Graduate student -- looking for place to live (Knoxville, Farragut: apartments, lease)

[EZ2Score21]

I'm moving to Knoxville in mid-August to begin graduate school. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I know nothing about renting in the area, so I'm a little worried about that. I've been looking for something in West Knoxville, as I've heard that's a good place to live. I'm a huge sports fan, I like to go out (not all the time though) and I'm 23.

I'm looking for something nice, but not too, too expensive. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm open to getting random roommates, but getting a 1 bedroom might be the route I take.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by EZ2Score21

I'm moving to Knoxville in mid-August to begin graduate school. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I know nothing about renting in the area, so I'm a little worried about that. I've been looking for something in West Knoxville, as I've heard that's a good place to live. I'm a huge sports fan, I like to go out (not all the time though) and I'm 23.

I'm looking for something nice, but not too, too expensive. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm open to getting random roommates, but getting a 1 bedroom might be the route I take.

Thank you in advance for your help.

What do you consider to be expensive? Depending on where you're coming from, your notion of what's expensive could be much different than mine.

But in general, rents in Knoxville aren't too bad.

What about West Knoxville do you find appealing? Shopping? Schools? Chain restaurants? There's no question that West Knoxville is popular, but it's also a bit more pricey than other parts of town.

You can get a decent apartment in South Knoxville for much less than in West Knoxville. It won't be luxurious, but it'll be convenient to campus and, perhaps more importantly, downtown and popular clubs, restaurants, and cafes. A lot of grad students live in South Knoxville.

A real bargain, however, is U.T. housing along Sutherland Avenue. The apartments are clean and cheap, and you have shuttle buses to cart you back and forth to campus. It's also not far from a nice greenway with a paved bike path to campus. It's very popular with foreign students and single graduate students. There are some Asian grocery stores, a couple of vegetable markets, Kroger, Fresh Market, Starbucks, Panera, and Smoothie King in the neighborhood, and Earth Fare (large organic supermarket) is building in the neighborhood. If you're able to get a place there, I highly recommend it.

Good luck!

[mysticfire0213]

We are on a short-term lease @ Greentree Village off Sutherland-as JMT was speaking of--our 3br rents for $730 with water included--so I would imagine that the 1beds would be signifigantly less. It is NOT the most fancy place, but quiet and a great price.

Good luck!

[EZ2Score21]

JMT -- Thanks a bunch for your detailed response. Those definitely seem like viable options.

Is there anyone else out there with any advice?

[mysticfire0213]

I....am chopped liver...LOL

[H10]

I also attend UT. Most people I know who live more than 5-minutes away live in West Knox. Surprisingly, you could probably rent a home for less than an apartment over there. Here's my breakdown:

Downtown: Best Option for someone young and single. Walking distance to everything except for shopping, and you get the city-feel. $800-$1600/mo. This is where I live.

Fort Sanders: essentially 100% UT Students. Beautiful homes that are poorly maintained (because students live there), some describe the houses as "slums," but that's an exaggeration. There are also apartments. I lived in the Fort for two years, I loved year one, and left year two. If you plan on going out most every night it's fine, because staying in isn't an option Thurs-Sun. Come 11pm-4am it's pretty crazy, which got old to me after Junior year. Any tours will be very deceptive, walk through yourself 11:30pm on a Saturday night to see what you're in for. ($350-$850/mo). At 23, you'd be among the oldest residents. Very dangerous statistically, violent robberies almost daily, I've NEVER had a problem, but then I'm a man, and usually with a group of friends. Over double the violent crime rate of NYC.

The Old City: Tennessee's "SoHo." Shabby Chic, not cheap, lots of homeless and prostitues around. The lofts are cool, and it's a lively area, but not crazy 17-21 yr olds like the Strip in the Fort. Your age group is representative there ($600-$1800/mo).

Sequoyah Hills: Between Downtown & West Knox. Very residential & suburban, but biking distance from the campus. Beautiful, quieter with lake/river & mountain views. Lots of parks & nature. Everyone from college students to Billionaires fill this subdivision. You will find college student & parties. If you find a good deal with housemates, I know of people paying under $400/mo. There really is no price range in Sequoyah since it has $600/mo apartments & $3m mansions.

Farragut & Bearden: Shopping & such, malls, strip malls, lifestyle centers, etc. These are both very nice suburbs in West Knox, but 20min.+ from campus in rush hour. Also, it is mainly older age groups, and not cheap. Personally, I wouldn't want to live there in my stage of life, but they are nice places.

In terms of restaurants, West & Downtown Knoxville have many. That should not be a factor when looking for a place, because, for example where I live, I'd say there are 30+ restaurants within walking distance & over a dozen bars/clubs.

I wouldn't choose South or East Knox for myself, but you'll get a better deal in terms of pricing, and a less commercial/busselling-feel.

[EZ2Score21]

Great, great info above! I really appreciate the time you put into all that. I'll be sure to check out a few of those places.

[Indychic]

Originally Posted by mysticfire0213

I....am chopped liver...LOL

LMAO @ mystic. Great response, Mystic. I'm sure it was appreciated - well...I hope it was appreciated.

And now for my chopped liver response:

I'm also a graduate student - beginning in August at UTK. In my opinion, West Knox was too expensive for what I got. However, it is a nice side of town. Another nice side of town is the north-end of Knoxville. I have a condo (looks like a retirement village to me though) in the Fountain City/Inskip area. It's practically brand-spankin' new & it's only about a 5-10 minute drive into school on the highway.

For me, a quiet & safe area were my only requirements. However, I got a two bedroom, two bath place with a little yard. It's awesome for a grad student. Because my two bathrooms are attached to the bedrooms, it would have made the possibility of having a roomate very easy. For me personally, since I'm married, I will use the second bedroom as a guest room. It's great - and I'm very comfy here. Fountain City is awesome in general. Neat parks & locally owned eateries all around.

I'm paying about $300 more than I wanted to pay per month - but again - it's because it's new & has a few upgrades. I'm sure you'll be able to find whatever you're looking for in Knoxville. But, you may want to hurry up! All those other UT students will be looking for housing as well...that's why I scooped mine up early!

Good luck...