Experience in these areas? (Knoxville, Maryville: apartment, rentals, house)

[Megabit15]

Hi All, I am looking to relocate from SC to TN for a job in the Maryville area. It is quite difficult to find a reasonably priced rental - I pay 1200 for a 3/2 house now, and for anything close, it is 1700-2500. Whew. Anyway, I *did* manage to find a couple of places in my price range:

604 Augusta Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37920

and

112 Humphrey Way
Friendsville, TN 37737

But, I'm not sure of the neighborhoods. It is a 3 hour drive each way for me, so it's not like I can do a quick hop over there to view them. I am hoping to hear experiences with these areas before I waste 6 hours driving there and back.

What I am looking for: safety, quiet, nature, proximity to Maryville, conservative, grocery stores, yoga studio, some retail stores, books, etc.
Interests: health, cooking, hiking, church, work, nature, gardening, yoga/gym
Dislikes: Bars and drunk people, crowds, loud parties, too much consumerism and suburbia, lots of motor noise such as airports, highways, freight trains.

thank you for your help

[NJDevil]

Humphrey Way bothers me because of the crampedness - so close to the neighbors, and it's a trailer. I was on Augusta Ave once - went to that quarry. I would pick that one in a heartbeat! Not sure about the neighbors, of course, but the location is stellar and to be able to walk to nature! You would probably take 33 to 168 to 129 (that's how I would go). 33 is nice because there's minimal lights. And if 129 has a problem (accident) you can easily stay on 33 all the way.

[Megabit15]

Thanks NJ - I see your point on the Humphrey Way place. I think that is a deal breaker.

For the Augusta Ave place, I see there are some close by train tracks....that is not necessarily a deal breaker, unless these are extremely loud horns, and fast moving so as to cause the house to shake multiple times per day, etc.

Do you know how active these tracks are?

[NJDevil]

Good question....It appears that only Norfolk Southern uses that track - but I have no idea how often, surely someone else on here would know.

[creeksitter]

The Augsta st area is kinda quirky, working class people, a few middle class people, students and a few hipsters. I would consider it safe.

Not what you consider walkable unless you count Wendy's and Pizza hut.

But it's an easy walk to downtown and there's a neighborhood entertainment/restaurant district not far away on Sevier Av.

I don't think that train track is used very often. Maybe a couple times during the day.

[NJDevil]

How quickly do you need to make your decision?

[Megabit15]

Initially, I had to make the decision by today, but now I have some time, thank God. I can do more in-person investigation

Are there some areas which are better suited for the type of place I'm looking for? I dislike apartment buildings, but would consider a shorter term lease with one if I had no other options

[NJDevil]

I really don't know. From your list I think you would be happiest in Blount county, it's more conservative than Knox county. I don't know the best rental websites (or if there are secret local ones). Have you looked on Facebook Marketplace, they actually have a property rentals section.

The cheaper parts of Knox county are north and east of downtown and parts of south Knoxville like you saw.

[TheShadow]

Friendsville is very rural. I think you need to visit these places and see what you think. Friendsville is an easy 15 minute drive to Maryville but I, personally, could not live in such a rural community Too far to shopping, restaurants, etc.