Why East Tennessee?

FOR ITS NATURAL BEAUTY
The breathtaking beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Rolling green valleys. Shimmering lakes and streams. East Tennessee has it all. It's no surprise millions of visitors come to Knoxville and the surrounding area to see the natural splendor provided by Mother Nature. The area's mountain ranges provide a generally moderate climate with four distinct seasons. The climate allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy a wide variety of out door activities almost every day of the year.

FOR THE CULTURAL ARTS
The Museum of Art is the focal point of downtown Knoxville's World's Fair Park. The Park serves as the site for numerous festivals and events. The city is home to an opera company, a symphony orchestra, several dance companies and excellent theater facilities.

Knoxville's Old City, a downtown area experiencing a renaissance, now has more than 30 businesses including numerous restaurants and unique retail shops.

FOR SPORTING EVENTS
For the sports enthusiast, East Tennessee is the place to be whether the favorite pastime is football, basketball, golf, gymnastics or stock car racing. Our residents' blood runs "Orange" as evidenced by support for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Knoxville is also home to a professional baseball team.

FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The area's public school system is among the best in the Southeast, with a number of Greater Knoxville public schools consistently ranked as the state's best. Educational opportunities are available at private schools, vocational schools and four-year colleges including the University of Tennessee, Carson-Newman College and Maryville College.

FOR THE LOCATION
Knoxville, East Tennessee's largest city, continues to grow because of its strategic location at the intersections of Interstates 40 and 75 and close proximity to Interstate 81. Major cities, mountain resorts, and even the ocean are only a few hours' drive. A diversified economy, low tax rates, housing and healthcare costs below the national average, and higher per capita income growth all contribute to an excellent standard of living.

FOR ITS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
With hundreds of thousands of acres of recreational space, East Tennesseans can easily take to the water for water sports, fishing and boating...to the trails for hiking and camping...to the slopes for skiing. Public recreation areas in Knoxville provide ample opportunities for golf, soccer, tennis, softball and a variety of other sports.