Karns mixes quiet countryside with suburban convenience
Stretching from the west side of Knoxville to the Clinch River, Karns is a small community that blends suburbia and countryside living. "It's a nice, quiet community, but still active and easy to get to downtown and everything else," says Stephen Goodson, a real estate agent at Realty Executives Associates with over a decade of experience. "It's got good schools, shopping, groceries and everything you need nearby." The mix of subdivisions and spacious rural properties offers buyers a diverse range of housing. Oak Ridge Highway provides a straight shot into downtown Knoxville, while other shopping centers and big-box stores are even closer to home, just south of the community.
Suburban and rural homes at more affordable prices than Knoxville
Karns has several subdivisions throughout the community, offering neighborhoods where the homes are close together on small lots. These are often two-story New Traditional houses with attached garages. Rolling hills and open fields fill the space between the subdivisions, usually featuring ranch-style homes and farmhouses. These areas also have towering trees that add shade and a natural feeling to the community. Large custom homes overlook the Clinch River and Melton Hill Lake on Karns' west side. Buyers can generally get a better deal on a home in Karns than in Knoxville. “It’s a little bit more affordable. You can get the same home but maybe for $30,000 to $50,0000 cheaper,” Goodson says. Houses under 2,500 square feet can sell for $220,000 to $600,000. Homes with more than 2,500 square feet cost between $300,000 and $980,000.
Outdoor fun includes hiking, fishing and sports
Recreation is readily available in and around Karns, with multiple parks and natural areas. The Karns Lions Club has an inclusive playground with several slides and climbing structures. It also has baseball fields and a pool open to the public for a daily fee. Knox County Sportspark is another popular spot for youth sports, with baseball, softball and soccer fields. Residents can paddle or fish on the Clinch River at Guinn Road Park, which has a boat ramp and picnic shelter. Just across the river in Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Park has 780 acres to explore, with more than 30 miles of biking and hiking trails.
Local schools earn B-range ratings and offer career prep
The first school in Karns was built in 1913 and named after Professor T.C. Karns, the first superintendent of Knox County. Today, the community has schools covering prekindergarten through 12th grade. Karns Elementary School earns a B-minus from Niche, while Karns Middle School gets a B-plus. Karns High School also receives a B-minus and has career and technical education programs that offer industry certifications and work-based learning opportunities. The school district has also partnered with the Ford Next Generation Learning program to ensure students are prepared for success after graduation.
Casual restaurants and everyday stores line Oak Ridge Highway
Shopping and dining in Karns are centered on Oak Ridge Highway. Residents can visit casual pizzerias like Bella Roma and Pizza Hoss or the friendly Senor Cactus Mexican restaurant. Stores like Walgreens and the Ingles Market supermarket are sprinkled in among the restaurants. Turkey Creek is a large shopping center about 8 miles south of the community with big-box stores like Walmart and Target. It also has chain restaurants, including Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse. The bustling Market Square in downtown Knoxville is about 13 miles away and features a mix of locally owned and regional restaurants serving Southern comfort food.
Historic cave opens for movies and holiday fun
Cherokee Caverns is a 300-million-year-old cave system off of Oak Ridge Highway. The caves were first explored by Native Americans before being opened for commercial tours in the 1920s. They currently don't offer daily tours, but are open for special events, like Movies in the Cave, trick-or-treating and a Christmas festival.
Commuters rely on Oak Ridge Highway for trips into town
Oak Ridge Highway is the main road through Karns, offering an east-west route through the community. The highway connects to Interstate 640 and I-40 for a trip into downtown Knoxville. It also leads about 10 miles west to Oak Ridge. The closest hospital is Turkey Creek Medical Center, about 7 miles away.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
