Moving to another state always gives hard times for those who must move. And we are not talking only about the complex logistics part of the relocation. It is equally demanding emotionally to change your surroundings and everything you know to start all over in a new place. However, Knoxville Tennessee is probably the right choice if you’re fond of mid-sized cities with a slower pace of life. Even more so, if you’re a proud Texan, you’ll probably feel good in Tennessee with all its bars, country music, and numerous concerts. So, what to expect when moving from Texas to Knoxville with the state to state movers is a valid question. For those unfamiliar with Marble City, we’ve compiled a list of notable things about the place.
Facts about Knoxville, TN
Knoxville is the seat of Knox County in the state of Tennessee. It got its name after Henry Knox, the war secretary of president Washington. And the nickname Marble City comes from the fact that Knoxville was famous for the production and distribution of marble in the early 1900s. It was established as a settlement in 1791, and in 1815 it became incorporated. Today is one of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the US. And the number of inhabitants reached 190,740 in 2020. The city is rich in history and tradition, but also arts, cuisine, and music. It can be stated as the cultural center of Tennessee.
This welcoming and relaxed place offers a true Southern vibe to its visitors. Famous Southern hospitality is inherent in both states, so moving from Texas to Tennessee wouldn’t be much of a problem. They also have their differences, of course, so let our observations help you decide.
Affordable costs of living
On the list of the best American cities to live in, Knoxville ranks 46th overall according to Usnews.com. This is greatly helped by the fact that the cost of living in Marble City is 29% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is 86 out of 100 which confirms that Knoxville is an affordable city. Almost all items essential for everyday life are cheaper, from utilities to food and transportation. If Numbeo.com is to be believed, the monthly cost of living for a single person is around $900, rent excluded. At the same time, the monthly expenses for a family of four are about $3168.
- Basic utilities like garbage disposal, water, and electricity, amount to about $180 a month for an apartment of about 85 square meters, plus $70 for unlimited internet and cable. The average monthly spending for a phone is approximately $180.
- As far as rents are concerned, they range from $1164 for a one-bedroom apartment to $1950 for a three-bedroom in the center. To be fair, these are average prices, and apartments are of course cheaper as you move away from the city center.
- Housing is also one of the more economical items. In fact, its housing cost index of 75\100 is one of the highest in the country. The median home price is around $282000 which is very favorable compared to the rest of the country.
- Public transportation is also affordable, although sometimes chaotic. Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is a bus service company, operating in the area with more than 20 fixed bus lines and trolleys. A one-way ticket for an adult passenger is $1.70, and seniors and children pay less.
- And the food is also about 13% cheaper than the national average.
Great public schools and educational institutions
A fact that Knoxville residents are proud of is that it is home to some of the best schools in the state. Out of 80 public schools, Niche.com rated some with an A+ such as Farragut High School, while it ranks 7th in the state. The overall grade of education in Knoxville is B+, which is a great success. If this is important for you when it comes to moving, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You can relocate freely with the help of our household movers TX knowing that your children will have an excellent education. To assure you more, we have to mention the Tennessee Promise program. It’s a scholarship for high school graduates which covers tuition for community colleges in the state. And besides that, it’s also a mentoring program offering individual guidance for qualified students.
University of Tennessee
There are 21 colleges and universities in the Knoxville area, your kids can choose from. The most famous among them and the largest in the country is certainly the University of Tennessee. The tuition fee for this prestigious university is $13244 for students from Tennessee. While the tuition fee for out-of-state students is slightly higher at 31664. The acceptance rate for this university is 78,8% making it lightly selective. And currently, over 22,000 students attend this highly rated educational facility. The most popular majors are Logistics and supply management, Psychology, Exercise science, etc. At the University of Tennessee, athleticism is nurtured and encouraged. The popular Tennessee Volunteers (Vols) and Lady Volunteers, are competing in almost every sports category, often ranking in the top 25. Since competing in intercollegiate competitions, they have won 23 titles.
Sports teams and their loyal fans
When it comes to sports, residents of Knoxville are true sports fans. There are some great local teams such as the professional hockey team Knoxville Ice Bears which competes in Southern Professional Hockey League. Their home games are huge local events, often cheered by a full auditorium at Knoxville Civic Coliseum. And the Vols football team is also very popular, and it has a large base of devoted fans. Their devotion goes so far as to founding Val Navy, with kayaks and yachts. It has become a tradition to throw parties on boats before every game. Another gathering place for non-vessel fans is the G-10 parking garage right next to the stadium. Let’s not forget the Lady Vals basketball team, which is in 13th place in the country. That’s how important sports are in Knoxville.
