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.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

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. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Americans move over ten times during their lives, once every seven years on average. We move to gain access to better health care, closer proximity to family, better jobs, more lively entertainment and social outlets, better schools, or better or more affordable housing. With more than 40 million moves occurring within the United States each year, Americans are among the most mobile in the world. What do we know about these movers?

Photo by hanguklnGilroy.

• Housing is the number one reason for the move. Between March 1999 and March 2000, 52 percent of moves were made to secure better, bigger, and/or cheaper housing. Twenty-six percent of these moves were for family related reasons and 16 percent of the moves were for work related reasons.
• Of the 43.3 million moves that occurred from 1999-2000, over 56 percent stayed within the same county. Twenty percent moved to a different county within the same state and 19 percent moved to another state.
• Young people are more likely to move than their elders. Between 1999 and 2000, one-third of those aged 20-29 moved while only four percent of those aged 65-84 relocated.
• Region matters. Between 1999 and 2000, the South was the only region to experience a significant gain in population. While the Northeast experienced a net loss of over a quarter million residents, the South had a net gain of 227,000.
• According to the American Housing Survey, in 2006, 53 percent of movers saw their expenses increase when they moved. Twenty-three percent saw their expenses decrease and 24 percent saw no change.
• In declining order, the factors which influenced the selection of the home they moved to were (2006): finances; room design/layout; kitchen; size; exterior appearance; yard and view; quality of construction; and availability.

Although many have the freedom and economic means to move, few put real thought into finding a community that fits them best. Where you move may be more important than why you move as place dictates quality of life through economic, recreational, and social opportunities. Click here to learn more.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

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.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks

A series of jazz concerts celebrating the life of Samarai Celestial have been planned for April 2008. Check out this calendar of events over the next couple of weeks.

• Tribute to Samarai Celestial, 7 p.m., Sunday, April 13, East Tennessee History Center, free
• Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra, directed by Don Hough, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, East Tennessee History Center, free
• Lionel Loueke, Michele Rosewoman/Ralph Peterson Group, and the University of Tennessee Jazz Faculty, 7 p.m., Friday, April 25, Bijou Theatre, $26.50, available at Tickets Unlimited outlets, 865-656-4444
• Bill Scarlett and the Jazz Giants, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, East Tennessee History Center, $5
• Warren Wolf Quartet, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 4620 Jazz Club, 4620 Kingston Pike, $10
• Mike Clark Quartet, 9 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 4620 Jazz Club, 4620 Kingston Pike, $10

By the way, the third annual Knoxville Jazz Festival will be kicking off April 24. Stay tuned.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

For the young and young-at-heart, visiting the Knoxville Zoo has been a favorite area activity for several decades. Located in East Knoxville, the zoo spans 53 acres and provides for over 215 species – over 800 animals! Home to a long list of endangered species and a number of birds, mammals, and reptiles, many indigenous to the area, the Knoxville Zoo is a unique experience that can be enjoyed 364 days of the year. Some of the most popular exhibits?

• Since 1978, the zoo has successfully bred over 90 red pandas, making the Knoxville Zoo the Red Panda Capital of the World! Thanks to the generosity of an area family, the zoo’s six pandas were treated to a new home in October, The Red Panda Village.

• The zoo is also home to one of the largest reptile collections in the nation; the zoo cares for over 500 reptiles representing over 100 species of turtles, lizards, and snakes.

• In 1978, the Knoxville Zoo welcomed Little Diamond, the first African Elephant to be bred and born in captivity in the Western Hemisphere. Although Little Diamond now lives in North Carolina, The Stokley African Elephant Preserve, which opened in 2002, is home to three very talented elephants who, when they aren’t throwing mud on their backs, produce paintings which are sold to support the zoo.

• Black Bear Falls is home to four Smoky Mountain native bears. The one-of-a-kind bear exhibit opened in 2000, featuring four waterfalls with over 20-foot drops, a 40-foot long tunnel that offers views of the bear dens, and a forest of trees native to the area.

