Another Person to Transfer to Knoxville (Hopefully) (Bristol, Farragut: apartment, house)

[whatsausername]

OMG, I'm so confused!!!! UGH!!. This transfer is about 4 months quicker than what we anticipated so I'm now in full panic mode. Since it will be virtually impossible for me to get there to look around prior to moving, I'm having to rely on word of mouth and internet searches so your help is so crucial and very much appreciated.

So, if I may impose on you, we need a 1 or 2 BR apartment. 1 BR is enough as long as we have a nice sized bath (we sold our house and currently live in a 1BR apart. waiting on our transfer, but we think a bigger bath would be nice). I would like to live in a somewhat updated apartment, dog friendly (we have 2 small dogs) and as far as the rental price, I have no idea. We currently pay $1100 for our 1 bedroom apartment here so with me being unemployed until I find a job, I would like to reduce that somewhat.

One of the purposes of our transfer is to get closer to the grands which live in Atlanta, so we would like to be on that end of Knoxville. Any strong suggestions on apartment complexes for us to be able to narrow down our search a bit?

Thank you so much in advance for your advise.

[Barking Spider]

Originally Posted by onetoughkitty

Hardin Valley does have Pellissippi Community College though. Not sure how the students act there though. In California, we had a lot of young kids at our CC's but I don't want to assume it's the same here.

I don't think you have the same feel as close to campus (UT). If you go anywhere near UT, you see students. I don't get that at all in the Hardin Valley area.

[hiknapster]

You are all over the place.

First, Pellissippi is a commuter school. The apartments around there are full of adults.

Second, Knoxville is not a college town in the sense that the college is everything. This isn't Oxford, Mississippi. The town doesn't live and die according the school and its students. If you want to avoid students, avoid Fort Sanders and Cherokee Trail in South Knoxville. No reason to get out a spreadsheet. Those apartments clearly advertise to students. The rest of the area apartments are mostly comprised of adults.

Third, if you want to be downtown, why would you be out in rural/suburban Hardin Valley? It's a nice area, but it's about 30 minutes to downtown. The only place you will be walking in is the apartment complex.

Here is what you really should be considering. Where your husband works. If you are looking for a job, what area of business are you in? Those are your two starting points and all of this other stuff is extraneous. So, to reiterate, what part of Knoxville is he working in and what do you do for a living?

[whatsausername]

You are so right, I am all over the place because I don't know where to begin. I did want to live close to downtown, but it's too pricey for us so I guess we'll have to go to the burbs.

First, Pellissippi is a commuter school. The apartments around there are full of adults.

Good to know.

Second, Knoxville is not a college town in the sense that the college is everything.

Another good to know. I've always heard the Vol fans where like no other, so I guess I assumed wrong or got wrong information from a former Tennessee resident.

My husband will work downtown Knoxville. 30 minute commute doesn't sound bad, I think we can handle that since we are used to at least 30 minutes to sometimes an hour commute.

I am a paralegal, loads of real estate closing experience and litigation experience.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by whatsausername

Another good to know. I've always heard the Vol fans where like no other, so I guess I assumed wrong or got wrong information from a former Tennessee resident.

Vol fans are unlike any other. We are enthusiastic, infectious, but not rude.

However, that still doesn't mean that Knoxville is a college town like Oxford, Mississippi. One doesn't follow the other. When school is not in session, there is still plenty to do downtown. That wasn't always the case, even 10 years ago, but thing have drastically changed. The city is made up of mostly families, but also professionals. Downtown is so sustainable, even without students, that Tim Love opened a restaurant here.

I highly recommend somewhere in West Knoxville. That way the commute won't be so bad and you'll be central to your future job. We hear a lot about not minding long commutes from people, especially those that are used to it. However, you'll quickly find that most people don't have to drive long distances and it might make you pretty envious. When you live in DC., NYC, LA, Boston, you are all in the same long commute boat. It's different here. It can especially become tedious if you drive 30 minutes home, just to turn around and take an Uber to get back downtown for a night out.

Also, around rush hour, headed from downtown to West Knoxville, plan on at least an additional 15 minutes.

[whatsausername]

We have lucked out and will be able to go check out areas prior to our move. It's going to be tight so every minute will count.

I highly recommend somewhere in West Knoxville

So we are back at the Farragut area? A former poster said to stay away from that area. This is where I get mixed up.

At any rate, we'll be in Knoxville for a quick trip, spending a day maybe a day and a half there to check out where to call home for a while.

hiknapster: I will take your advise and concentrate on the West side of Knoxville since it's not too terribly far from downtown.

I don't mean to sound like a crazy person, but this is a HUGE move for me. I was born and raised and have always remained here in the lowcountry. Only been to the mountains on vacation a handful of times, we usually headed south for vacation destinations, so this is all very nerve racking to me. I am very excited to step out of my comfort zone for the first time in my life, but staying put all of my life has had its rewards. One being is that I know a lot of people so I'm glad to read all over this forum that the people are friendly in Knoxville. I really do look forward to this adventure, but the unknown is always a bit frightening. And couple that with I have no idea where to live, it's a bit overwhelming........ I'm sure I'll adjust fine and look forward to call Knoxville home.

P.S. I will most likely be one of those drivers that you will curse beneath your breath since I have NO clue how to drive in the mountains......please, please be patient with me - I promise, I'll get the hang of it!

[Barking Spider]

I think the reason they said that Farragut wouldn't be good, is the "walking around the city" part. Walking around to go to places is really downtown, and not much any other part of Knoxville. The drive from one end of Knoxville to the other end is really not that much anyway. I live in Karns, and can get to just about anywhere in less than half an hour.
You will see for yourself when you visit.

[creeksitter]

OP, there's a complex called the Henley that is very close to downtown, it used to cater to the non-student market, you might call to see if that is still the case.

There are complexes near the west end of Sutherland in various conditions/ price ranges. That area has a lot of interesting shops. Complexes on the east end of Sutherland tend to be subsidized.

There are also complexes on Morrell rd that will give you the mall and other shopping to walk to. Also pull up a map of the Jean Teague greenway and see what's around there. It connects shopping with parks and the YMCA.

[hiknapster]

Have you ever been to Knoxville?

On a sidenote, guess what went flying across my room, last night? A Palmetto bug!

Oh, and you are probably going to hate me, but I've heard time and time again that paralegal jobs in Knoxville are few and far between. We are at full employment, though.

[whatsausername]

Have you ever been to Knoxville?

I drove through Knoxville on my way to another part of the state, but never stopped there.

On a sidenote, guess what went flying across my room, last night? A Palmetto bug!

OMG - I hate those critters and I was so hoping not to ever see one again! UGH!!!!!

Oh, and you are probably going to hate me, but I've heard time and time again that paralegal jobs in Knoxville are few and far between. We are at full employment, though.

Hmmmmm, not what I wanted to hear and not to encouraging. What kind of jobs are available? I'm checking monster, etc. and I see a few things here and there, the problem is that's it's just a bit too soon for me to start applying because I can't yet make an interview. So, I'm just touching the job market.