If the sport is your cup of tea, out of state movers San Antonio could execute your relocation just in time for the next big game in Knoxville. This is clearly the answer to the question: What to expect from moving from Texas to Knoxville? Expect lots of good sports matches and lots of cheering for your local teams.
Beautiful nature and outdoor fun
Another great feature of Tennessee is certainly its beautiful nature and plenty of outdoor fun. Its diverse landscapes attract tourists but are also a great escape from everyday life for its residents. The city is placed within the Great Appalachian Valley rich in forests, mountains, valleys, swamps, etc. Whatever your interests are, we’re sure you’ll find something you like to fill your free time. You could go exploring some of the 10000 caves in Tennessee. Some even say it’s the state with the most caves in the US. The most popular is without a doubt Ruby Falls cave with its stunning waterfall. It is about 1,100 miles below the surface, and an average walk through the cave lasts about an hour and 20 minutes.
One more gem of these areas is the Tennessee River and the Nine lakes of East Tennessee which are made by damming the river. President Roosevelt himself called them the Great Lakes of the South. Not only are they important for commerce but also recreation and vacation. In fact, the state has a total of 12 grand lakes and countless small lakes and water reservoirs. The whole region is perfect for swimming, paddling, hiking, and climbing. So, if you’ve been wondering what to expect after moving from Texas to Knoxville, expect nature at its finest. Our team of movers provides you with full packing services TX leaving you the time to get to know the Volunteer State.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Only a short 1-hour ride away from Knoxville is the famous National Park Smoky Mountains. It spreads to the two states of Tennessee and North Carolina. Its highest point in Tennessee is Clingmans Dome, perfect for climbing and hiking. This nature reserve is home to black bears, deer, wild turkeys, and many other species. The mountain is mostly covered with thick forest, so maybe it’s most beautiful in autumn because of all those colors. However, its most visited and popular point is Cades Cove, an 11 miles long loop road. This is the most scenic place in the park, where visitors can explore old cabins, and churches, go hiking, or just relax and enjoy the view. Even if you live in Tennessee and have already toured the Smoky mountains, you’ll want to do it again.
Lower safety and high crime rate
Compared to Texas moving to Tennessee has a few downsides. One of the flaws is a slightly higher crime rate and lower safety. The national average violent crime rate is 22.7, while Knoxville scored 44.9/100. Also, the property crime rate is extremely high 81.5. The crime rate is higher even compared to surrounding cities. Of course, let’s not generalize, since there are also quiet and safe cities such as Chattanooga. Basically, the bigger the city the more crime, which is logical after all. The good news is that police are determined to put an end to it, so recently the number of crimes are dropping. Just do your research before you move with the interstate moving companies Houston and choose your neighborhood carefully.
Humid climate and occasionally extreme weather
Living in Knoxville Tennessee offers enjoyment in all four seasons. When it comes to weather comfort rate, Knoxville gets 7.3/10, which is a great score. It is most pleasant in autumn and spring when the temperatures vary between 70F and 80F. Winters are mild around zero, with occasional snow. Now you’re probably wondering what’s wrong with that. The downside is the summers are sultry and humid, with temperature highs up to 90 F and rarely dropping below 70F. It also rains regularly, even in July, which adds to the humidity. In addition to that, some parts of the state are prone to extreme weather conditions such as tornados and severe storms. So don’t forget to get an insurance policy when renting storage services in Texas for your inventory.
Landlocked state
Yes, Tennessee is a landlocked country, and if you have a problem with that, you better think twice about moving from Texas to Knoxville. The closest beach is about 6 hours away, Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina. Although there is no sea, there sure is swimming and relaxing by the water, near one of its many lakes. The closest to Knoxville is Cherokee Lake, where you can spend a day on the beach. This gorgeous lake is one of the largest in the state and an excellent substitute for the sea. It’s a great spot for relaxing after a tiring corporate relocation from Texas. Nevertheless, Knoxville offers many other pleasures that make up for its lack of ocean. We’re sure you won’t regret it if you give it a chance.
What to expect when moving from Texas to Knoxville?
If you had any reservations regarding living in Knoxville, we hope our little research proved you wrong. All the good things can be found in Knoxville: tasteful Southern food, rich nightlife every day of the week, festivals and events, museums, Sunsphere Tower, Smoky Mountains, etc. The list can go on and on because there are so many pros to moving from Texas to Knoxville. It’s usually a good idea to lower your expectations, but not in Knoxville’s case. Expect only the best, especially since you are moving with the trusted and experienced State to State Movers!
