Knoxville - the 30th worst US city?

[Rogarven]

Knoxville would be on my short list to move but wife can't take the humidity. We are use to desert climates. I do think would be a great place and enjoyed what little time I spent there passing through on the way to Philly.

[crltn19]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Even with that is hard to "generalize" crime for the city, without knowing the demographics of the criminals and the victims. From what I see from following the local news, most violent crime tends to be slanted towards a particular demographic. Sorry to say that, but looking at the overall threat level it has to be evaluated based on facts. It seems as if a large amount of the crime is among rival gangs and criminals offing other criminals, as opposed to random attacks on innocent people.

This is very true. Outside of a few pockets within the city limits which have always been problem areas, the rest of the city, county, and metro feel pretty safe overall.

[crltn19]

Also this latest 2021 Q1 report shows Knoxville MSA has seen the highest home sales profit margins in the nation at 122.1% return, ahead of places like Boise (102.8%) and Nashville (92.1%).

https://www.attomdata.com/news/marke...-sales-report/

[doc1]

Originally Posted by JOinGA

Per WBIR "As of May 23, 21 people have been shot and killed in the city limits, Knoxville Police data showed. That's nearly double the number shot and killed at the same time in 2020—a year which broke records as the deadliest in the city's history." These numbers compare us to ourselves, so you can't blame it on different reporting standards. There are many great things about living in Knoxville, but crime is up. There is no denying it. That said, I don't feel unsafe downtown, but I choose my times and locations wisely.

We've always felt safe in the Market Square, Gay Street and Old City areas.

I suspect those killings are in areas we have absolutely no interest in visiting.

[Igor Blevin]

Originally Posted by doc1

We've always felt safe in the Market Square, Gay Street and Old City areas.

I suspect those killings are in areas we have absolutely no interest in visiting.

Being new to Knoxville, I checked out Market Square and Gay Street with all its shops and restaurants.

Then I cruised around just checking things out. Cruised north on Gay Street then who knows where, but north. What a shock. As soon as I got above I-40, it was pure ghetto and my crime app was off the map. I am talking a mile, tops. I mean, it flipped like a switch. I didn't feel safe driving there.

While I woudn't "visit" there, I sure stumbled upon it quickly. I was just shocked at how close it was to Market Square.

I am just responding to your post. I felt safe on Gay Street as well, but the bad area a mile north is just too close for comfort. That is concerning.

I am sure long time residents know if I stumbled on a small pocket of poverty or if it gets worse from there or what? I didn't venture further. As soon as it looked like it was getting rough, I made a B-line back for Gay St.