Quality of Life
Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee area are abounding with ways for both residents and visitors to enjoy their time in East Tennessee.
Residents of Knoxville enjoy a below-average cost of living, a number of fine educational institutions, a temperate year-round climate, and plenty of exciting activities and social/cultural events.
Knoxville is located in Knox County, Tennessee. The City of Knoxville Website provides a great amount of information for businesses, residents and visitors about city services, events and policies.
Travel to and from Knoxville is easy. The city is located at the intersection of Interstates 40 and 75, two main national corridors. Knoxville is served by McGhee-Tyson Airport, 12 miles from downtown Knoxville. The airport features 8 national airlines, 19 non-stop destinations, and 120 arrivals and departures daily.
At the center of Knoxville is its downtown area, including Market Square and the historic Old City. A variety of shopping, restaurants, cultural activities and events make this area a popular destination.
Situated between downtown and the University of Tennessee is World's Fair Park and the famous Sunsphere, remnants of the 1982 World's Fair.
Knoxville is part of the Innovation Valley, which includes Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge is home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12, and the American Museum of Science and Energy. These are exemplars of the region's commitment to furthering science and technology innovation and education.
Knoxville is situated near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which provides both an excellent view and many outdoor activities. Visitors enjoy their time among the natural scenery of the park, along with an array of flora and fauna. Hiking, biking, camping and fishing are popular past times.
For those who enjoy animals, the Knoxville Zoo is home to dozens of species from all around the world.
Ijams Nature Center, located just south of downtown Knoxville, is a popular attraction for those interested in enjoying the outdoors and nature. Knoxville is also home to many other parks and recreation options.
Knoxville is home to the main campus of the University of Tennessee, which is known for its excellent NCAA football, men's basketball and women's basketball programs. The Knoxville Ice Bears is the local SPHL hockey team. Baseball fans will enjoy watching the Tennessee Smokies and the University of Tennessee teams. Women's basketball fans won't want to miss the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Those interested in art will enjoy the Knoxville Museum of Art, a collection of over 700 works of all medium from regional and national artists. If you prefer music, the professional Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performs over 200 shows each season. The Tennessee and Bijou theaters, both located in downtown Knoxville, showcase performance arts and special events.
