Knoxville, TN is a historic, major city in central Tennessee with numerous attractions, world-class medical facilities and a large state university. It is a medium-sized city with a metro area population of approximately 860,000 people. It was founded in 1786, which means that there are buildings in the city that date back to the nation's early history.

Knoxville has a thriving economy and ample job opportunities, which makes it an ideal location to move to. In addition, the traffic tends to be less congested than in large major cities like Atlanta, Boston and New York. Also, if you are thinking of pursuing higher education, you might want to move to Knoxville. That is because it is home to one of the main campus of the University of Tennessee.

You'll quickly learn that Knoxville revolves around UT football. If you aren't a fan now you will be soon after moving here.

 

Also, the city offers an affordable cost of living and high-quality public schools. In addition, there are plenty of things to do in the city, such as hiking, visiting parks, swimming/boating in the region's lakes and listening to live music downtown. Here are a few of the most important things to know about this community:

The City Has a Low Cost of Living

Not only does the region have a low overall cost of living, but utility costs are quite low as well. Utilities cost $144 a month on average, which is 9% less than the United States average.

Home prices are relatively low throughout the Knoxville area as with other areas in the southeastern US. This means that rent prices are relatively low as well. In fact, the average home price in the city is ... and the average rent is $1,301 a month. This makes it around 9% less than the US average.

On average, the cost of groceries is similar to most other areas in the lower 48. The average individual spends $279 on groceries per month.

If you are an active person, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities within the city. In fact, it features numerous parks, which are great for walking and bicycling. You will also be able to take walls on the university campus.

The City Has a Thriving Job Market and Economy

The university offers numerous jobs. Not only does this include opportunities for professors, but it also includes numerous job opportunities in the school's facilities (e.g. dining hall staff, maintenance positions, groundskeepers, etc.).

If you are interested in pursuing higher education, there are numerous degree programs that you can choose from. Here are a few examples of degree programs that the school is known for:

• • Agricultural Studies

• • Architecture and Design

• • Law

• • Engineering

• • Social Work

• • Veterinary Medicine

In addition, the city has a thriving tech sector. This creates numerous opportunities for software engineers, IT specialists and programmers. Here are a few examples of tech companies that are located in the city:

• • RCN Technologies

• • Prince Technologies LLC

• • Metadata Technology North America

• • GRIDSMART

• • The White Stone Group

• • Wave

The city also has a thriving manufacturing sector. Here are a few examples of industries that employ a significant number of people in the area:

• • Carotek Inc.

• • Smalley Manufacturing Company

• • Mid-Lakes Manufacturing Company

• • Manufacturing Management Malta

What is the Unemployment Rate?

The city is in good overall economic health. However, there is an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Though, the US average stands at 4.1%.

Neighborhoods and Housing Options in Knoxville, TN

Some of the most popular neighborhoods are Downtown, Fountain City, Bearden and Farragut. The downtown area is located near many of the city's restaurants and nightlife spots. In addition, the city is home to Fort Knox, which is the largest area of gold storage in the United States. Some attractions within the city are the Sunsphere, the Knoxville Museum of Art and Zoo Knoxville.

Furthermore, there are plenty of options for real estate outside of the city. There is a significant area of suburbs surrounding Knoxville, and you will be able to commute to the city quite easily from these locations.

Though, the metropolitan region is surrounded by vast rural areas, which include expanses of farmland as far as the eye can see. While it is sometimes too far to easily commute to the city from these areas, you can find rural areas within a very short drive from the city.

You will be able to choose from a full range of options when it comes to housing. You will be able to find 1 and 2 bedroom houses, larger homes, mobile homes and apartments for rent in and around the city of Knoxville. Here are the typical prices for the most popular housing options:

• • 1-bedroom house for sale: $440,000

• • 2-bedroom for rent: $1,695/month

• • Studio Apartment: $1,049/month

Schools and Education

The city features some of the best opportunities for education in the country. While it offers an excellent public school system, there are also plenty of private schools to choose from, such as these:

• • Berean Christian School

• • St. Joseph School

• • First Lutheran Church and School

• • Christian Academy of Knoxville

The city is home to the University of Tennessee's biggest campus. In fact, approximately 33,805 students attend this school, and it attracts students from across the state and outside of it. If you are interested in learning more about the local schools, you can visit the Knox County School website for information.

Pellissippi State is also located in Knox County. This school has approximately ... students and offers a community college education. You will be able to choose from a wide range of degree programs there, including these:

• • Criminal Justice

• • Liberal Arts

• • Nursing

Outdoor and Recreational Activities

The city is located approximately 40 miles from the Smoky Mountains, which offer spectacular views, numerous hiking trails and the highest summits on the east coast. This region is home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is located in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

In addition, there are plenty of hiking trails near the city. You can find these trails in some of the city's parks, including Tommy Schumpert Park.

