Can someone tell me about Clinton. (Memphis, Knoxville: real estate, mover, buying a house)

[Louisianamover]

My family and I came to visit you guys 2 years ago and where instantly drawn to Knoxville. We have been contemplating leaving Louisiana for a few years and have decide to pull the trigger after seeing the Knoxville area. It reminded us of the true southern towns that we remember from our childhood, but have long since left Louisiana. We have visited and toured the area with a real estate agent. You seem to get so much more for your money there than we do here. Anyway, we looked in northern and west Knoxville and really liked the Farragut area. When we got home and looked at a few more on the internet we discovered a town called Clinton. We where just wondering if anyone could tell us about that area ( commute time to knox, schools, Noise level, crime? ). My wife is a pediatrics nurse and I am a Fire systems design engineer and have located several jobs in the area and just want to make sure when we move we will not have to move again across town in a year because we chose a bad area. We asked the real estate agent but you know how they can be ( any area you look at is the greatest). We are looking in the $300,000 range so any info or alternative places we should look at would be great.

[hiknapster]

Hmmm. If you really liked Farragut, then GENERALLY speaking, I can't really see that Clinton would float your boat.

Farragut, for the most part, is shiny and new whereas Clinton is old, and although it does have its charm, it also looks a bit run down. Coming up from the south on Clinton Highway, as you make your way towards town, you are greeted by "Buy Here, Pay Here" places, a rundown K-Mart, and pawn shops. You get the idea.

Now, we have those places here, too, in Knoxville, but we also have stunningly beautiful areas, charming neighborhoods, etc. There are some in Clinton, but not many.

Anderson County is known for a drug problem, in general, and the schools in Clinton are not that great. We seriously considered buying a house in Clinton because we love old and charming, but in the long run, we marked it off the list.

If Farragut is the place for you (a place I could never consider because I hate new and shiny) I would stick with it.

[Beretta]

I adore Clinton and love to visit (the downtown antique scene). I agree with Hik though; you might want to consider Farragut. If your wife works in Oak Ridge you might find the commute from Clinton doable. If she works at Childrens Hospital the commute from Clinton will become cumbersome.

[oldmanbob]

Congrats louisianamover, and like the Napster, West Knoxville is only about a 20 minute drive into Oak Ridge, and than about the same to the downtown hospitals in Knoxville. We have several that are west now, and would be closer. Lots of people are checking out the new Hardin Valley, and with the new school, has many great reports. You can also check out many other west Knoxville areas, and find lots of home choices in that range, and will normally put you in about a 2800 sf to 3400 sf. Good luck, and keep us posted.

[JMT]

I agree with the others. I think the OP might be happier in Farragut or West Knoxville. I was shocked when I went to Clinton via Clinton Hwy from Knoxville. Like hik said, that little KMart in Clinton is the most disgusting KMart I've ever seen (and that's saying something). The new Wal-Mart, on the other hand, is really nice, but it's waaayyy on the other side of Clinton adjacent to I-75 (really closer to Norris than Clinton).

If you want to buy a home for $300k and want a nice area with good schools and convenience to jobs in Knoxville, check out the West Hills area in Knoxville.

[Kitties of Domination]

Also agree. If you are wanting a bit more "small tow charm", try Maryville (well, it was a small town at one point). If you're looking for suburbia, west Knoxville and Farragut are your best bets. Bob mentioned Hardin Valley, which is also a good suggestion and convenient to Oak Ridge.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by Louisianamover

My family and I came to visit you guys 2 years ago and where instantly drawn to Knoxville. We have been contemplating leaving Louisiana for a few years and have decide to pull the trigger after seeing the Knoxville area. It reminded us of the true southern towns that we remember from our childhood, but have long since left Louisiana. We have visited and toured the area with a real estate agent. You seem to get so much more for your money there than we do here. Anyway, we looked in northern and west Knoxville and really liked the Farragut area. When we got home and looked at a few more on the internet we discovered a town called Clinton. We where just wondering if anyone could tell us about that area ( commute time to knox, schools, Noise level, crime? ). My wife is a pediatrics nurse and I am a Fire systems design engineer and have located several jobs in the area and just want to make sure when we move we will not have to move again across town in a year because we chose a bad area. We asked the real estate agent but you know how they can be ( any area you look at is the greatest). We are looking in the $300,000 range so any info or alternative places we should look at would be great.

If you really like Farragut and Knoxville, you probably wouldn't like Clinton.

I happen to like Clinton a lot but I don't go much on Clinton Hwy unless I'm going to and from Knoxville's I-640. I spend more time in Clinton on Tennessee State Road 61 which is an extension of the Oak Ridge Turnpike and the main drag in Clinton that links Oak Ridge to Norris. Methodist Medical Center (hospital) is on the Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. There is a new Food City supermarket also on 61 in Clinton. The Museum of Appalachia is technically in Clinton but is within spitting distance of Norris and I spend a lot of time there. I-75 has an exit/entrance in Clinton. I think someone already mentioned the new Wal-Mart there near I-75. Clinton has a big Antiques festival in October around the same time as the multi-day Tennessee Fall Homecoming (think bluegrass, gospel and old time country bands) at the Museum of Appalachia in early October. The Anderson County Fair is held in Clinton in July. The Green Mcadoo Cultural Center is in Clinton as is the Little Ponderosa Zoo and the Anderson County Courthouse. The best barbecue in Tennessee (not counting Memphis) is, in my opinion, at the Riverview Grill in Clinton (also on 61). Clinton is also the home of the Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery. There are a few places to fish in the area.

I would think if you are into upscale suburban living and shopping, you'd prefer Farragut. If you are into more nature related activities, you might prefer Clinton, closer to the Norris end but not closer to Knoxville.

[a_fl_vol]

Don't forget to drop by Hammer's if you visit Clinton. If you don't, you will not have been to Clinton.