Recent information on Mechanicsville? (Knoxville: apartment, renters, crime rates)

[Vegandroid]

Hey everyone,

I've searched the forums but the information I'm finding seems to be a few years old.

I am a female in my late 20's and will be moving from Nashville to Knoxville for grad school at UT. I have found an apartment in Mechanicsville that looks great but the older information I've seen says it is a rough neighborhood, and I am wondering if that's still the case. I live in the East Nashville neighborhood right now, which is a high crime area, so I'm used to living in the "inner city". Is Mechanicsville too unsafe for a younger adult woman? I know to lock my doors, don't roam around at night, etc.

Thanks!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by Vegandroid

Hey everyone,

I've searched the forums but the information I'm finding seems to be a few years old.

I am a female in my late 20's and will be moving from Nashville to Knoxville for grad school at UT. I have found an apartment in Mechanicsville that looks great but the older information I've seen says it is a rough neighborhood, and I am wondering if that's still the case. I live in the East Nashville neighborhood right now, which is a high crime area, so I'm used to living in the "inner city". Is Mechanicsville too unsafe for a younger adult woman? I know to lock my doors, don't roam around at night, etc.

Thanks!

Please do not compromise your safety. Find a good, safe, situation for yourself in Knoxville. I personally can't speak to Mechanicsville so I am hopeful someone with knowledge will chime in. There are pockets in Knoxville though that are better than others. I am sure you've seen some of the crimes that have made national news. While Knoxville is relatively safe, caution is key.

[creeksitter]

If you're living in a sketchy part of E Nashville you will probably be comfortable in Mechanicsville, if a gentrified area perhaps not. A lot will depend on specifics of the apartment: are the windows at ground level, will the other renters in the building look out for you, who are the neighbors next door, etc.

I don't know why Beretta brings up a murder that made the national news, that happened across town in an obscure small area not known for violent crime, don't recall any connections to Mechanicsville.

Detective Google does speak of a couple of murders in the neighborhood. Most likely they were among people who knew each other as that is the kind of crime we tend to have in Knoxville.

Not a great place to be walking late at night but very convenient to UT and Downtown. Beautiful houses.

[nashvols]

I haven't lived in Knoxville for several years, so I don't know if or how much Mechanicsville has changed, but if you tell me which area of East Nashville you live in, I can give you an idea if they are or were comparable at some point.

FWIW, I lived in Fort Sanders when I was at UT. People brought up safety concerns there, too. I didn't have problems. Others did. Common sense kept most issues at bay. Personally, if you're looking as close as Mechanicsville, see if there is anything in Fort Sanders. The best thing about the Fort is you can walk to campus. I would not dream of trying that from Mechanicsville. You could offset some extra costs by using less fuel.

[knoxnut]

Just wondered a almost a year after this thread started what folks thought of living here? There's a house in this area I'm interested in buying, but the high crime rates I've found online make me hesitant.

[hiknapster]

It's generally the same. All of the posts above are still valid.

[creeksitter]

As with the OP, it would be helpful to know what neighborhoods you have lived in and where you felt comfortable.

Also important to talk with the immediate neighbors, are they homeowners, renters, etc. That's what will affect your quality of life.

Do you bike? One nice thing about Mechanicsville is it is a very easy bike ride to downtown. I would ride on the sidewalks on western, though.

[onetoughkitty]

Meh. I hear more about crime in West Knoxville than in that part of town. I have some good friends who have raised their kids there and their kids live there now with no problems. I just drove through there with my sister today and we actually remarked on some of the beautiful houses there. Have you attempted to visit and spend a couple of days looking at the area (day and night)? You should take weekend to do that because the only opinion that truly matters is yours.

[onetoughkitty]

I just really wish that something could be done about Knoxville College. I think if they can do something to improve that blight, it will help.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by onetoughkitty

I just really wish that something could be done about Knoxville College. I think if they can do something to improve that blight, it will help.

I am in full agreement. It hurts my heart to see it the way it is, right now.