Within 15-20 minutes from Alcoa (Knoxville, Maryville: for sale, real estate market, foreclosures)

[NeedleCrafter]

Hello, I posted on here a few weeks back about general questions. Well my Husband applied for a job with the National Guard Base at the Alcoa Airport. Thursday he was offered the job and we will be moving in the next few months if not sooner. He doesn't want to commute more than 15-20 minutes, so what are our options if any for places to live. I have tried to google and map it till I have a cramp in my neck. We are looking to buy a home but may have to rent for a while, but I have no clue what areas to look. We have no children and don't want to live in an area where the house are on top of eachother. An older home in need of some TLC is fine, we don't want new construction or multi-family homes. We also don't really want to spend more than $125,000. Rural would be fine and we definately don't want to be in a high crime area. I want to feel safe in and outside of my home. Are we expecting too much? Do we need to change priorities? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by NeedleCrafter

Hello, I posted on here a few weeks back about general questions. Well my Husband applied for a job with the National Guard Base at the Alcoa Airport. Thursday he was offered the job and we will be moving in the next few months if not sooner. He doesn't want to commute more than 15-20 minutes, so what are our options if any for places to live. I have tried to google and map it till I have a cramp in my neck. We are looking to buy a home but may have to rent for a while, but I have no clue what areas to look. We have no children and don't want to live in an area where the house are on top of eachother. An older home in need of some TLC is fine, we don't want new construction or multi-family homes. We also don't really want to spend more than $125,000. Rural would be fine and we definately don't want to be in a high crime area. I want to feel safe in and outside of my home. Are we expecting too much? Do we need to change priorities? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations on the job!

Since your husband doesn't mind a commute of up to 20 minutes, you shouldn't have any problems finding something in your price range.

I think just about anywhere in Blount County (where the airport is located) should be fine. I honestly can't think of anywhere in Blount County with a high crime rate. Certain neighborhoods are more run-down than others, but that doesn't necessarily mean more crime.

The town of Alcoa itself has some nice, older neighborhoods with small homes in your price range.

Louisville is a small community near the airport that is also popular with people who work at the airport. Also check out Friendsville.

Since buying a home is a major investment, and since you don't mind renting first, I recommend you rent for 6 months or so when you first move here just to get a lay of the land and find a neighborhood that you really enjoy.

Good luck!

[lochmoigh]

Agree with LMT, rent first see where you like in the county and then look. I do think your price range is low for the area though, it would either be smaller or a fix er up for 125K. A a comparison I am putting my house on the market soon at around $165-170K it 1380sf on a half acre lot in the maryville/walland area. You might try finding a realtor who deal with foreclosures quite a bit though to find something in that price range. Welcome to blount county.

[William Sold]

Needle,

JMT was pretty much right on in his description, your main areas to look for will primarily be in Alcoa, Friendsville, and Louisville. Maryville has many properties on the market currently, though what you will find is that the property value there is slightly higher than in these other areas for larger lots, or for the moderately priced homes you will find quite small yards, .3 acres etc. There are 106 homes on the market priced between $100 and $130 in Blount County, so there are plenty of options for you out there within driving distance to the Guard Base on Alcoa Highway. TLC homes are a dime a dozen, so acquiring one is simply a matter of locating one that will be a good investment for future return, given location, what you plan on putting into it, and what you can expect to get out of it, and of course how long you plan to stay in it. Crime in Blount County is relatively low, basically if you're concerned about crime I would advise to stay west of the guard base. Renting, if you can avoid it, I would purchase sooner than later as many homes have been on the market for extended periods of time and sellers are motivated, and prices as well as negotiations reflect that. Plus, the real estate market and economy may very well take an upward swing come the new year or this next spring, and sellers will demand more for bottom dollar. Hope that helps.

[oldmanbob]

Congrats on you move, and several places will fit your 20 minute drive, as many off of John Sevier Hwy, Chapman Hwy, then off of Pellissippi, in the Topside rd area, and many homes in the price range you need, and some will require a little tlc. Good luck.

[flyfishjeep]

Try the S. Knoxville area, too! About 10 min. from the airport and GORGEOUS! Not flat like the Alcoa/Maryville area - we have lots of hills.

[NeedleCrafter]

We are moving to the Knoxville area in early Feb. We have started house shopping and heve been doing a lot of searching for different prices and all the locations. My Husband will be at the Guard Base in Alcoa, so we have been looking in the South Knoxville and Alcoa area. We are wanting to spend $130k or below. We could go a little higher but we want to have a nice confort zone financially. First home and don't want to bite off more than we can chew. SO, anyway my question is what is up with all the house up for sale on 5th Ave and surrounding area? Bad neighborhoods or bad luck? Husband just joked about possible gang wars. We know lots of people are losing jobs but did they all live on 5th Ave? Please!!!! Can some of you give us some info on the area. Thank you in advance.
Monica

[oldmanbob]

Hey Monica, the 5th Avenue area, is not a great choice, as it is in the older area of downtown.You will have no trouble finding homes in your price range, just start looking in the areas as mentioned in all the post. Good luck, and welcome to the Knoxville or Blount area.

[BRH]

Speaking of the Alcoa area, I have a quick question. I haven't driven around the area personally, but I like the looks of the photos I've seen of the older bungalow type houses in the neighborhoods surrounding Springbrook Park. I was wondering if anyone more familiar with the area knows if these neighborhoods are pretty safe and considered a good area. I've heard there are some bad neighborhoods in Alcoa and was wondering if this particular area, and the park itself, are safe? Thanks in advance.

[Sweetlady71]

Originally Posted by BRH

Speaking of the Alcoa area, I have a quick question. I haven't driven around the area personally, but I like the looks of the photos I've seen of the older bungalow type houses in the neighborhoods surrounding Springbrook Park. I was wondering if anyone more familiar with the area knows if these neighborhoods are pretty safe and considered a good area. I've heard there are some bad neighborhoods in Alcoa and was wondering if this particular area, and the park itself, are safe? Thanks in advance.

given the date of your post, you may not need to know anymore, but since no one posted to your question, i will take a chance that your still wondering....
we dont live in that area, we live in maryville, but due to alcoa work, go thru there alot, and visit the park alot. IMO, its safe, the houses all along the area are nice, but it is like any town around here, one street can be real nice, next street can be little run down, but from what ive seen when im there yard saleing, etc, it seems like a nice spot.
the park is very nice, not huge, but big enough to enjoy. ya can feed the ducks, walk/bike the trail which loops with som cross paths to change it up a bit. there is a pretty water fountan tucked in the back, its so relaxing, but can smell sometimes. there is a playground for kids, and a wonderfull city swimming pool with a small water slide that seems to be a big hit. the schools wrap around the park to, id say its all safe, i think due to the schools, the police seems to monitor the area alot more, i cant think of a time i have driven thru there and not seen a cop, im not one to walk alone, but i have there. there is always enough people at the park that you almost cant be in a part alone and unsafe. there is lights along the path to for evenings, thou i dont walk in any park at night.
ive heard the houses are higher there due to the park/pool/school, but ive also heard right now deals can be found.
I like the area, think you would to.