Sell us on Knoxville! (Chattanooga, Oak Ridge: homes, safe neighborhood, good schools)

[Pryde1]

Hello gang,

My family is looking to relocate to the mountainous SE and have so far given serious consideration to Greenville, SC and Chattanooga. I have also posted in those forums for advice. The move is LARGELY contingent on my wife getting a good job (higher education). I am in healthcare and have far more opportunities for work than her. She does not want to move until she has a job as her current job is pretty good here. I however am ready to move anytime.

Our goals are:
Decent schools for our 2 grade school age kids
VERY quick access to outdoors/trails for running, road and mountain biking after work (with big mountains on the weekend)
Safe neighborhood with homes 150-200k

So there is an opportunity in Oak Ridge for her but we know nothing about it except that it's radioactive

If she were to land a job there, where would be a good area to live to meet our criteria above? We like big city amenities but rather would drive 20-30 minutes to them than live in a city.

Thanks for the help!

[creeksitter]

Sell us on Knoxville!

Knoxville doesn't seem to have the boosterism mindset if that is what you are looking for.

[Pryde1]

Originally Posted by creeksitter

Knoxville doesn't seem to have the boosterism mindset if that is what you are looking for.

Not sure what you are getting at?

Back on topic please:
Can anyone tell me anything good/bad about Oak Ridge? If you worked in OR, would you also live there or find a neighborhood closer to the city?

Thanks

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by creeksitter

Knoxville doesn't seem to have the boosterism mindset if that is what you are looking for.

No, the op needs to sell himself and/or herself on the city, not the other way around, imo.

[Barking Spider]

You could do a search for past threads on this topic (Oak Ridge and Knoxville opinions) and probably read for hours.
While you did put a little smiley face on your radioactive comment, there are probably more than a few people here that might feel a bit insulted by your attempt at humor.

You can meet all of your goals in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. However, your budget might limit you in several areas. Same goes for your quick access. Depends on what you define as quick.

Come for a visit, and convince yourself to move to this area.

[creeksitter]

Decent schools for our 2 grade school age kids
VERY quick access to outdoors/trails for running, road and mountain biking after work (with big mountains on the weekend)
Safe neighborhood with homes 150-200k

Oak Ridge might be the best option. It has this. It's about 30-40 minutes for the city amenities in Downtown Knoxville, 20-30 minutes for shopping options in Turkey creek & west town mall.

[Pryde1]

Originally Posted by Barking Spider

You could do a search for past threads on this topic (Oak Ridge and Knoxville opinions) and probably read for hours.
While you did put a little smiley face on your radioactive comment, there are probably more than a few people here that might feel a bit insulted by your attempt at humor.

You can meet all of your goals in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. However, your budget might limit you in several areas. Same goes for your quick access. Depends on what you define as quick.

Come for a visit, and convince yourself to move to this area.

Never meant to offend. i didn't realize the OR area is such a touchy subject...my apologies.

We are planning a trip right after xmas to Greenville and Chattanooga and will likely make a stop to Knoxville on the way back home.

[danielj72]

Oak ridge is a nice city with really good schools. The presence of the labs does not make the city "radioactive". Many people are proud of oak ridge and its contribution to winning WW2.

[TN Tin Man]

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