Couple Of Questions (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga: real estate, to rent, houses)

[NeedAChangeFromFL]

Ok, I know this has probably been asked more than a few times, but please put up with my ignorance.

We are looking to move and there are several places we can move across the U.S. with DH's work. Knoxville is one of them. Up until now I have told hubby absolutely not regarding Knoxville (even though he would get paid more there) because our 4 year old has asthma. In a recent national study, Knoxville is ranked number 4 I believe (ATL is #1) as the worst places to live for asthma sufferers. I am not interested in living in Knoxville (mainly because of our son, but also because we want to live in a smaller, slower paced town) however I did a "find your place" quiz on the internet (I know, lame) and Maryville, TN came up as a good spot for us. This quiz did not feature any medical questions, etc, just FYI.

Anywhooo....here are my questions (I know, you're grateful I have finally gotten to the point):
1. Is Maryville any cleaner (air/pollution wise!!) than Knoxville itself?
2. Anyone here with asthma or have a child with asthma and live in or near Maryville?
3. Is Maryville a reasonable plce to commute to Knoxville from? Is the pace slower in Maryville?
4. Would we be able to rent a 3 bedroom house for $1100 or under a month?
AND (finally!!)
5. Does Knoxville have a children's hospital?

[luvmyanimals]

East Tennessee Regional Clean Air Coalition this is about air in Blount County

Here is the full list, starting with the worst cities for asthma:

1. Scranton, Pa.
2. Richmond, Va.
3. Philadelphia
4. Atlanta
5. Milwaukee
6. Cleveland
7. Greensboro, N.C.
8. Youngstown, Ohio
9. St. Louis
10. Detroit
11. Knoxville, Tenn.
12. Cincinnati
13. Toledo, Ohio
14. Canton, Ohio
15. Baton Rouge, La.
16. Pittsburgh
17. Little Rock, Ark.
18. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.
19. Memphis, Tenn.
20. Baltimore
21. Lancaster, Pa.
22. Chicago
23. Charlotte, N.C.
24. Houston
25. Harrisburg, Pa.
26. McAllen, Texas
27. Washington
28. Hartford, Conn.
29. Birmingham, Ala.
30. Kalamazoo, Mich.
31. Grand Rapids, Mich.
32. Indianapolis
33. Fresno, Calif.
34. Dayton, Ohio
35. Louisville, Ky.
36. Allentown, Pa.
37. Salt Lake City
38. San Diego
39. San Antonio
40. Bakersfield, Calif.
41. Columbia, S.C.
42. Las Vegas
43. Chattanooga, Tenn.
44. Lansing, Mich.
45. Stockton, Calif.
46. Mobile, Ala.
47. Omaha, Neb.
48. Augusta, Ga.
49. Los Angeles
50. Dallas-Fort Worth
51. Johnson City, Tenn.
52. Fort Wayne, Ind.
53. Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
54. Seattle
55. Denver
56. Kansas City, Mo.
57. Oklahoma City
58. New York
59. Norfolk, Va.
60. Springfield, Mass.
61. Modesto, Calif.
62. New Orleans
63. Spokane, Wash.
64. Tulsa, Okla.
65. Columbus, Ohio
66. Buffalo, N.Y.
67. Nashville, Tenn.
68. Greenville, S.C.
69. Sacramento, Calif.
70. Boston
71. Boise City, Idaho
72. Charleston, S.C.
73. Portland, Ore.
74. Colorado Springs, Colo.
75. Rochester, N.Y.
76. El Paso, Texas
77. Des Moines, Iowa
78. Lexington, Ky.
79. Albuquerque, N.M.
80. Sarasota, Fla.
81. Wichita, Kan.
82. Syracuse, N.Y.
83. Providence, R.I.
84. Austin, Texas
85. Fort Myers, Fla.
86. Tucson, Ariz.
87. Jackson, Miss.
88. Madison, Wis.
89. Miami
90. Pensacola, Fla.
91. San Francisco
92. Orlando, Fla.
93. Lakeland, Fla.
94. Melbourne, Fla.
95. Daytona Beach, Fla.
96. Jacksonville, Fla.
97. West Palm Beach, Fla.
98. Albany, N.Y.
99. Minneapolis
100. Tampa, Fla

