Skip To Main Content
Moving
Thursday, October 20, 2022

The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee USA

The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Knoxville

Are you thinking about moving to Knoxville? Lucky you! This charming Tennessee city has a lot to offer, from its lively downtown to its many historic neighborhoods. The state’s third-largest city attracts people for its diverse job market, quality education, and proximity to beautiful outdoor amenities. In town, locals enjoy a full roster of arts, culture, and lifestyle amenities.

But with so many great places to live in Knoxville, it can be hard to decide where to call home. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best neighborhoods in Knoxville. Get your home search started with these top picks:

Downtown

Downtown Knoxville aerial view

More than 146,000 people call downtown Knoxville home, and they love being close to where they work. Being central in the city, you’re never far from shopping, dining, and entertainment, plus great schools and places to work.

The iconic Sunsphere, the World’s Fair tower built in 1982, is one of Knoxville’s most recognizable landmarks. Surrounding the World’s Fair Park is an abundant selection of shopping, dining, nightlife, and entertainment. Market Square and Gay Street are two destinations packed with things to do. Visi the creative restaurants, an art market gallery, a historic theater, and boutique fashion stores.

Residents can walk to these downtown destinations, plus recreation areas, like Fort Kid, an urban playground recently renovated.

The Downtown area is experiencing a resurgence, with developers converting old office and warehouse structures into condominiums, commercial offices, and apartments. Central Downtown had ten homes for sale in October 2022, with a median list price of $592,000.

Old City

Old City Knoxville Rainy Season

Old City is Knoxville’s vibrant and historic cultural epicenter. With an alternative vibe, Old City is home to boutiques, artisanal bakeries, third-wave coffee shops, and trendy restaurants housed in beautiful 19th-century buildings. The Historic Tennessee Theatre is also located in Old City.

Residents are part of the downtown Knoxville scene. Many of Knoxville’s public events, such as races and cultural festivals, occur in Old City. Enjoy live music and plays, or go on art walks here. It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for an urban environment with plenty of things to do.

A neighborhood transformed but preserved, Old City features many rehabbed historic buildings and homes.

Oakwood

Oakwood is a historic neighborhood located in north Knoxville about 2.5 miles from downtown. It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for an urban environment without living in a downtown core.

The neighborhood is home to several parks, including Caswell Park and Oakwood Heritage Park. While primarily residential, locals do have some restaurant and dining hotspots to enjoy. Local schools are among the best in the area and include a magnet Arts & Honors Academy.

The homes here have a distinct architectural style and aesthetic for Knoxville housing. Many were built between the 1920s and 1950s. However, there are also townhomes and condos. Oakwood had six listings in October 2022 for a median list price of $270,000.

Fourth and Gill

Fourth and Gill is a historic neighborhood located in east Knoxville, about five minutes from downtown. Residents of this neighborhood have easy access to specialty dining and shops in the city center. It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for an urban environment with lots of activities.

The neighborhood is home to several parks, including Chilhowee Park and Knoxville Zoo. It’s convenient having Broadway Avenue close by for running errands or picking up groceries.

In the center of the neighborhood is a charming one-acre park featuring a beautiful gazebo, picnic tables, and a playground, all shaded by a canopy of large trees. The quaint streets are lined with gardens. There’s a strong sense of community, as the residents host events and competitions during the year.

Fourth and Gill is well-known for its beautiful Victorian-style historic homes, many erected in the late 1800s. Most houses around here follow either the Queen-Anne or Craftsman architectural styles, with a few Gothic Revival, American Foursquare, and Colonial Revival homes mixed in. October 2022 had two listings with a median price of $375,000.

Old North Knoxville

Old North Knoxville is an up-and-coming neighborhood attracting young professionals and families in recent years. It’s located about three miles north of downtown and is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city.

Residents enjoy several parks, including Carl Cowan Park and Knoxville Botanical Garden. Shops and restaurants are concentrated along North Central Street. For families, the schools are some of the best in Knoxville.

This neighborhood is full of historic homes, many of which have been beautifully restored. You’ll find a mix of architectural styles here, including Victorian, Craftsman, Bungalow, and more. In October 2022, there were ten homes on the market with a median list price of $260,000.

Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge is a historic neighborhood with a lot of character. The suburb is northwest of downtown and is home to about 29,000 people.

Oak Ridge was founded in 1942 as the secret city for the Manhattan Project. Today, it’s known for its museums, live music venues, and outdoor recreation. The American Museum of Science and Energy is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Oak Ridge. For live music lovers, the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra performs at the historic Palace Theater. And outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy being close to Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, which offers more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Commuting into Knoxville is made easy by Interstate 40. Downtown is 25 miles away. Plus, its crime rates are relatively low, and housing is pretty affordable.

There were 203 homes for sale in Oak Ridge in October 2022, with a median list price of $299,500.

Alcoa

Alcoa Knoxville TN

Alcoa is a city in Blount County, south of Knoxville. The town is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, which lie southeast. It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for a smaller community feel with all the amenities of a big city. Access is easy, as Highway 129 transports you directly to the University of Tennessee.

The city was founded in 1919 and is best known as home to the Alcoa aluminum company. Today, this once heavily industrial town is a thriving community where residents enjoy a slower pace of life. The city has its own airport, which makes traveling easy. There are also several parks, recreation areas, golf courses, and tennis courts.

In October 2022, there were 30 homes for sale in Alcoa, with a median list price of $344,900.

Maryville

panoramic view of mountains near Maryville

Maryville is next to Alcoa in Blount County and a 30 minutes drive south of downtown Knoxville. Like its neighbor, it has that small-town feel while still providing residents with various shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

The city was founded in 1785 and is best known for being the home of Maryville College. Today, Maryville is positioned near the airport and the Great Smoky Mountains. Residents have stunning views and live beside the rolling Tennessee foothills and farmlands. Several parks provide a place for sports, walking, and playgrounds. Uniquely, it has a drive-in movie theater.

Maryville is located near popular tourist destinations like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Top of the World, Tennessee, making exploring some of Tennessee’s top attractions convenient. Closer to home, it has a charming downtown area with local boutique stores, dining, and country music venues.

Outdoor activities are almost limitless–trekking, camping, fishing, cycling, and motorbike touring, to name a few.

In October 2022, there were 487 homes for sale in the greater Maryville area, with a median list price of $400,000.

Farragut

a peaceful park near Farragut

Farragut is a desirable suburb of Knoxville located in Knox County. Downtown is 17 miles away. Locals live beside Fort Loundon Lake on the Tennessee River.

Farragut has a rural feel, as it is surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, but it is a thriving community with high-end amenities. Turkey Lake Shopping Center is a collection of chain retail and local entrepreneurs that covers all your needs.

The city has its own library, making it easy to access books and other resources. Residents have four town parks, a 15-mile greenway trail, and a beach at The Cove at Concord Park. Golf courses like Willow Creek Golf Club are local places to play.

The area has a quiet, small-town vibe with many sizable single-family homes. In addition, the schools nearby have excellent ratings, which makes this neighborhood attractive to many families.

In October 2022, there were 184 homes for sale in Farragut, with a median list price of $677,500.

Best Neighborhoods in Knoxville

These are just a few of the best places to live in Knoxville! Each neighborhood has its own unique charm and amenities. Whether looking for an urban environment with lots of things to do or a more suburban setting, you’re sure to find the perfect place to call home in Knoxville. As you look more into the area, brush up on what you need to know for your move to Tennessee.

Start Your Home Search

NEAR ME

Preston Guyton

Share this Post

Related Articles

Start Your Home Search

NEAR ME