Exploring The Perks And Pitfalls Of Moving To Maryville
For anyone relocating to Eastern Tennessee, my goal today is a hard look at the pros and cons of living in Maryville.
Located 16 miles south of Knoxville, the Maryville lifestyle may or may not be the perfect fit for you.
Let’s explore the facts about Maryville, TN.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Maryville, Tennessee: Comparison Table
| Living in Maryville Pros | Living in Maryville Cons |
| 1. Relaxed small-town living | 9. Small-town dull |
| 2. The Appalachian Mountains | 10. Conservative people |
| 3. Smoky Mountains National Park | 11. Limited diversity |
| 4. Outdoor recreation | 12. Lacking public transit |
| 5. Low cost of living | 13. Cars and traffic woes |
| 6. No state income tax | 14. High sales taxes |
| 7. Good public schools | 15. Hot summer weather |
| 8. Low crime rate |
Next, I will review each of these points one at a time. Then, you can decide whether or not Maryville is one of the best places to live in Tennessee.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Maryville, TN
1. Residents Enjoy The Pleasant Small Town Living Experience
Maryville is a quiet and peaceful small town in east Tennessee. About 30,000 residents live here.
A quaint downtown area has several local restaurants, bars, and shops. Some places offer live music.
Maryville’s Blount County Library is relatively new. The facility is a popular place for residents of all ages to visit and explore.
Maryville College adds a unique higher education and cultural aspect to the community. The campus has a large chapel and performing arts center.
Okay, let’s move on to another one of the benefits of living in Maryville.
2. Access To Everything The Appalachian Mountains Offer
Maryville is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Near Maryville is Chilhowee Mountain. It’s known as “the three sisters” because it looks like three separate peaks.
The mountain’s eastern exposure is visible from almost anywhere in the city. So you can enjoy the stunning views that paint the sky on the southern horizon.
3. Maryville Is On The Doorstep Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Maryville is only 20 miles southeast of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thus, living in the area is perfect for easy access to the most visited national park in the United States.
4. Abundant Outdoor Recreational Activities Are Some Of The Best You Can Find
Moving to Maryville is an outdoor living dream. The area’s mountains, rivers, forests, and lakes are amazing.
Wonderful recreational activities are virtually endless including:
- Hiking
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Bicycling
- Motorbike riding
Maryville provides an excellent home base to live from if you want to explore nature’s beautiful scenic landscapes.
5. Your Dollars Go Farther Because The Cost Of Living Is Lower
Maryville has a lower-than-average cost of living. Many people are moving to Tennessee for this very reason.
Maryville’s median home price is approximately 6% less than the comparable number for the entire United States. Sources: Federal Reserve and Redfin housing price data.
Furthermore, Tennessee has one of the country’s lowest real estate tax rates.
Finally, according to payscale.com costs for utilities, groceries, and transportation in Maryville all run below national averages.
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6. More Money In Your Pocket: No State Income Taxes
Moving to Maryville means you won’t have to pay state income taxes. Tennessee residents are not required to do so because the state does not require such taxes to be paid.
To sum up, Maryville and other small towns in Tennessee offer inexpensive living after combining expense savings and low taxes. The area is outstanding for stretching your dollars farther and making ends meet.
7. The Public Schools Are Some Of The Best In The State
Maryville is consistently ranked as having some of the best schools in Tennessee. According to Maryville-schools.org, the school district offers excellent educational opportunities and has received numerous awards for its outstanding programs.
The system has eight schools consisting of 3 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, one junior high, and one high school. The eighth school is a virtual school that serves grades 2 through 12.
8. Maryville Is A Safe Place To Live Because Of The Low Crime Rate
Maryville residents benefit from the city’s low crime rate.
Maryville, as ranked by safewise.com, is one of the top 20 safest cities in the entire state of Tennessee. According to areavibes.com total crime, property crime, and violent crime are roughly half the national averages.
The city reminds me of Cookeville, another ideal small college town in Eastern Tennessee.
However, no place is perfect. So, let’s switch gears and cover the cons.
Cons Of Living In Maryville, TN
What follows are several reasons you might not want to move to Maryville in the first place.
9. There’s A Dull Side To Living In Small-Town Maryville, TN Versus The Big City
Maryville is short on exciting nightlife and diverse people.
If you have ever lived in a small town, you know you can run out of things to do and new people to meet. There isn’t a robust nightlife like what Nashville offers. Nor is there a highly active singles scene.
So, for younger people looking for a lively social environment, Maryville may not be the best place to live.
Fortunately, Knoxville is nearby, home to the University of Tennessee. You will find dozens of bars, clubs, live music venues, restaurants, and breweries there. Plus, for foodies, there are many great restaurants.
Furthermore, if Maryville isn’t a good fit for your lifestyle, exploring Chattanooga living may be another good option to consider.
10. Finding Your Place In Maryville’s Tight-Knit Conservative Community
Maryville residents lean Republican and are decidedly Christian since the city is in the Bible Belt. Thus, the people are pretty conservative.
So, if you do not align with that way of thinking, you may have difficulty finding like-minded people for your circle of friends.
11. Racial And Ethnic Diversity At A Glance: It’s Lacking
Maryville offers little in the way of racial or ethnic diversity. I can sum it up with one statistic: nearly 90% of the population is white.
More reading: best small towns in eastern Tennessee.
12. There’s Limited Public Transportation For Getting Around
Maryville does not have viable public transportation options for getting around the city regularly and on time.
On a positive note, McGhee Tyson Airport is located in nearby Alcoa. Big carriers and discount airlines regularly service the airport for regional air travel.
13. Cars Ownership And Traffic Jams May Bring You Down
Living in Maryville means you need to own a car and drive it often.
The local’s reliance on cars means heavy traffic problems in and around the area. Especially considering Maryville is one of the smaller towns in the state.
Peak commute times, seasonal tourists, and traffic to and from Knoxville all contribute to the traffic issues.
Remember that Maryville’s traffic inconveniences are nothing compared to major U.S. metro areas like New York City or Chicago.
14. Prepare To Pay Up Because Of The Sky High Sales Taxes
Maryville has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country. Combined state and local taxes will add nearly 10% to the cost of your purchases.
15. Maryville’s Summer Heat And Seasonal Allergies Are Tough To Beat
After moving to Maryville, you will experience hot, humid summer weather.
July is the warmest month. Temperatures routinely reach the 90s accompanied by high humidity levels.
Unlike a Tennessee city like Memphis, you can always head to the cooler elevations in the nearby mountains.
Finally, Maryville’s spring and summer seasons are notorious for high pollen counts. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, be aware of the issues you may have.
Okay. That concludes my discussion of Maryville’s pros and cons.
Living In Maryville, TN: FAQs
Next, I would like to address frequently asked questions about Maryville living. Then, I will wrap up.
Is Maryville TN A Good Place to Live?
Yes. Maryville is a great place to live because of its family-friendly small-town atmosphere. The city’s residents benefit from the area’s scenic beauty, low cost of living, minimal crime, and educational opportunities.
Is Maryville Growing?
Yes. Maryville is growing. Local officials are working on a master plan to revitalize the downtown area further. Their goals are to attract businesses and residents to the city’s center. Furthermore, Maryville’s population and employment have steadily grown in recent years.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Maryville, TN: Wrap Up
I hope today’s article about the pros and cons of living in Maryville has helped you address some important questions such as:
1) What is it like to live in Maryville?
and
2) Should I move to Maryville Tennessee?
Best of luck with your decision, wherever you choose to settle down.
More Reading About Living In Maryville, TN And Beyond
Before you go, check out some of my other articles about the best places to live.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.