Chattanooga or Knoxville? (Lookout Mountain: foreclosure, crime, homes)

[where to go]

Hello all and thank you ahead of time for any advice you have!
My family will be relocating to Tennessee late May. We have never been there, but we do believe that it will be a great place for our family! My questions are these
1. Which city is "safer"? I have read the crime data and they seem similar to me. Is there a difference?
2. Which city is more scenic? We are originally from Montana (living in Iowa) and hubby misses something to look at!
3. Which place would offer more in the way of education? We have 4 children ages 16,12,8, and almost 2.
4. Which is friendlier, if there is a difference?
5. Which has better homes for less money?
Again, thank you all.......we are SO excited to become residents of your awesome state!

[Eat]

1. No difference, IMO.
2. Chattanooga.
3. Little difference. UT is in both places. You should check the curriculum of both.
4. No difference, unless you are from Georgia, then you really don't want to go to Chattanooga. Sorry, inside joke.
5. Not sure, but I doubt there are serious differences.

You didn't ask about jobs, but the winner is Knoxville, hands down.

[where to go]

Thank you for your input!

[Botts]

Hello "Where to Go"!

My wife and I are now empty-nesters but some of our kids were still here in school when we first moved to the Tennessee Valley about 20 years ago. We live right in the middle, between Chattanooga and Knoxville. It's nice because we can go in either direction and be in the city within 45-60 minutes. Plus, Atlanta is only 2 1/2 hours to the South for the really big stuff!

I would have to say that, as other have, that these two cities are very similar (at least in regards to the questions you had). I would give Knoxville the nod as being a bit more cosmopolitan and upbeat and said in another thread that I personally fell Knoxville will become the next-generation Atlanta. It's still in its infancy but has all the basic ingredients and it won't be long before people begin moving there instead of Atlanta because of all the "big city" things Atlanta now faces. Just my opinion...

We really like the whole area but actually find ourselves doing more in Chattanooga than Knoxville - I guess because we have both worked there over the years (altho' I now work up towards Knoxville).

I don't think you'd go wrong in either place. The next thing to do would be to determine exactly what you want-need-wish list consists of and then begin comparing neighborhoods in each metro area. Both have major shopping centers (the largest in TN is in NE Chattanooga & the second largest is in West Knoxville), modern sub-divisions out the wa-zoo, old bungalow neighborhoods, and lots of leisure activities.

I would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have - I just can't guarantee I have all the answers...

[hiknapster]

Okay. I'll give it a whirl.

Crime. A year ago, I would have said that Chatt had more crime, but Knoxville is getting dicier, just like everywhere else, so I call it a wash.

More scenic. Chatt, hands down. The revitalization of downtown is phenomenal. It also has the river running through, with Lookout Mountain rising majestically next to the city. I think it can be breathtaking. Knoxville tries, but they are still, endlessly, working the kinks out. In the meantime, some days it just looks like smog and sprawl. I've seen uglier, but it isn't that great.

Public schools. I think Knox County wins. I have a child in the school and I think it is fine. Not outstanding but pretty good. On the other hand, I've read a lot of bad things about Chatt schools on this forum. Just hearsay, but still...

Friendliness. Well, I deal with complaining people from both cities, but I think Knoxville people are nicer.

I don't know about better homes. I do know that Chatt is having some foreclosure issues, right now. Homes were always cheaper there, and they just got a whole lot cheaper. Of course, there is a reason for this. There are not a lot of job openings there, for some reason. That's why we ended up in Knoxville.

You say you are moving in May. Have you visited either place?

[where to go]

Thanks for all the info! As far as what we are looking for...........well, one of two things.....either a bigger city such as Chatt and Knox or a smaller town that is close to the larger stores and things. We have never been to TN but have had friends from there and have this notion that it is the place for us. My husband is applying for jobs with both cities and even kicking around the idea of becoming a police officer. He was wondering about gang activity? This is something that is new to us, we live in SW Iowa in a VERY small town and are from Montana. We have never experienced gang related life, so this is a concern for us. Is it a major issue there? Is it in the schools in the suburbs? Our children are honor roll students and very into school, so a good, safe school is important. If hubby works in either city, is there a smaller town that is close enough to commute?
Again, I appreciate all the info! Thanks so much! We really are looking forward to that Southern hospitality that we keep hearing about!

[hiknapster]

You said that you will be relocating in May? During anytime, but definitely during this recession, you need to find jobs before you relocate.

Never visiting, but "feeling" like it is for you is not a good decision.

You need to visit.

[where to go]

Well, I appreciate your advice, and we will not leave Iowa until he has a job. We are fortunate in that my husband has a recession proof career, so as long as he has a job, we will be fine. As for a visit, well, we choose to use our savings for the move, so a visit is not in the cards.
Thanks for your two cents.

[Beretta]

Best of luck with your move. I am curious as to what your husbands career is. So many people are interested in recession proof careers.

[where to go]

He is in the water and wastewater field.....as long as people eat and drink, he will always have a job! LOL