Scouting trips to Knoxville (Central: living in, safe, moving to)

[BlueMarlin]

So a couple years ago I started getting the bug to move my family to Knoxville so I began researching it on here and have gotten some great information. Fast forward to a year later and the bug still exists and I keep getting random signs pointing me in this direction. While I'd still be a couple if not a few years away from moving I do want to begin looking a bit more seriously at the area. When I lived in Central America and people inquired about moving there I'd tell them to visit at the worst possible time of the rainy season and the hottest possible time of the dry season because if they liked it at those times they'd love it the rest of the time. (at least climate wise) I know everyone will have their own opinions but weather wise what are the worst times of year? For a little background my family currently lives in the desert so we know extreme heat and we used to live in tropical rain forest so we know humidity. Also what would the most beautiful time of year be?

[Barking Spider]

July is probably the worst and the best is split between spring and fall. Spring for the Dogwoods, and fall for the colors.

[hiknapster]

Worst for heat and humidity will probably be the end of July or perhaps from middle of July to first week of August. It does seem that if it is going to be really hot, it's the last week of July, but not a guarantee. For what it is worth, it doesn't become Central American hot and humid here.

Also, for coldest, I would consider middle of January to first week of February. That can change quite a bit, of course, but that's a general idea. It's not north US cold, by any means, but it will give you a good idea.

My favorite time of year is spring. However, the apex of spring when there are a lot of things blooming can be anywhere from second week of March to middle of April or so. Once again, there can be a wide flux depending on what kind of year we are having. For instance, this year we had almost all of the flowering trees done by the end of the first week of April. It was very early. The third and fourth week of March might be a safe bet. Maybe.

[BlueMarlin]

Thank you both for the replies. We are going to try and visit this summer and see if it's something we want to pursue. Then I'm afraid we're going to fall in love with the area and we'll need to get our a**es in gear and see if we're ready to take another leap of faith. I took a big one moving to Costa Rica in 1996 and a big one moving to Las Vegas 6 years ago and both worked out pretty good. I left a good job to return to the states and I'd be leaving a good job to move to TN but sometimes you just have to take a risk. I think I just find enjoyment in living in new places and luckily my wife and son are adventurous as well.

[Drift Away]

We currently live in central Mississippi and looking to relocate around Knoxville as well. We've made 3 scouting trips over the last year and a half to see the area at various times. Our first was at the very end of October and the fall colors were beautiful and temps were mild until a cold front moved in and dropped about a foot of snow in the Smokies. No snow, just cold rain in Knoxville. The second trip was late July and while it was hot, it was not Mississippi hot and I was thrilled to find I could be outdoors without breaking into a massive sweat. That's huge for me in that I'm trying to escape oppressive humidity. The final trip was late March and Hiknapster is right, the dogwoods and flowering trees put on quite a show. The air felt so crisp and refreshing and think I'd have to say springtime wins the prize. We like water sports, so love that the boating season here runs from April to November and in the summer, seems like it doesn't get dark till about 9:30, so lots more time to play! I've been tracking the weather and its really very similar to where we live now, just a longer spring and fall to enjoy, slightly colder winters, but a much more tolerable summer. We plan to make our move next spring!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Drift Away

We currently live in central Mississippi and looking to relocate around Knoxville as well. We've made 3 scouting trips over the last year and a half to see the area at various times. Our first was at the very end of October and the fall colors were beautiful and temps were mild until a cold front moved in and dropped about a foot of snow in the Smokies. No snow, just cold rain in Knoxville. The second trip was late July and while it was hot, it was not Mississippi hot and I was thrilled to find I could be outdoors without breaking into a massive sweat. That's huge for me in that I'm trying to escape oppressive humidity. The final trip was late March and Hiknapster is right, the dogwoods and flowering trees put on quite a show. The air felt so crisp and refreshing and think I'd have to say springtime wins the prize. We like water sports, so love that the boating season here runs from April to November and in the summer, seems like it doesn't get dark till about 9:30, so lots more time to play! I've been tracking the weather and its really very similar to where we live now, just a longer spring and fall to enjoy, slightly colder winters, but a much more tolerable summer. We plan to make our move next spring!

DEAD ON.

I've lived in New England and Southwest Florida so you can see why I feel the same way. The only thing I miss is the profusion of vibrant reds in the fall in New England. But they can have the incredibly long, cold and snowy winters and the practically non-existent springs.