East Tennessee Residential Communities : Holrob Communities : Private Communities near Knoxville, Knox County, Blount County, Anderson County, Sevier County

Not having grown up with the Internet, some of us are still a bit stymied by the complexity of social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Linkedin. With the exception of the latter, these media have the sometimes-reputation that they are for kids who have the time on their hands to keep up with their personal pages and friend requests, along with the willingness to share details about themselves that those over 40 tend to hold close to the chest. What is often overlooked is the utility of social networking sites for grown-ups: moms, retirees, businesses, and other organizations. Additionally, folks who are relocating may find networking sites useful in keeping up with friends and family. Following are some network sites of interest with a short explanation of their intended utility.


Photo by luc legay.

For the uninitiated, a word of advice - Jump in. It looks much more complicated than it is! Most sites provide user-friendly templates to help you set up your own page along with support if you get stuck. All sites have a search bar to help you find other pages of interest; try searching by location, subject, or other keyword. You may get something that you didn't ask for in your search results so be prepared for that. Also, know that you don't have to have an established page to browse. Some sites require you to log in but you can register without working on your own page.

MySpace allows you to design unique pages and post information about yourself or your organizations. You can accept email, set your page to private, or leave it public for all to see. The "friend" section is populated by you; people will send you friend requests and you can choose whether you want to accept them. If you find a MySpace page that interests you, you can often find similar pages or interests by clicking on their friends' pictures. The VolNation has a page as does the Knoxville Coliseum.

Facebook was once a college networking site but now works a lot like MySpace and seems to be gaining popularity. Some say that it tends to have a more grown-up feel and tone than MySpace which they are leaving to the youngsters. Knoxville's United Way has its own page as does Songs of Appalachia, a group that features musicians from East Tennessee. If you look to the right side of their page, you can find related groups that might interest you, like Knoxville's Sundown in the City. Even our governor, Phil Bredesen, has a page on Facebook! Again, use the search bar to find groups or individuals that interest you.

Other sites aren't as well-known but are gaining popularity within specific groups. "Three focused communities have been growing rapidly this year: CafeMom, a network for mothers, Daily Strength, a support community for those with health issues and other life problems, and Eons, a social network for the 50+ set." For a list of 2007's twenty top social networking sites, click here. For another explanation of social networking sites, click here.

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As American consumers are spending more on food, fuel, and commodities and economic analysts ponder recession, East Tennessee has been spared many of the worst economic challenges. While other areas suffer job losses and business closings, Knox and its surrounding counties has fared pretty well - the Knoxville Metropolitan Area has the lowest unemployment rate in the state. One reason for this is corporate business expansions. For instance, "Green Mountain Coffee Roasters plans to open an East Knox County plant, engineering firm SAIC is moving at least 150 jobs to Oak Ridge, and VW is building a $1 billion plant in Chattanooga that will employ 2,000 workers and likely spawn feeder business in our area." From January 2007 to January 2008, the Knoxville Metropolitan Area added 5,950 jobs, with 4,040 jobs added in Knoxville alone. Knox County's unemployment rate in 2007 was down a half point from 2006 and its median household income was 108 percent of the state's median. In addition, the county's population grew by 11 percent from 2000-2007.


Photo by Suffering the Benz.

In addition to corporate expansion, the area's diversified economy has helped to insulate against economic instability. For example, expansions in health care brought 1,600 health-related jobs to the state in 2007 while providing construction companies with non-residential work. Many of those jobs are located in Knox County. Also, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the University of Tennessee, and local schools offer stable government jobs to many area residents. Of the various sectors, near-term growth is expected to continue in "construction, durable and nondurable goods manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, finance/insurance/real estate and education." A 2006 breakdown of employment by sector can be found here. All of this means that the region has suffered less than many others and our local business leaders are optimistic that there will be a quick recovery once the national economy stabilizes. For more information on the economic opportunities available in the Knoxville area, submit your inquiries here.

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This week's Knoxville Business Journal includes an article on how baby boomers are looking to maintenance free options in their next phase of home purchase.

Josh Flory, who wrote this blog entry earlier in June, penned the article:

As the baby boom generation enters its retirement years, developers see a market among seniors who want to ditch the hassles of home ownership but are still willing to pay a premium price for their abode.
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Perhaps more importantly, the developers are aiming at a market that doesn’t want to be bothered with mowing the yard or mulching the flower beds. “I think there is a growing … interest in condominiums,” Howard said. “I think people — particularly kind of the market segment that we’re targeting, people downsizing or moving out of larger single-family homes — don’t really look as much at another single-family home.”

