East Knoxville (Central, Philadelphia: hotel, house, safe area)

[jabogitlu]

Moderator cut: deleted

Fourth & Gill is an amazing neighborhood. I really hope you can come check it out for yourself.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by MrsMtnsOnTheMind

I found the area that I was looking for. Historic Fourth & Gill, Luttrell Street, Eleanor, Deery, Caswell, Wells, Gratz, etc. Very nice houses, no bumpy sidewalks, roads look like they are well maintained. Why didn't anyone recommend this before?

Fourth & Gill does have some beautiful old homes. It is also within walking distance of a large homeless shelter, it's right up against a very noisy interstate, and the neighborhood has had problems with prostitution and drug sales. But you're right, it's got nice sidewalks.

[goodbyehollywood]

If you're looking for a charming, well-kept historical neighborhood with sidewalks and shade trees that's gentrified, safe and walkable to shops and eateries and perhaps a park, you're not going to find it. I looked for the same thing, and while it exists in many cities, it doesn't exist in Knoxville. The historical neighborhoods here (like Parkridge, 4th and Gill and Lincoln Park) have lovely old homes, but these neighborhoods are gentrifying, not gentrified. And they've been gentrifying for a long time, so they're not likely to morph into what you're looking for anytime soon. While some of the homes are beautiful, others are run-down and seedy, safety is always a concern and the population is very diverse. Welfare recipients, college kid renters and elderly pensioners live next to young professionals of all ethnicities. These are neighborhoods for urban pioneers and those that seek diversity.

Look at Old North Knoxville. While you won't find as many stately old Queen Annes or authentic Craftsmans, this area is safer, yet culturally rich. I would recommend two other areas: Forest Heights in close-in West Knoxville (very central) and Fountain City 37918. The 37918 zip is the heart of Fountain City, with 37917 making up the adjacent areas (Inskip, Norwood, Whittle Springs, etc.). Fountain City has some pockets that I think you'll like. Start by looking north of 640 and east of Broadway. You'll find charming bungalows in this area, and these neighborhoods are very safe, desirable and family-oriented, with lots of character and great pride of ownership. Much of this area is on the Dogwood Trail, and the landscaping is established and beautiful. The biggest challenge here might be finding a home, because people love it and rentals go fast. Good luck to you!

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

If you're looking for a charming, well-kept historical neighborhood with sidewalks and shade trees that's gentrified, safe and walkable to shops and eateries and perhaps a park, you're not going to find it. I looked for the same thing, and while it exists in many cities, it doesn't exist in Knoxville. The historical neighborhoods here (like Parkridge, 4th and Gill and Lincoln Park) have lovely old homes, but these neighborhoods are gentrifying, not gentrified. And they've been gentrifying for a long time, so they're not likely to morph into what you're looking for anytime soon. While some of the homes are beautiful, others are run-down and seedy, safety is always a concern and the population is very diverse. Welfare recipients, college kid renters and elderly pensioners live next to young professionals of all ethnicities. These are neighborhoods for urban pioneers and those that seek diversity.

Look at Old North Knoxville. While you won't find as many stately old Queen Annes or authentic Craftsmans, this area is safer, yet culturally rich. I would recommend two other areas: Forest Heights in close-in West Knoxville (very central) and Fountain City 37918. The 37918 zip is the heart of Fountain City, with 37917 making up the adjacent areas (Inskip, Norwood, Whittle Springs, etc.). Fountain City has some pockets that I think you'll like. Start by looking north of 640 and east of Broadway. You'll find charming bungalows in this area, and these neighborhoods are very safe, desirable and family-oriented, with lots of character and great pride of ownership. Much of this area is on the Dogwood Trail, and the landscaping is established and beautiful. The biggest challenge here might be finding a home, because people love it and rentals go fast. Good luck to you!

Thank you so much....this helps me more than some of the other vague posts and criticisms. Thank you for being specific and to the point.

Thanks to Hik also for coming through with examples at the end of a frustrating day. You gave me a little hope.

[Kitties of Domination]

Also check the Island Homes area in south Knoxville and Sequoyah Hills.

[creeksitter]

Here in Knoxville we love our low taxes. So that means we don't have a lot of money for pristine sidewalks.

This convesation is making me chuckle because I used to sell real estate back in the day and I remember a caller (around 1990) from out of town practically yelling at me because the only victorian listings we had were in such scruffy neighborhoods such as 4th & Gill. After she hung up I realized that thats where the Victorian homes were. There are a few on Woodlawn Pike and Washington pike, a handful in Ftn City, you might stumble on an old farmhouse scattered about, but 95% of the Victorians are in the older neighborhoods.

Obviously 4th & Gill has changed a lot since then.

[goodbyehollywood]

You're welcome, MrsMtns! I hope you find a wonderful home.

I've always hoped Fourth and Gill or Parkridge would clean up faster, because I love those old homes. I appreciate diversity, but I'm not willing to gamble on safety.

So many transplants and young professionals are looking for a walkable historical neighborhood close to a little village of shops, restaurants and pubs. Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray and Georgetown in the D.C. area, Society Hill and Queen Village in Philadelphia, Fells Point in Baltimore, West Adams and Ocean Park in L.A.-- I could go on and on about historical areas that that have been renovated and revitalized to make charming, eclectic neighborhoods. That concept doesn't seem to be taking root in Knoxville, though people have tried for decades now. Urbanism and eclecticism, in general, are slow to find favor here.

[Pam& Bill]

I'm completely confused.Mrs. Mts wants an older home. Mrs.Mts also wants "Maintained and manicured" and nice sidewalks.
As a former do it yourselfer of older homes, manicured and maintained does not ever come into the equation. A older home has dings and scars from people who have lived there previously, the wiring usually needs to be updated as well as the plumbing, insulation is usually non existant and there is bumpy lumpy plaster on the walls. The floors slant, glass is wavy and many times these beauties become a money pit, a constant flow of money to turn a worn out house into a pristine example of Hollywood and HGTV.
My point being that older homes in older neighborhoods are not cookie cutter "manicured and maintained" clones like a new modern subdivision. Older homes have soul and are not perfect and sure aren't for the people who expect perfection in a home, but rather someone who can live for awhile with a wrench on the kitchen faucet because the faucet broke and you need to get a new one.
Admiring a older home in a movie is completely different then living daily in an older home.Especially if one has expectations of manicured and maintained.
Now this isn't a critisism Mrs. Mts but rather a curiousity if you really are aware of what owning an older home entails and want to live that lifestyle? Because what you've posted and what reality is are two very different things.
Pam

[creeksitter]

GBH, I think as Happy Hollow* develops it might be what those people are looking for. Fountain City/Hotel avenue is pretty good too. Bearden is the best for the variety of shopping but it doesn't have that old timey atmosphere people seek.

* Anderson at Central.

[jabogitlu]

What/where is Happy Hollow? I tried to Google Map Central St. but the expanse was just too great.