Knoxville City Livin' (Farragut: sales, condo, house)

[BGCTFL]

Well, it's been an interesting on line search these past few weeks. Checking NC - Winston Salem areas, specifically, and Knoxville.

We just can't seem to get past the income tax thing in NC. Too bad, because the area looks interesting.

So, Knoxville and the surrounding areas are coming more into focus for an upcoming road trip. Here's our dilemma. We don't want to be entirely car dependent to get anywhere. Nor do we want a constant vigil to be necessary to keep creepers from creepin' in the windows. However, we'd like to walk or bike to area amenities like coffee shops, small grocery stores, local retail, etc. And, we like homes with a bit of style rather than builder cookie cutters.

Is the Fourth and Gill area and similar neighborhoods really that bad? I know some of the homes can be expensive but, if something reasonable could be found, would it be like living in Fort Apache? Also, the church we'd likely attend (Holy Ghost) is in the nearby area.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[creeksitter]

Have you considered living in downtown proper? From there busses and trolleys radiate in all directions including a free trolley to the Publix by UT. There is a Catholic church at the north end of downtown.

No, Fourth & Gill is not like living in Fort Apache.

[geranium]

My daughter and son-in-law like living in the Fourth & Gill neighborhood. They visit downtown often and walk to little places nearby.

She likes the neighborhood attitude. (For example, everyone on their street decorates for Halloween.)

I wish she'd move where no street people walk by, but I am her mother so I try to control my overprotective urges.

Farragut has some neighborhoods close enough to Turkey Creek shopping and restaurants, the library, and the park to walk or bike. They're not historic and may be too cookie cutter, but you may want to have a look.

[hiknapster]

It's going to be next to impossible to find deals in Fourth and Gill or downtown. That ship sailed many years ago.

[NJDevil]

We have no income tax but our taxes on everything are nearly 10%....coming from a state that doesn't tax groceries it really takes a bite out of your budget. (Apparently tax on groceries is less than the 10% here, but it still adds up)

[hiknapster]

Yeah? How is the low property tax and the non-existent (basically) income tax hurting your budget compared to where you came from? The truth is that New Jersey has the highest tax burden, to its residents, in the country and Tennessee has one of the lowest. Yes, sales tax is high. However, you will still have more money in your pocket at the end of the year compared to if you were in Jersey.

[NYS2Tennessee]

Yes. In NY our taxes weren't as high as NJ, but they were still insane. My husband's 'extra' take home amount in each paycheck without the state income tax easily outweighs what we pay on food taxes. He actually works less hours here but brings home the same amount or more because of no state income tax. Once we buy a house the savings will stand out even more when you compare property taxes (we paid $3500 a year for a 1100 sq ft condo with no yard).

[hiknapster]

Not to mention all of the insidious taxes and costs. There aren't any excise taxes in Tennessee, the cost to put a car on the road and get a driver's license is CHEAP. The same can be said for both types of renewals. The list goes on and on and on.

[NYS2Tennessee]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Not to mention all of the insidious taxes and costs. There aren't any excise taxes in Tennessee, the cost to put a car on the road and get a driver's license is CHEAP. The same can be said for both types of renewals. The list goes on and on and on.

Absolutely. Mandatory state safety and emissions in NY and NJ really run cost of owning a car up dramatically. Can't lie, I'd love to see emissions inspections here though. Keep the air a bit cleaner.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by NYS2Tennessee

Absolutely. Mandatory state safety and emissions in NY and NJ really run cost of owning a car up dramatically. Can't lie, I'd love to see emissions inspections here though. Keep the air a bit cleaner.

((Sound of a buzzer))

Wrong answer.

I didn't move to this state to change things.