Sign In Register
Ariana best-worst

Knoxville is underrated, change my mind

Been meaning to ask this. I'm a 51-year-old restaurant manager and Household incomes average around $70,136 in Knoxville. Homes are going for about $147,600 on average. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. The median home value here is around $147,600, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $70,136, which feels about average for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.

Pros:
- Good job market
- Good schools
- Good healthcare facilities

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Rising rent prices
- Boring for young people
- Chain restaurants dominate
What do you all think? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
10 upvotes

5 Replies

Frank S.
great question, following
19 upvotes
Connor M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
William Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Daniel R.
following this thread
7 upvotes
Eleanor Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
4 upvotes
← Back to Knoxville Community