Moving East (Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Morristown: best schools, live in, prices)

[reneejohnson]

I live in west TN with my 3 children and hate it. I am originally from West Tn., but moved away for about 19 years to the Gulf Coast area, and I moved back when my husband passed away, to my dads farm. We have horses, and cattle.
I am looking for a small farm, and in a good school district.
Any suggestions??

[alleycat]

I don't really have any specific suggestions. If you has asked ten years ago, I might have suggested Robertson County; however all the counties within commuting distance to Nashville are changing from being farming areas to bedroom communities. Progress is a double-edged sword.

If I were you, I might take a preliminary look at the southern half of Middle Tennessee. There is some nice country around there, and land prices aren't quite as high as those near Nashville. Most of the counties there are still relatively rural, with some nice small towns (Shelbyville, Manchester, Lewisburg, Winchester, etc.). You might also look east of Nashville, around Smithville, McMinnville and that area.

[jabogitlu]

Many of the counties in East TN (specifically in the middle-northern half) are still quite rural: Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Union, Morgan, Cumberland, Roane, etc. etc. Most of these are within commuting distance (for amenities, maybe not jobs) to Greeneville/Morristown OR Knoxville, depending.

Or if you're looking for total rural there's always Johnson County!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by reneejohnson

I live in west TN with my 3 children and hate it. I am originally from West Tn., but moved away for about 19 years to the Gulf Coast area, and I moved back when my husband passed away, to my dads farm. We have horses, and cattle.
I am looking for a small farm, and in a good school district.
Any suggestions??

Are you needing to be close to a large city? How about jobs?

There are quite a few small farms in western Williamson County, and the schools there are excellent. However, it's not cheap (one of the 20 wealthiest counties in the country, in fact).

Up on the Cumberland Plateau, Putnam County (Cookeville) easily has the best schools in that area and among the best in the state. Western Putnam County has quite a few small farms and is quite popular with those who want land, good schools, and to be within an hour of Nashville.

In East Tennessee, just about all of the Tri Cities region has good schools. (I am including Greeneville with the Tri Cities.) Same with Blount County/Maryville as well as Anderson County/Oak Ridge.

Best of luck to you.

[reneejohnson]

I am looking at near Oak Ridge or Knoxville area. I have recently graduated from Nursing, so I need to be within 35 minutes or so from a hospital.

Seymour
Oak Ridge
Strawbery Plains
Corryton
Blair

[marine113]

I have lived in Huntsville, TN (Scott County) for 2 Years. The people are great and the school system is highly rated. Please check it out!

[marine113]

The Clinton, Norris area is a very beautiful. They just finished building a large hospital. Land is still fairly reasonable.