Not your daddy's Knoxville, not Austin, Nashville,
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6/19/2007
I lived there all my life up until 10 years ago, still visit often to visit the folks. There are certainly far worse places to live, but for a relocating family, far better choices (although I highly recommend it for retirees, cheap property and low taxes). I currently work in marketing particularly analyzing demographics, I know a little about a lot of places.
For a growing family, it lacks quality child care and more schools than not are substandard. There is little recreational activity to do that isn't more than an hour drive away (quality parks, hiking, fishing, golf, aquariums etc..). Knoxville is not home to this recreation, I think "D" was creating a little "Progranda" himself, I don't remember music being any cornerstone to Knox either. You do need to know a little history to understand the area. The Feds created TVA during the depression to help bring the area into the 20th century and later created Oak Ridge Labs which may be the largest employer. Almost all quality jobs are created by government, hence why you have such devotion to the GOP (funnel alot of funds into the region).
The saying, "20 years behind, and always 20 minutes late" describes Knoxville. You still see some mullets, and you could be labeled as a metro if you have a gel or conditioning product in your hair mixed with a collared shirt:)
In closing, Knoxville has potential. If they could get rid of the good ole boy network running the place, a more progressive economy and better infrastructure could be created. I did always hate driving 20 minutes one way to buy this, and 20 minutes another way for that.
scott | Lafayette, LA