all the neighborhoods around downtown, but I just completed a house search focusing on north Knoxville and I can say that Old North and 4th and Gill are getting very pricey for everything other than very dilapidated fixer-uppers. Of course pricey is relative -- by California standards everything in Knoxville is a steal.

Anyway, my sense was that it's gotten to the point in those two neighborhoods that you're paying a big premium for the neighborhood regardless of the size and quality of the house. There are probably much better deals in Parkridge, Mechanicsville, and a little farther north, like Oakwood/Lincoln Park. That said, if Brian can afford something on one of the better blocks in one of those neighborhoods, it would be a heckuva good investment.

Knoxville Area Association of Realtors has its own MLS Web site (http://public.kaarmls.com/) that I'm told is more up to date than Realtor.com, so that's a good place to start.

...offers a look at homes for sale

We've been in the neighborhood 7 months and have really settled in.

It is just across the river. Big plans are being made for changes to the riverfront. There is a cute little house (haven't actually seen it, just on Realtor.com) on Maplewood, one street from Island Home Blvd. for $89,900. Careful, I may be looking at it.

But, we won't kill you.

I grant you the house I mentioned is a small house, but it is right in the midst of the Island Home neighborhood of mostly fine older homes. I believe there are two or three 70s homes as well. The boulevard is very pretty, great for an evening stroll. Not much traffic at all.

Your city councilman will live only a block or so away. Besides the bus, you can easily jog or bike to town. The river and a small park are only two or so blocks away (we do so love the river). There is a walking/bike trail off this small park to Ijams nature refuge.

For someone with a little more than $70K (or a great negotiator) the Maplewood home might be of interest.

Update. Oh, and I cannot say anything about North (?) Knox (i.e.  Oakwood/Lincoln Park/Arlington) since I do not really even know where these places are and only go to North Knox (north of downtown) once a year or less. No need. The preference is South of the river.