Moving to Chattanooga? 5 Things I’m Really Glad I Found Here
If you are researching a move to Chattanooga, you’ve likely looked at the hard data: home prices, taxes, and the job market. But there is a layer to living in Southeast Tennessee that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet.
I moved here from the coast of Maine in 2016. Coming from a place with rugged coastlines and a high bar for community, I had high expectations—and Chattanooga still managed to surprise me.
Watch the video below to see the 5 things that turned this city from a "location" into a "home":
1. The "Southern Wave" is Real
Coming from the North, I wasn't quite expecting the immediate, genuine friendliness I found here. Whether it’s a neighbor waving from a pickup truck or a stranger stopping to help you change a flat tire, the sense of looking out for one another is a daily reality in the neighborhoods I recommend to my clients.
2. A Vibrant (and Surprising) Food Scene
My family ran one of the most successful independent restaurants in the country, so my bar for food is incredibly high. Chattanooga’s food scene is creative and passionate, featuring everything from farm-to-table gems like FEED Tavern & Table to incredible local coffee roasters like Mad Priest.
3. World-Class Access to Nature
I grew up at the gateway to Acadia National Park, yet the natural beauty of Southeast Tennessee still takes my breath away. With the Tennessee River winding through the valley and the Appalachian foothills at your doorstep, you can be in the wilderness within an hour of leaving your house.
4. The "Two-Hour" Radius
One of the best-kept secrets about Chattanooga is its proximity to everything. We enjoy a relaxed pace of life and a lower cost of living, yet we are only two hours away from Nashville, Atlanta, and Knoxville. You get big-city access to international airports and world-class concerts without the daily traffic or high housing costs.
5. A Community That Shows Up
What really made me feel at home was seeing how this community cares for its own. From "Little Free Pantries" that provide food to neighbors in need to inclusive arts programming through organizations like The Seed Theater, there is a tangible effort here to build a community that values kindness and inclusion.
Are You Ready for the Move?
If you can value people for who they are rather than the flags on their trucks, you’ll likely find Southeast Tennessee to be one of the most rewarding places to live.
Thinking about making the move to Chattanooga or Cleveland, TN?