Guide to Lake Forest



Where is Lake Forest?

Just off of Chap­man High­way, about 4 miles south of down­town and 5 miles from UT cam­pus. The neigh­bor­hood is bounded by May Apple to the North, Red Bud Road to the West and Lindy Road to the East. In other words, if you’ve passed Kay’s Ice Cream, you’ve gone too far.

Lake For­est Information

Lake For­est is a pretty well-kept secret as far as estab­lished Knoxville neigh­bor­hoods go. The fact that it’s so under the radar is even more sur­pris­ing since it’s located on the Chap­man High­way sec­tion of Knoxville’s pres­ti­gious Dog­wood Trail; a dri­vable, marked route that takes vis­i­tors on a self-guided tour of some of the most gor­geous Spring foliage you’ve ever seen. And since it’s perched up on a hill on the south side of town, many homes in Lake For­est also have some pretty picture-perfect views of the Great Smokey Mountains.

The major­ity of homes in the neigh­bor­hood were built in the 1940s and 1950s and there is a nice mix of 40s style cot­tages and 50s style ranch­ers. Many homes also have nice, charm­ing fea­tures like orig­i­nal hard­wood floors and arched doorways.

If Lake For­est res­i­dents ever get tired of the scenery from their front porches, they can head across Chap­man High­way for a stroll on the .8 mile Gary Under­wood Green­way or an after­noon of fun at Gary Under­wood Park, which has a foot­ball field and soc­cer field in addi­tion to pic­nic areas and shelters.

Hun­gry Lake For­est res­i­dents can head right down to the hill to the afore­men­tioned Kay’s Ice Cream for some of the yummy cold stuff or even a burger and fries. If they’re in the mood for some­thing a lit­tle meatier, they can head a lit­tle fur­ther South down Chap­man High­way to Ye Olde Steak House, a true Knoxville insti­tu­tion that you don’t even have to dress up for.

Lake For­est is cur­rently zoned for Moore­land Heights Ele­men­tary School, South Doyle Mid­dle School, and South Doyle High School.

You will totally dig Lake For­est if you’re look­ing for:

  • a very scenic, yet quite afford­able community
  • some­thing with a laid-back vibe that’s a lit­tle off the beaten path
  • a home with lots of character
  • easy access to Down­town or UT

You’ll want to skip Lake For­est if you’re look­ing for:

  • a neigh­bor­hood with very flat yards
  • new or newer construction
  • close prox­im­ity to mall shopping

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Homes Sales History

    YEAR SALES MINIMUM PRICE MEDIAN PRICE MAXIMUM PRICE
    2007 7 $97,900 $130,500 $169,900
    2006 14 $53,000 $132,100 $199,900
    2005 19 $68,000 $126,100 $157,000
    2004 14 $65,000 $92,550 $149,460
    2003 9 $67,500 $93,900 $125,000
    2002 10 $60,500 $89,384 $133,000
    *Data taken from KAARMLS

What the Residents Say

  • "Lake Forest in South Knox is the best kept secret in town. We were developed in the late 30s - early 40s, so all the houses are different- with character and affordable style. You can still get a great house on a huge lot for under $200k, which is now impossible in W.Knox. Plus, it's only 3 miles from downtown, Old City, Market Square, etc, so it's incredibly convenient." - Dashmama

Credits

    All neighborhood information is compiled by our Knoxified realtor, Suzy Trotta. Suzy is the author of All Around KTown, an adventures in Knoxville real estate blog.

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