need suggestions on where to look (Knoxville, Oak Ridge: transplants, real estate, for rent) - City-Data Forum

nikkibella · 08-07-2011, 06:24 AM

My husband got an offer in Knoxville (as well as 1 in Nashville). Can you tell me what some safe, family friendly, affordable areas are. We have 4 children...we are homeschooling but I still want to be in a good school district in case we decide to enroll them. We need at least a 4 bedroom house and I dream of having a 1/2 acre or more! Tired of living on a postage stamp!! LOL!! For now, we would just be renting sincce we will have to rent out our house here. Our budget is $1200/mo for renting and prob $180k when we buy. We'd like to be 20-30 min out side of the city. What communities do you suggest? Thanks!

CaitlandRenee · 08-07-2011, 10:46 AM

Being a resident of the area, I'm always a proponent for Maryville/Alcoa area. We are about 20 minutes outside of Knox, and 20 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains. Maryville & Alcoa CITIES both have really good school systems, but Blount County schools are not nearly as great. I would also recommend Karns & Louisville if you are looking for acreage. There are also some nice places inside Knoxville. You really don't feel like you are "in the city" even if you are. And you really won't have any probably finding what you are looking for with a $180k budget. The real estate site we all recommend to use is public.kaarmls.com for Tennessee real estate.

Some people also like Sevier county for land. It's also about 30 minutes from Knoxville. There are really so many good options inside and outside of Knoxville that, like they always say, it's best to just visit for 3-4 days and go drive through the area.

calvinbama · 08-08-2011, 12:30 PM

20 minutes outside the city, why would you want to do that?

creeksitter · 08-08-2011, 02:26 PM

Where in Knoxville is the job located?

nikkibella · 08-08-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeksitter

Where in Knoxville is the job located?

East side of Knoxville...Asheville Hwy I believe.

hiknapster · 08-08-2011, 08:08 PM

You'll probably want to stay in Knox County if you want to be in a good school district. The city of Maryville and Oak Ridge have good schools, too, but that would probably be too much of a commute. Maryville prices are higher, too.

Most transplants prefer West Knoxville. It has most of the newer subdivisions. Try Fountain City if you like older homes. It will also be a shorter commute. It's the area I live in and I like it.

Knoxville is a small city that feels more like a very large town. It's friendly and relatively safe. In fact it is about 15 minutes from downtown to most rural areas. If you pick too small of a town you will probably run into not-as-good schools.

And being in a good school district is always a good idea, for resale value alone.

mjb62676 · 08-08-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkibella

East side of Knoxville...Asheville Hwy I believe.

I'd look out east of Strawberry Plains. Love that area. You may find something up around jeff city, new market, dandridge, etc.

If you find 4 br on 1/2 acre or more for 180k in east TN and it's not a shanty, I'd love to hear about it.

CaitlandRenee · 08-08-2011, 08:53 PM

http://public.kaarmls.com/property/s...F=2000&K_ACR=1

Here's a Kaarmls search for homes that are under $175K with 4 bedrooms, over 2,000 sq ft, and on more than an acre... 48 listings come up, and they don't look too shanty like haha The economy has definitely affected Knox... not as bad as other places. Homes that used to sell well over $200K around where I live are being reduced to less than $150,000 right now. I actually looked at a house I was interested in renting before we bought ours, and they wanted $950 a month in rent, which was a bit above our budget. I was on Trulia the other day and looking at recently sold homes... That same house ended up selling for $67,000. I could have cried.

The one in Mascot is particularly adorable... but probably further away than 30 minutes. SO CUTE though.

RobertAlton · 08-09-2011, 07:37 AM

This would be my shanty on the outskirts of town... the neighbors never bother me and the school is great... for the right price I might part with it.

creeksitter · 08-09-2011, 10:42 AM

I'm not too familiar with the schools in E Knox county, Hope someone can chime in with an opinion. I don't think they are particularly bad schools.

I think living out west and commuting to Asheville hwy would be very frustrating. Especially since your first choice is homeschooling.

When I lived in the center city my neighbors sent their kids to Berean school, which is off Rutlege pike on the east side. That could be a fallback option 3 if homeschooling, then public schools don't work out for one of your children.

P.S. Robert, I love your shanty but you'll have to install more windows if you expect me to marry and move in with you.