Corryton

Named after John Nicholas Gibbs, a German settler whose nearby family-owned farmstead operated for four generations, the Gibbs area of Corryton, Tennessee, is a growing bedroom community about 15 miles northeast of downtown Knoxville that manages to hold on to its country roots. “Gibbs is still pretty rural, and for example, getting a new strip mall is a pretty big deal,” says Laura Michaels, director of operations for the Cooper Team at Keller Williams Realty. “It's popular for people who don’t want to live in the city but still want to be nearby, as it’s about a 20-minute drive downtown." With public transportation in the area scarce, folks looking to commute into Knoxville are most likely to drive themselves following Highway 331, also known as Tazewell Pike, and while en route, hopping on Interstate 640 and Interstate 275 to avoid traffic lights. An easy commute isn't the only thing that makes people take notice of Gibbs. Its wide-open spaces and low crime index score of one are also checks in the area's pluses column. Along Tazewell Pike sit a variety of property styles, from farmhouses and bungalows that date back to the 1940s to Colonial Revivals and ranch-style abodes from the 1970s and 1980s. Most Gibbs area homes are set on an acre or more of land, but there are also a few newly constructed subdivisions consisting of modern traditional houses on smaller lots. "There has been more and more development out this way as more land becomes available for sale,” Michaels says. Homes in Gibbs range in size from around 1,000 to 3,600 square feet and in price from $105,000 to $680,000. In this still-rural area, the amount of land that comes with a property is typically the driving factor when it comes to price. For example, a newly-built home in a subdivision usually hits the market in the low to mid-$300,000s, while an older ranch-style property with over two acres can sell in the $400,000s. The area is districted into Knox County Schools, which earns a B-plus rating on Niche. Students attend Gibbs Elementary, Middle and High School, three separate buildings in the same corridor on Tazewell Pike. The elementary and middle schools earn a B from Niche, while the high school receives a C-plus and offers many clubs, extracurricular activities and athletic programs. “The school is a big part of the community," Michaels says. "They have events, musical performances and of course, Friday nights in the fall people love to go to the football games.” Gibbs Ruritan Club is a service organization that serves the interests and needs of the Gibbs and Corryton communities. The club puts on numerous events and get-togethers during the year, including the annual Christmas parade. One of its most significant ventures is the recreational sports leagues the group hosts at the park behind its building. Here, you can find five baseball fields, two softball fields, four tennis courts and a football field. There are also picnic shelters and a playground for entertainment before or after a game. The group also maintains the Spence Nicely Bird Sanctuary and Hiking trail, which is more than 40 acres. Hikers can find beautiful views while keeping their eyes on the sky to see various species of birds overhead. Gibbs uses its ruralness to its advantage and has numerous pumpkin patches and corn mazes where Halloween-themed entertainment, like the 13th Hour Haunted Trail, occurs each year. The area also features popular wedding venues with stunning mountain views, like Roberts Farm. Though residents have to head into Knoxville for serious retail therapy, they can quickly grab weekly groceries at Midway IGA or pick up prescriptions at Walgreens, located in the Gibbs Plaza shopping center. “Gibbs is not a shopping mecca," says Michaels. "But you can find some mom-and-pop shops." For a local bite to eat, there's Don Jose’s Mexican Grill, and for dessert, folks can stop by family-owned Wrenhouse Bakery, where they'll find a seasonal selection of gourmet cookies, cream pies, cupcakes and cake pops.

