Kiplinger is a Washington, D.C. based publisher specializing in business forecasts and personal finance.  The rankings for Kiplinger’s Best Value Cities 2011 was based on cost of living, the vibrance of the economy, and amenities that are available to residents.

One aspect that contributed to making Knoxville one of the Best Value Cities is Knoxville’s economy. With an unemployment rate of 7.7%, the Knoxville economy has shown vibrancy even during these difficult times. With many corporate headquarters based in Knoxville including:  Bush’s Baked Beans, Jewelry TV, and Pilot, there are many employment opportunities available to residents.  TVA, which is the largest utility provider in the United States, is also based here along with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which both employ many residents.

The city has also created an environment that has attracted businesses from other parts of the country. Scripps Networks moved their corporate headquarters here back in 2010 from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Green Mountain Coffee also moved here in 2008.  And still, there are other businesses looking to move here, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has been eying East Tennessee as a potential new brewing location.

Another factor which made Knoxville one of the Best Value Cities is the low cost of living.  The average two bedroom home is $94,900 and a two bedroom apartment can be rented for $618.  Residents also enjoy low utility, energy, and tax rates.

Residents also have many sources of entertainment and activities.  Every spring there is the free concert series called Sundown in the City, which attracts as many as 12,000 residents to each of its five weekly concerts. Knoxville is also home to the International Biscuit Festival, which was ranked the Best Food Festival in the US, by Livability.Com. Downtown also offers many sources of entertainment for residents in Market Square and the Old City.

East Tennessee residents also have their pick of many outdoor activities. With the Tennessee River, residents can go tubing, waterskiing, or take part in redneck yacht clubbing.  And, with the Great Smokey Mountain so close, residents can go hiking, camping, or lazing tubing.

With many employment opportunities, a low cost of living, and many activities for residents, Knoxville is a great city to live.  If you have any questions about moving here or living here, please feel free to contact me, I would love to share my knowledge and love of the area with you.  Shoot me an email, give me a call at 865-696-9002, or leave a comment, I would be more than happy to help.

Home affordability is at an all-time high. Home values are still in recovery while mortgage rates continue to make new lows. But where are homes the most affordable?

CNNMoney.com recently ran a piece titled “Where Homes Are Affordable“, listing 25 communities around the U.S. in which median incomes are relatively high and median homes are relatively low.  It’s a housing market “bank for your buck” list.

The top 10 cities as listed by the editors:

1. Deerfield Beach, FL
2. Lafayette, IN
3. San Antonio, TX
4. Deltona, FL
5. Spring, TX
6. Glendale, AZ
7. Avondale, AZ
8. Bolingbrook, IL
9. Fishers, IN
10. Des Moines, IA

Of the top 10, 2 picks are from the Southeast; 4 are from the Midwest; and 4 are from the Southwest.  2 are “major” cities and the rest are suburbs of bigger cities.  Lafayette stands lone as a college town.

The rest of CNNMoney.com’s 25 cities follow a similar pattern — larger suburbs geographically concentrated in the Midwest and Southwest. Surprisingly, though, New Jersey and Virginia do find themselves represented.  Even the expensive Eastern Seaboard has its good buys.

Relocate To Knoxville TN BIG Orange Country!!

Once again just like we did in 2009 Knoxville TN was picked by Relocate America as one of the BEST Places to Live

Relocate America recently released its 2010 list of Top 100 Places To Live In America. The rankings are topped by some cities you may expect, and some you may not.

According to Relocate America, the rankings highlight communities “moving in the right direction”, defined as having a combination of strong leadership, job opportunities, improving real estate markets, recreational options and a good quality of life.

It’s not a bad formula and topping the list of Top 100 Places To Live In America is Huntsville, Alabama.  Huntsville was chosen for its low levels of unemployment, stable housing stock, and low cost of living.  Last year, Huntsville placed fifth on the Relocate America list.

The Top 10 cities in which to live, as selected by Relocate America are:

1. Huntsville, AL
2. Washington, DC
3. Austin, TX
4. San Diego, CA
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Tulsa, OK
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Raleigh, NC
9. Boulder, CO
10. Minneapolis, MN

View the complete Top 100 Places To Live In America 2010 list at the Relocate America website.

There are a lot of things to consider when you may be relocating to a new city. A few of them are climate, quality of life, employment opportunity’s. I think Knoxville has them all to offer to people. You have a mild climate with four seasons. Great quality of life with plenty of things to do. Easy access to water and mountains. Vibrant economy with a strong employment base. And of course “How Bout Them VOLS”

If you are thinking about relocating to Knoxville TN give me a call at 865-675-8326 or email me Rick@TheBigOrangePress.com My family and I relocated to Knoxville TN a few years ago and just love it here. Knoxville is a GREAT Place to work and raise a family