Originally the first capital of Tennessee, Knoxville lies in the Easternmost part of the state and is the third largest city behind Nashville and Memphis. Knoxville is steeped in Appalachian history and acts as one of the gateways to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re thinking about moving to The Marble City, here’s what you need to know about moving to Knoxville.
Cost of Living and Economy
According to Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Knoxville is significantly lower than the national average. On an index scale of 0-100, Knoxville is 80.7.
Knoxville’s major employers include The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA; the nation’s largest public power provider), Regal Entertainment Group, and Pilot Flying J (national truck stops).
In 2008, Forbes magazine declared that Knoxville was one of the Top 10 Metropolitan Hotspots.
Education
Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers (UTK) and is famous for its outstanding football and basketball programs. Famous Alumni include Peyton Manning (NFL), Candice Parker (WNBA), Mel Tillis (Country Music Artist), Reggie White (NFL), Scott Kelly (Astronaut), Jason Witten (NFL), and Dave Ramsey (Financial Adviser),
Other educational institutions include Johnson University and the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Entertainment and Culture
Neyland Stadium
Knoxville plays hosts to numerous festivals and events every year including the Big Ears Festival (music), East Tennessee Chili Cookoff, Great Knoxville Rubber Duck Race, and the Corvette Expo.
Christmas in the City is an 8-week long event that runs through the holidays and offers the Singing Christmas Tree and ice skating.
You can keep yourself entertained at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum or Knoxville Zoo. Visit World’s Fair Park and Volunteer Landing; two outdoor venues that celebrate Knoxville’s lifestyle or take a tour UTK’s famous Neyland Stadium.
Weather
While not as hot as its southern or western counterparts, due to its higher elevation, Knoxville does have a very humid, subtropical climate. The winters are cooler and see occasional snowfall, typically in January and February. Fall and spring are ideal times to move.
Are you a Knoxvillian? Do you have any tips for those moving to Knoxville? Leave them in the comments section below.
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