Settling Into the Secret City: Find Your Dream Home in Oak Ridge, TN

©Journal Communications/Misty Wong

If you want to live in a community that has a lot of history for its age, then Oak Ridge is the place. Known as the “Secret City,” the community was built entirely by the U.S. government in 1942 to bring the Manhattan Project and its atomic weapons to fruition. Oak Ridge remained a top-secret site, fully fenced until after World War II. 

Homes With a Story 

Chris Morton, principal broker with Crye-Leike Real Estate Services, points out that many of the city’s original homes are no longer “hush-hush” but are in high demand. 

“You’ve got a city of limited size because it’s surrounded by federal land and facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Energy,” Morton says. “But there are still a lot of options.” 

Housing stock within Oak Ridge proper tends to be limited, with under 100 homes on the market in early 2024. Those range in size and scope, however, from around $200,000 up to more than $1.5 million. According to Zillow, the average home value in Oak Ridge was $296,000 in the spring of 2024. Morton says that, both in the city and outside it, the average stay on the market is between 30 and 45 days. 

U.S. Department of Energy

Within Oak Ridge, “alphabet homes” still come available for prospective buyers. Those were built when the city was created, and models ranged from A to G; the higher the letter in the alphabet, the more square footage. 

“The [alphabet homes] have more bedrooms, a larger lot and more amenities,” Morton says. “Over time, they have been added onto and remodeled, so they don’t often resemble their original designation, but you’ll see listings sometimes that will say ‘This is a B home’ or something like that as a nod to its history. That makes it fun for buyers to get that background.” 

©Journal Communications/Misty Wong

A More Modern Move 

The city’s size somewhat limits how much new construction can take place, but even so, several developers are preparing for new projects on the horizon. Those developments include: 

• The Preserve: The Preserve, a large master-planned community with diverse housing options and price ranges, offers both move-in-ready homes and vacant lots. 
• Main Street Lofts: As the name implies, Main Street Lofts rental homes are right in the heart of Oak Ridge, offering amenities such as a clubhouse, saltwater swimming pool, fitness center, dog park and Amazon hub. Phase II opens to new residents in 2024. 
• Summit Townhomes: Summit Townhomes are another new community that offers two-, three- and four-bedroom homes — each with amenities, including open floor plans and stainless-steel appliances. The location is also ideal and near conveniences. 

“We have about 15,000 people commuting into Oak Ridge for work every day, so it’s a busy place,” Morton says. “Even so, you can find a home with an amazing view into unspoiled woodlands and know that’ll never change because the government isn’t going to be building on that land.”