Western Heights

It’s not so much what’s in Western Heights, but what’s nearby that makes the neighborhood attractive. Residents here are just minutes away from downtown Knoxville and the Happy Holler community’s funky shops and restaurants. “It’s close to downtown, breweries, shops and really unique restaurants,” says Sasha Hoover, a Realtor with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty. “It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood because of the location.”

Those looking to move here will primarily find vintage wooden clapboard cottages built in the 1920s. Homes typically hover around 1,000-square-feet and rest on lots of a quarter-acre or more with mature oak and maple trees that are common to the area. “It’s a great place for anyone who is into historical architecture. The homes have got some character. There are lots of bungalows with wrap-around porches and big trees,” Hoover says. “A lot of them haven’t been updated, but people are starting to go in there and make improvements.”

Prices in Western Heights typically range from $250,000 to $400,000. “Things sell pretty quickly there, usually within a week,” Hoover says.

Public school students in Western Heights may attend schools such as Beaumont Elementary School, Northwest Middle School, and Fulton High School. The high school earns an overall grade of B- and has a notably low student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to one, according to Niche.

Western Heights is primarily a residential area, but just a mile away the Happy Holler neighborhood is flush with independent shops and eateries. You can shop for vintage clothing and furniture at Retrospect, buy your favorite Beatles’ album at Raven’s Records & Rarities, pick up your weekly groceries at Three Rivers Market, or satisfy your sweet tooth at Freezo ice cream shop, a community staple since 1942.

For a taste of something local, try Twister’s Diner for Southern comfort foods such as meatloaf and country fried steak. Central Flats & Taps is the go-to spot to meet up with friends for pizza and beer.

Popular pastimes include visiting the nearby 17-acre Malcolm-Martin Park, where you can play a game of tennis, shoot some hoops, or cool off in the pool in the summer months.

For a greater variety of entertainment options, Western Heights residents don’t have far to travel. Downtown Knoxville is less than 5 miles away. The iconic Tennessee Theatre regularly hosts a variety of performances, ranging from Broadway musicals to classic movies. Since 1928, legendary musicians such as Johnny Cash and B.B. King have performed there. The Knoxville Museum of Art features the work of artists who hail from East Tennessee. Highlights include Richard Jolley’s “Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity.” One of the largest glass and steel art installations in the world, the piece is 12-feet-high, 105-feet-long and weighs 7 tons. Hoover says because of Western Height’s affordable prices: “It’s a good spot for young couples who want to be close to downtown, shopping, and entertainment.”

Written By

Claudia Pinto

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Byrum

Video By

Grace Kim