Best Neighborhoods in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville has a college-town side that can follow you right home. Fort Sanders, often called the Fort, sits by the University of Tennessee, where apartment life and the student calendar go together. The Old City has another kind of energy, with former warehouse buildings now part of a restaurant and nightlife district. Fourth and Gill offers historic residential streets within reach of downtown.

A place in the Fort might make getting to campus easy, but football weekends and student turnover are worth considering. The Old City can be fun when you're going out and considerably louder when you're trying to sleep. Fourth and Gill's older houses have appeal, along with the usual repair questions. For more space, look farther from downtown, but check city boundaries before assuming every Knoxville-area development shares the same services.

The Fort

College Students

“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.

  • The Fort
  • South Knoxville

Old City

Young Professionals

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.

  • Old City
  • University of Tennessee

Shady Grove

Families

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.

  • Shady Grove/Choto Estates
  • Oakwood
  • Fourth and Gill