How big a problem is crime in Knoxville? Should I even consider? (Memphis: real estate)

[Need_affordable_home]

Hello, I was reccomended that metro city by someone here and urged to reconsider Oil city and instead, consider Knoxville. So I would like to learn more about this big city. The one thing that worries me the most is crime!
Also can I really get those houses pictured below for under $50k? How good are they, are they as good as they look in the picture? I dont mind doing a little TLC.


Knoxville, TN isnt a bad place. Population 180k, very mild winters with 4 inches snow(Oil city can have over a foot) temperature low is 27 vs. 12 for Oil city. Crime is mid to high 500s in Knoxville, about 160 in Oil city and mid 900s in West Palm Beach. How much of a concern and worry is crime in Knoxville? The distance is 674 miles(as the crow flies) from my city to yours. This is 2/3 way to Oil city.

As for affordable houses, this is what I found. Do they have basements? If not this is something ill be giving up as Oil city houses do have basements! Florida houses have no basements but I was hoping Tennesse houses can have a basement!


http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/knoxville/listings/large/021/501911.jpg (broken link)

$21,950($14 a square foot)
2 Bed(hope it has a bathroom!)
1,563 Sq. Ft.


http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/knoxville/listings/large/078/520103.jpg (broken link)

$34,900($31 a square foot)
3 Bed, 1 Bath
1,131 Sq. Ft.
0.27 Acres
(nice house for the price, comes with central a/c)


http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/knoxville/listings/large/012/527596.jpg (broken link)


$40,950($26 a square foot)
4 Bed, 1 Bath
1,575 Sq. Ft.
(another nice one)


http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/knoxville/listings/large/061/524858a.jpg (broken link)


$44,900($29 a square foot)
3 Bed, 1 Bath
1,552 Sq. Ft


http://homepics.realtor.com/image8/http/knoxville/listings/large/084/522915.jpg (broken link)

Looks like its made of bricks. Small 2 bedroom house but this is something id love and at $52k it could be affordable.


Theres 144 houses in Knoxville, TN at $50k and under. Theres about that many houses in each of the metro cities in Texas for $50k and under.
Knoxville appears to be comparable in price to those big Texas cities. I expect the houses I found above to need a little TLC which ill do and find friends to help me

Again and to pertain to the topic of this thread, im worried about crime in Knoxville, TN. Anyone have crime stats/experience? Can you keep me safe?

[JMT]

You can access Knoxville crime statistics on the internet at city-data.com. But as far as personal experiences go, I have found Knoxville to be a very safe place. The houses you showed are most likely in poorer parts of town, and undoubtedly the crime rate is higher there than in some of the more expensive neighborhoods, but I honestly think that Knoxville is a relatively safe "big" city.

I lived in a "safe" neighborhood in Memphis for 4 years, and my house was broken into 4 times even though I had a security system!

I now live in a neighborhood in Knoxville that is very mixed--my neighbors are black, white, Hispanic, and Asian. It is very safe.

As far as whether those houses have basements or not, it doesn't look like it from the photos, but it's difficult to tell. Many houses in Knoxville do not have basements, but many do. If the real estate listing does not indicate that the house has a basement, then it probably does not have a basement.

My house does not have a basement, but the crawl space under my house is huge. Many homes like mine don't have basements but do have very large crawl spaces that are large enough for a lot of storage, and you can stand up in them, too. My heating and cooling systems and duct work are also in the crawl space.

[jmarkey]

NAH, no matter where you end up looking, whether it's TN, PA or elsewhere, make sure you talk to banks in the area to see if anyone's going to float you a mortgage. How's your FICO score? If it's low, they won't help you with any financing.

It's possible I missed something - maybe you're buying for cash. I haven't followed this too closely.

[utvolsfan13]

What street is that third house on!? Is that Forest ave? I think I know where that house is.

[jmarkey]

Originally Posted by utvolsfan13

What street is that third house on!? Is that Forest ave? I think I know where that house is.

Virginia Ave., East Knoxville

[insanesmooch]

Depends on the area of town. Most of Knoxville is pretty safe, but as with all towns there are some bad areas. Parts of the East side and North side have the worst reputations.

[Need_affordable_home]

If any of those houses are in a bad area, I am not interested. Safety comes first and I dont want to be buying in a crime area. Can you tell me if those houses I show above are in good areas? Is there good, safe areas with $50k houses? If not then I cant afford Knoxville, at least not a good area of that city.

I have Cedar Rapids high on my consideration as well. See my thread on it

[hiknapster]

Houses under $50k are going to definitely be in less safe areas. Yes.

I would check out the mid-west. You're heading in the right direction. Good for you!

I've got to go to bed, but I'll talk to you later!

Merry Christmas!

[Need_affordable_home]

Thanks for the post. Did you get my PM asking about AIM messenger? Anyway I want a $50k house in a safe area. I will keep looking, there has to be something better than Oil city!