Knoxville Apartments and Rentals

While many places and people might mind being called scruffy, not so Knoxville. A reporter for the Wall Street Journal called this town that in the 1980s and locals adopted the insult as a point of pride. In fact, "Scruffy and Proud" is a mantra you'll hear often on Knoxville streets. It means residents are honored to live in the center of Appalachian culture, within the main stomping grounds of old time, bluegrass, and country music. If all that sounds sweet to you, all you need is a Knoxville apartment to start getting scruffy.

Settlers first came to Knoxville way back in 1786. Those early years were hard for the city, as geographic isolation made life here challenging. When the trains started running through in 1855, that's when the economy blossomed. The Civil War saw Knoxville batted back and forth between opposing armies, but the city survived. Following the South's surrender, Knoxville grew as a center for manufacturing and sales. In the 20th century, manufacturing declined and Knoxville again faced troubling times. Lately, city initiatives have injected vibrancy and spirit back into the Marble City. All you need to do is attend a U Tennessee Volunteer's game to see area enthusiasm in action.

If you're new to this town, the city is split into Downtown and North, South, West, and East Knoxville. Downtown you'll find the bulk of the city's business district as well as some residential areas. North Knoxville is known to be up and coming and rich in character. South Knoxville tends to be quieter and is closer to the mountains. The east is where you'll find both the old money and some blue-collar living. West Knoxville has been booming lately with shops, restaurants, and residences.

While once Knoxville depended on manufacturing jobs, the city's economy has since diversified. Government, professional services, education, health care, retail, and hospitality sectors all present residents with ample employment opportunity. The Tennessee Valley Authority is the largest public power provider in the United States and its headquarters is in Knoxville. Regal Entertainment Group, Scripps Network Interactive, and TeamHealth are also major companies in town.

Students will appreciate Knoxville as the home to the University of Tennessee's main campus. There are a few other institutes of higher education in the city, including Pellissippi State Community College, Johnson University, South College, Knoxville College, and Fountainhead College of Technology.

The average two-bedroom Knoxville apartment rents for $671 a month. In this, and in most every other regard, Marble City will cost you less to live in than many other United States cities. It should be fairly easy to find a rental in town as well. The vacancy rate in Knoxville is close to ten percent and that's relatively high.

Watching the University of Tennessee Volunteers play is one of Knoxville's most popular entertainment options, but it's hardly the only game in town. The Knoxville Zoo is known throughout the world for its breadth of exhibits. The Three Rivers Rambler train will take you on a tour of town-that's particularly appealing if you've got kids in tow. If you're seeking more intellectual stimulation, the Knoxville Museum of Art and the Emporium Center for Arts & Culture are both popular stops. Knoxville has a strong theater scene, historical homes, and plenty of excellent live music as well.

One good way to get a taste of Knoxville is by attending one of the special events held in town. The Dogwood Arts Festival lasts for 17 days in April. The Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival celebrates opera, of course, and Italian culture. Kuumba in June commemorates the area's African American heritage. Autumn on the Square features art and music and Boomsday is the largest Labor Day display of fireworks in the United States. Still hungry for more? The International Biscuit Festival in May should fill you up with home cooking.

To get your Knoxville apartment hunt underway, just take a look through the listings here on Rent.com®. We're happy to lend a hand.