life in Maryville. We are planning a visit to Knoxville and have included Maryville in our itinerary, but don't know what areas to really look at for our Jan. retirement. gemthornton in GA.

[Milo Bloom]

Originally Posted by BarbG

Inside town, close to Maryville College, are some nice older restored homes. I'm not sure how old they are, though. And there are the cute restored war-time homes too. You can buy an older home and restore if that's what you are asking.

Then, there's downtown, which has some older buildings and a few really good restaurants.

Just an FYI, generally Alcoa is cheaper than Maryville, and they are right next door to each other. Even share the same greenway park.

If you're looking for cute older houses in the $130k range, look at the Springbrook area of Alcoa. It has an attached greenspace park, very walkable, very friendly. Also has a duck pond and a community pool.

Originally Posted by gemthornton

My husband and I are thinking of retiring in the Knoxville area, also. We have no clue as to which nearby communities might best suit us. We want to be close to the mountains, I-75, affordable housing, cultural and educational events and opportunities. We have thought of Maryville ourselves, but know very little about the town, what it has to offer, people, economy, etc. Any feedback would be helpful. We will probably be looking at new homes in the $350K range.

Maryville has everything that you are asking for. And they are building $350k McMansions by the metric ton, so I am sure that you could find a house in that range. FYI, house prices run in the $85-100+/sq ft range here. A little more for high-end stuff, I have seen some 3500-4000 square foot houses going for $500k+.

Do a Google search for "kaarmls" and you can search the entire Knoxville/Blount MLS.

Economy here is booming, the people are friendly and generally unhurried, as long as you are off the tourist pathways (and Alcoa Highway). It is a very cohesive, self-supporting community that really does see itself as a real place, not a suburb of Knoxville.

[Doogie]

Originally Posted by Milo Bloom

...and generally unhurried, as long as you are off the tourist pathways (and Alcoa Highway)...

What's wrong with Alcoa Hwy?