PING: Knoxville Area Residents
 

Radii just informed me that he has been contacted by a recruiter about a job in Knoxville, TN. He needs to let the guy know tonight or tomorrow is he is even interested in starting the interview process...I've checked a cost of living comparison, and Knoxville is about 16% lower than Atlanta, which is good, but having never been to Knoxville (except to drive through it), we know nothing about the city. Does anyone live in Knoxville, or know the area? We are mainly wanting to know about housing prices, schools, the good areas to live, etc...

Thanks guys!

I miss Knoxville. :(

I lived in Lenoir City, just outside of Knoxville. I was just a kid and it's been about 15 years.

I lived there as a student. Loved it.

I could never live in that area. There is just too much orange.

There's a surprising amount of Orange in Memphis...at least there was the last time I was there.

Better more Orange than Liberty Land.

Go Vols!

I lived in Bristol for about 5 years. While it's considerably north from Bristol, Tennessee was a pretty decent place to live. I'd probably look to live a bit outside of town and perhaps commute. But you could definately get a house there for a pretty good price, probably a ton less than what you would pay in Atlanta, and I doubt you'd have the traffic gridlock. One issue with TN is that there is a high sales tax, or at least it was around 8.5 percent when I lived there. But there wasn't an income tax at that point, so i guess you would save money that way.

Knoxville is an awesome place. I was out there for 5-6 months with a crappy job, but it was a great place to live. As other mentioned, you will have your retinas burned by the amount of orange there.

I've never personally been there but my best friend's older brother recieved a promotion and had to move to Knoxville and he claims the area is more prejudiced than normal. Take that for what it's worth.

normal = ???

I currently live in Maryville, which is about 15 miles south of Knoxville and somewhat of a suburb of Knox. If you can call anything a suburb as knoxville is a city that is spread out with a rural city feel. Phillip Fulmer the UT Head Football coach lives in Maryville along with many others who commute to Knoxville (20-30 minute drive).

The best school systems in the area are Maryville City Schools and Oak Ridge City Schools. This is by test scores. The Farragut area has the best schools within the knox county school system and is generally the most affluent area in Knoxville.

I've lived both in Atlanta (City of Decatur) and the Koxville area. Housing costs for the better areas of knoxville will compare fairly well to some of the suburbs in the outreaching areas of Atlanta. Most people who are looking for housing closest to prime shopping and highest average quality for home value and schools will seek to live West of the city. There are other pleasant area's in the north east of downtown and some who choose a more rural or country fair will live Southeast in Seymour or Sevierville. It is what many call "redneck", but not really that bad.

Without knowing where you live in Atlanta it is hard to compare, but I pay city and county taxes in Maryville which are about 30% cheaper than what I paid in Decatur and my house is about 37% bigger in Maryville. As someone mentioned the sales tax is around 9%, but there is no state income tax. Additionally it cost $35 to register a vehicle and $25/year after that. Some counties charge a wheel tax, which on the high end may be $100. I live in Blount county where there is no wheel tax. My car costs $25/year to register compared to $300/year in Atlanta.

General cost for most products is slightly cheaper in Knoxville and you can pretty much find anything you want. You would not have the prime shopping opportunities that Atlanta area wholesale outlets offer. Neither will you find the high end spectum of choice that Atlanta offers. Basically Atlanta's got Bling Bling and Knox has maybe some Bling. But hey, you have a lot less crime and a pleasant mountain backdrop. So if you like the outdoors, that is a bonus.

Personally I missed Atlanta and the access to great concerts and shopping and pro sports. All of which you have in Knoxville, but to a lesser degree. But all in all I rate both locations about equal in enjoyment. Knoxville is generally cleaner, cheaper, safer and offers stronger support for an outdoors lifestyle.

Regarding the comment about Knoxville being prejudice, I could not disagree more. You do not have the level of diversity found in Atlanta, but people are very receptive and accepting of anyone who is a decent person.

Dola,

in fact I just got back from a free concert offerred downtown featuring Little Feat. The city runs a Spring concert series that is free and runs from April through May. In early may Government Mule will be featured. Last year they had Steve Winwood and The Neville Brothers. Really not a bad deal for a free concert.

There was an Italian festival downtown last weekend, featuring food, music and art. That just gives you an idea of some of the community events the city supports.

I find that living in the same state as Knoxville and being a Bulldog to the core that I have to paint myself black and red from time to time to ward off any stray orange that may drift my way.