Blaine offers rural living and outdoor activities
Located about 20 miles from downtown Knoxville , Blaine is a rural community that draws those looking for space and peace. That was the case for Chuck Belt, owner of Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard. “We found a nice piece of property, and were kind of looking at retirement and what we were going to do,” he says, recalling his move to Blaine in the 2000s. “We decided this was a good area for us. Very rural and very laid-back. Not really busy, not a lot of traffic.” In addition to its slower pace, this city of 2,000 people offers quick access to outdoor attractions like hiking trails and fishing holes. “It’s a small country community,” Belt says.
Country roads pass homes on spacious farmland
In Blaine, narrow country roads wind across rolling landscapes of open fields and woods. Many homes here are on spacious lots separated by acres of farmland. While some lots here are 1 acre or less, others are well over 30 acres. Several properties are also surrounded by yards of fencing. Ranch-style homes and farmhouses are common, but Blaine also has New Traditionals and a few Colonial Revivals. Many homes, about 3,000 square feet or less, sell between $240,000 and $480,000. Some homes that are larger or have many acres sell from $540,000 to $870,000. Some upscale properties on more than 30 acres run between $970,000 and $1.5 million. Blaine also has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Local restaurants have comfort foods, tacos and wines
Blaine’s few restaurants include Little Dipper Diner & Creamery, a small and casual spot for classic American breakfasts, burgers and frozen desserts. For street-style tacos and other Tex-Mex fare, there’s El Paisaje Mexican Grill. Visitors to Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard may sample wines at a log house surrounded by farmland. “We’ll do some wine education and events where we just pair wines with a bit of cheese and talk about the wines and the wine industry,” Belt says. For groceries, Blaine has a Food City store. However, residents do need to leave the area to find more retail shopping options. Walmart and Target are about 30 miles away in one of the nearest retail corridors.
Surrounding area has fishing holes and hiking trails
Although the city has no municipal parks, residents aren’t far from outdoor attractions. The Holston River snakes past Blaine, providing a nearby fly fishing hot spot. Anglers may get in the water to fish for smallmouth bass and carp through access points like Nance’s Ferry. There’s more fishing at the Buffalo Springs Wildlife Management Area, a 342-acre preserve that provides access to Buffalo Creek. “Buffalo Springs is pretty well known for trout fishing,” Belt says. “They stock it usually once a week. There’s that to do, and there are campgrounds around the area.” The area is also popular for its waterfall and hunting. Blaine is also near the House Mountain State Natural Area, where hikers may get sweeping views of the valley and the Unaka and Cumberland ranges.
Students may attend Grainger County Schools
Grainger County Schools covers Blaine and receives a C from Niche. Students may start at Joppa Elementary School, which gets a B-minus. Activities at the school include J-Stars, which allows students to do community service with institutions like the local humane society and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. Students may then go to Rutledge Middle and Grainger High schools. Rutledge receives a C-plus, while Grainger High gets a C. The high school takes advantage of the area’s surroundings for some extracurricular activities, including a fishing club.
Fall festival brings in classic cars
Local events include the Blaine Fall Festival and Car Show, which takes place at the city hall in September. The event draws many gearheads who may browse various classic muscle cars and pickup trucks. The festival involves other activities like a 5K run and walk.
Blaine is 20 miles from downtown Knoxville
Blaine residents need to drive to get around the area. U.S. Highway 11W, or Tennessee state Route 1, goes directly to downtown Knoxville, about 20 miles southwest. The Marble City, as Knoxville is sometimes called, has some of the nearest hospitals, including Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and University of Tennessee Medical Center. Knoxville is also just north of McGhee Tyson Airport, the area's hub for commercial flights.