Find out more information on The Enclave or other Holrob Communities.

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Across the country, many are trading in their retirement plans for new careers. Studies have shown that a growing number of Americans prefer to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age of 65: "In 2006, nearly 30% of Americans ages 65 to 69 belonged to the workforce, up from 18% in 1985, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute." In addition, a "recent survey by Thrivent Financial of adults ages 45 to 64 found that 43% overall — and nearly half of all men — plan to work full or part time in retirement." Many of these people will leverage their skills, experiences, and even hobbies into a business of their own, joining "an expanding army of workers who continue working long after they become eligible for Social Security benefits." Now why the heck would they do that? Extra income, a sense of purpose, and longer and healthier life spans top the list.


Photo by Erik Mallinson.

For many, starting a microbusiness is the answer. "A microbusiness is a small business with fewer than five employees (including the owner) and less than $35,000 in start-up costs." Most microbusinesses operate out of the owner's home and have no employees at all, the owners choosing to outsource needed services rather than hire and manage employees. Successful microbusinesses have included a wide variety of goods and services. Some examples include child care, house cleaning, delivery services, catering, web design, consulting, writing and editing.

Like any business, a significant key to success is location. Not only will a good location offer sufficient resources to help with planning and funding needs, a good location will also have a growing and diverse population, a stable economy, an affordable cost of living, and an expansive talent and customer pool. Knoxville has all of these. Ranking fifth (out of 200 competitors) on Forbes' 2007 list of Best Places for Business and Careers, Knoxville enjoys a unique mix of creative and educated citizens, low costs of business and living, high technology, low taxes, and great cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities. For a quick reference sheet offering area statistics and many other awards and achievements click here. For further inquiries submit your questions here.

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Downsizing? Thinking of selling your home? Experts offer advice on home updates to maximize your return at sale. Most recommend that sellers not undertake major remodeling as a means to improve sale price as remodeling costs are unlikely to be recovered at sale. However, major remodeling is not the same as repair and sellers should be aware that worn and broken furnishings have a strong negative impact on buyers. Fortunately, many repair costs can be recovered at sale and some updates may help you move your house more quickly, as well.

 

Photo by massdistraction.

• Before you begin, know that the "secret to successful pre-sale home remodeling is to keep up with the Jones’, but never surpass them. Whether you want to make more money than you spend, or just recoup your remodeling expenses when you sell your home, know what’s standard in the neighborhood." Also, whatever you undertake, keep it "neutral, clean, and classic" - now isn't the time to spring for trendy colors!
• Sellers are likely to recoup most or all of the costs for minor bathroom improvements, such as an updated sink or toilet. By replacing a cabinet sink with pedestal version or replacing the old tub with a nice shower, bathrooms look updated and appealing to buyers. Remodeling Magazine's 2005 data show the average cost recovered for minor bathroom improvements was 102.2 percent.
• Buyers form first impressions when they drive up to the home and worn or drab siding can be a deterrent, even when interiors are attractive. Siding replacement can help move your home and the likelihood of recovering expenses is high. Remodeling lists the average recovered costs for vinyl siding replacement at 95.5 percent and the average recovered costs for fiber cement siding at 103.6 percent.
• A minor kitchen update is a good bet - if you know when to stop. "Reface the cabinets with new doors and drawers, put in new appliances, update with resilient flooring and laminate countertops and finish with neutral wall paint" but, again, don't spring for amenities that surpasses your neighborhood's standards. Average recovered expenses for minor kitchen updates: 98.5 percent.
• If square footage is an issue, consider converting your attic space to a bedroom with a small bathroom. "The payoff for remodeling this existing space is higher than the payback for adding new space. Putting on even a modestly priced master suite addition costs typically costs about twice as much as finishing an attic and the return (82.4%) is lower." Average recovered expenses for attic conversion: 93.5 percent.

Four projects not likely to pay off include remodeling to up-scaled kitchens, home offices, and master bedrooms, and family room additions. Budget tight? Consider snazzy minor repairs such as painting, removing carpet from hardwood flooring, spiffing up the yard, or replacing old light fixtures. A word of caution: Before you break out the hammer, check the data for your area as recovered expenses are national averages.

