South Knoxville

South Knoxville is an underrated area of the city. Sitting just south of the Tennessee River, the area isn’t far from the downtown area, making it an ideal location for many.
The homes run the gamut, depending on what neighborhood you’re in. Many homes are 30-50 years old, if not older. For the most part, properties are smaller, with one or two bedroom houses that are usually one story. However, in South Knoxville, many of the homes have large back yards.
The area is large and consists of many sub-parts like Vestal, Island Home, and Alcoa. Many long and winding roads lead from one section to the other, but it’s easy to get lost in the twisty-turny landscape.
The highest concentration of homes exist in the northern area of South Knoxville, and as you travel south towards Seymour the housing areas spread out significantly, with larger lots and more space in between homes. Because of the hilly landscape, many properties in this more sparse area of town are secluded.
The area features several major grocery stores and gas stations, as well as other small stores and restaurants.
It’s generally accepted that the houses in South Knoxville are reasonably priced.

The South Knoxville neighborhood is considered to be the scenic gateway into the Smoky Mountains as Chapman Highway, which is part of US Highway 441, runs through the middle of it. South Knoxville is separated from the main city of Knoxville and the busy traffic from the Tennessee River, but connects through either Henley Street Bridge or Gay Street Bridge. Within this vast neighborhood is Alcoa Highway, Governor John Sevier Highway, and Chapman Highway.

South Knoxville is considered to be one of the biggest areas in Knoxville, but does not have the same feeling as the rest of Knoxville. Instead has its own subtle feeling that makes it unique in its own way. As soon as you cross the Tennessee River on its southern banks, you instantly feel a looming presence of this area. This neighborhood is quiet and is less crowded than any neighborhood located on the northern side of the Tennessee River.

The southwest section of South Knoxville flows onto Alcoa Highway toward McGhee Tyson Airport toward Blount County and Maryville. This highway consists of large areas of forest and provides spectacular view of the river. It is here that the famed University of Tennessee Body Farm is located right behind the University of Tennessee Medical Center, which is where anthropologists study bodies decomposing under various conditions.

This neighborhood has many boat access docks, fishing, mountain trails, biking trails, and many areas in which families can go and enjoy nature at it its best especially when you consider Ijams Nature Center is right in the heart of it. Ijams Nature Center is a hundred acre wildlife sanctuary with the most beautiful trails and scenery in Knoxville.

South Knoxville is so very different than the rest of Knoxville. It is less populated, quieter, and there are no Interstates, and it seems as though the residents have a completely different life once you travel south of the Tennessee River. There are the towering mountains in the distance, and things seem slower. South Knoxville almost seems like it isn't part of Knoxville at all. Mcghee Tyson airport is right outside of South Knoxville, as well as the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and the infamous Body Farm. Anthropologists and anthropology and biology students, and criminologists study decomposing bodies in various circumstances and under different conditions. On the less morbid and creepy side, there are several parks such as Fort Dickerson Park, I.C. King Park, Maynard Glen Park, Mark James Park, and Mary Vestal Park. These parks offer boat access, biking, hiking, playgrounds, and fishing. The houses are older and the farther south you travel, the number of run down properties seems to increase. Probably due to a lack of funds, these houses seem to get more and more run down with the years. Less traffic than anywhere else in Knoxville, the neighborhood is quiet, and the residents are, for the most part, rather friendly. The city of Knoxville has implemented a Knoxville South Waterfront Vision Plan. The plan will take 20 years they say and claim the public improvements to the three mile stretch of waterfront property will public improvements will stimulate private investment, resulting in the addition of new residential, commercial, retail, and recreational opportunities. Of course that will take 20 years, could we move slower?

South Knoxville has the potential to be a wonderful area. It is close to Downtown Knoxville, with all the amenities it offers. It has some old neighborhoods that offer some peace and quiet. However, it seems that the farther away you get from the Tennessee River, the worse the area gets. The area seems to be in poor shape from neglect, the shops and streets appear run down. The area gets congested during rush hour. The major road, Chapman Hwy, runs through South Knoxville. It offers shopping, restaurants and meets most needs.

Some of the neighborhoods have shown some renovation and good neighborly spirit. Unfortunately, this is a small part of the area. Most people appear not to care about their homes and let them fall into disrepair. Some possible reasons for this are not having the ability to repair the homes, or afford to repair them. The area is very affordable, and offers some good experiences. The area has some good parks and is in good proximity to some of the larger areas like Downtown. Not all of this area is bad, it offers good starter homes for single students and couples. It also houses a large portion of retirees.