Old City
- Follow
- Write a review
- Ask a question
Great for
- Nightlife
- Eating Out
- Public Transport
- Internet Access
- Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
- Peace & Quiet
- Lack of Traffic
- Childcare
- Gym & Fitness
- Parks & Recreation
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Professionals
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Old City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"A fun place"
Knoxville’s Old City region manages to bring in well-educated tourists while still being a local favorite. It’s apparent upon first glance the area is aptly-named, with several old-style saloons sitting on the main intersection of Central Ave. With several bars and restaurants, the area is a compact-version of a downtown area.
Above many of these businesses are small apartments, usually occupied by people in their 20s. The entire area is not only a college student favorite, but a favorite among young professionals as well.
The Old City is just northeast of the downtown area, also sitting east of the North Knoxville and Fourth and Gill neighborhoods.
With large, formerly-prominent businesses recently going out of business, foot traffic in the Old City has decreased. But like many of the other areas in Knoxville, the Old City peaks during the school year when students are back in town.
There isn’t much lodging in the Old City area, but the popular, long-standing Sterchi apartment complex sits in between the Old City and Downtown Knoxville. These loft apartments are among the pricier rooms for rent in Knoxville and occupied by at least half college students. Some people working in the downtown area choose to live in this urban setting, as well.
Above many of these businesses are small apartments, usually occupied by people in their 20s. The entire area is not only a college student favorite, but a favorite among young professionals as well.
The Old City is just northeast of the downtown area, also sitting east of the North Knoxville and Fourth and Gill neighborhoods.
With large, formerly-prominent businesses recently going out of business, foot traffic in the Old City has decreased. But like many of the other areas in Knoxville, the Old City peaks during the school year when students are back in town.
There isn’t much lodging in the Old City area, but the popular, long-standing Sterchi apartment complex sits in between the Old City and Downtown Knoxville. These loft apartments are among the pricier rooms for rent in Knoxville and occupied by at least half college students. Some people working in the downtown area choose to live in this urban setting, as well.
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
Old City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"The Old City: Finding Life Within Its Midst Again"
The Old City neighborhood is a wealth of condominiums and loft built within the buildings and high rises of this neighborhood. This ancient neighborhood is situated in the northeast corner of downtown Knoxville in the Jackson Avenue Warehouse District. This is an urban neighborhood filled with nightlife and home to some of the best bars, clubs, shops, and restaurants in Knoxville.
This neighborhood is filled with old warehouses and buildings that surround a tiny commercial strip with its historical beauty. This was a neighborhood where in the earlier days of Knoxville that it was the very heart of the rail road industry. In fact, it was here that Kid Curry from the Butch Cassidy Hole in the Wall Gang had a notorious fight.
In 1919, the Old City saw a mob of people breaking into several warehouses as the act of a race riot, which resulted in the National Guard having to be called in to set up machine guns in the streets. This was an important point in time for Knoxville as it led to the emigration of many African Americans out of the town and into many of the surrounding suburbs.
When the industrial boom ended, the Old City saw many its warehouses abandoned or lost to demolition and fire. However, there are still a few of these abandoned buildings left throughout the neighborhood. After decades of decline in this neighborhood, the 1980s saw new advances to the neighborhood as many of these buildings began to be transformed into bars, lofts, offices, retail stores, and restaurants. Once again, the Old City came alive as developers gained confidence in the area once again and began opening new businesses.
Many single adults are attracted to the area now due to the closeness of nightlife and entertainment creating such an attractive place. The biggest problem this neighborhood has is from the panhandling of the area's homeless.
This neighborhood is filled with old warehouses and buildings that surround a tiny commercial strip with its historical beauty. This was a neighborhood where in the earlier days of Knoxville that it was the very heart of the rail road industry. In fact, it was here that Kid Curry from the Butch Cassidy Hole in the Wall Gang had a notorious fight.
In 1919, the Old City saw a mob of people breaking into several warehouses as the act of a race riot, which resulted in the National Guard having to be called in to set up machine guns in the streets. This was an important point in time for Knoxville as it led to the emigration of many African Americans out of the town and into many of the surrounding suburbs.
When the industrial boom ended, the Old City saw many its warehouses abandoned or lost to demolition and fire. However, there are still a few of these abandoned buildings left throughout the neighborhood. After decades of decline in this neighborhood, the 1980s saw new advances to the neighborhood as many of these buildings began to be transformed into bars, lofts, offices, retail stores, and restaurants. Once again, the Old City came alive as developers gained confidence in the area once again and began opening new businesses.
Many single adults are attracted to the area now due to the closeness of nightlife and entertainment creating such an attractive place. The biggest problem this neighborhood has is from the panhandling of the area's homeless.
Recommended for
- Singles
Old City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Great place for college students"
Old City is a prime location for college students. It offers close proximity to UT Campus, all of the restaurants and the night life of Knoxville. It may be noisy, you may have a lot of neighbors, but it is a college experience. While good for the college students, more home and family oriented people may not enjoy the area. Old City is nestled in the shadows of I 40, right off of Summit Hill Dr. It is close the campus and downtown which offers great shopping and good food for anyone. This area is not considered very leafy, but also has a few parks scattered here and there.
With such proximity to downtown and UT campus, the area can be very loud. It can also have a lot of traffic congestion in several areas. These are parts of college life, right? The traffic congestion poses no problem to those biking or walking to classes. This area even though it is older, and has a few problems is still a great area for the single college students. It is the Old City, some of the best night clubs in Knoxville are located right down the street. If those are not your flavor downtown has some great coffee shops. The strip is also literally right down Cumberland, within easy walking distance.
With such proximity to downtown and UT campus, the area can be very loud. It can also have a lot of traffic congestion in several areas. These are parts of college life, right? The traffic congestion poses no problem to those biking or walking to classes. This area even though it is older, and has a few problems is still a great area for the single college students. It is the Old City, some of the best night clubs in Knoxville are located right down the street. If those are not your flavor downtown has some great coffee shops. The strip is also literally right down Cumberland, within easy walking distance.
Recommended for
- Singles