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No matter how excited you are, moving brings many challenges: a new home means a new mortgage for most; perhaps the move means a new job; old routines are disrupted; and often friends or family are left behind. Even a move across town can bring significant stress. While there's no way to eliminate all the stress from your move, you can certainly minimize it. Here's 5 things you can do to make your move feel less like one of life's major events.


Photo by thornypup.

1.    Sort and dispose of, donate, or sell unnecessary clutter and furniture well before the big day. How to know what is 'unnecessary'? Here's a checklist to help you sort. The big tip here is to know the capacity of your new home and not take too much - and don't move anything dirty or that you'll throw out when you get there! Clean everything before you go and be honest with yourself when struggling with your decision to part with that broken chair you've been meaning to fix!

2.    Start packing really early. My most recent move was scheduled nine months in advance and I began packing six months before the trucks pulled up. Sorting as I went, I packed in this order: Garage first! Sort and pack as much as you can and make sure to save room to store additional completed boxes as you finish them. Next, scour your house for items that you won't "miss," such as extra dishes, files for storage, and decorator items from the tops of cabinets and shelves. As time draws closer, pack up the rooms that are the least used such as formal living rooms, libraries, under-utilized offices, formal dining rooms, and guest bedrooms. Finally, many suggest that you double the time you think you'll need for final packing. There's always more to do than you think and packing all night before the trucks arrive is no way to combat stress. How to pack? There's a guide here and a list of essentials to keep handy here.

3.    If you have children and/or pets, consider their care before you go. Here's a few tips: Young children might be better off with family or friends; besides the additional stress that caring for them while moving will bring, their safety should be considered, as well. Older children might be helpful, but for shorter periods than you would probably like. Patience, food, and entertainment will ease their stress and yours! Pets may need to be kenneled or kept in an empty room in the house with food and water for their safety. Post a sign on the door to remind everyone who's inside!

4.    Consider your family's feelings - and yours, too! Small children, teens, spouses, and extended family are affected in different ways and so need to cope in different ways. Knowing what you are feeling and how to help them is an important part of a smooth transition - before and after the move.

5.    Know your limits. Recognize and acknowledge when you feel anxious or stressed and practice these exercises to reduce your stress response. Keep a sense of humor, too! Laughing lightens any load!

For additional information, submit your questions here. 

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In his latest book, Who's Your City, best selling author Richard Florida claims that where you choose to live is more important than ever before. Florida points out that economic activity, innovation, types of people, and creativity is concentrated in relatively few places and that those places will offer better jobs, quality of life, and services. Florida uses a series of maps to show how the world's population is distributed, and where the most productive and creative people live and the strongest economies are in the United States. The Southeast shows prominently on these maps.

 

Photo by sleepless aquarius.

Florida recommends considering a number of factors when deciding on a new community - opportunity and basic services are among the most important. The Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area, home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and numerous medical and technology-based businesses, reflects our government and community leadership's commitment to quality economic development and quality of life. Recent awards and rankings speak for themselves:

• 2008 - Knoxville ranked 4th on the "Best Cities for Relocating Families" list for Mid-Size Markets. Source: Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation May 2008

• 2008 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 10 on the list of Forbes Magazine "Best Places for Business and Careers." Source: Forbes Magazine March 2008

• 2007 - Expansion Management magazine named the Knoxville Metropolitan area 3rd among all mid-sized cities in the nation in its annual "Best Metro for Business and Expansion" competition. Source: Expansion Management Magazine August 2007.

• 2007 - Boating Life Magazine named Knoxville as one of the "10 Best Places to Live And Boat." Source: Boating Life Magazine July 2007

• 2007 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 5 on the list of the best metro areas for business and careers by Forbes Magazine. Source: Forbes Magazine April 2007.

• 2007 - Knoxville ranked 1st on the "Best Cities for Relocating Families" list. Source: Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation May 2007

• 2007 - Expansion Management magazine named Knoxville one of "America's 50 Hottest Cities," cities that are best places to expand or relocate a business. Source: Expansion Management Magazine February 2007.

If you would like more information about Knoxville, click here and request more information.

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Knoxville's vibrant growth and development has helped to bring national attention to the region. Says Garrett Wagley of the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership: "The greatest benefit of the national rankings is that they place Knoxville in the national spotlight. They call attention to Knoxville among the nation’s largest companies and among those companies that might be looking to expand."

