Nashville itself is objectively a nicer city to live in. Knoxville has the mountains though. I vote for Chattanooga.
I live out west. Really don't have much problem. Typical 5:00 congestion, Cedar Bluff and Turkey Creek stay busy. Nashville seems to have heavy traffic 24/7.
I agree that it's not that bad but I just hated commuting from out there, especially when 40 is/was under construction.
You can dodge the Nashville traffic if you get through downtown before 6:45 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon
Lived in both Nashville and Knoxville and I'm sorry but I think Knoxville is much worse traffic wise.
my wife did nursing school at etsu. we loved it up there, thought about completely relocating but never pulled the trigger.