By Jessica Karsten

10 | KNOXVILLE CHAMBER knoxvillechamber.com

Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Valley, Knoxville is a vibrant city

that has something for everyone.
With a solid real estate market,
unique residential neighborhoods,
access to quality healthcare, and an
emphasis on sustainability and energy
conservation, anyone can benefit from
calling Knoxville their home.

Living Comfortably

Living in the Knoxville area offers

a variety of benefits depending on
ones housing and recreational tastes.
With varied residential neighborhoods, numerous public parks, several
lakes, and the Smoky Mountains just
a short distance away, Knoxville is a
relaxing, naturally beautiful location
to settle down.
The median sales price for homes
in Knox County is approximately
$169,900, with an average list price at
nearly $266,810. Compared to other
locations local property taxes are
considerably low, with Knox County
taxes at $2.32 per $100 assessed value,
and interest rates are low compared to
other areas. Johnnie Creel of the
Creel Group of Keller Williams
Realty believes these factors make
Knoxville a great place for relocation.
Its a great time to be buying in
Knoxville because of the low interest

rates and because it is still a buyers

market, says Creel. We have older,
nice neighborhoods with luxury,
upscale homes, as well as more
affordable neighborhoods.
In the heart of Knoxville lies
downtowns industrial-chic and
contemporary lofts and condos, many
fully restored with original elegance
yet offering modern amenities.
Conveniently located near shops,
restaurants, bars, and theaters,
downtown residents experience
unique activities on a daily basis.
Urban living, minimal home maintenance, and new adventures await
those wishing to settle down in the
downtown area.
Old North Knoxville features the
Fourth & Gill Neighborhood and
Happy Holler, an entertainment and
shopping destination with historical
charm dating back to its popularity
during prohibition. Its commercial
district is one of four East Tennessee
locations added to the National
Register of Historic Places, and the
area is currently experiencing newly
found public interest and growth.
On the south bank of the Tennessee River lies the South Knoxville area
and Island Home, an inviting and
quaint neighborhood featuring
primarily bungalow-style homes. The

neighborhood includes nearly 100

historical homes along the unique
central boulevard that was once a
streetcar line. This area also features
Ijams Nature Center, a sanctuary for
visitors of all ages to interact with and
experience nature.
West Knoxville is home to the
largest population concentration.
Neighborhoods range from the
historical, stately residences in
Sequoyah Hills to bungalows in
Bearden, as well as ranch-style living
in West Hills. For those who prefer
newer construction, Gettysvue Polo,
Golf and Country Club and large
subdivisions like Whittington Creek
can be found a bit further west.
The town of Farragut is located in
the far southwest corner of Knox
County and is a popular suburb, offering assorted housing options, lots of
shopping, and several parks.

Living Well

Nationally renowned healthcare

facilities dominate the region,
providing residents access to a variety
of care options and medical technological advances. From treating heart
conditions to providing new methods
of radiation therapy, local healthcare
facilities consistently provide topnotch care for anyone requiring

RELOCATION GUIDE knoxvillechamber.com | 11

medical treatment.
With nine acute care hospitals in the
region, Covenant Health is a leading
healthcare provider dedicated to quality
treatment. In 2013, U.S. News & World
Report named three Covenant Health
hospitals on its list of the Top 10 Best
Hospitals in Tennessee. Employing
about 10,000 people and working with
nearly 1,500 affiliated physicians, these
healthcare professionals provide care to
thousands of people in East Tennessee.
As the regions only academic
medical center and Level I Trauma
Center, the University of Tennessee
Medical Center has a long history of
providing patient-centered care and
acting as a leading resource for research
and updated treatments. Ranked the
best hospital in East Tennessee by U.S.
News & World Report, it has been
nationally ranked in pulmonology and
recognized for high performance in 10
adult specialties. It is also the regions
first Magnet hospital, with national
recognition for its quality patient care,
nursing excellence, and innovation in
its nursing practices.
Tennova Healthcare prides itself on
being a faith-based healthcare system
with a mission of improving the health
and well-being of the region through
its seven hospitals and numerous
healthcare service facilities. The system
boasts the regions first accredited chest
pain center, a robotic surgery center,
and advanced sleep centers. Tennova is
not only dedicated to improving the
health of the region, but also the local
economy. In the past five years alone,
Tennova has invested $211.6 million in
the community for facility and service
improvements
East Tennessee Childrens Hospital
serves infants, children, and teens as a
non-profit pediatric medical center, and
is the only state certified Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Medical Center
in East Tennessee. The hospital offers a
variety of pediatric services including
neonatal and pediatric transport
programs, and is a Center of Excellence
for cystic fibrosis. The Childrens
Hospital was recently named one of the
top childrens hospitals in the country
by the Leapfrog Group. The hospital is
currently working on a 245,000-squarefoot expansion what will feature
12 | KNOXVILLE CHAMBER knoxvillechamber.com

