I’ve had the opportunity to locate to the Knox. area. I’ve heard good and bad about the crime rate and the gun laws. Any comment on that aspect? Thanks in advance!
It appears that the gun laws are reasonable. Everyone has one (at least), and they’re part of Tennesseans’ everyday life. Our NRA logos on the cars match most cars here. (In CA, it caused raised eyebrows.)
We’ve seen no unreasonable crime incidents, although we’ve heard that meth use and cooking is a problem.
There are supposed to be three separate Tennessees. East is good (per the easterners!), middle (Nashville area) is worse, and west (Memphis) is terrible. No idea how true that is, but that’s what we hear. We’re still learning all the nuances of Tennessee living, but are glad to be here.
The thing that bothers us most is locals’ (poor) treatment of pets and animals in general. In our area, at least, there are no ordinances for protecting or pets.
A good source of info is www.city-data.com.
Tennessee is conceal carry with permit. The crime rate depends on where you live really. I live 20 miles north of Knoxville and it's real low. You do a lot better by living outside of Knoxville. The areas north are easier as far as getting from point A to Point B goes. Communities like Corryton, Halls, Powell, Heiskell, Maynardville, Gibbs, Clinton, Andersonville, which are either in Knox, Union, or Anderson Counties are pretty safe. East Knoxville I could go well into the county toward a community called Four Way Inn or Carter. South Knox County is good also but logistics especially right now are an issue. West Knoxville and Knox County is major urban sprawl with Karns and Hardin Valley likely being the better of the choices. You really don't want to be in Knoxville itself IMO.
Older communities that were safe middle class when I was a kid back in the 1960's are becoming rough such as Whittle Springs/North Hills where the Newsome/Christian torture, rape & murder took place, anything near Magnolia Ave, Cecil Ave Cherry street, Washington Ave, areas forget it, Norwood and Inskip where I once lived are becoming an illegal alien area and are declining as well. The outlying areas don't have the section 8 housing problems Knoxville does.
I'd pitch a tent on the lake before I'd move in the housing projects in Knoxville. That's advice from the son of a man who grew up in Lonsdale which even in the 1930's and 40's was the poor side of town.