500K budget neighborhood tips? Top private school academically? (Knoxville, Maryville: homes, neighborhoods)

[bryfraz]

Moving from Atlanta to Knoxville, maybe:

Hi there, I'm a ways off from even getting an offer, but was curious. I will have about 500K to buy a Knoxville home and will be sending my third grade child to private school - any tips on the absolute best private school academically? Also any area support would be helpful. I want an area with young late elementary to middle school kids and swim tennis neighborhood, but where I can jog to a coffeee shop, but also an area that has diversity of people from different states, Nothing against Tennessean's, I was raised there, just like that metropolitan feeling in Atlanta in areas where not everyone was born and raised there. Sidewalk neighborhood with kids would be ideal. Maybe an urban enclave near the university that is still family oriented? Maybe Farragut? I can go down on my price range. I'll take a fancy home fine as long as there are young kids in the neighborhood, but if that price range means only older folks with yards really far apart, then not sure that's what I want.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bryfraz

Moving from Atlanta to Knoxville, maybe:

Hi there, I'm a ways off from even getting an offer, but was curious. I will have about 500K to buy a Knoxville home and will be sending my third grade child to private school - any tips on the absolute best private school academically? Also any area support would be helpful. I want an area with young late elementary to middle school kids and swim tennis neighborhood, but where I can jog to a coffeee shop, but also an area that has diversity of people from different states, Nothing against Tennessean's, I was raised there, just like that metropolitan feeling in Atlanta in areas where not everyone was born and raised there. Sidewalk neighborhood with kids would be ideal. Maybe an urban enclave near the university that is still family oriented? Maybe Farragut? I can go down on my price range. I'll take a fancy home fine as long as there are young kids in the neighborhood, but if that price range means only older folks with yards really far apart, then not sure that's what I want.

It sounds like you're already familiar with Farragut. You can definitely find what you're looking for in Farragut.

But if you want to be in an urban enclave near the university that is still family oriented, check out Sequoyah Hills. It's filled with an interesting mix of old Knoxville blue bloods, young uppity professionals, and university faculty; the university's presidential mansion is in Sequoyah Hills.

Webb has the reputation of having the highest academic standards among Knoxville's private schools. Unlike Atlanta, Knoxville doesn't really have many academically rigorous private schools. Our public schools aren't too shabby so there's not nearly as many families up here who feel the need to send their kids to private schools.

[Beretta]

Webb is the only private school I would consider unless you go parochial. FWIW check out Maryville City Scores; they act like a private school without the $$$. $500K will buy you a mini mansion in Knox (Sequoyah Hills, Farragut, etc.) or Maryville. Good luck with your move.

[oldmanbob]

Two or three great subd come to mind, the new Covered Bridge, which offers the new Hardin Valley academy, then Montgomery Cove, with one of the better hands on activities for children, with sidewalks and on the lake, then Whittingten Creek. not sure about spelling. Webb is probably the best private school, and like jmt says, Sequoyah Hills, might be of interest, with its location and types of homes, probably a bit more pricy. Good luck, and hope you get to move to Knoxville.

[jabogitlu]

The subdivisions oldmanbob mentioned are good but Sequoyah is probably more what you're looking for - much more urban enclave in feeling and the greenway can take you to UT or downtown, or a short car trip will also get you downtown via Cumberland. You're also really close to I-40. Going on down Kingston for a couple minutes, there's a Fresh Market and an Earth Fare is going in, so groceries are close as well.

These other places are fancy but more suburban blending to rural.

[goodbyehollywood]

You're going to have to make compromises. That urban, walkable, upscale, amenity-rich, family-friendly neighborhood near the U doesn't exist in Knoxville. As for diversity, well, that will depend upon your definition. There are a handful of neighborhoods that will fulfill much of your wish list. As for private school, you want Webb.

[knoxgarden]

Sequoyah Hills is comparable to Ansley Park in Atlanta. It has a small shopping center with a restaurant, library, post office and a couple of other small stores. There are wide center islands in some of the streets where people walk dogs, jog, stroll. There are wonderful parks along the river and greenways that will take you just about anywhere, including many churches and a farmers' market.
Webb would be the top private school. The only other private schools are Christian and Catholic academies that are meant for those who practice that religion. East Tennessee didn't have the problems with integration that Georgia did. Down there, when blacks were ordered to go to public schools, a parallel system of private schools was created and white parents sent their kids there or they sent them to parachiol schools whether they were of that religion or not. That didn't happen here.
I lived in southern Georgia for several years and I'm familiar with the system.

[bryfraz]

Wow you guys are fantastic - really appreciate your insights - coming to Knox next Friday and will plan to put much of this on the list - thanks again...

[Tn405]

Adopt me !! I will bring the bills. All kidding aside you will love Knoxville.

[Beretta]

bry, how is your visit going?