Looking to Move to Knoxville...Friendly Folks Welcome for Some Questions! (Oak Ridge: transplants, 2014)

[loveagrey1]

Hi all,

Gosh I must say this has got to be one of the friendliest and most informative city forums...REALLY!

I am not just sayin that either for responses...LOL! I have researched and researched my hiney off on a place for my husband and I to move and now we fixated on Knoxville...so, here is a little about us:

Currently live in Myrtle Beach, SC...from Pittsburgh, PA....we have no children, in our late 40's, have a retired racing greyhound that is the love of our lives, husband is a Corrections Officer with the county and I do Accounting...so anyway, looking at a few options for a move to Knoxville in probably the spring of 2014.....Could I possibly get just a little synopsis of these areas:

Oak Ridge, Farragut-Turkey Creek, Old North Knoxville, Bearden, East Knoxville..we are looking at housing (mainly townhouse/condo), shopping, activities, and especially parks to walk the dog...

Living here in Myrtle Beach..there is really only one main "real" nice shopping area and we live about 1/2hour away..would like to be closer to alot of shopping, restaurants...as far as jobs....we plan to visit and yes secure employment for at least my hubby before coming....I see the jail (presuming he would stay in corrections is pretty much downtown..right?) So, possibly commutes from those areas as well would help us alot!

Thanks so much..........looking foward to your responses!

[Barking Spider]

Knoxville and Oak Ridge have different police departments. There is also Knox County Sheriffs dept. Have no idea if any of them are hiring.

You will find condos in most of those areas, expect maybe Old North Knoxville. Shopping really depends on what you consider shopping and how far you are willing to drive.
Unless we knew what activities you were interested in, its hard to comment.
Dog walking parks are all over the place, but may not be close to where the condo complexes are.

All of the areas you listed are fairly good size (except Old North Knoxville), so the range of everything you asked about can really vary. Oak Ridge for instance, is spread out, so you may find a condo just fine, but its not close to shopping. Turkey Creek IS the shopping meca, but the condo you pick may not be that close.
By the way, there is a great bike/walking trail behind Turkey Creek that is great. There is also a great park and trail system in Beardon.

Of course, all of this can change by the time 2014 rolls around. :-)

[creeksitter]

Victor Ashe park is a popular dog park with a free range area - you could start your search near there, it's in a suburban area with newer developments.

I, too am surprised that you are considering areas as different as Turkey Creek and old North Knoxville. Very different vibes. Originally I thought - there are no condos in Old North but then I remembered Brownlow lofts in a converted school building. But my preference is Park Place in Parkridge another beautifully done school conversion that has the bonus of a swimming pool, gated grounds, a park across the street and a bigger park behind it.

[hiknapster]

I believe there is a facility in northeast Knox County, too. It very well may be that the downtown facility is just for holding but I'm not entirely sure.


Knox County Tennessee Sheriff

In any event, it is easy enough to reach them from anywhere in the county, especially the larger facility out on Maloneyville Road. Your husband would simply take I-640.

Old North is gentrifying, Parkridge is attempting to. If you like old homes near downtown then this is the place for you.

If you like shopping then West Knoxville and Turkey Creek would probably be a great choice. There is also a plethora of very good condos and townhomes. It's where most transplants settle, as well.

[loveagrey1]

Thank you all...I totally understand the different areas/vibes....that is why I asked for a short description of all the areas!!! We have never been to Knoxville and have no idea how to envision the areas....I plan to visit in the late spring and then both of us in the fall to see for ourselves...until then, I know where we get jobs will have alot to do with where we end up living....

As far as my husband obtaining employment..of course that is one of our biggest obstacles/adventures....he is a Corporal here and has many years experience in Corrections...some counties or states offer lateral moves for officers with experience so that is one avenue we have to go down and see if that can happen...my hubby plans to talk with some folks at the Sheriff's Dept and get a feel for things there....we know all about the good ole boy system..already living in Myrtle Beach for the last 10 years..soooooooo, anyway...I again thank you for your input.....

[StarfishTwo]

If you would like to be close to a lot of shopping and restaurants, I would focus on West Knoxville -- anywhere from the Bearden area to Turkey Creek and Farragut. The area is continually growing and adding new restaurants and shopping opportunities.