A number of events are offered each year. Feast with the Beasts is an August event for adults over twenty-one. Area restaurants and drink vendors offer their best to visitors who taste, sip, and browse the animals, a silent auction, and live bands. More than 400 guests attended the 2007 Zoofari, the twentieth anniversary of the zoo’s most important fundraising event of the year. A bit more upscale than Feast, Zoofari guests were treated to a seated dinner, live music, and a special auction. What about the kids? This year, over 10,000 visitors turned out to celebrate the twenty-first annual - eight nights of “not-too-scary fun.” Kids enjoyed trick-or-treating at treat stations, checking out the character costume shows, and participating in games, rides, and “monsterific music and fun.”

Through the efforts of volunteers, community partnerships, and the support of private and public sector sponsors, the Knoxville Zoo is an active and respected participant in the East Tennessee community. With its family-friendly environment and its commitment to “the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education,” the zoo is a worthwhile destination, a great place to visit, and a great place to be a kid.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

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!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks (1)

Since 1960, Knoxville has hosted the Dogwood Arts Festival each April. Today, people from all over the nation come to celebrate nature and the arts as festivities span seventeen days, over one hundred and fifty activities, and two counties! The city’s fantastic dogwoods remain the central focus with blossoms that can reach nearly four inches in length, rivaling Maryland’s famous dogwoods. While most of Knoxville’s dogwoods are white, our pink dogwoods are especially vibrant; the deep pink, almost red, color is caused by the natural acidity in our soil. Other varieties include a native pale pink dogwood and a “weeping” dogwood, similar to the weeping cherry tree.

While tours have been conducted since the Sequoyah Hills Trail opened 1955, other trails throughout the region have been added over the years; there are nine dogwood trails today spanning seventy miles and two counties. When I was a child, signs indicated the trails’ entrances and large pink or white spots were painted on the roads to lead the way. Today, self-guided motor-tourists follow pink and green lines, taking photographs, pacing themselves, often stopping for closer looks. Guided bus tours are also available and, for walkers, the historic Fourth and Gill Victorian neighborhood tour is a popular activity.

Also part of the celebration is a three-day festival held on Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Over one hundred arts, crafts, and food vendors crowd into the newly renovated, historic space to sample East Tennessee’s cuisine, culture, and creations. Shoppers will find everything from homemade soaps to hand-blown glass, and artisan jewelry to rare books. Many of Knoxville’s restaurants and caterers participate; one can find edibles ranging from funnel cakes and famous local bar-b-que to gourmet coconut shrimp and crispy spanikopita. Adding to the festivities, musical events are scheduled each year featuring a variety of musical styles from classical to country.

Last year, the festival introduced Art in Public Spaces, a sponsored display that continued throughout the month of July. Located in Krutch Park, adjacent to Market Square, the exhibit featured the large-scale work of twelve artists. Other artwork was available for viewing at more than fifteen galleries throughout Knoxville’s downtown area. Gallery Walk, was a one-night event in which artists were available and visitors were encouraged to mingle and browse.

There’s so much more! A parade, a jazz concert, children’s activities, and literary events hosted by the Knox County Public Library – there really is something for everyone. In the tradition of the South, the Dogwood Arts Festival brings people together with food and fun, music, nature, and friendship.

Check out the 2008 Dogwood Arts calendar here.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Dolly Parton forever changed Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with her 1986 decision to purchase co-ownership of Tennessee’s Silver Dollar City (another still operates in Branson, Missouri). Changing the park’s name to Dollywood, Dolly used her fame and fan base to promote the park; today, nearly 2.5 million visitors make Dollywood their family vacation destination. The park is organized into nine theme-based areas with names such as Showstreet, where theaters offer live entertainment, and Craftmen’s Valley, where one can watch molten glass being transformed into beautiful dishware, blacksmiths working with iron, and quilters stitch intricate designs into their piecework. While the rustic, mountain-themed park features great food, live entertainment, master craftsmen, and a museum – most come for the rides!

 

Spanning 125 acres, Dollywood boasts over 40 rides with new multi-million dollar attractions being added each year. For 2007, the addition was Dollywood’s “most ambitious, expensive attraction to date—the $17.5 million Mystery Mine….” The Mystery Mine is a steel roller coaster with a footprint of just over an acre. With its tallest drop reaching 85 feet with a 95 degree fall, the ride is certainly not for the faint of heart. The 2008 addition is the $5 million River Battle water ride upon which riders attempt to soak one another, non-riders, and stationary targets with water cannons as they navigate a river by raft.

