Oak Ridge Homes and Condos for Sale

Considering Oak Ridge Tennessee is your next home destination? Maybe you’re moving out of Knoxville, across the state, maybe even across the country and you want to know a little bit more about this beautiful little town. Oak Ridge is a suburban city in both Anderson and Rowan County in the eastern part of Tennessee. It’s just 25 miles west of downtown Knoxville and home to about 35,000 residents. Even though it’s a little ways away, it’s still part of the Knoxville Metro area.

Oak Ridge has also been known as the Atomic City, the Secret City, the Ridge, and the City Behind the Fence. Why, you ask? Oak Ridge is known as the Atomic City based on the Manhattan Project, the massive American, British, and Canadian operation that developed the atomic bomb. Because of this, the government needed land to build these massive facilities without attracting the attention of enemy spies, and this resulted in naming Oak Ridge as The Secret City. I bet you can see where the other two names came into play as well. However, locals simply call it The Ridge or Oak Ridge.

But today, you won’t need to worry about any of these different names even though Oak Ridge has a scientific heritage curated in the American Museum of Science and Energy. It’s role in the Manhattan Project is preserved in the Historical Park along with sites in Hanford, Washington, and Los Alamos, New Mexico run cooperatively by the National Park Service in the Department of Energy.

Currently, the City Council is working on a visionary project known as the Wilson Street Corridor, revitalizing the downtown area along Wilson Street to feature mixed-use development of retail shops, residential, and restaurants with a primary focus on multi-story residential space. For this reason, Oak Ridge is now being known as a great place to own a condominium or townhouse, a perfect low maintenance option.

Oak Ridge Schools

Oak Ridge School District has been ranked #1 in the state of Tennessee and the high school was ranked the #3 high school in the entire state of Tennessee. It’s been rated as one of the best school districts in the country by Niche.com. The district operates a preschool, for elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.

Oak Ridge is also home to the largest branch of the Roane Community College as well as classes by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and the University of Tennessee.

Several independent schools include the Montessori School of Oak Ridge, St. Mary’s school, and several private preschools.

Oak Ridge – A Great Place to Play

Just because nuclear bombs are not the topic on everyone’s list of moving to Oak Ridge, doesn’t mean the city doesn’t still hold on to some secret events and activities. From settlements to civil rights, Oak Ridge offers wineries, the Devils Triangle, secret trails, and fabulous dining; more than a place to live, a place to explore.

Oak Ridge is known for its scientific achievements, gorgeous landscape, and thrilling outdoor adventure. Take a tour to the Top Secret Trail, with nearly 200 stops from settlements to civil rights, state parks and Weiner rings, there’s so much to discover in Oak Ridge. The trailhead begins at the Knoxville Visitors Center with a live music show held daily. From there, tourists, visitors, and locals alike make stops at the Market Square, World’s Fair Park, the Museum of Art, and the University of Tennessee founded back in 1794. From trolley rides to a walk along Volunteer Landing, visiting the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center or taking in the Manhattan Project National Historic Parking Museum, history is alive and well in Oak Ridge.

Pets and especially dogs are quite revered in Oak Ridge. Enjoy a day at the Big Turtle Dog Park, providing to fenced areas for the dogs to run and exercise. The Melton Lake Park features 173 miles of shoreline, perfect for a day of the beach, paddle boats, or kayaking. There’s multiple greenways, the AK Bissell Park offering 38 acres, and the Hall Ridge Park was over 30 miles of trails in and around Oak Ridge.

Dining is also a big thing in Oak Ridge. Grab a fabulous steak and blue cheese salad at Albury’s. Grab a large deep dish at Big Ed’s Pizza, named one of USA Today’s 51 greatest pizza parlors in the country. How about some pulled pork nachos at Buffalo Mountain Grille, and stop off at Crafters Brew for a pint of one of their 20 craft beers on tap. This is just a small sampling of Oak Ridge’s fantastic dining scene. With over 20 restaurants in and around the city, there’s a taste and a budget for everyone.

“Oak Ridge is a great city. It’s a pretty small city, with a beautiful lake and tons of great hiking trails and greenways. Oak Ridge is home to one of the best rowing venues in the nation, and one of the best school systems in the nation. It is conveniently close to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The weather is also pretty great here; we experience all four seasons and relatively little snow. There are also many job opportunities, with a National Lab and large school district.” – Niche.com

Oak Ridge Real Estate Market

Oak Ridge not only is a fun place to visit, but it’s a pretty darn affordable place to live as well. With a median home value of about $155,000 and low rent of just $800 a month, it makes a great place to call home. 62% of Oak Ridge residents own their own homes and there’s a variety of properties from less than $150,000 up to nearly $1 million for larger estates and acreage.

Start your online search here for Oak Ridge homes for sale, real estate listings, property, and land in this Knoxville Metro suburban city. When you’re ready, contact us at any time to learn more about the area or to schedule a showing, virtual tour, or for further details on Oak Ridge real estate.