Why Should You Move to Chattanooga?

Posted by on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018 at 12:46pm.

Story contributed by Lexi Carr

Time and time again, Chattanooga is rated one of the best places to live—and for good reason! Located comfortably between Nashville and Atlanta, Chattanooga is an excellent choice for those looking for the perfect balance between big city feel and small-town living.

Although Chattanooga is known for its many outdoor opportunities, the city also has a reputation for being one of the country’s newest technology hubs. Dubbed “A Tornado of Innovation” by Barack Obama in 2015, Chattanooga continues to boom with more companies and talented individuals choosing to make the city their home.

If you are looking to move, consider the generous benefits—ranging from ideal scenery, fantastic neighborhoods, and tons of activities—that should put Chattanooga at the top of your list.

Scenery

Known as the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga offers many opportunities to enjoy nature. There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails minutes from downtown, plus the nearly 100 miles of trail that are included in the city’s parks and greenways.

Take a drive about 15 minutes south of downtown to Rock City on Lookout Mountain. Rock City has a 90-foot waterfall, a 180-foot-long suspension bridge and Lover’s Leap. On a clear day, visitors at Lover’s Leap can see the borders of seven states. Make a stop at Ruby Falls on the way back from Rock City. This waterfall is located inside Lookout Mountain, and it is the country’s largest underground waterfall.

Spend a sunny Saturday inside the city enjoying the Riverwalk. This 13-mile trail runs along the Tennessee River from the Chickamauga Dam to downtown. It is lined with plenty of flowers and trees to provide shade, and parks along the route offer picnic areas. If you’d prefer to bike the trail, rent a bike from one of Bike Chattanooga’s many bike rental locations along the way.

Local Activities

High Point Climbing and Fitness is arguably one of the coolest stops in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. With 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor climbing space, this gym has earned some notoriety for its climbing wall located on the outside of the building. Catch a movie before or after at the AMC theater, or if you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a slice at Mellow Mushroom just down the street.

People looking for more heart-pumping action will not have to travel too far. Head about 30 minutes south back to Lookout Mountain for its Flight Park, which is one of the top rated hang gliding schools in the country. If you’re too squeamish for the heights, no worries—many locals will skip the training themselves and find a good spot to sit and just watch the hang gliders make their descent. If water is more your vibe, travel about an hour from Chattanooga to the Cherokee National Forest to find nearly a dozen outfitters providing high-quality whitewater rafting experiences. There are also a lot of great spots for just swimming.

The Riverbend Festival in June brings thousands of people to the city for eight days of music from national and local acts. Another great local event is the annual 4 Bridges Arts Festival, which features work from the city’s artists as well as artists from around the world.

The Bitter Alibi is one of the most unique bars in the city. The owners transformed what was once a three-story house into a place that serves craft beers and creative foods while operating as a community hub. This place often gets packed during warmer days, as people come to sample brunch fare on the welcoming porch. Also don't miss some of the other highlights of Chattanooga’s food scene including places like Alleia (for upscale dining with a hip, New York-style atmosphere), Niedlov’s Breadworks (for the best salads and sandwiches featuring legendary house-made bread) and Milk & Honey (for your coffee fix plus incredible gelato for warmer days).

Neighborhoods

Chattanooga is far from the sleepy railroad town it used to be. There is an active art scene, busy concert venues and other things to do for tourists and residents. The city has won several national awards for its livability in recent years, as well as nine Gunther Blue Ribbon awards for housing and consolidated planning.

Each neighborhood in Chattanooga comes alive during the summer through various block parties and events. The MLK Boulevard area hosts the Bessie Smith Strut, a festival named in honor of the famed “Empress of the Blues.” This festival is the longest running in the city, and it combines blues with great barbecue. Also don’t miss MainX24, a 24-hour event on Main Street in Southside that includes yummy food, parades, live music and other festivities.

Downtown has experienced growth in healthcare, insurance and finance, bringing thousands of jobs to the area. It is the corporate headquarters for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rock/Creek Outfitters and the Chattanooga Bakery, which makes the MoonPie snack. The city is also the birthplace of the tow truck, and the St. Elmo neighborhood is home to the International Towing & Recovery Hall Of Fame and Museum.

Innovation Hub

Chattanooga earned the nickname “Gig City” for its crazy fast internet speeds. It was the first city in the U.S. to offer gigabit Internet speeds, all made possible through its ownership of the Electric Power Board. The high speeds have contributed to the city’s growing tech scene and local schools have stepped up to meet demand through various STEM programs.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has a Challenger STEM Learning Center, which teaches about 7,000 elementary and middle school students things like how to use math and science in simulated space shuttle missions, as well as robotics and 3D printing. The STEM School Chattanooga is a public high school that gives students access to laboratories, state libraries and experienced faculty at Chattanooga State Community College.

The city has an active freelance community, and it supports small business through collaborative workspaces. One such success is Bellhops, which started locally as a dorm-moving service and expanded into a multi-billion dollar moving industry. It’s now available in more than 20 cities, including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Atlanta.

Clearly, Chattanooga has it all. Great neighborhoods, tons of activities, and the beautiful scenery make Chattanooga one of the most ideal places for anyone to move. Let us help you find your dream home here!

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