Knoxville's National Rankings

• Best Cities for Relocating Families (2008, 2007) - Worldwide ERC and Primary Relocation - #4, #1
• Best Place for Recent College Graduates (2006) - Economic Research Institute - #1 of 206 reviewed
• Best Metros for Business and Expansion (2007) - Business Expansion Magazine  - #3
• America's 50 Hottest Cities for Business Relocation & Expansion (2007, 2006, 2005) - Business Expansion Magazine - #23, #9, #14 of 50
• America's Most Affordable Travel Destinations (2006) – Hotwire.com - #4 of 50
• Knoxville - Best Cities to Do Business in America (2005) – Inc Magazine - #7 of 274
• Best Overall Business Climate (State Ranks, 2005) – Site Selection Magazine - #5 of 50
• Best Places for Affordable Living (2005) – Sperling’s Best Places - #8 of 32
• Best Places for Business & Career (2008, 2006, 2005) – Forbes Magazine - #10, #5, #17 of 200
• Best Places to Retire (2006) – Money Magazine - #10 of 100
• Top Mid-Size City Boom Towns (for Job Growth, 2006) – Inc Magazine - #23 of 60
• States With A Strong Workforce Training Program (2006) – Expansion Magazine - #6 of 50
• 3rd best places to live and boat in the country by Boating Life magazine.

This national attention and the dedication of area government, business, and community leaders has resulted in a steady increase in jobs for the region. A regional economic development campaign meant to coordinate public and private support was launched in 2002. Jobs Now! was charged with "creating 35,000 net new jobs, growing non-residential capital investment to $2.5 billion, and increasing the average annual wage to $40,908" within five years. Funded by 170 public and private investors, Jobs Now! members support economic development by actively marketing the region and coordinating responses to business inquiries. The investors also support capital improvements and higher wages for regional employees. National attention and their efforts have done much for the region: At the end of year four, the program "had reached 109% of its five-year goal of 35,000 net new jobs and 141% of the five-year capital investment goal of $2.5B."

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A number of our clients tell us that they worked for years to build a bigger home, and now they simply want less—less space, less maintenance, less headaches.  Downsizing for many is an act of liberation that frees them from unnecessary responsibilities and allows them to be free to travel or do as they please.

As we compile information about this transition, it is apparent that the move to a smaller home is a major life adjustment, which is teeming with excitement and some apprehension. Holrob Communities is preparing a symposium/workshop that details many of the considerations and helpful tips when downsizing, and we would like to hear from you.

Let us know your comments here.

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I shared this picture over at the Tralee blog this morning, and I like it so much that I thought I should share it here too. The Farm at Tralee is a photographer's paradise as you can see at this slideshow.

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A trend among medical care providers is to join together to form major medical facilities for the convenience of their patients. Rather than driving from one location to another for diagnosis, testing, and treatment, medical parks offer patients easy access to multiple services with one stop. On May 7, ground was broken for such a facility in Knoxville. The new East Tennessee Healthcare Center will function as a medical park, offering comprehensive diagnosis and therapy services to the region's patients and physicians. The two "anchor" providers are the well-respected Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Tennessee Cancer Specialists, which was founded in 2004 by cancer care physicians who have served the region for over 15 years. A number of other medical groups have contracted to join the Center, as well. "The $35 million healthcare center will provide comprehensive medical and clinical services including a diagnostic imaging center, a clinical laboratory capability, pathology services, chemotherapy and radiation therapy services, a tumor board, an ambulatory surgery center, physical therapy, alternative medicine, medical spa services, research, and clinical trials. Healthcare support services will include a pharmacy, social services, dietician, weight loss center, massage therapy, plastic surgery, acupuncture and dermatology services."

The development is to be situated on 12 acres in the Dowell Springs Business Park, which is off of Middlebrook Pike, a central location to physicians, hospitals, and area residences. Initial construction will include two buildings which will offer 175,000 square feet of clinical and office space. Space for another 75,000 square foot building is available, as expansion is needed. Plans for the grounds support the East Tennessee Healthcare Center's holistic approach to wellness and healthy living with "walking paths, waterfalls and beautiful mountain views." Construction is scheduled to begin immediately on this important and innovative addition to our healthcare services community.

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Knoxville was chosen as one of 12 Solar America Cities designated Friday by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)  to receive up to $200,000 to help integrate solar energy technology into their operations.

A part of the grant will be used to install solar panels on the soon to be built net-zero energy consumption home in the South Waterfront redevelopment area and on the planned downtown public transit center.  The grant will also provide training of how to use solar energy in the community, set up incentives, financial advice and more.

Also Knoxville received $100,000 grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to fund a professional training for the city and Knox County permitting and codes inspectors and the Knoxville Utilities Board workers.

