"A little town called Newport / Where the folks don't grow too tall / And they don't grow too short / It's a place of moderation, common sense, and decency" -- Harper Simon, "Tennessee"
Located at the foothills of the imposing Great Smoky Mountains, Newport is home to 6,945 people. This 5.4 square mile-city is an area where the Cherokee used to roam and engage in skirmishes. Frontiersmen and Indians are a thing of the past, however; and in their place is a city that thrives on tourism what with the outback awaiting those who are craving for some adventure. So if you're here to settle in the Great Appalachian beauty, looking for rental housing is the first imperative.
Don't worry, these days you can roam freely within this city and not fear an ambush
"A little town called Newport / Where the folks don't grow too tall / And they don't grow too short / It's a place of moderation, common sense, and decency" -- Harper Simon, "Tennessee"
Located at the foothills of the imposing Great Smoky Mountains, Newport is home to 6,945 people. This 5.4 square mile-city is an area where the Cherokee used to roam and engage in skirmishes. Frontiersmen and Indians are a thing of the past, however; and in their place is a city that thrives on tourism what with the outback awaiting those who are craving for some adventure. So if you're here to settle in the Great Appalachian beauty, looking for rental housing is the first imperative.
Moving to Newport
Don't worry, these days you can roam freely within this city and not fear an ambush. However, you still need to know the ins and outs of moving in Newport or you'll risk disaster of other kinds.
Rental Rates
If you're from a big city, it's not just the small-town atmosphere that will come as a refreshing change for you, you also get to have a breather from exorbitant rental fees. That's right, the rent you have to pay for a one-bedroom apartment in Newport is loose change compared to what you have to pay in say, Charlotte. Typically, you'll be required to pay advance rent and security deposit, which is usually equal to a month's rent.
What'll you have?
There's a treasure trove of rental apts in this city what with almost half of the city's population being renters. A majority of the rental properties here are the usual two-bedroom family homes and small apartment buildings. Apartment complex living is also an option if you don't mind dealing with neighbors. While most houses here don't smell of fresh paint, they're not fixer uppers either. They may bespeak of a long past era, but they're certainly not old enough to become the stuff of ghost stories and urban legends.
Newport Neighborhoods
For a more pleasant day-to-day living, you have to live in a neighborhood that suits your personality to a T. Here's a rundown of Newport's different areas and their distinct characteristics:
City Center: Newport's City Center is home to lakefront houses, farms, small apartment buildings, and mobile homes. You'll need a car to get to places in this neighborhood although this is touted to be the hub of the city. You have the Food City, ConAgra Foods, shops, and local businesses on Main Street.
Jaybird: Located south of Main Street, this rural neighborhood is home to small family homes, mobile houses, apartment buildings, and some shops. The further you go down south of I-40, the further you go to the middle of nowhere.
Denton: This rural neighborhood of mobile homes and medium-size family houses is sparsely populated. If you don't mind getting on your car to get to anywhere and you like to be near towering mountains, this is where you should set up camp.
College St: Aside from Main Street, all the city action is concentrated in this neighborhood. There are many cozy one bedroom apartments for rent in this area. This is home to Stokely Memorial Library, Wilson Livestock Market, specialty shops and small businesses.
Living in Newport
If getting familiar with historical figures, trivia and facts are your idea of fun, there's a lot of that stuff to immerse yourself into in Newport. Visiting landmarks like O'Dell House, Elm Hill, Beechwood Hall and Cocke County Courthouse and Memorial Building will give you a glimpse of this city's colorful yester-years.
Residents are also big on sports. Newport City Park is the common hang-out of locals and it has a swimming pool, hiking or jogging trails, as well as sports courts and fields.
Nothing draws visitors to Newport like the Great Smoky Mountains. Outdoor fanatics get to breathe in the beauty of nature as well as learn tidbits of the history of the Appalachians. The inception of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has drawn many tourists from all over the country. Here, they get the chance to hike the unpaved roads of the Appalachian Trail; or go camping, fly fishing or horseback riding. Whatever your idea of outdoor fun is, this park has what it takes to spoil you senseless.
