We shared some negative things about Oak Ridge or some things we might like to see different...I would like to share some things that make Oak Ridge a great place to live and sets it apart from close by cities.
Oak Ridge is a culturally rich and diverse...Last year I believe I heard that the schools had students that spoke about twenty different languages as the primary language...We have an array of ethnicity, of lifestyles, of faiths, and yes of generations...All of these help us be who we are and provide colorful threads to our tapestry of everyday life...Let it be said that Oak Ridge is a city where anyone can come, be welcomed, and enjoy life. It is!
I enjoy the size of Oak Ridge; not too big, not too small. Just yesterday, I took my 15 year old daughter and her German exchange student to the local produce market, where we ran into the school resource officer. He greeted us, introduced himself to our exchange student, and exchanged in a little friendly banter with the girls.
Think for a moment about the positive impression this young woman now has of American law enforcement.
I like knowing that if my children are seen doing something nice, or something not-so-nice, it's likely that someone will share a report in short order. Thus, they know to behave -- even something like speeding on the turnpike will probably be known to me before they even get home.
Yet with that small-town feel, if I want information on almost any subject in the world, there's someone here who's an expert. Oak Ridgers are also often multi-faceted, combining scientific talents with artistic or musical abilities.
I mentioned earlier the rich supply of interest driven organizations. For kids, besides the school, city, and church programs, we have Boys and Girls Clubs, an active Scouting environment, the Children's Museum and the Museum of Science and Energy, and a newly renovated skate park. We have an excellent rowing club and loads of trails including the incomparable Haw Ridge. There seems to be a rich variety of sports teams for young adults (and some not so young). There are Garden Clubs, service clubs, many clubs with scientific themes, and we have a budding historical and preservation interest group. There are numerous arts, musical and theatrical groups. The local Kennel Club is on the move and expanding. The UT Arboretum offers interesting programs and a special environment.
I find this amazing for a town of 27,000 that I can rattle off a list like that with no effort and I know I left off a bunch.
Oooh, don't forget our local community college, so successful that the relatively new campus
needs to grow.
Well if you want to talk about schools... we got schools! Just today we see that kids from Knoxville can even do well when they
come here.
Now Cracker...what do you mean by "when they come here." Do you mean to state that other systems are inferior? This is what so many around us can't stand, and what frankly bugs the crap out of me! The attitude that we are superior.
Kids are successful largely based on genetics, parental influence, and motivation. Schools play a part, but are not the sole reason for student success.
Yes, OR schools are good...but honestly so are others around us.
ORidgers are often accused of being elitist. Did anyone read the article about the new Hardin Valley HS in the paper yesterday? It is going to have geothermal heating and cooling. It is going to be just as nice a building as the new ORHS . It is in our backyard, and they can't build the homes fast enough for the young, yuppie families.
OR will not attract potential homeowners by berating areas around it. If that strategy worked, we would be busting out the seams with families and kids. They are all going to West Knoxville and Maryville my friends. The ? is why.
"It is not easy being green."
Here are just a few of my favorite things about Oak Ridge:
The fact that homes tucked all around OR can be found with breathtaking back-porch views – and many are even affordable to the average buyer! West Outer is my favorite scenic route, offering a spectacular view no matter the season!
Opinions on selection aside, we have a diverse offering of homes, architecturally speaking. We’ll never be accused of being a cookie-cutter town. Want free entertainment? Go check out some of the older ones on Open House Sunday – I’ll never forget walking into an actual bomb shelter!
Our rich and unique history – how many other cities in the world can claim an origin like ours?
Though a suburb, we still have a lot of the same wildlife and plant life that rural dwellers enjoy – I love the deer, raccoons, hawks, turkeys, geese, chipmunks, and ground hogs that I can see on any given day and many in my own back yard!
I also love our recreation and parks services. Between the excellent camp programs and the public pool, my kids have never lacked summer activities.
Now Cracker...what do you mean by "when they come here." Do you mean to state that other systems are inferior?
Just reporting the facts. Apparently the parents of this kid thought so and decided to pay the tuition. It seems to be working. She certainly got a good education and is excelling on a national level.
I love that after my kids played sports a season or two, I always knew some of the other parents well enough to ask them to keep an eye on one at practice while I ran the other to another practice.
I love that no matter where we go in town, we run into someone we know: church friends, school friends, work friends, sports friends - we just always feel right at home wherever we are.
I love how beautiful this place is - especially this time of year (and I'm glad the Dogwood Arts Festival has included OR in its trails so people who might not ordinarily drive through town will see it too).
I love the greenways and the bike trail near the lake. I love Cedar Hill Park and how you can find playgroups with young moms and kids there most mornings.
I love that my kids are getting a great education in the schools. I love that they have arts opportunites out the wazoo - the Playhouse, Sound Company, strings in the schools, etc. I love that they can play just about any sport their hearts' desire - and they've tried most of them.
I love the way this community grieved with the Paine family last fall, supported that family and the students and the bus driver who were also devastated by that accident. I love that, even though there has been disagreement about how to best respond to that tragedy, people from all walks of life here are making an effort to be sure that doesn't happen again.
I love that this community also wrapped its arms around a teacher at Willowbrook when her son died suddenly.
I love that there are some developers building new housing to help attract these new residents we would love to welcome to our own hometown (The Crossroads at Wolf Creek, Grove's Park Crossing and Rarity Oaks).
Do we have our problems? Absolutely! Is it perfect? Not at all! Are there things I'd like to change? Definitely!
But by and large, I wouldn't want to live or raise my kids anywhere else!
Don't forget, we not only have a nationally recognized and award-winning filmmaker that lives and works in Oak Ridge and hosts an internationally recognized film festival every year!