Both funds will be used to help publicize solar energy in East Tennessee and the incentives offered by TVA, KUB and the state of Tennessee.  Also research that will help find ways to lessen the technological and financial constrictions of using solar energy will be funded.

The DOE grant is part of the President Bush’s Solar America Initiative. The incentive hopes to make solar energy cost competitive by 2015.  The DOE grant in the long term will lessen electricity prices and natural gas and water usage in all Knoxville city owned buildings.

This grant is accordance with many efforts in East Tennessee to make the Big Orange the Big Green.

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Knoxville continues to remain in the top cities in the country to conduct business.

Knoxville is again among the best cities in the country to do business, according to Forbes magazine’s 2008 rankings released Wednesday.

As we are well aware of here at Holrob Communities, the cost of living in Knoxville is among the lowest in the nation.  This and the general cost of doing business in Knoxville were chief among the reasons for this honor.

The magazine cited the region’s relatively low business costs — 14 percent below the national average — as one of Knoxville’s strengths.

Good work!

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In the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency’s Summer 2007 newsletter, Bill Underwood, general manager of the Appalachian Electric Cooperative, reported that Jefferson County is “poised for great things.” Between 1990 and 2000, Jefferson County’s population grew 34.4%! This growth, and a 14% increase in per capita income between 2000 and 2006, is largely the result of the area’s rapidly expanding tourism, manufacturing, and education sectors. Because of Jefferson County’s fortunate mix of qualities that are highly regarded by developing service and manufacturing industries, there’s every indication that this growth will continue long into the future.

As the entire East Tennessee Valley has benefited from its geographic location, so has Jefferson County with Interstates 40 and 81 providing easy access to and through the county. New industries look for areas with strong transit routes such as this, but the county has so much more to offer: large areas of available land suited for industrial development; an attitude of growth and improvement in the local leadership; and close proximity to the urban amenities that Knoxville has to offer, such as fine dining, theater, festivals, and sports. Tennessee provides a pro-business tax structure while utility companies have joined with local leaders and those in the economic development community to provide incentives to attract and retain businesses. Equally important is the work ethic for which the people of East Tennessee are known.

Although manufacturing is the bedrock of the county’s economy, many work in education, medicine, and in services supported by tourism. Jefferson City is home to Carson-Newman College, one of the South’s best liberal Arts colleges, according to US News and World Report; St. Mary’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital, a beautiful 5-year-old, state-of-the-art facility; and numerous retail, service, and entertainment establishments. With two Tennessee Valley Authority lakes and the French Broad River, rolling hills and lush foliage, Jefferson County is enjoying a rapid growth in tourism and has recently become a choice destination for retirement.

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The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER, formerly ACCRA) reports that Knoxville’s costs of living are well below the national average. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Money, and the President's Council of Economic Advisors, C2ER reports quarterly data on consumer goods and services from over 300 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan cities across the United States. Data collected from these cities is averaged and individual cities are then compared to that standard. The value reported for each city appears as a percentage of the national average.

When compared to the national average, Knoxville excels in all observed categories: housing costs are reported at 20% below average; utilities are 10.4% below average; transportation costs are 13% below average; healthcare costs are 11.4% lower; grocery items are 9.2 % lower; and miscellaneous goods and services are 6.2% lower than the national average. With a composite index of 88.2, Knoxville’s cost of living is, in some cases, considerably lower than other cities in the Southeast: Nashville’s scored 95.1; Louisville, KY, scored 97.6; Chattanooga scored 90.9; and Atlanta scored 95.3. Compared to cities outside the Southeast, Knoxville fared even better: Pittsburg scored 104.1; St. Louis scored 111.1; and Columbus, OH, scored 98.0.

Not limited to Knoxville, the entire East Tennessee region enjoys low consumer goods and service costs leading to a better quality of life for all. For example, regional residential electricity rates are 22% below the national average and regional healthcare costs are 18% below average (the state as whole ranked sixth in the nation in cost and availability of medical facilities). Low cost of living, combined with the area’s natural beauty, good climate, job availability, and excellent educational opportunities has brought national recognition. For example, in 2004, Places Rated Almanac ranked Knoxville the best place to live for cities with populations less than one million and, in 2005, Expansion Management magazine recognized the Knoxville metropolitan area as one of the top 50 places in the country to live and work. Low costs of living and Tennessee’s tax structure (no state income tax!) makes East Tennessee an affordable place to live with a higher quality of life than most other areas in the country.

