Owning a home inside the Knoxville city limits could be a big mistake. The leaders are pretty far left (I think some are proud to be called socialists of some form or another) and like to spend, so taxes could become a huge issue. But hey, some people really like that political philosophy and want to join the community). To be bipartisan, previous Right orientated administrations left a lot of debt (how much did the convention center cost, $200,000,000?). An expensive new police headquarters is in the early stages. I'd suggest if you want to live inside the city limits, then rent at first or try to stay under $200k. You could actually still find nice, but modest 1,200-1,600 SF homes for $125-$150k.
The incorporated Town of Farragut was created for the purpose of blocking the city from annexing the nice homes out there (far west Knox County). I guess it's considered a bedroom community. Not really huge employers in Farragut outside of retailers. Knoxville and Farragut have agreed on future annexation borders. Buying in Farragut (or the unincorporated areas that have been designated for Farragut's future growth) is pretty sound. It's easy access to the airport, Oak Ridge, and still about 30 minutes to UT/Downtown. South of I-40 the Knoxville/Farragut border has generally been set around Lovell Road/Canton Hollow Road.
Riverbend is a great community that is close in west (Northshore Road/Lyons Bend Road, 10-15 minutes to UT/Downtown). Beautiful properties, on and close to the lake, Duncan Boat Dock, and the home owners are rich and powerful. It will be a long time before Knoxville has a chance to annex out in Riverbend even though it's practically inside of the city limits of Knoxville). The Haslams have hundreds of acres in Riverbend. The owner of HT Hackney has hundreds of acres.
Outside of Knox County, Maryville in Blount County and Lenoir City in Loudon County are good choices as is Sevier County (although lots of Smoky Mtn tourists clog up the roads, but locals learn the back roads).
There are some backwards people and areas within an hour outside of downtown Knoxville. Beautiful inexpensive lake properties, but you should research where the "Deliverance-like" fellers are living and breeding. Places like Del Rio in Cocke County or Morgan County... not even close to politically correct, tolerant communities in those places. Even Halls in North Knox County has had some crosses burned in yards about a generation ago.
Back to Knoxville/Knox County... West is Best, not debatable. Costs half again as much, but worth it. Hardin Valley is a booming, still rural area in NW Knox County. New HV High School. 90% of the private schools are out west (Webb, Catholic, CAK, Grace Christian).
Out in Farragut, the Concord community is like Mayberry. Concord Hills (1970s and later homes) is a high end neighborhood on the northern edge of the Town of Concord. Beware, the post office uses the term "Concord" for areas far east of the actual "town" of Concord. Fox Den (inside of the INCORPORATED Town of Farragut) is a beautiful neighborhood developed around 1970. Farragut is also loaded with dozens of neighborhoods full of McMansions.
Bearden High School is very good. But most of the "Bearden Community" residents are zoned for West High School (not a bad school either). Bearden High School is probably considered just west of the "Bearden" community.
Generally most of Knoxville is safe and prosperous. Much of the east side rates as the lowest in the economic pecking order. Of course there are lots of pockets of gentrification if you want to pay a lot of money for pretty restored areas that are vulnerable to nearby slummy parts spilling back over in the next severe economic downturn.
I have a **** ton more that I could say, but I've probably akready pissed off half the board by speaking the truth.
