deciding if i'm in the right place (Knoxville, Maryville: rent, home)

[TNTransplant06]

I love my career in Sevier County. I hate living here. Thinking of moving to Cedar Bluff area. Would you consider this a normal commute??? It would be about an hour to an hour and a half of drive time. I'm in Knoxville at least once a week for "something to do" as living in Sevier county has limited things for me to enjoy. I know the back ways in, so traffic would not be an issue. I'm just wrestling with driving that distance everyday to be happier in a "city environment". Sevier county is just too rural for me.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by TNTransplant06

I love my career in Sevier County. I hate living here. Thinking of moving to Cedar Bluff area. Would you consider this a normal commute??? It would be about an hour to an hour and a half of drive time. I'm in Knoxville at least once a week for "something to do" as living in Sevier county has limited things for me to enjoy. I know the back ways in, so traffic would not be an issue. I'm just wrestling with driving that distance everyday to be happier in a "city environment". Sevier county is just too rural for me.

Since you know how long of a commute that is, it doesn't matter what we think since you're the one who has to do the commute. If you're willing to do it, then for you it's a reasonable commute.

I would never ever want to commute that far to work, but plenty of people in places like Los Angeles, DC, and Atlanta do it on a daily basis.

What is it about the Cedar Bluff area that makes you want to live there as opposed to other areas of Knoxville which would be closer to Sevier County? Have you also considered Maryville? Where in Sevier County do you work?

[TNTransplant06]

Thanks for the reply! Maryville, I think, is still a little too rural. I was raised in a city where everything is about a 10min drive away, so I guess I'm spoiled by that. What I like about Cedar Bluff is it has everything I like to do and go to within that 10-15 min drive. I've read about the school's over that way, and as I have 2 young ones, that is important and I'm happy with the school's scores. Maryville could be an option b/c it's just a short drive to Knox and about the same to work (in G-burg). My main prob is not being able to go where I'd like to go during the week b/c it is a 40 min drive to Knox, min. I'm not one for sitting at home watching tv, reading, or being a lounge lizard. I like to be able to go do things at the drop of a hat and I cannot. I'm spoiled by living w/ all the conveniences close by and where I'm at now, I am not. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job, so that is something I cannot give up. My debate is live close to work where I go to everyday or live where I like to be which is far from work. On paper it is def live by work.

[TheShadow]

Why not live halfway in between? Then it's not such a drag to commute or to go to the city. I am the opposite, I like living in the country, but I work in the city. I can't wait to leave the freeway crowds and get home at night, but the hour long commute every day, and the need to get up early enough to beat the traffic, wears on me after awhile. If you move to the city and commute to G'berg, maybe rent for awhile to see if the commute is really do-able.

[TNTransplant06]

Great advice! I did do the 1/2 way thing when I first moved here and dreaded it. So I think I really know the answer to this question although its not what I want to hear.

[hiknapster]

But Cedar Bluff is not the city. It just a bunch of strip malls in the burbs with lots of traffic.

Move to Fountain City. You have decent schools. My daughter's elementary is one of the best in the county. The city is five minutes away (actually you really ARE in the city) and Sevier County is not far away, either.

Then you really could enjoy yourself. Market Square. UT events. Tennessee Theater. THAT's the city.

[ladyofengland]

I used to commute to Cedar Bluff from Strawberry Plains. I hated it. It took me an hour some nights to just get to Straw Plains then you have another 40 mins to Sevier County. I would not recommend it at all. When I was laid off I was thrilled about not having the commute. But now a year later I still am looking for work nearer home. I would like to find a job in Sevier County for all the perks you get, great discounts in restaurants, reduced prices of tickets for shows, free rides on the ski slopes in Gatlinburg.Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[BST]

Ever think of Seymour as a place to live?

[lochmoigh]

Originally Posted by TNTransplant06

Thanks for the reply! Maryville, I think, is still a little too rural. I was raised in a city where everything is about a 10min drive away, so I guess I'm spoiled by that. What I like about Cedar Bluff is it has everything I like to do and go to within that 10-15 min drive. I've read about the school's over that way, and as I have 2 young ones, that is important and I'm happy with the school's scores. Maryville could be an option b/c it's just a short drive to Knox and about the same to work (in G-burg). My main prob is not being able to go where I'd like to go during the week b/c it is a 40 min drive to Knox, min. I'm not one for sitting at home watching tv, reading, or being a lounge lizard. I like to be able to go do things at the drop of a hat and I cannot. I'm spoiled by living w/ all the conveniences close by and where I'm at now, I am not. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my job, so that is something I cannot give up. My debate is live close to work where I go to everyday or live where I like to be which is far from work. On paper it is def live by work.

i am in the Walland area just outside of Maryville and commutes run 25 min to either east/north knox or to West knox. Still quiet but accessible to "the big city".

[creeksitter]

I vote for Seymour or the outer reaches of Knox County. How old are the kids? New Hopewell & Bonny Kate elementaries have pretty good reputations.