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“How will your living costs change if you retire to another town or state?”  That was the question addressed in the September/October ‘07 issue of Where to Retire magazine.  Knoxville, TN, ranked among the lowest in costs of living for top places to retire.

The costs of living between 50 major U.S. cities and 50 popular retirement locations were compared using data compiled by the research group, ACCRA.  Factors included costs of housing, health care, food, transportation, and utilities.

Research shows that if you were to retire from Manhattan to Knoxville, your costs of living would decrease 59%.  Knoxville costs would be nearly half of that in San Francisco and Honolulu, and they would be 34 - 44% less than expenses in Bethesda, Boston, Fairbanks, Los Angeles, NYC-Queens, Oakland, San Jose, Stamford, and Washington, DC.  No other major city in this study had lower costs of living than Knoxville; only Houston, TX, had the same cost of living index.  Click here to view a scanned copy of the chart.

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When contemplating a move from the San Francisco Bay Area to Knoxville two years ago, my husband and I took a lot of factors into consideration.  Topping the list were job opportunities, housing costs, and taxes.  In each case, East Tennessee gave us much more bang for our buck and allowed us to afford the lifestyle we wanted.   

Finding a job had to be our first priority.  Since my husband’s company has a plant in Oak Ridge, the transition was fairly easy.  We also considered my future career opportunities and were impressed that HGTV headquarters were in Knoxville.  We’ve since discovered the job market here is promising for a variety of individuals, businesses, and industries. 

 According to a News Sentinel article, ERI Economic Research Institute last year rated Knoxville No. 1 in the US on its list of best places for recent college graduates.  The ranking was based on salary and cost-of-living data. Knoxville-area salaries were 8 percent below the national average, but the cost of living made up for that by being 22 percent below the national average.  The promising job market extends beyond young professionals.  In April 2007, Forbes magazine ranked Knoxville the fifth best city for business and careers.   Their criteria considered a city’s colleges, the cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate, culture & leisure, and job growth. 

Second on our list was the affordable housing market, a huge draw for us.  The soaring costs in California were pricing us out of moving beyond a starter home.  When we looked at houses here, we were thrilled with what we could afford.  For those not familiar with the insane real estate market in the Bay Area, Coldwell Banker compared the cost of a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, 2,200 square foot house with a two-car garage in a nice, middle-class neighborhood across the country.  That home in Knoxville would cost a mere $184,933, but in San Jose, CA it would cost a whopping $1,410,662! 

But home prices don’t tell the whole story.  Comparisons compiled by HomeInsight puts it all into perspective.

	Median Household Income	Median Home Price	State Income Tax	Sales Tax	Average Auto Insurance
Knoxville TN	$43,076	$133,865	0%	9.26%	$676
San Jose, CA	$76,281	$519,989	9.3%	8.25%	$821

Though the average household income in San Jose is higher than that in Knoxville, the median home price there is substantially more expensive--nearly four times the typical Knoxville home!  A much greater percentage of our income went to paying the mortgage in California than in Tennessee.  And I’d be willing to bet more homes in San Jose rely on dual incomes than those in Knoxville. 

As for taxes, both states do have high sales tax, but California takes an additional 9.3% for income tax.  We’ve also found that our property taxes are currently about half what they were on the west coast, and our home is four times the size.  You may not start with as much money in Tennessee, but you probably end the day with more money in your pocket for other things.

With all factors considered, the move for us was primarily a change of lifestyle decision.  We had started a family and wanted one of us to stay home for at least a few years.   Dropping to one income in California was very challenging, and we felt the Bay Area was a bit of a “rat race.”  No matter how many promotions or raises we got, it seemed we were never getting ahead economically.  In Knoxville, we have the job, house, and lifestyle that were out of reach in the San Francisco area.  It’s nice to have it all at a price we can afford. 

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As East Tennessee is within a short driving distance to Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Middle Tennessee, the sky’s the limit on one’s recreational and entertainment choices. In as little as an hour and a half, East Tennesseans can access some of the most creative cities and the most beautiful scenery in the United States. A particularly enjoyable destination is North Carolina’s Asheville located just 115 miles from Knoxville.

