moving to knoxville - no time to look for apartments (Central: lofts, how much)

[raleightoknoxville]

Hi,

I am moving to knoxville and have no time to visit to look for apartments. When looking online, I found some great apartments near the old city in knoxville which is the area where I'm looking to live. However, when I look at the google street views on google maps the areas look derelict and not kept up. Does anyone know what these area look like and even maybe have pictures of them?
Also, could you tell me if they are more college-y areas or more for young professionals?

1. North Central Village at 912 Central St
2. Brownlow School Lofts at 135 W Glenwood Ave

Thanks!

[hiknapster]

Those areas have gentrified or are gentrifying. The second one is Old North Knoxville/Fourth and Gill area. The Central area is Happy Valley. That's still gentrifying but is well on it's way. It's going to depend on your comfort level. Are you use to urban areas? Only lived in subdivisions?

I would be happy to go take pictures for you.

[raleightoknoxville]

Thanks for your quick reply!

I'm used to urban areas. I live in Raleigh, NC right now and love the downtown vibe there, and looking to be near a similar thing in Knoxville.

North Central Village is more affordable for me, so I am more encouraged in that sense. I am trying to be able to bike or walk to bars, coffee shops, restaurants. Would this apartment be suitable for that? Is it "sketchy" or not common to do that in that area?

Thanks.

[hiknapster]

There are a lot of homeless folks not too far away. The problem is there are a lot of shelters, soup kitchens and homeless services in that area. However, our homeless are pretty tame folks compared to other places I've been. You'll have to bike right through them but they really don't bother people. I drive through - I'm an older female - with my 11-year-old daughter all the time. I don't even bother to lock my car doors. Hopefully that gives you an idea of what it is like. Sketchy but not horrible. If you live on Glenwood, which is farther along in the gentrification process, you may bike through the same area, too.

[creeksitter]

North Central village has a gated parking area. There's not the variety of entertainment you'll find in the old city but there are some venues. Look up time warp tea room, xyz club (gay bar), Relix variety theater. There is tai chi and yoga nearby if that interests you.

[raleightoknoxville]

Thank you! I think I get the gist of both the areas. If anyone has pictures that they don't mind posting of those areas, please post. If you happen to drive by there and can snap a few photos I would greatly appreciate it.

[EastTNSuthernBelle]

Having lived in both Raleigh & Knoxville, I, personally, don't think the area you're looking at in Knoxville is remotely close to the same cool urban vibe you're used to in downtown Raleigh. With Raleigh being the state capitol, the downtown area is pretty well maintained and "blighted" areas are further out of downtown. While Knoxville is doing a great job with downtown revitalization, we're not there yet. Just my oh so humble opinion. Good luck!

[raleightoknoxville]

EastTNSuthernBelle,

Do you think I would prefer the West Knoxville Turkey Creek Area to the Downtown area?

[hiknapster]

That area does not have a cool vibe. I didn't know that was what you were seeking. Downtown does, but I don't consider that area to be "downtown." The immediate downtown area is gorgeous and definitely "cool," including the Old City, Market Square, Gay Street, Union Avenue, etc. but the prices are going to be very high.

A lot of people haven't seen how much the downtown area has changed, it's only been the past couple of years and it truly changes on a month-to-month basis. It's changed a lot even from a year ago.

But where you are looking is not "downtown cool."

West Knoxville and Turkey Creek is more suburban sprawl. There are still some VERY nice areas. In fact there are areas that can even be considered more rural looking. But it wouldn't resemble anyone's downtown, really.

And by the way, that area is not part of the Old City. A lot of people think the Old City is not safe. It's changed a lot and recently. I'd live there in a heartbeat. One of my daughter's friends lives there, in fact. It's no longer "run down." But it is EXPENSIVE.

Brownlow Lofts is in Fourth and Gill, by the way. It is definitely gentrifying and has a lot of young professionals. I took my daughter trick-or-treating there. We now attend church there. And I'd LOVE to live there.

[EastTNSuthernBelle]

Well, disclaimer first...I haven't been in Raleigh in years. I went to college in Raleigh and have only visited a few times since. If I recall, West Knox/Turkey Creek remind me of North Hills or maybe even Cary...very "Starbucks on every corner, lots of SUV driving soccer moms." Don't get me wrong...nothing wrong with that...I live West Just trying to relay what areas I think are comparable to give you a better idea. There are older sections of west knoxville that are closer to downtown that may fit what you're looking for. I would search Bearden, Forest Park, and Ft. Sanders (which is co-located on UT's campus.)