 

A signature feature is the 110-ton coal-fired steam engine that takes passengers on a five-mile journey through the mountains, a particularly beautiful ride when the leaves are changing. Another favorite is the River Rampage which offers passengers a taste if white water rafting and a guaranteed soaking. Additional rides are just as thrilling as these, with alternatives that fit every age group to please the entire family.

 

A number of special events and festivals are worthy of mention. The Festival of Nations lasts five weeks and features entertainers from all over the world. KidFest offers six weeks of kid-centered activities, with special guests, the Kratt brothers from PBS’ Zoboomafoo. And the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival features nearly a month of award winning food and over 500 live, free concerts. Dollywood’s Christmas events, including Santa’s Workshop, Santa’s parade, a spectacularly lit walk through the park, and a variety of live Christmas performances, are perfectly staged and a great addition to family traditions.

 

As the state’s top tourist attraction, Dollywood is certainly important to Tennessee’s economy. Additional contributions are made East Tennessee citizens through Dolly’s philanthropic efforts. Winning the Tennessean of the Year award in 2006, Dolly was recognized for her creation of Imagination Library, among other accomplishments.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Recently, a customer wanted specific information about the golf courses located in the Knoxville area and East Tennessee more generally. In the process of researching, we found that East Tennessee boasts a proud portfolio of world-class golf courses. With more than 50 golf courses within a 30 minute radius of Knoxville, the area holds challenging holes for even the most skilled players.

Take a look at the map of golf courses in East Tennessee.

If

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Sevierville’s unique mix of small town America and big city amenities make the city an increasingly popular choice for home buyers. Tucked away into the mountains of East Tennessee, this historic area's natural beauty, shopping opportunities, restaurants, and recreational activities attract millions of visitors to the area each year. For Sevierville's permanent residents, the benefits of tourism are many.

Sevierville is located 30 miles from Knoxville near the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Residents and visitors have long enjoyed the outdoor activities that this location provides; walking trails, horseback riding, river rafting, and fishing are readily available and only minutes from home. Park offerings, such as Cades Cove and Abrams Falls, provide residents with daily access to the type of outings that are usually reserved for vacation! Entertainment comes in many other forms, as well. The area has become internationally known for its live music venues; the famous Dollywood theme park and theater is minutes away; golfing is readily available at the four-star course, Eagle's Landing; and shopping, whether in the many name brand outlets or at the boutique shops that are scattered throughout the area, provides endless variety.

Permanent residents enjoy the benefits of high quality medical care offered by the Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, part of the Covenant Health System. This facility employs "physicians who specialize in over 20 areas of medicine" and will open a new, state-of-the art medical campus in 2009. For additional medical services, residents are 30 minutes away from the many world-class facilities located in Knoxville. All of this is wrapped in a small-town atmosphere. Low violent crime rates, access to the region's many educational and career opportunities, and friendly neighbors makes Sevierville a truly attractive place to call home.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Knoxville’s ever growing downtown just received a welcomed addition: Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Located right on the Tennessee River, Ruth’s Chris Streak House is the perfect blend of cosmopolitan cuisine in a beautiful Tennessee setting. 

The Knoxville location is one of the largest Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses in the world. It can seat 350 guests and has a banquet area that can accommodate 300 guests.  These guests will enjoy New Orleans-inspired appetizers, aged USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts, all complemented by an award-winning wine list. Ruth’s Chris Steaks seared at 1800 degrees are sure to become your favorite steak.  Paired with their signature sides especially their shoestring potatoes, you will walk away with a memorable meal.   Do not forget to leave room for dessert because leaving Ruth’s Chris Streak House without Cream Brulee is like leaving Neyland Stadium at half time.  All these culinary treasures will be served with Tennessee hospitality in an elegant yet relaxed setting.

The addition of Ruth’s Chris Steak House is just another key element of Knoxville’s ever expanding fine dining.  The recent additions of Flemings and Bonefish along with Knoxville’s staples of Regas, Copper Cellar and The Orangery make dining in Knoxville a true culinary delight.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Since 1990, the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) has greatly enriched the area with its exhibits, tours, lectures, events, and workshops. The beautiful $11,000 million, 53,200-square-foot building was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes and built on the 1982 World’s Fair site. The KMA replaced the Dulin Gallery of Art when popular demand created a need for a larger space.

