Knoxpedia: A guide for newcomers, Knoxville residents or anyone planning to move here
Welcome to Knoxville! Here is the Knox News guide that will help you navigate resources and information about housing, neighborhoods, fun things to do, local politics and more!
Consider this your one-stop shop for all things Knoxville.
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Each section of the Knoxpedia guide has info to help you navigate the ins and out of daily life here.
Click through to the individual sections to have all your questions answered!
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Here are just a few of the questions answered in the various sections of Knoxpedia:
Kids: Can my child transfer between Knox County Schools?
Yes! While students are assigned to a school based on their home address, Knox County Schools has a policy to accommodate students who hope to attend a different school. But a transfer is not guaranteed, and the district favors teachers' children, those who want to attend a magnet school and those who hope to take advantage of a specific academic program. The school they hope to attend, of course, must have room for additional students. Parents are responsible for driving their kids to the new school, and students are expected to remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.
READ MORE ABOUT KIDS AND SCHOOLS
Fun things: What are the best Knoxville breweries?
Picking the best among Knoxville breweries is like picking your favorite child … if you had about 25 of them. The point is, there are plenty to choose from, and "the best" depends on your taste preferences.
While downtown has a handful of breweries, the neighborhoods just north and south of the city's core are hubs for craft beer. South Knoxville is home to Alliance Brewing Company, Hi-Wire Brewing and Printshop Beer Co. To the north you'll find Crafty Bastard Brewery, Yee-Haw Brewing Co., Schulz Brau Brewing Co. and Elst Brewing Company, among others.
The east and west sides of town have welcomed more breweries in recent years, so don't sleep on these neighborhoods. Want to know what fellow Knoxvillians think? Check out our Knox News brewery bracket!
READ MORE ABOUT FUN THINGS TO DO IN KNOXVILLE
Housing: Where are the most affordable Knoxville apartments?
If you're looking for a single-bedroom apartment, chances are you're not going to find a place under $1,000 a month, and the going rate is about $1,300. If you do, it's likely to be farther from downtown or on campus.
If you want to save money, it'll be cheaper to find roommates and a multibedroom apartment.
Less expensive apartments tend to be class B or C, meaning they are older buildings with older appliances. They're also more likely to be in the Fort Sanders, John Sevier and North Knoxville neighborhoods.
READ MORE ABOUT HOUSING AND KNOXVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Licenses: How do I get my Tennessee driver's license?
New residents must apply in person for a Tennessee driver's license or state ID no later than 30 days after moving here. The Knox County offices that handle IDs for new residents are located at 209 Gore Road and 7320 Region Lane.
You must show proof of residency or have documents that show your new address. A full list of acceptable forms can be found at tn.gov/safety/driver-services. If you have a valid out-of-state driver's license, only a vision test is required. But a slate of drivers' tests are required if your license has been expired for more than six months.
Tennessee lags behind other states when it comes to requiring Real IDs. If you plan to travel by air or visit a federal facility, you'll need a Real ID by 2025, which requires additional documentation. So be sure to plan ahead.
READ MORE ABOUT LICENSES AND SERVICES IN KNOXVILLE
Downtown: Where can I park in downtown Knoxville? Can I park for free?
Despite what you might have heard, parking in downtown Knoxville is not bad. City-owned garages are free on weekends and after 6 p.m. during the week, including the Locust Street, Market Square and State Street garages. Most curbside parking spaces have a similar schedule, though parking meters charge through Saturday downtown and until 10 p.m. on parts of Gay Street during that time.
Picking up to-go food? Running a quick errand? Look for designated street parking signs that allow you to park for a short time for free, as long as you keep your car's flashers on. You can find these on Gay Street and other popular downtown streets, now including Wall Avenue.
Garages could fill up during popular times, like during Tennessee football games and the Market Square Farmers' Market, so check out the Downtown Knoxville Alliance's parking map for current availability.
READ MORE ABOUT DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE
Animals: How many pets can I have in Knoxville?
In Knoxville, pet owners are allowed to have no more than four dogs and/or cats older than 6 months unless they have a permit for a kennel, boarding facility, pet shop or pet dealership. You are not allowed to keep wild, dangerous or undomesticated animals. You can get permits for domesticated hens, pot-bellied pigs and large snakes, as well as a temporary permit for exotic animals.
In Knox County, the number of permitted pets depends on the size of your lot. The county prohibits keeping exotic pets unless you have a valid permit issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
READ MORE ABOUT PETS AND ANIMALS IN KNOXVILLE
Elections: How do I vote in Knoxville?
Tennesseans can register to vote online at ovr.govote.tn.gov. Fill out the request form, review your answers and submit to apply. The election commission will mail a voter registration card when your application has been accepted. But make sure you do this well before the next election! Applications are due at least 30 days before Election Day.
You also can complete registration by mail. You can print the Voters Registration Application, complete the form and mail it to the Knox County Election Commission at 300 W. Main St., Knox County Courthouse, Room 229, Knoxville, TN 37902-1850.
Mailed applications must be postmarked at least 30 days before the next election.
READ MORE ABOUT KNOX COUNTY ELECTIONS AND PARTY POLITICS
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Guide to living in Knoxville for anyone new or moving to East Tennessee
