Is Knoxville as safe as I have heard? (Oak Ridge, Maryville: fit in, real estate)

[Clemoner]

I am thinking of relocating with my Chinese wife and Chinese step son (I am white) to Knoxville. I read some posts in Maryville that say if you are a non white male and not an athlete (especially football) life can be difficult. I am meaning no disrespect but since I am not from TN (I am from the North East) and do not know the area any help would be appreciated. Do you think they would be insulted and the butt of racism or is Knoxville as friendly as I have heard? Any help would be great? It seems Knoxville is on many lists for one of the safest places to raise children in America (which is why my wife and I are looking into relocating there) it is only recently on some blogs that this issue has come up. I do not believe everything I read, so I am seeking some help in this area.

Thanks a lot!

Clem

[hiknapster]

I have no idea where you read that, but it is ridiculous. I'm from New England and it is as absurd as someone saying that you need to be white and an athlete to fit into living in Massachusetts. If you think it sounds bizarre then it probably is.

[creeksitter]

There are asians associated with UT, the labs at Oak Ridge, and Denso Mfg in Maryville. I've never heard of anyone being targeted because they were Asian.

We have our share of robberies and car burglaries (property crimes), but as for physical crimes it is very rare that the victim doesn't know the assailant.

[calvinbama]

I agree w cs. There are many asians in knoxville, and I don't see this as being a problem at all.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by Clemoner

if you're not an athlete (especially football) life can be difficult.
Thanks a lot!

Clem

That is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. In my experience, most of the guys in K'ville aren't even athletes of any sort. They're more "outdoorsy," if you will.
I mean, the university has a huge football program, but you have to separate that from the town's residents.
Most guys I know are football fans, i.e. spectators. But even if you don't like to watch football, you're good.
And like creeksitter said, there are many folks of all backgrounds who came to the area because of the university and the labs.

[MrsMopar]

Interesting...
That said, I work in Knoxville with a Japanese woman, she is married to a white man, and they have 2 adorable children. They live in West Knox area and haven't ever had a problem.
I think you'll be just fine!

[Clemoner]

To Wmsn4Life, I agree it sounds funny but I actually quoted almost word for word from a real estate site blog speaking about nearby Maryville.

To hiknapster, I agree it sounds absurd, I am also from New England but since I am not familiar with the Knoxville area when we read this comment by a parent on a real estate site it prompted us to seek out some local opinions.

I didn't think in this day and age to even think about writing this question until we read some remarks, so purely in a search for information I was seeking some guidance.

Thanks to everyone for responding. Your information is invaluable because we intend to relocate to the South and from most of the information we researched (until we read these recent remarks) Knoxville seems like a friendly and safe community.

Best wishes,

Clem

[hiknapster]

Yeah, it takes all kinds. We've been asked if there were hordes of gangs roving places in the city that to an insider would seem hilarious. Sometimes I think bored kids have a lot to do with the remarks. They either want to create drama or worse. Who knows. Either way, don't worry about it.

From a New Englander, my perspective is the people are very nice and the weather is a heck of a lot better. Your biggest challenge will be able to find seafood to rival the homeland. It's doable, though.

My husband is not a sports enthusiast, from Chicago, and neither am I. I don't mind proudly donning some UT orange in support of the local team, though. They are such a polite and infectiously enthusiastic group that I felt to compelled to do so. But if I didn't, it would certainly not be held against me.

Originally Posted by Clemoner

To Wmsn4Life, I agree it sounds funny but I actually quoted almost word for word from a real estate site blog speaking about nearby Maryville.

To hiknapster, I agree it sounds absurd, I am also from New England but since I am not familiar with the Knoxville area when we read this comment by a parent on a real estate site it prompted us to seek out some local opinions.

I didn't think in this day and age to even think about writing this question until we read some remarks, so purely in a search for information I was seeking some guidance.

Thanks to everyone for responding. Your information is invaluable because we intend to relocate to the South and from most of the information we researched (until we read these recent remarks) Knoxville seems like a friendly and safe community.

Best wishes,

Clem

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by Clemoner

I am thinking of relocating with my Chinese wife and Chinese step son (I am white) to Knoxville. I read some posts in Maryville that say if you are a non white male and not an athlete (especially football) life can be difficult. I am meaning no disrespect but since I am not from TN (I am from the North East) and do not know the area any help would be appreciated. Do you think they would be insulted and the butt of racism or is Knoxville as friendly as I have heard? Any help would be great? It seems Knoxville is on many lists for one of the safest places to raise children in America (which is why my wife and I are looking into relocating there) it is only recently on some blogs that this issue has come up. I do not believe everything I read, so I am seeking some help in this area.

Thanks a lot!

Clem

LOL! Knoxville isn't the safest place on earth, neither is Maryville. But it is very safe here. It is a nice place to live and raise a family. There is a big live and let live sentiment here.

[cuatro]

I don't think you all would have a problem. My Af-Am husband has had some issues in Oak Ridge though, but not Knoxville. Well other than getting followed around some stores in Knox like he's trying to steal. Because you know, all black men are thugs.