program and support space for patients

with chronic conditions.
Provision Center for Proton Therapy
provides an advanced form of radiation
therapy, the first of its kind in Tennessee. Proton therapy uses a beam of
high-energy protons to treat various
forms of cancer, including brain and
breast cancers. It treats tumors by
directing radiation to the site and
killing cancerous cells. Patients at this
facility will receive advanced treatment
options, while settling comfortably in
treatment units.
Composed of 215 physicians who
encounter nearly 1 million patients
annually, Summit Medical Group is
one of East Tennessees largest primary
care organizations. Its physicians were
ranked top 10 in the nation in all
categories for the National Committee
for Quality Assurance recognition.
Summit services include four afterhours care centers, express clinics, and
laboratory services.

Living Green

Sustainability and energy conservation have become important in areas

with steady economic development and
growth, including the City of Knoxville. Knoxville was recognized in
November 2014 as the No. 2 place for
Green Jobs by Change the Equation.
Knoxville made the list because of its
many jobs in clean energy, land
management, and environmental
stewardship.

The City of Knoxville, through

organizations like the Tennessee Valley
Authority, has created a variety of
sustainability initiatives to reduce
energy consumption and enhance the
competitiveness of the region. These
initiatives focus on reusing existing
infrastructure, minimizing waste, and
creating a transportation network
supporting walking, biking, and public
transit.
The TVA Valley Sustainable
Communities Program provides
assistance in developing and implementing these sustainability efforts and
offers three levels of qualification based
on a points system. Communities can
earn points in numerous categories by
implementing sustainability policies
and can receive a Platinum, Gold, or
Silver qualification. Knoxville was first
large city in the state of Tennessee to
receive a Platinum level qualification;
Oak Ridge and Roane County received
a Platinum and Silver level qualification, respectively.
Sustainability is another word for
business-friendly, said Andrew
Lawson, TVA regional development
consultant. Thats why Knoxvilles
commitment to green, sustainable
assets and its achievement of Platinum
in TVAs Valley Sustainable Community economic development program
gives Knoxville a competitive advantage
to attract new jobs and business
investment.
Educating communities and

providing
resources are
primary methods
of promoting
sustainable
activities and
programs. The city
of Knoxville
Office of Sustainability developed
an energy and
sustainability
work plan, which
outlines the citys
goals for sustainable growth,
including the
development of
various school-based programs, community
outreach efforts, business incentives, and
workforce education.
This dedication to energy conservation
and sustainability has yielded substantial
results including a 6 percent reduction in
natural gas consumption and an 8 percent
reduction in water consumption. Also, the
city has recently added nearly eight miles of

greenways and bike lanes, as well as

improving bike parking facilities.
As Knoxville progresses its sustainability
efforts, it will continue to fulfill the local
communitys desire for sustainable living,
and make East Tennessee recognized as a
region of prominence and opportunity
because of the high quality of life, scenic
beauty, cultural heritage, and booming
economy. n

REGIONAL HOSPITALS*
East Tennessee Childrens
Hospital
2018 Clinch Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 541-8000

LeConte Medical Center

709 Middle Creek Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 429-6100

Physicians Regional
Medical Center
900 East Oak Hill Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917-4556
(865) 545-8000

Fort Loudoun Medical Center

Methodist Medical Center

of Oak Ridge

Roane Medical Center

550 Fort Loudoun Medical Center Drive

Loudon, TN 37772-5673
(865) 271-6000

990 Oak Ridge Turnpike

Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 835-1000

412 Devonia Street

Harriman, TN 37748
(865) 882-1323

Fort Sanders Regional Medical

Center

Newport Medical Center

Turkey Creek Medical

Center

1901 Clinch Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37916
(865) 541-1111

435 Second Street

Newport, TN 37821
(423) 625-2200

Jefferson Memorial Hospital

North Knoxville Medical

Center

110 Hospital Drive

Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 471-2500

7565 Dannaher Drive

Powell, TN 37849
(865) 859-8000

LaFollette Medical Center

Parkwest Medical Center

923 East Central Avenue

LaFollette, TN 37766
(423) 907-1200

9352 Park West Boulevard

Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 373-1200

14 | KNOXVILLE CHAMBER knoxvillechamber.com

10820 Parkside Drive

Knoxville, TN 37934
(865) 218-7092

University of Tennessee
Medical Center
2121 Medical Center Way
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 305-9896
*List only includes hospitals that
are members of the Knoxville
Chamber