Looking for an off-beat older neighborhood for MIL (Memphis, Knoxville: low crime, how much)

[fornesto]

We're considering a move to Knoxville with my mother-in-law. While we'll probably settle in the burbs (kids ya know), she's looking a little deeper into Knoxville. She's still pretty young and is used to nice older communities with diverse shops, funky stores, coffee shops, and book stores, etc. Schools don't matter to her and a small house would be just fine. Hopefully, low crime, and some gentrification would be nice. Is there a "bohemian" type neighborhood in Knoxville? In Sacramento, its called Midtown.

[inave]

Oak Ridge might be a good fit for her.

[hiknapster]

inave, please don't take this the wrong way, but I just can't resist!

A town slapped together with government housing in the 40s for the purpose of making nuclear weapons does not speak "Bohemian" to me.

Honestly, Knoxville doesn't, either.

Fourth and Gill is slightly gentrified, but I wouldn't call it "Bohemian," either.

[Whataride]

Sequoyah (sp) Hills across from Homberg (see Sutherland ave) might be a possibility, its kind of close to everything

Unlike some areas that are in the middle of everything and close to nothing

[inave]

Hey, Hik, I would NEVER take offense at anything anyone said about OR. It just seems DH and I are in the minority of wanting OUT! Most others seem to love it here. There are some conveniences but not enough to keep us.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by inave

Hey, Hik, I would NEVER take offense at anything anyone said about OR. It just seems DH and I are in the minority of wanting OUT! Most others seem to love it here. There are some conveniences but not enough to keep us.

I don't blame you. I used to live in Oak Ridge, too. Not my cup of tea at all.

But back to the original post, I'm afraid Knoxville doesn't really have anything like midtown Sacramento (or midtown Atlanta, midtown Memphis, midtown Nashville, etc.). I agree with hiknapster, the closest thing would be maybe the 4th and Gill neighborhood, but it doesn't have any coffee shops or funky shops, just graying hippies and college students in renovated Victorian cottages and a few Gothic mansions.

Actually, the Old City might be something to check out, although it's maybe a little more Yuppiefied than you're looking for.

[sissy910]

Originally Posted by inave

Hey, Hik, I would NEVER take offense at anything anyone said about OR. It just seems DH and I are in the minority of wanting OUT! Most others seem to love it here. There are some conveniences but not enough to keep us.

Just curious -

What do you not like about Oak Ridge? This is the FIRST post I've read where someone doesn't like Oak Ridge...

We are currently living in California and are seriously considering a move to Oak Ridge. We'd like to hear the good and the bad.

Thanks!!!

[hiknapster]

You might want to put "Oak Ridge" and "Oak Ridge National Laboratory" up in the search area above.

You'll probably find quite a few of my gems!

[TedTAce]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

inave, please don't take this the wrong way, but I just can't resist!

A town slapped together with government housing in the 40s for the purpose of making nuclear weapons does not speak "Bohemian" to me.

Honestly, Knoxville doesn't, either.

Fourth and Gill is slightly gentrified, but I wouldn't call it "Bohemian," either.

OK Hik, I think you might be buying into some interesting 'stories' that are altering your perception of Oak Ridge as unsuitable. Now I'm not going to argue about how much radiation is around there as I don't carry a gieger counter with me to work. BUT as the Oak Ridge area seems to very nice to me (some areas have VERY new housing) and the school system is just as good if not better then Maryville's.

[Whataride]

Originally Posted by TedTAce

OK Hik, I think you might be buying into some interesting 'stories' that are altering your perception of Oak Ridge as unsuitable. Now I'm not going to argue about how much radiation is around there as I don't carry a gieger counter with me to work. BUT as the Oak Ridge area seems to very nice to me (some areas have VERY new housing) and the school system is just as good if not better then Maryville's.

Just after college I worked for Bechtel cleaning up the staorage sight for the Manhattan project -- scary stuff, don't eat the fish

I will agree with the part about the school system. They make sure to have a high level of teacher in the OR school system - It is one of their selling points to get the engineers to relocate with their families. My father worked out there for 33 yrs before retiring.