Excellent schools, besides Farragut? (Chapel Hill: chapel, lawyers, house)

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Well, thank goodness. I was starting to feel like a jerk, because I wouldn't pick Knoxville, either.

Just curious based on your post, then why did you?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by weisgarber1

Just curious based on your post, then why did you?

Oh boy, here we go.

Never mind.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by weisgarber1

Just curious based on your post, then why did you?

Sometimes, weisgarber, because of job availibility, cost of living, other circumstances beyond our control, we can't exactly get to where we really want to be.

In those cases, we try to get as close to that place as we can - either geographically, economically, aesthetically, etc.

In the case of schools, if one can't afford to live in the school district of their choice or the town of their choice, one must settle for second or third best.

There is nothing wrong with this compromise. Nobody has to suffer in silence, or verbosely, because of a compromise. It may work out for the best for the family, the children and the community where they do choose to live.

If one is not adaptable and willing to make the proverbial lemonade out of the lemons he/she is handed, then that one will be unhappy with his choice. Hopefully, we can all find a rainbow midst the clouds and make our choice be the best one for us.

[hiknapster]

Well, gem, I guess you are sticking up for me. I think.

Anyway. I moved here for the culture. The problem is that I may have entirely misjudged the culture and have become increasingly uncomfortable with it.

Cryptic enough for everyone?

I have made lemonade out of lemons, for sure. I have to be doing the best I have ever done in my life, here.

But I've been here for two and one-half years and I don't particularly like the culture around me, which is, oddly enough, what I had to admit that I saw after one year of living here. I just didn't want to admit it, and tried to carry on.

Unfortunately, I don't think this is the place that I want to raise my daughter.

I don't think it is all bad, and no place is all good, but I'm starting realize that what I knew as "country" and what that actually entails around here may be entirely different things.

[gemkeeper]

Hik, I was sticking up for you and a person's right to choose for himself for any reason at all where to call home.

Also, we have to defend the right to change one's mind if life in the chosen place is not what was hoped for or anticipated.

We, also, should all be honest with ourselves and people who care about us and call it like it is. If one is unhappy with where he/she is, then it is time to check into City-Data and look around a bit.

I firmly believe that there is someplace for everyone. An environment and culture that will speak to you when it is found. Unfortunately, it may take many attempts to find it, but it is there.

For you, Hik, or anyone, it could be five blocks away or 500 miles away. Be happy with your choice and others around you and who depend on you will be happy too!

[hiknapster]

Thanks gem, as usual.

Actually, I have been pretty silent (for me, at least) on this forum because I have been quietly reading the forum of another area that I am very interested in.

It fits my criteria of being affordable, having a very good pay-scale and one of the best educational systems in the country. It also has incredible planning with a fantastic area that has amazing museums, etc.

In the end, I think education is key, and kudos to you, gemthornton for being an educator. You are the axle in the wheel.

[ThatTNGuy]

Well, I'm going to be slightly biased since I graduated from Farragut ( ), but I had a great experience there and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anybody. I was terrified of FHS when I moved here, what with it being Knoxville's biggest high school, but after all was said and done I made sure to tell my parents that moving here was the best thing they ever did.

Maryville and Oak Ridge are two suggestions I would have made, but I see they've already been mentioned. I visited Oak Ridge when my family was in the process of choosing a house, and I guess the location and the town weren't quite suited to my tastes. It's a nice place, though, and the school carries a great reputation, so it's worth a look.

[primitiveartdeco]

Blount County has great schools with the exception of William Blount High. It's terribly overcrowded and nobody will return calls except for the SRO (then his hands are tied because the state law is different from the "school law") . The fancy handbook that they hand out when school starts is a total waste of taxpayer money because their rules are not enforced. They will not protect your children from bullies or sexual harassment. Especially if they are being harassed by a sports team member or known drug dealer. It's pathetic. They fear lawsuits, so kids are basically allowed to run wild. I guess it never occurs to them that their actions are becoming a liability. I don't see the need to sponsor a school so that my children are given leeway, I'd rather they earn respect on their own merit. And, I own a successful business just like some of the parents of the "special" kids (probably even more successful), I just won't pay for favors.There are some positives, but the negatives by far outweigh them the more crowded the school gets God willing, we will be out of that school district soon.

[ThatTNGuy]

Originally Posted by primitiveartdeco

Blount County has great schools with the exception of William Blount High. It's terribly overcrowded and nobody will return calls except for the SRO (then his hands are tied because the state law is different from the "school law") . The fancy handbook that they hand out when school starts is a total waste of taxpayer money because their rules are not enforced. They will not protect your children from bullies or sexual harassment. Especially if they are being harassed by a sports team member or known drug dealer. It's pathetic. They fear lawsuits, so kids are basically allowed to run wild. I guess it never occurs to them that their actions are becoming a liability. I don't see the need to sponsor a school so that my children are given leeway, I'd rather they earn respect on their own merit. And, I own a successful business just like some of the parents of the "special" kids (probably even more successful), I just won't pay for favors.There are some positives, but the negatives by far outweigh them the more crowded the school gets God willing, we will be out of that school district soon.

Sounds like you've had a pretty poor experience there. Do a lot of others feel this way?

[Decepticon]

We chose Knoxville because it is a smaller city with a great university and less traffic than where we are living now (Detroit, MI suburbs). We also like the climate. We just leased a place to live for 6 months today and will buy an existing or build a new home within that time. I appreciate all the comments and believe we have chosen the best place for our family. We will be moving down next Thurs/Fri and I will give an update after we've been there a few weeks. I am sure I will also be back before then with more questions!