My son doesn't have asthma but does suffer from seizures so I know for a fact there is a Childrens Hospital in Knoxville. As for Maryville, it's wonderful there, I don't live there but my mom does. The education is the best I believe in the state. Of course Smokey Mtn Gal could update you on everything about Maryville, she lives there. Oh yea, the Childrens Hospital in Knoxville also has a camp in the summer for Asthma children. As for a house to rent it can be done, because I am looking too for a 3-bedroom house in Maryville and I have found a few, some higher, just have to look and contact a real estate agent and they can help you alot. Maybe someone else will be able to give you more information on Maryville. At least we're not number one on the list anymore for Asthma suffers. The only thing I can say I can't find a better place to raise my son, and I'm a single mom.

[knoxgarden]

I have some friends whose kids were treated at the East Tennessee Children's Hospital and they are very happy with it.
East Tennessee Children's Hospital (http://www.etch.com/index.cfm - broken link)
It's close to downtown Knoxville. You could probably get there from Maryville in about 20-25 minutes.
There are several allergy/asthma clinics around. I've been to the one at St. Mary's and really got the help I needed. You will find several pediatric allergists in the area. I don't have asthma but a lot of allergies. Spring and fall bother me here and I had some problems this summer with the drought which caused more ozone/smog than usual. The rain usually washed the air. My medication got me through it.
Blount Memorial Hospital is just a few minutes from Maryville, if you need urgent care.
Additional Services

[pdq]

The Knoxville area has been in the top worst places for asthma for as long as I can remember. In 2004 and 2005 it was the worst city in the US. Currently, 2007 it ranks 4th worst. Most recent data here http://aafa.org/pdfs/FinalPublicList_AC_2007.pdf

Maryville is part of Knoxville metro. If you watch the air pollution reports many times Blount county (Maryville) has much higher polution counts due to the lay of the land/foothills/mountains. This whole valley is prone to accumulate natural and man-made pollution.

Best of luck.

[gemkeeper]

We have lived in 4 of the top ten cities on that list, luvmyanimals, so I think that Knoxville is going to be an improvement for our family. Allergies thrive among us!

[Beretta]

Hi ~

I live in Maryville City of Maryville - Home, work in Knoxville City of Knoxville and one can commute in about 20 minutes if traffic isn't bad. East TN Childrens Hospital is wonderful hospital. East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Maryville has a slower pace or a faster one; depending on what you want. Blount County/Maryville has air that is not the best; but not the worst. It seems a little less oppressive than Knoxville on some days; but that is probably a perception skewed by looking at the cows that are my neighbors on one side; horses on the other and the backdrop of the mountains. One of my children had asthma until he grew out of it so I can understand your concerns. There are a lot of allergy and asthma physicians here. From a consumer standpoint I find their practices very busy and haven't been totally pleased with the experiences we have had with the support staff. I can recommend Dr. Prince at Allergy and Ashtma Associates The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center. Dr Prince practices in both Maryville and Knoxville unless something has changed. Houses fitting your needs can be found. As with anything it is a matter of timing, persistence, luck and connections. Please let me know if I can help further. Come visit!

SMGal

[gemkeeper]

That is the best prescription, NeedAChange, for anyone wondering about the area. SmokyMtnGal's advice is so right on - visit often and see if an area suits your needs.

[mjb62676]

I have a question....why or how is Knoxville amongst the worst for allergies/asthma? I haven't really noticed anything different here. Can someone explain?

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by mjb62676

I have a question....why or how is Knoxville amongst the worst for allergies/asthma? I haven't really noticed anything different here. Can someone explain?

Perhaps the place you came from was worse or about the same (true for me) so you wouldn't notice a difference. Or perhaps you are allergic to something that isn't in the Knoxville area.

[mjb62676]

Came from KC...and so far, the weather in the two places seems VERY similar...with the exception that it's slightly warmer here in the fall and cooler here in the summer.

I just wondered if it was pollen, pollution, etc...