The KMA has over 700 two- and three-dimensional pieces of art in its collection, portions of which are displayed as permanent exhibits. In addition to these objects, the KMA schedules exhibitions featuring regional artists as well as those from all over the world. Past exhibitions have included rare Rembrandt etchings, David S. Allee’s photographs, Tomory Dodge’s paintings, and Jean-Pierre Gauthier’s sound designs. Current and future exhibits include Jun Kaneko’s ceramics and a multi-artist exhibit, New Directions in American Drawing, which promotes drawing as an important contemporary art form.

In addition to its permanent collection and schedule of exhibitions, the KMA hosts a variety of educational programs which are geared toward promoting “first-hand involvement with the visual arts.” For students, there are teacher-led programs and field trips. For adults (and sometimes students, too!) there are concerts, such as the popular Alive After Five series; tours, such as the Annual Holiday Home Tour; fine arts and craft auctions, such as the annual Artscapes Art Auction; and workshops such as The Design Lab series which allows the public to interact with artists as they explore “what design is and how it affects life.” For example, a recent lab featured C.A. Debelius’ building designs. The KMA also offers a program for those interested in becoming docents.

As the public’s support for the KMA has grown, the museum has been able to give back to the community. For instance, the KMA recently created a grant program to cover the cost of bus transportation so that children attending qualifying schools are able to visit. Also, the museum participates in the area’s Ticket Subsidy Program which helps underprivileged children gain access to area museums. These are but two of many programs the KMA supports with the intent of bringing world class art and culture to the community. Museum memberships are available but are not required to visit. The cost for non-members is $5. Admission is free on Tuesdays.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

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.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

“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.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks

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. 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

This mixed-use community, called Westlawn, consists of 362 single family residences, 318 multi family residences and will include over 350,000 square feet of retail space. Westlawn has been carefully master planned to deliver an exclusive and cohesive character throughout the community. Newmark Homes, one of middle Tennessee’s most highly regarded home builders, has signed on to build one of residential components within this dynamic community. Located northwest of Murfreesboro, Westlawn will provide future residents with a unique and relaxing lifestyle while allowing for close proximity to city conveniences. Westlawn is located adjacent to State Route 840 at the new Beesley Road interchange approximately two miles from of I-24. For more information about Westlawn, please visit the Westlawn website.

For more information  email Micah Lacher.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Holland Springs is a new community inside the city of Maryville, Tennessee with the unique mixture of small town charm and city conveniences all nestled within the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Holland Springs consists of 96 single-family homes within 42 acres surrounded by woodlands . This beautifully designed neighborhood offers home sites ranging from 1/4 acre to 1 acre, with lot prices starting at $89,000. Architectural and landscape criteria have been established to preserve and enhance the neighborhood's inherent beauty.

If you would like more information about Holland Springs, please request an information packet.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

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.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

Holrob's joint venture with veteran builder Paul Smiddy at The Farm at Tralee is the crown jewel of Holrob Communities.  Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and located in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee [view map], the Farm at Tralee provides breathtaking views that include a snow-capped Mount Le Conte to the south and the distinctive contours of House and Clinch Mountains to the north.

Each of the forty estate home sites has been painstakingly selected to capture the most exquisite views and to assure maximum privacy, and the number of home sites has been purposefully limited to allow the space, privacy and serenity that only a low-density, secure community can provide. Strict architectural guidelines will maintain the integrity of this unique community and, with a character reminiscent of an English country retreat, natural materials and soft palettes will define these charming cottage-style homes. In addition to their home sites, residents will own an undivided interest in more than one hundred acres of common area which include premier equestrian facilities, a three-acre lake for fishing, and a swimming pool with cabana.

The Farm at Tralee offers over 188 acres of fine living only minutes from either downtown Knoxville or downtown Sevierville. Equipped with horse riding trails, a stocked pond, and over 100 acres of common lands in the shadows of serene mountain views, The Farm at Tralee will set a new standard in residential development in the Knoxville area.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks