Why you'd want to live in Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge was built under a cloak of secrecy by the United States government during World War II as a major site of the Manhattan Project, the massive wartime effort that produced the world's first atomic weapons. In 1942, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought an estimated 60,000 acres of rural farm land to construct a "temporary" city and three facilities to develop technology that ended the war. After the war, Oak Ridge transitioned from a "temporary" military town into an independent city and became self-governing in 1959 as residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of incorporation under a modified city manager-council form of government. Oak Ridge is located in both Anderson County and Roane County. The City of Oak Ridge is located approximately 22 miles northwest of Knoxville. Oak Ridge borders the Clinch River's navigable waterway for 42 miles along the shores of Watts Bar and Melton Hill Lake. The City is home to Melton Hill Lake that is recognized as the home of the Oak Ridge rowing course. Melton Hill Lake offers 173 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, and rowing. Melton Lake Greenway, one of Oak Ridge's 12 beautiful greenways, runs along the western shore of Melton Hill Lake for people to enjoy scenic, outdoor activities. Oak Ridge is also home to 16 beautiful parks that are strategically located throughout the City to be within one-half mile of each residential area, and are open year-round from dawn until dusk. Oak Ridge's city school system is consistently ranked among the best public school systems in the nation. The city operates a preschool, four elementary schools enrolling kindergarten through grade 4, two middle schools enrolling grades 5 through 8, and one high school enrolling grades 9 through 12. via knoxvilletennessee.com