Listed by Frommer’s as a Top Ten Travel Destination for 2007, Asheville is a beautiful, friendly, and culturally interesting city with a population of about 70,000. Once a pioneering town, today Asheville is well-known for its fantastic restaurants (local favorites include The Laughing Seed, Salsa’s, and the Early Girl Eatery, among others), shopping (everything from local artwork to rare books), quaint bed & breakfast inns, and numerous historic sites, including the Biltmore House, the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Designed by Richard Morris Hunt for George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s, the Biltmore House’s four acres of floor space contains more than 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, a swimming pool, countless pieces of art and antiques, and even a bowling alley! The Biltmore Estate spans 8,000 acres offering visitors beautiful gardens designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead; a winery that hosts behind-the-scene tours and wine tastings; a number of top notch restaurants; biking, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities; and a luxury inn.

Speaking of inns, The Grove Park Inn is another must-see for Asheville visitors. Opening in 1913, The Grove Park Inn has hosted such famous guests as F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Harry Houdini, Will Rogers, George Gershwin, Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt and Henry Ford. Not to mention eight presidents — from Woodrow Wilson to George Bush.”  Whether or not you book a room, The Grove Park offers fine dining in several restaurants; spa treatments for men and women; a number of lounges; and a golf course that “Golfweek magazine included in its 2005 “America’s Best” listings and Golf Digest named in 2004 as “one of the ten best courses in the United States that is 100 years old or more.”

Asheville is such a wonderful and exciting destination, it’s no wonder that AmericanStyle named it second out of America’s Top 25 Small Town Arts Destinations in 2006, while MSNBC named Asheville second of Top 10 Easy Spring Weekend Getaways in 2007 and Outside Magazine promises that Asheville is the Best Southern Town (2007). For more Asheville area rankings visit Asheville’s Chamber of Commerce.

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In 1933, when Congress created the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), one of its primary purposes was to bring the Tennessee Valley out of the poverty by controlling flooding through the development of a dam system. Many benefits were realized from the completion of these dams: navigation of the region’s waterways was secured, flooding was brought under control, and TVA became the nation’s largest supplier of electricity (which led to the selection of Oak Ridge as a location for the Manhattan Project in 1942).

A rather unforeseen benefit to the production of the TVA dams is that the resulting reservoirs have added beauty and recreation opportunities to the region, immeasurably improving the quality of life for citizens. In addition, the reservoirs attract tourists to fish, ski, swim, hike, windsurf, and camp making travel and tourism the top nonfarm industry in the state. While water and water-related sports are certainly not the only reason to visit East Tennessee, several events of interest make the area’s lakes and waterways attractive to citizens and visitors alike. For instance,

• Fishing is a huge pastime with record-breaking catfish, bass, trout, and crappie. Whether you prefer lake fishing or rivers and streams, there’s ample opportunity to catch the Big One.

• Recreational boating has boomed since the 1980s with boat manufacturers and dealers increasing about 20 percent since 1988 in those counties along the Tennessee River. Also since the late 1980s marinas in the same area have more than doubled. With more than over 1,000 square miles of water surface in the Tennessee Valley, it’s easy to understand how boating has become such a popular recreational activity.

• TVA’s reservoirs are surrounded by 290,000 acres of beautiful land just made for camping, hiking, bird watching, and picnicking. TVA maintains over 100 public recreation areas, including 11 campgrounds that are open seasonally, from March to November.

• The Ocoee River Gorge has become a prime destination for whitewater enthusiasts boasting level 3-4 whitewater throughout the season. The 1996 Summer Olympics whitewater competitions were held on the Ocoee’s mile-long whitewater course and its four-and-a-half-mile rafting area.

Much more information can be found in TVA’s, A Glovebox Guide to TVA Places for Family Fun, which can be purchased by calling 800-MAPS-TVA or by emailing maps2@tva.gov.

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East Tennessee, with the state’s flagship campus of the University of Tennessee (UT) located in Knoxville, as well as a number of private and state-funded community and four-year colleges spread throughout the region, offers outstanding opportunities in higher and continuing education. While UT offers the most comprehensive liberal arts curriculum in the region, other schools provide a specialized and foundational body of coursework geared to meet the needs of nontraditional, technical, and other specialized students.

The main campus of the University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville and offers degree programs in more than 300 concentrations to its 26,400 students. UT’s Knoxville campus is beautifully landscaped, well-designed 550 acres and 220 buildings. The University is a top 40 public university overall, and its business program is in the top 25, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2007 rankings.

UT also offers a number of continuing education, or noncredit, professional and personal development opportunities. This popular community service reaches out to children through the University’s KidsU program (kids can explore bugs; design web pages; learn about forensics; learn to be a chef; study philosophy; study herpetology, among many other activities), while offering adults courses ranging from animal care and art to yoga, bird watching, and wine tasting.

