I think being from East Tennessee, you're kinda born with a little lonesome in your soul, in your blood. You know you've got that Appalachian soul.
-Ashley Monroe: Singer
Things are different here in Knoxville. Located along the Appalachian Mountains, Knoxville has great access to outdoor play areas ranging from mountain trails, to river kayaking. The city itself, has in part the feeling of a college town due to the presence of the University of Tennessee, but it also offers an amazing amount of cultural and commercial opportunities more commonly associated with larger cities. This includes great museums, a highly regarded zoo, and the wonderful downtown Market Square area -- a pedestrian mall that is the center for downtown events, rallies, concerts, hotels, shopping and bars.
Here's a quick review from a self-described "Yankee-transplant":
Anyway, I agree that Knoxville has something for everyone, no matter who you are or where you hail from. I’m a Yankee transplant (40 years ago) and I love the four distinct seasons (with little need to own a snow shovel). I love the nearby hiking in the Smokies and boating on the many TVA lakes. I love the resurgence of downtown with many apartments and lofts that are popular with young professionals. There’s the Symphony plus dozens of venues for up-and-coming performers from country to edgy.
Looking at the city as a whole, the economy has started to slow in Knoxville. Around a quarter of the city lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate could be better. Knoxville is a great spot to relocate to, particularly for those comfortable with more right leaning politics, but you might want to find yourself a job before packing everything up and settling down here.
Here's a local with a pov on living here: I’ve spent my 20s and 30s in Knoxville. Lots of good loca restaurants and bars. Music scene is getting better with big arena shows at Thompson Bowling Arena and smaller venues like TN theater, Bijou, Mill and Mine. Knoxville is very democratic but knox county leans red, as does the whole state. Our legislature is generally terrible (see our brand new total abortion ban with no exceptions at all). It’s very close to the smokey mountains and Asheville, NC. Just three hours to Nashville or Atlanta if you want to visit a big city or see a concert.
Home prices in Knoxville are phenomenal when compared to the national average, and a lot of the architecture here is early 20th century. The neighborhoods around the University are primarily comprised of young people, with a large number of other neighborhoods offering a family-friendly feel of suburban and small-town life. You’ll need a car for navigating around Knoxville, but know there is a surprising amount of traffic for a city this size.
If you're curious what people do in Knoxville then check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitknoxville.com/events/
The elevation of Knoxville shields the city from the brutal summers the rest of the south experiences but still has the lower prices and taxes that pull people south from Northeast and Western states. This means you can take advantage of local parks, and the Great Smoky Mountains Park year round, while holding on to a few more of the bucks you earn.
“The Fort” is the area around the University of Tennessee where most students live. It’s a jumping neighborhood with plenty of apartments for inexpensive living, tons of bars and restaurants and all a short walk or shuttle bus to campus. It also has two hospitals so plenty of medical professionals also live here and give the area more than just a college vibe. Graduate students looking for a more quiet scene will often choose South Knoxville, just across the river from campus.
Old City (Warehouse District) is the coolest neighborhood in the city, with youngsters flocking here for the remodeled, affordable housing and tons of bars and restaurants that make it a nightlife haven. Some graduates also choose to remain in the University of Tennessee neighborhood to keep living that Volunteer lifestyle.
Shady Grove/Choto Estates is a great starting point for families moving to Knoxville. It ranks among the best neighborhoods in the state for the quality of the schools, safety, and percentage of homes that are owned. Great homes, beautiful kid-friendly streets, and a tight community make it perfect for new families. If you’re looking for a more social environment look at Fourth and Gill. Just minutes from Downtown the neighborhood has a mix of young professionals, families and retirees. Nearby Broadway Ave also gives locals easy access to all the shopping, restaurants and bars you could want.
