Moving to Knoxville- advice needed on apts (Farragut, Greeneville: apartments, lease)

[bellagrace93]

I've recently been admitted to UT College of Nursing for upper-level classes. I live 2 hours away in the tri-cities, so I know some about knoxville but not much- especially when it comes to moving. I am a single mother so I will be taking my daughter who is almost 2 years old with me. With that being said, I have been trying to find an apartment that is relatively close to campus, affordable (around $500/month), and family friendly. I have read online reviews about apartments in the area and I have heard about "the fort" which apparently is a bad place to live in general, but especially for a single mother. (stabbings, vandalism, cars being broken into, etc.) I'm not sure what is true and what is not, but since I have read many people saying this, I'm beginning to believe it. I would like to live in West Knoxville (near campus) or maybe South?! On a map it looks like South Knoxville is across the river and still kinda close to UT campus. Is it difficult to get across the bridge back in forth though? Any advice on apartments anywhere, but esp west and south (or near UT campus) would be great! I hope to live no more than 10-15 minutes from campus!!

ALSO, I would like to add that I would like to find a childcare place down that way. If I am correct, clinicals start at 6am If there is a place that opens at 5:30 am or earlier, or even 6am (I may be able to work out with my teacher to be at clinical BY 6:30am due to childcare- I'm not sure how well they will work with me on the issue though!) Right now I have a wonderful set up of a retired lady that takes care of my little girl and will even keep her overnight for me. If there's anyone in the area that you may know (must be EXTREMELY trustworthy) or even yourself, please leave a comment. My daughter goes to bed around 9:00-10:00pm (all you do is lay her down- that's it!) and sleeps until around 8-9am. The whole way through the night (since she was 2 months-call me lucky!) She's wonderful and I know if she wasn't as sweet as she is I wouldn't have such a wonderful babysitter now!

I hate leaving everything wonderful behind, but I'm trying to get done with my education! Any advice on apartments, childcare, or the college of nursing would be greatly appreciated!

PS I hear parking is terrible at UT for students Ive heard about a bus system that is good if youre apt is on the route- but I would have to drive to daycare I reckon so I'm not sure how well that would work for me!

[jabogitlu]

Ah, I moved from Greeneville to Knoxville (then back to JC)! First - UT isn't really considered west Knox. These days, even west town mall isn't considered West Knox - it's more towards Farragut. Not sure if the midtown area has a name.

Definitely avoid the Fort, especially since you have a child. South Knox (out the Chapman Hwy and general area) is very quiet and suburban/rural - might work out well for you. Crossing the Gay St or other (Henley, I think?) bridge isn't bad, especially at 6 am! Yeah, there's some traffic, but during the school season at peak hours traffic near UT-downtown is intense anyway.

Nowhere in Knoxville is very dangerous (you just have to be smart), just avoid the aforementioned Fort and some downtown areas, Magnolia Avenue, out towards Chilhowie Park, etc. Otherwise I can't think of a place that would be bad to live. It all boils down to preference. You're in a really good situation, since you live so close; you can drive down and examine areas for weeks before you move.

As for parking, yes, it is bad, but not really worse than ETSU (I assume you've been going?). There are a couple good parking garages, a few big lots, lots of small lots and street parking. The campus police WILL ticket you, though, unlike at ETSU - I had over $150 in tickets in one year just because I was in a hurry and parked illegally (often in faculty) to get to class. This is more or less a fact of parking at UT, since they tremendously oversell their lots. I think my pass was $250 so factor in about ~$450 for parking, annually. (Compare that to ETSU's $30, but then again - UT's parking infrastructure is vastly better/closer/smarter.)

The bus routes run mostly throughout the Fort and downtown. I think there's one route that goes out Kingston Pike towards Papermill. I'm not sure if there's a way to transfer from the city bus to UT's bus, but I'd imagine so - get ahold of a bus route brochure if you can.

[bellagrace93]

I have so much to thank you for! First off all, I was under the impression that UT was west knox; however, when I looked at a map I thought it was more south central, but I really don't know the area well. I'm happy to hear the bridges aren't too bad as far as traffic- def NOT a heights person here and being "stuck" on a bridge in traffic might lead to needing nerve medication lol!

I have read that the fort is a bad place for anyone just about (except maybe a UT lineman). I really need a place that I can study at night and get some sleep without the next door "general studies"/here to have a good time crowd parties all night!

I've seen on the map Magonlia Ave and actually have found some apartments (cheap!) around there in the classifieds. At least I won't waste my time going to check those out! Safety is more concern for me- I'll pay an extra $50 to live in a nice, peaceful area.

Any suggestions of decent places since you've lived there? I can't afford Campus Pointe or whatever ($1200/month/2 bedrooms) but something decent. I heard UT had housing for single families/grad students/married couples- the only downfall is students over 21 can live there as well. I've heard it's the location you're paying for, not quality. The apartments themselves aren't that great, and maybe the neighborhood isn't as well- it's Sutherland Avenue about 3 miles west from campus(I know you go down Kingston Pike to get there).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! It always helps to talk to someone who lives/has lived there for advice! (not just an apartment manager who will tell you anything to get you to sign that lease!)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bellagrace93

I have so much to thank you for! First off all, I was under the impression that UT was west knox; however, when I looked at a map I thought it was more south central, but I really don't know the area well. I'm happy to hear the bridges aren't too bad as far as traffic- def NOT a heights person here and being "stuck" on a bridge in traffic might lead to needing nerve medication lol!

I have read that the fort is a bad place for anyone just about (except maybe a UT lineman). I really need a place that I can study at night and get some sleep without the next door "general studies"/here to have a good time crowd parties all night!

I've seen on the map Magonlia Ave and actually have found some apartments (cheap!) around there in the classifieds. At least I won't waste my time going to check those out! Safety is more concern for me- I'll pay an extra $50 to live in a nice, peaceful area.

Any suggestions of decent places since you've lived there? I can't afford Campus Pointe or whatever ($1200/month/2 bedrooms) but something decent. I heard UT had housing for single families/grad students/married couples- the only downfall is students over 21 can live there as well. I've heard it's the location you're paying for, not quality. The apartments themselves aren't that great, and maybe the neighborhood isn't as well- it's Sutherland Avenue about 3 miles west from campus(I know you go down Kingston Pike to get there).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! It always helps to talk to someone who lives/has lived there for advice! (not just an apartment manager who will tell you anything to get you to sign that lease!)

I used to live in the UT apartments on Sutherland, and I would not hesitate to live there again. It's full of families, older students and foreign students who are pretty serious about their education. There are plenty of buses that go between there and campus, and there are some grocery stores across the street from the apartments. They're not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination (think lots of cinder block), but they're comfortable, inexpensive, and convenient.

[jabogitlu]

I wonder if there's a waiting list at Sutherland, though.

Otherwise, not sure. I'm not all that familiar with apartments close to campus that aren't teeming with fratboys and wundergirls. If you could find something up around Beaumont/Western/Middlebrook Pike that would be close, but I just don't know if there are apartments there.

Still, though, don't count out parts of Magnolia. But the areas around what I've heard referred to as Park City (Cherry/Magnolia) are sort of.... not the polished, shiny veneer that most of Knoxville is.

[Kitties of Domination]

Look into Greentree apts in Bearden

[bellagrace93]

Originally Posted by Kitties of Domination

Look into Greentree apts in Bearden

Are those close to campus? How much is rent? Are those family friendly- not a lot of partying and so forth?! Thanks!

[jabogitlu]

Not sure what part of Bearden they're in, but most of Bearden is 5-15 minutes from campus, depending on traffic.