Working closely with UT, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), and Tennessee Tech University (TTU), Pellissippi State Technical Community College (PSTCC) offers a variety of technical and two-year degrees, as well as four-year degrees in certain fields and a wide range of complementary programs, classes, and campus locations (including distance learning). Transfer students that first attend PSTCC realize substantial savings; many students fulfill their general education requirements at this two-year school, confident that their credit will transfer to an area university thanks to articulation agreements. PSTCC also offers continuing education in many personal enrichment and professional certificate programs such as real estate and tax preparation licensure. For the kids, summer camps in tennis, golf, archery, photography, and the arts are a few of the many available opportunities.

In 2002, Tennessee’s citizens voted to establish the Tennessee Lottery for the purpose of providing scholarships Tennessee citizens. The first scholarships were made available in the fall of 2004. For more information about the history of Tennessee Lottery or the eligibility requirements for lottery scholarships click here. For more information about East Tennessee’s many schools in higher education click here.

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Knoxville, being one of Tennessee’s four largest cities and the largest city in the region, is home to a number of heath systems that extend their services to East Tennesseans through their major medical centers as well as the placement of branch centers and specialty clinics around Knox and its surrounding counties. As a result, East Tennessee residents have long been the beneficiaries of cutting-edge medical technologies. With seventeen major hospitals in the area (many of them award-winning), as well as a multitude of specialty clinics, East Tennesseans have access to outstanding healthcare options.

It is hard to understate the importance of the Baptist Health System to the region. Consisting of three major hospitals, the Baptist Hospital for Women, and the Baptist Senior Center, the Baptist Health System specializes in the treatment of senior health, women’s health, as well as cancer, heart, and eye health. Baptist Health System’s flagship hospital, located in downtown Knoxville, has been repeatedly named a Top 100 Hospital and a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital. In 2006, renovations on this facility were completed, updating the chapel, the medical surgical unit, intensive care unit, and some waiting areas.

The Covenant Health System consists of several regional hospitals including Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center (a Top 100 Heart Hospital), Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Fort Loudon Medical Center, and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center. The Thompson Cancer Survival Center provides the newest cancer treatments and diagnostics in three area locations; a fourth location is under construction at this time. Covenant Health boasts the delivery of 3,043 babies at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in 2006 (including 66 sets of twins, eight sets of triplets, and a set of quadruplets!). Also in 2006, Parkwest Medical Center graduated the largest class in history from its Peninsula Behavioral Health division.

St. Mary’s Health System includes four hospitals and a number of centers throughout East Tennessee; its flagship Medical Center has served the region for nearly 75 years providing women’s services, cancer care, orthopedics, and cardiac care, among others. A Top 100 Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center provides quality care with five star ratings from HealthGrades in a number of service areas. For 2007, major improvements to the System include the addition of a 72-bed acute-care facility to its North Campus, scheduled to open this fall. Also, St. Mary’s flagship campus will undergo renovations along with the new construction of a $100 million patient tower.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) serves as the region’s Level I Trauma Center. An academic hospital in the University Health System, Inc., UTMC employees focus on education, including research and discovery of new and emerging treatments. The UTMC is but one of several centers in a regional network. Other centers include the Brain and Spine Institute, the Cancer Institute, the Heart Lung Vascular Institute, and the Center for Women’s Health. In 2006, UTMC opened its Heart and Stroke Center, as well as the Tom and Katherine Black neonatal intensive care unit. This $4.8 million unit added 29 private rooms for East Tennessee’s tiniest and most fragile citizens.

For more information on East Tennessee’s medical facilities, including a comprehensive list of major medical centers, click here.

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The Knoxville metro area continues to receive national attention as an excellent area to relocate both in retirement and starting a new career.  KnoxNews recently wrote this article citing housing costs, tax rates, cost of living, and quality of life as a few of the reasons for this ranking.

This week, two groups who do research on relocating ranked Knoxville number one among midsize cities.

Worldwide ERC, a trade association for work force mobility, and Primacy Relocation, a Memphis-based provider of employee relocation services, also ranked Nashville number two among large cities.

They looked at several factors: economic, education, quality of life, climate, recreation, leisure, arts and culture, air quality, watershed quality, sales tax, unemployment rates, job growth, area educational levels, school expenditures per student, students in public school, SAT/ACT percentile, and population growth.

Here is a link to the report.