House hunting trip coming up need advice. (Knoxville, Maryville: for sale, real estate)

[Onmaywayhome09]

My wife and I will be relocating to Knoxville soon and I am wondering about the West Knoxville area. Our housing budget is around $220k. Coming from Florida I hate the cookie cutter home we live in now. The houses are just way too close together and have no backyard to speak of. I work from home and my wife is in outside sales, so commuting is not a concern. We are looking for at least 4br and 2400 sqft, and good school system. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Servpro Will]

OnMyWay,

Congrats on the relo to Knoxville. In that budget, you've certainly got some options. There's plenty of subdivisions that will accomodate those specific needs and requirements you have, it would basically be just a matter of scouring the market for what fits you best. There's some good developments such a Snyder Ridge, Jenkins Creek, Arbor Gate, Middlebrook Ridge, and more that will be newer style homes and fall into your comfort zone on price and size. The lots won't be huge, but some are decent sized and located in good school systems. They won't be cookie cutter, though they will be "architecturally similar" in design and style. Other than the newer establishments, there's a host of older neighborhoods in Knoxville that have great mature lots, beautiful homes, and character on the differentiating designs. Anything west of Papermill Drive will put you basically in West Knoxille and located in what most consider very good school districts. Best of luck with the new move!

[JMT]

Definitely listen to William Sold!

I have friends who live in beautiful homes in the West Hills area which has homes about the size you mentioned and about the price range you mentioned. The homes aren't fancy, but they're clean, convenient, and generally have big lots. I believe that part of town was developed in the 60s and 70s so some of the homes look like something you'd see in The Brady Bunch. But I happen to like that style.

I believe that entire area is zoned for Bearden High School which is a very, very good school.

[knoxgarden]

I add another vote for West Hills. It's one of the flatest places in Knoxville. It also has huge parks, a big YMCA and big churches with rec programs and lots of city parks. It's the sort of place you can let the kids ride around on bikes and walk to places.
You'll find a good mix of people from seniors who raised families there to new families starting out and everything in between.
When I first moved to Knoxville I delivered the Wall Street Journal and a delivered a lot in West Hills.
The Rocky Hill area is also nice. Well regarded elementary school there. Look at MLS ID #652295 for the sort of house/lot you'll find around there. Zip is 37919.

[Servpro Will]

As JMT and KnoxGarden have stated, West Hills is a great, almost semi-historic neighborhood for the latter half of the century for West Knox. It encompasses a large circular area just north of I40, with a lot of stlyles to boast. Just west of that, Crestwood Hills has some nice homes with larger lots and well within reason pricewise. Also Gulfwood, Lovell Hills, and a few neighborhoods off Middlebrook Pike are great options. There's a lot of relaxing neighborhoods, and for your home based work, avoiding too much traffic and noise may suit you best. Hope that helps...

BTW, I was rereading your post title and realized I never really gave advice other than stating some areas. This is a great buyers market right now in Knoxville. Not to mean prices are exceptionally low and everything is a steal, but...houses are very reasonably priced, and the best thing is, there's a LOT of them out there right now. My best advice is to take a look around, it's out there. Make sure you get a great feel for the area. West Knoxville is large, so finding the area that's best for you may take a day or two of navigating around and see the stores and restaurants and conveniences nearby. You can change the interiors and ammenities of a home, but you can't change where it's at, so finding "your" spot in Knoxville would be high priority.

[Tn405]

West Hills has great looking homes, Crestwood Hills gets a vote too and there is also an area off Kingston and Cedar Bluff kind of behind Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church that I like the houses. I have found here the yards are much bigger than Florida. I too did not want a cookie cutter.

Hope you enjoy it here in Tennessee. Where are you in Florida?

[Kitties of Domination]

If you can get in, it's hard to beat Sequoyah Hills for unique houses and great yards.

[creeksitter]

No going to happen in that size and price range. But the other suggestions are good. I like the neighborhood behind Cedar Springs because there are some great views of the Smokies on the south side of the hill.

[aquarijen]

Gulf Park and Belmont West get my vote for you.

Yes, yes, I have a house for sale in Gulf Park, but that's not why I mentioned it -- my house only has three bedrooms, so it wouldn't suit. I mentioned it because we lived there and know the lots have around 1/2 to 1 acre each and in your price range, a 4 bedroom house would be in good condition, there is a neighborhood pool and an active (voluntary) civic group. Also, the school district would be the best (IMO) - it would be Cedar Bluff Schools (for elementary, Intermediate and Middle) and Hardin Valley Academy (for High).
Mature trees, close to everything and no cookie cutter homes.

[SingaGal]

We are looking into the possibility of relocating to Maryville. So far, the houses listed in many of the real estates online btw $150-250 (our budget) did not stand out as something we're looking for, with the exception of 2-3 victorian houses. We are into old houses, circa 1900-1920 type, 3 beds, basement and garage.. and yes, preferably w/ fireplaces as well. Not to mention safe neighborhood with suburban living close to city conveniences.

Tips from anyone would be so appreciated.