Oak Ridge??? (Knoxville, Clinton, Norris: sales, schools, sales tax)

[sassykat&joe]

There have been several threads about Oak Ridge. One way to get really quick information is to enter Oak ridge in the search and see what comes up.

I've been to Oak Ridge a few times, even stayed in hotels there for a few days at a time. It is a small town, not much of a downtown, and seems nice. I have read on here that the schools are really good.

[hondaguy83]

Yeah there has been a bunch of recent threads on here about Oak Ridge...Oak Ridge does have good schools and good jobs...Far as the area itself tho..Its really just hit or miss...Some areas good,and some not so much...Typical small town stuff usually...They have a few really nice golf courses there,As well as some really nice lakefront areas...Other than walmart and grocery stores,there really isn't any shopping there at all,and the same goes for resturants also...For all that you would have to spend all your time in West Knox...Far as the bad goes...Just stay out of the Scarborough community and the area known as "the valley"...Other than that its pretty much like most small towns

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by PastorK

We are currently looking to move to Oak Ridge from Texas. Anyone have personal experience there? Thinks to look for, things to stay away from?

Thanks.

Who is "we" so we can tell you something about it that might appeal/might not appeal to your ages and things that you like? What do you like/not like? For example, I could tell you that we have a really nice children's museum but if you don't have children, that would be a waste of time. I could tell you we have a community band but if you don't like music or play an instrument you might not care. I could tell you we have a great education program for retirees but if you are in your 20s - 40s, I'd be wasting my time.

[airen123]

Big Ed's Pizza!!!

[hondaguy83]

Originally Posted by airen123

Big Ed's Pizza!!!

Ahh yes..How could i have forgotten about Big Ed's...I spent most of my high school years eating there

[PastorK]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Who is "we" so we can tell you something about it that might appeal/might not appeal to your ages and things that you like? What do you like/not like?

Sorry for the long wait.

"We" are a couple in our mid 30's (35 to be exact) with a 13, 5, and 4 year old. I'm a plumber by trade, and my wife is Personal Banker for a local bank. We enjoy the outdoors (walking, running, biking, trails, 4 wheelers, etc.) but we also enjoy our time at home.

We visited Oak Ridge last weekend and had a look around (we didn't go to Big Ed's though ) We really enjoyed the city, and we stayed with a relative that lived around Kentucky street. We looked at a couple of houses in the area with a local Realtor. We found one that we were in love with, but we are waiting on the sale of our home here in Texas before we can move.

The town feels about like the town we live in now. We have a walmart here and a few grocery stores, but if you want anything bigger than that, and different restaurants, then you have to drive at least 20 miles to get there. Sounds like it will be about the same in Oak Ridge.

We did see "the Valley" and were told to stay away from that area (I think just about every town has a "Valley".

I have 3 job leads already up in Knoxville, and wife can transfer, so we should be alright.

People seemed pretty friendly, and I told my wife that I was amazed that in the 4 days that we were there, I never heard anyone honk a horn at anyone.

[hiknapster]

It's about 13 miles to Turkey Creek.

[mtneer]

Depends on what you are looking for. I lived in Oak Ridge 12 years, moved away then moved back. Hated it both times. If you are babyboomer age you may like it. Otherwise there's nothing much to do. Lots of drugs, mostly meth and lots of crime and not just in Scarboro area. After moving back to OR I quickly moved to another nearby small town which is even more boring but at least there's less crime. Basically there's nothing to do but go to the gym or stay at home. There's literally no way of meeting people if you are in your 20's-40's most of the social outlets are geared to the seniors age group.

If you are into organic food or any sort of alternative way of thinking you will be lonely here. I spend all of my free time at the gym or martial arts classes in other towns otherwise there is nothing to do and no one to do it with. Half the town is abandoned stores and shops. No good restaurants, no good stores unless you like Super Walmart, nothing very cultural, everyone keeps to themselves unless you are a member of their church. If you ask people what they do they just all say they sit around at home or else they go out of town. Oak Ridge streets are like a ghost town on the weekends!

[hiknapster]

Mtneer: I'm not a big fan of OR, either, but some people like it.

Definitely visit the farmer's market on Saturday mornings. It's over near Big Ed's Pizza. You might want to hook up with these people. Might be interesting. OAK RIDGE PLAYHOUSE

[hondaguy83]

Originally Posted by mtneer

Depends on what you are looking for. I lived in Oak Ridge 12 years, moved away then moved back. Hated it both times. If you are babyboomer age you may like it. Otherwise there's nothing much to do. Lots of drugs, mostly meth and lots of crime and not just in Scarboro area. After moving back to OR I quickly moved to another nearby small town which is even more boring but at least there's less crime. Basically there's nothing to do but go to the gym or stay at home. There's literally no way of meeting people if you are in your 20's-40's most of the social outlets are geared to the seniors age group.

If you are into organic food or any sort of alternative way of thinking you will be lonely here. I spend all of my free time at the gym or martial arts classes in other towns otherwise there is nothing to do and no one to do it with. Half the town is abandoned stores and shops. No good restaurants, no good stores unless you like Super Walmart, nothing very cultural, everyone keeps to themselves unless you are a member of their church. If you ask people what they do they just all say they sit around at home or else they go out of town. Oak Ridge streets are like a ghost town on the weekends!

I'm glad to see that i'm not the only one here that thinks that Oak Ridge has a pretty big drug issue for a town/city its size...I can't even count how many drug deals i've witnessed in the parking lot of the walmart and the "mall" there....Oxy and meth both are a big problem in Oak Ridge....But still it does have its really good areas too...The lakefront area of Oak Ridge is still a highly sought after area