Oneida is quiet Tennessee town close to outdoor destinations
Located on the Cumberland Plateau, Oneida is a small town community close to various outdoor attractions. The town is less than 20 miles east of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a heavily forested gorge and upland popular for activities like hiking and whitewater rafting. “It’s got a lot of nature and waterfalls,” says Lisa Garrett, owner of Mitchell Real Estate and Auction Company. “We also got different areas like Bandy Creek Campground and the Twin Arches.” This town of approximately 4,000 people is also about 1 hour away from the crowds of Tennessee’s nearest major city. “A lot of the feedback we get is just the pace of life and the friendliness of the people,” says Amy Martin, a Realtor with Ayers Auction & Real Estate. “We still have a lot of farmland, too, so the scenery is really pretty.”
Oneida has ranch-style homes, bungalows and room
Homes in the area are on lots with a mix of paved and gravel driveways. Mature trees and wired fencing also surround several homes. With many lots running between half an acre and 4 acres, it’s not uncommon for residents to have space and even room for animals. “There are a lot of horse properties here,” Garrett says. The town has many ranch-style homes and some Craftsman bungalows. Most homes go from $90,000 to $290,000. A few homes that are newer or on farmland go from $320,000 to $490,000.
Recreation includes golf, fishing, hiking and rock climbing
Big South is one of the area’s top outdoor destinations. The 125,000-acre area has well over 500 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, several waterways for paddlers and rock climbing cliffs. Other park attractions include natural sandstone bridges and structures showing past farming and mining activities. The region’s Appalachian terrain is also popular among off-roaders. Oneida is about 10 miles north of Huntsville-based Brimstone Recreation, which issues riding permits and manages more than 300 miles of all-terrain vehicle trails. In town, there's 60-acre Oneida City Park, which has a splash pad and a boating and fishing lake. Other park amenities include basketball courts and soccer fields. The public and nine-hole Oneida Municipal Golf Course provides another option for recreation.
Oneida has cafes, ‘Jerry burger’ and barbecue
Locals may start their days with a visit to Gather Coffee Lounge, a small chain that roasts its own coffee and makes plant-based treats from scratch. Many line up at Phillips’ Drive-In’s outside window counter during lunch to pick up burgers or pizza. “They’re famous for their ‘Jerry burgers,’” Martin says. “It’s a hamburger with a special sauce. They have their own secret sauce.” Other local staples include Preston’s Steakhouse, which runs out of a log cabin building with ranch-themed decor. County’s BBQ has pulled pork sandwiches, smoked ribs and other Southern downhome favorites. Grocery shoppers may go to Save A Lot.
Students may attend Oneida Special School District
Oneida Special School District serves the town and receives a B-minus from Niche. The district’s three schools are Oneida Elementary, Oneida Middle and Oneida High. Oneida Elementary gets a C-plus, while Oneida Middle receives a B-minus. Oneida High gets a B. District programs include the Oneida Pathways Academy, an online platform intended to help students catch up and even earn dual enrollment college credits. The district also pushes for town engagement. For example, residents and local professionals often visit the schools to read to younger students and offer future career mentoring.
Entertainment includes storytelling and live music events
The Big South area hosts events like the annual and free Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival. In September, thousands venture into the park’s woods to listen to various tales from a diverse lineup of storytellers. Attendees may also take crafts classes and listen to live bluegrass bands throughout the day. Oneida also hosts a monthly concert series that invites the community to come out to Main Street to listen to live bands, grab some food truck fare and stop by one of the local shops.
U.S. 27 goes to regional neighbors
Commuters have direct access to U.S. Highway 27, which goes to several regional communities. Institutions in town include Big South Fork Medical Center. Located about 60 miles southeast, Knoxville is the nearest major city to Oneida. Town residents may travel to the Knoxville area for the McGhee Tyson Airport, one of the nearest hubs for commercial flights.