Plainview is a sprawling community just 30 minutes outside of Knoxville. This rural stretch of Tennessee farmland offers a serene home on the state’s wide plains. Plainview is a very affordable market, with a median sales price in the $200,000s, which has risen by 14% over the last 12 months. Properties consist of single-family houses ranging from the $100,000s to the $300,000s, on large lots and often atop hills in a rural and suburban mix. This gives residents plenty of space while winding roads bring them past their neighbors. Tazewell Pike runs directly through the neighborhood, taking you from one side to the next, past thickets of woods and rolling green hills. With a location in the countryside, it’s not hard for residents to get an easy taste of the outdoors. Corryton Park is the primary green space in the area, with a paved walking trail, athletic fields, and picnic shelters for visitors to enjoy. Plainview also sits between two state parks, Big Ridge State Park to the north and House Mountain State Park to the south. The former offers 15 miles of hiking trails with a gorgeous view of Norris Lake, while the latter has over 500 acres of scenic woods and rock outcrops full of rich wildlife. For a more low-key outdoor spot, look no further than the Plainview Community Center, which provides a playground and swing benches. There are also a few camping grounds and riverside treks within the community. Students who live in Plainview attend classes in the Union County School District. Luttrell Elementary School is next door to the Luttrell Public Library and basketball and tennis courts, so kids have safe hubs for after-school activities. Horace Maynard Middle School is home to its vibrant Red Devils sports teams, while Union County High School prides itself on its one-to-one technology initiatives to encourage innovative thinking in its students. Just up north along Maynardville Highway, you’ll find your closet shopping and dining destinations. Find your essentials at big grocers like Food City, convenience stores, chain restaurants and supply shops. The centrally running Tazewell Pike can also take you past a few smaller supply shops, gas stations and professional services for easy assistance. While on your way back home, take a seat at Rondo’s Pizzeria & Grill for their popular ribeye steaks or head southwest to Sunrise Deli for mouthwatering sub sandwiches. After a long day of school and work, you won’t have to drive too far to find socializing and entertainment opportunities. If you want to get to know your neighbors, the Corryton Community Center boasts potlucks, holidays gathering and family events for everyone to come together. For some weekend entertainment, Knoxville Dragway to the west hosts heart-pounding races on their whirling racing track. Knoxville is only half an hour away if you’re looking for a trip to the city. Visit to experience the many bars, restaurants and nightlife hot spots on Cumberland Avenue and partake in the dozens of cultural festivals highlighting Knoxville’s diversity. With miles of countryside right outside your door, Plainview is a tranquil piece of rural living on the east side of Tennessee.

Settled between the roaring mountains, Paulette is a rural neighborhood in the northern half of Corryton. This wooded community sits just outside major Tennessee state parks, making it an attractive home for newcomers who want to live close to the great outdoors. “It’s a nice small town with many local spots,” says Emily Golec, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a Knoxville native. “People are very community-minded and like to support each other, like with the local schools.” The area is 22 miles from downtown Knoxville, which is a hub for entertainment and employment. With an abundance of expansive parks and access to convenient amenities, Paulette is a scenic piece of countryside living. One of the most unique draws of Paulette is its proximity to Tennessee’s most prominent natural hot spots. Big Ridge State Park is the closest of these and offers thousands of miles of scenery to wander. Less than 20 minutes from Paulette, visitors hike its 15 miles of nature trails and fish, swim and paddle along its shimmering lake. Beyond Big Ridge, nature enthusiasts can explore more ecological gems like Norris Dam State Park, a popular spot for activities like camping and ziplining. People can venture further into the wilderness to Chuck Swan State Forest, a vast old-growth forest where patrons go caving, hunting and mountain biking. All these destinations are less than an hour from Paulette, making the neighborhood an ideal home for outdoor enthusiasts. Meanwhile, La Follette Country Club is the nearest golf course that also has a store attached where golfers can purchase gloves, balls and snacks. Houses sit along winding roads that take residents between local stores and green spaces, all with a horizon full of bristling mountains. Traditional and ranch-style Craftsman homes range from $250,000 to $650,000 and sit on large swatches of grassy land amongst the rolling hills and thickets of trees. Properties usually sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 42 days. When they’re not exploring the many parks, young people in Paulette attend classes in the Union County School District. Many can attend Paulette Elementary School, which earns a C from Niche. Students may advance to Horace Maynard Middle School, which receives a C-plus and has an annual career fair for rising high schoolers. Union County High School prides itself on its one-to-one technology initiatives to encourage innovative thinking and earns a C-plus from Niche. The University of Tennessee is 20 miles away. Tennessee State Route 33 conveniently brings residents to Paulette’s nearest shopping and dining options. Shoppers can find large retailers like Food City and popular chain restaurants along Route 33. People visit Li’l Jo’s BBQ, one of Paulette’s local establishments, for mouthwatering bites of Memphis-style eats. 33 Diner comforting country food. “I like to visit Henry’s, a little deli shop that also specializes in desserts,” says Golec. People don’t have to look too far to find socializing and entertainment opportunities when the weekend rolls around. For some thrill-seeking fun, Knoxville Dragway hosts heart-pumping races on its whirling racing track. The Red Gate Rodeo is Paulette’s most distinct entertainment venue, with unique family-friendly showcases like bull riding, barrel-racing and live country music. Knoxville is only 21 miles away when residents want to take a trip to the city to experience its many bars, restaurants and nightlife hot spots. Bargoers enjoy small appetizers and expansive beer menus with a side of trivia nights at places like Saloon 16 and The Half Barrel, which sit next to each other on Cumberland Avenue. While the area doesn’t offer any public transportation, residents still have a quick route to work in the mornings with the convenience of Route 33, which runs right through Paulette and reaches downtown Knoxville. Route 33 leads frequent flyers to McGhee Tyson Airport, which is 35 miles away.