Old Sevier

The Old Sevier area of South Knoxville, much like South Knoxville itself, is underrated.

First of all, the area sits right against the Tennessee River, providing a great view of it as well as the back side of downtown. It's only about a mile from downtown, as well, making the location extremely convenient.

The neighborhood is immediately east once you cross over the bridge entering into South Knoxville, but it's not quite as far as Island Home. But much like Island Home, it has plenty of nice quality, small houses for affordable prices.

The area isn't heavy on one demographic over another. There are families and plenty of young professionals who own their homes. There isn't much to speak of as far as apartment complexes, and the houses mostly aren't in subdivisions, just on one long, windy road. But the area is well kept and in an extremely convenient location.

The neighborhood is surrounded by large rolling hills as well providing great scenery, and it's only minutes from Ijams Nature Center-- one of the most beautiful areas of town.

It would be a great location for any young homeowner or small family. Many properties are available for rent, as well, from private landlords.

The Old Sevier neighborhood is located on the south side of the Tennessee River and directly across from downtown Knoxville. There are three bridges that link this neighborhood with downtown and Interstates 40 and 75. The Old Sevier neighborhood is a little over an hour from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and just to the west and across the river is the University of Tennessee. A mile east of the Old Sevier neighborhood is the Island Home Airport and Ijams Nature Center.

Many of the residents here have lived in the neighborhood all their lives and the homes are mostly owner occupied and often have front porches where residents can be seen any given evening sitting with a glass of sweet tea watching the sun set. Homeowners enjoy remodeling their houses and working in their yards. This beautiful neighborhood consists of sixty-eight businesses, twenty apartment buildings and complexes, two of which are occupied by UT students, four churches, an elementary school, two day-cares, and a fire hall. This small community is diverse in every way - racially, economically, educationally, and as to age.

Two ridges, three valleys, and the old flood plain of the river make up this small, but unique neighborhood. It is bounded on the north by the river, on the east and south by James White Parkway, and on the west by Chapman Highway and Old Martin Mill Pike East. Despite the metropolitan location of the Old Sevier neighborhood there is still that hometown feeling of a small town.

Old Sevier is very diverse in every way. An eclectic mix economically, racially, and educationally. Located right on the Tennessee River across from downtown, this neighborhood is in a flood plain, which is a major drawback. It is connected by three bridges to the downtown area and Interstates 40 and 75, so it is convenient to most everything. Even though the neighborhood is very close to downtown, the residents enjoy the feel of a small town. The neighborhood is full of older homes with large front porches, and the residents are constantly improving the homes and the lawns. The neighborhood is full of large trees and has several wooded areas. About 30 minutes from the Smoky Mountain National Park, and just across the river from the University of Tennessee, Ijams Nature Center, Island Home Airport, and about a mile east is the Tennessee School for the Deaf. The other K-12 schools in the area aren't known to be top notch, but of course the government is actively trying to remedy that. Baptist Hospital and the adjoining Baptist Hospital for Women are very close, and despite my personal nightmare with the hospital, they are excellent. There are several apartment complexes and businesses in the neighborhood as well as a fire hall, several churches, and schools. So, from students to individuals this is a nice neighborhood.

Old Sevier is an older neighborhood on the Tennessee River. It has great proximity to downtown and south Knoxville. This area is older and well established so has more green than most areas of downtown. It is also down the street from Baptist Hospital, one of the area's leading medical facilities. The older homes can be a little run down, but nothing a good renovation can't fix. This adds to the affordability and cost of living in the area. Old Sevier is close to downtown so residents can take advantage of the restaurants and the great shops.

For the family oriented, some of the school systems are regarded as being on the lower end of the spectrum. This of course is always improving, but other choices in the Knoxville area may be better. With such proximity to downtown and UT campus, it can be an ideal place for college students, or young couples seeking to own their own house. One of the best features of this neighborhood is an automatic front row seat to Boomsday every September. Overall, the older homes are quaint and offer a good starting point for new couples or retirees.