In addition to popular parks (e.g. Adair Park, Buck Toms Park, Caswell Park, Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickinson Park, etc.), there also are several lakes located within the city limits. Douglas Lake, Norris Lake, Cherokee Lake, Watts Bar Lake, Tellico Lake, Melton Hill Lake and Fort Loudon Lake all offer excellent aquatic recreation opportunities.

There are also several local sports teams within the city, including the Ice Bears (hockey) and Tennessee Smokies (baseball). These teams play at local stadiums within the city and elsewhere in the country.

There also are several fairs that take place annually in the city, such as the Tennessee Valley Fair, the Knoxville Kid's Fair and World's Fair Park and Festival. The Big Ears Festival, The Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival and the Dogwood Arts Festival all take place within the city.

The Weather and Climate of Knoxville

Knoxville features a moderate climate with relatively hot, humid summers and mild winters. Summers tend to be hot with highs averaging in the upper 80s and in the upper 40s during the winter. Lows tend to be in the upper 60s during the summer and around 30 during the winter.

Snow can occasionally occur during winters, but it rarely accumulates more than a few inches or lasts for long. Precipitation is fairly common throughout the year, and the city receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall per year.

Overall, it tends to feature significantly milder winters than average for the US and somewhat warmer summers. In general, you should prepare for hot summers, which tend to feature high humidity. Temperatures can occasionally top 100 degrees during the summer months.

The Local Culture and Community of Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee is known for its southern hospitality and community values. Also, you will be able to enjoy outdoor concerts during the summer months, and you can often find live music at local venues in the city. One of the most famous cultural events in the city is the Dogwood Arts Festival.

Overall, the city is known for its active nightlife and music scene. Due to the university, there are numerous bars located throughout the downtown region of the city.

Dining and Entertainment in Knoxville, TN

There are numerous restaurants located in downtown Knoxville, and you will be able to find lots of options for BBQ and southern cuisine. In fact, the state of Tennessee is famous for these types of restaurants. In addition, there are coffee shops located in the downtown region of the city.

Furthermore, you will be able to find several local breweries in the city. Some of the best microbreweries are the Downtown Grill and Brewery and the Bearden Brewhouse. These beers are all served in-house. In addition, Hi-Wire and Yee-Haw Brewing are both located within the city, and they distribute throughout Tennessee and elsewhere in the United States. In addition, other breweries and microbreweries are located in and around the city.

One of the best places to go for live music is the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. This large stadium features excellent acoustics. In addition, you will be able to enjoy football games at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium. The Bijou Theater, Laurel Theater and Theater Knoxville are all great options for theatrical performances.

You will also be able to enjoy local bands at many of the bars within the city. In fact, there are live music performances almost every night in the downtown area of the city. You will be able to find plenty of options for parking on the street and in lots in the city's downtown.

Transportation in Knoxville, TN and Accessibility

On average, you can expect 25 minutes for a commute within Knoxville, Tennessee. Of course, this varies considerably depending on your specific route and traffic conditions. Downtown Knoxville is fairly walk-friendly, but you will certainly need a car in areas away from the downtown and bus routes.

The Pellissippi Parkway is a highway that connects different parts of the Knoxville area. In addition, I-40 passes near Knoxville, Tennessee. This major highway goes from coast to coast. Also, I-65 passes through the area and offers highway transportation from location to location within the city.

The city is located within approximately 2 hours of Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, the city is not far from Asheville, North Carolina, which is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

Healthcare Facilities and Services in Knoxville, Tennessee

The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and the East Tennesse Children's Hospital are all located within the city. These hospitals all offer world-class care, including emergency services. In addition, you will be able to find a wide range of specialists at these hospitals and elsewhere within the city. In fact, Knoxville offers excellent healthcare, including services for seniors and families.

Relocation Tips and Resources

If you are moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, it is important to ensure that your vehicle has an up-to-date registration. You can be fined for having an unregistered vehicle in the state of Tennessee. Also, make sure that your driver's license is up-to-date.

After you have purchased a property in the area, you will need to get your utilities set up right away. Luckily, you will be able to choose from a wide range of options for contractors in the area. You also will be able to find local storage for your belongings before your new home is ready to move into. You also will need to hire a local moving service to transport your things to your new home. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In addition, there are newcomers' social groups in Knoxville, which you can find on Facebook and other social media platforms. You can learn about things to do in the area by reading local newspapers and by going to the city's visitor center.

Take a Trip to Knoxville to See if It is Right for You

If you are interested in learning more about the city, the best way to do it is by traveling there. You will be able to choose from a wide range of hotels, AirBnBs and more. Overall, Knoxville is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and it also offers lots of cultural attractions, dining options and job opportunities. Even if you decide that Knoxville is not where you want to move, you certainly will be able to find plenty of fun activities throughout the region.