I got the job, now I need a home. (Knoxville: for sale, apartment complexes)

[newbie2south]

Hi everyone. I've been reading the posts for the past few weeks, asking a few questions, and hoping I would be officially offered a job out in Knoxville. I accepted the offer two weeks ago and have been blessed with my present NY home being sold in that short amount of time.

But now I need a home asap. I spent the weekend looking and was totally overwhelmed. I have two kids (7 and 10) and a big black lab. I'll be working in West Knoxville. I was hoping to find a "small town feel", have some property, but most important, kids my kids can play with.

Our realtor showed us around, and thought northshore road and that area would be the best. One development he showed us was Montgomery Bay. It seemed nice for the kids, but the houses were HUGE, way bigger than I am used too, and the lots were smaller than I was hopping for.

Oldmanbob recommended me to look at Tanglewood some time ago and I did. What an amazing amazing small development. I did not see any signs or anything.

So after all my rambling, I guess my question is, where to look at and what to do. What areas am I missing? My hope is to buy something asap, like next weekend. After reading a ton of posts, details are needed, so here they are.
Price - 400 - 650k
Commute - under 45 minutes. I'll be working west knoxville near farragut.
Ideal - kids, kids, kids, nothing too huge, trees, lake?

Thanks in advance.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by newbie2south

Hi everyone. I've been reading the posts for the past few weeks, asking a few questions, and hoping I would be officially offered a job out in Knoxville. I accepted the offer two weeks ago and have been blessed with my present NY home being sold in that short amount of time.

But now I need a home asap. I spent the weekend looking and was totally overwhelmed. I have two kids (7 and 10) and a big black lab. I'll be working in West Knoxville. I was hoping to find a "small town feel", have some property, but most important, kids my kids can play with.

Our realtor showed us around, and thought northshore road and that area would be the best. One development he showed us was Montgomery Bay. It seemed nice for the kids, but the houses were HUGE, way bigger than I am used too, and the lots were smaller than I was hopping for.

Oldmanbob recommended me to look at Tanglewood some time ago and I did. What an amazing amazing small development. I did not see any signs or anything.

So after all my rambling, I guess my question is, where to look at and what to do. What areas am I missing? My hope is to buy something asap, like next weekend. After reading a ton of posts, details are needed, so here they are.
Price - 400 - 650k
Commute - under 45 minutes. I'll be working west knoxville near farragut.
Ideal - kids, kids, kids, nothing too huge, trees, lake?

Thanks in advance.

I just want to say, Congrats on getting the job. Maybe you could rent a three bedroom apartment in West Knoxville or Farragut for 3 months to give you some time to house hunt. I'm thinking you'd need to find a house before your kids go back to school.

[piedmont]

FYI, I live south of the river in Roane County (near the lake) and am about 40 minutes to Farragut/I-40.

There are some nice lake front/lake view properties for sale down River Rd and off of it in Roane County that would be in the 400-700 range. These often have a little larger lot (an acre or more). Very pretty area. Can't speak to the kid scene, though, but some of these places are in small lakefront developments.

Sail Away realty in Kingston lists a lot of these--might be worth a peak online.

If you are looking for a more suburban type experience, I would think you could find what you are looking for in the area lying between Farragut and Lenoir City. Just depends if you want a development or a single property with a few acres.

Your school desires will also affect your choices (you may prefer to stay in the Farragut or West school district).

Another option to consider is Oak Ridge. When we were hunting for our place, we considered this as a back up to finding country property. The town is very family oriented and there are some developments that have bigger yards. Melton Lake area seems popular with kids/families. OR is an easy commute to Farragut (less than 30 minutes) and the schools are very good.

[Beretta]

Hmmm, have you considered Maryville? It is a 15 - 20 minute commute to Farragut. We have great schools and lots of kids. DM me if you want more info.

[theresa2wins2ice]

I undrestand were you are comming from. We are relocating from MI to Nashville or Chattanooga. We want to know what areas to avoid as will. We have 4 girls 14 and 17. We want a good school,home and we have 3 dogs. 2 big and a lap dog.

[creeksitter]

I was thinking Lakeridge off Northshore. The homes are 20-30 yrs old with big yards. some have a view of the lake. Your realtor may try to steer you towards something more expensive so you may have to stand firm.

But I second the suggestion of a short term rental. I think the reserve at westland offers them as do other apartment complexes I'm sure. Take your time finding the house of your dreams.

[knoxgarden]

A few suggestions. Look in Fox Den. It's a nice little community centered on a golf course. Lots of different sizes of houses and even some condos. Well laid out.
Farragut City is nice, also the Choto Drive area. For kid friendly areas, look in West Hills.

[newbie2south]

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I just emailed the sail away realty. Im also going to look in oak ridge, farragut, and Maryville. Does anyone have experience with Clinton?

Thanks again for all your advice.

[oldmanbob]

Hey Newbie, I just put a contract today on a house on edge of Oak Ridge, and it would be ther area you would like. Rivers Run, and only about a 15 minute drive to west Knoxville. The homes range in there between 399 to the range of 600,000. I sent you a post, and the house in Tanglewoood, that would have been perfect, is now under contract, and Clinton would be a 30 minute drive to w Knox. Congrats on you new job.

[piedmont]

Originally Posted by oldmanbob

Hey Newbie, I just put a contract today on a house on edge of Oak Ridge, and it would be ther area you would like. Rivers Run, and only about a 15 minute drive to west Knoxville.

This development in Oak Ridge is pretty (and very close to Melton Lake greenway + golf+ the hiking/mountain biking trails of Haw Ridge). However, the lots are TINY!! More house than yard, if you know what I mean. But this area is very commutable to west Knox. Another higher quality development with larger lots is off of Amanda Dr (?) and Melton Lake Dr. I think it is called Riverbend. More of these houses seem to have 1-2 acres (and again, it is an easy commute, family oriented neighborhood and close to recreation).

Suggestions to consider Maryville + the Northshore and Choto areas are good ones, too. Realtors should listen and respect what you are seeking--especially as what you are seeking is very doable. You may want to consider a short term housing situation, though, as a way to facilitate house hunting. Otherwise, you will end up basically trusting a realtor/very few people to find your new home and neighborhood.