Photo of Chattanooga, TN
( 41 Ratings )

Living in Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga Area Facts

  • Chattanooga has a Livability Score of 76/100, which is considered excellent
  • Chattanooga crime rates are 99% higher than the Tennessee average
  • Cost of living in Chattanooga is 4% higher than the Tennessee average
Area Score
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Chattanooga Reviews

Write a review about Chattanooga Tell people what you like or don't like about Chattanooga…
Great city with normal city flaws User Rating 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 30, 2022) There is plenty to do whether you love the outdoors or indoors. Family friendly with enough to keep the family entertained. The roads and interstates are definitely an issue but I found that to be a problem in the south and east coast in general. Benefits are being so close to Na ...Read More shville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and closest beach is a bit over 5 hours away. Downsides is you get the traffic flowing through to reach those cities, however you can take streets to avoid that which takes the same time! Lot of great restaurants if you know where to look. Someone mentioned not much choice on grocery shopping... Not sure what they're talking about. We have Whole Foods, Publix, Food City, Trader Joes, Walmart, The Fresh Market, Pruett's, Aldi and other small businesses. Plenty of shopping and stores in Chattanooga, but you may have to drive to reach them. Just like any city, it depends what side of town you live on and can vary on how you enjoy the city. A river runs through the city, plenty of parks, activities, community events, and the weather is decent most of the time. The internet is great here and reasonably priced. Cost of living is what attracted me here and I've been here for almost 2 years now. Not sure why the bible belt bothers people, they must be sad with themselves or something and I'm not a religious person. I think a lot of the crime comes from people from Atlanta and Nashville that come here. Just remember to lock your car doors and watch where you drive and walk in some areas. It's just like many cities. Read Less
A Solid City User Rating 3.5 rating By FrasierID ( Oct 15, 2019) I've visited many times, and each time I notice an improvement in the place. Environmentally, they have improved so much over the years, making Chattanooga a really good launching point for the multitude of outdoor activities in the area. The people, especially the wealthier citi ...Read More zens, are very philanthropic in a way that benefits others and rather buttoned down in a very Southern way. There are still areas that need revitalizing, no doubt, but there has been a lot of progress. Good restaurants and amenities. Read Less
Limited in what matters User Rating 2 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 18, 2019) Cons:
Healthcare here is a joke. There are three hospitals and only one is marginally acceptable. The other two are filthy and understaffed.

Not much choice when it comes to grocery stores.

Bible Belt area filled with hypocrites.

Job market is very limited.

Expect to be
...Read More disliked by the locals if you’re an “outsider.”

Pros:
Riverwalk. Awesome for biking or walking if it’s not closed for an Ironman.

Downtown area is nice. Read Less
User Rating 0 rating By willthethrill ( Jul 17, 2016) very good community,dining,attractions and so much outdoor activities .Alot of places to Rock climb,mountain bike, trail run,hang glide,kayak ,fish, hunt you name it chattanooga has it all (except snow skiing) for the outdoors.Good restaurants ,beer houses, wineries,good festival ...Read More s and a arts.Diversity is improving a lot .folks are friendly,but keep in mind if your moving here from other parts of the country that southerners can be passive aggressive..Chattanooga is mostly conservative but we do have a growing progressive community.Schools here compared to other cities are average to below average.There are opportunities to get out and meet people whether its volunteering,outdoor,festivals meet up groups.Cons of living here are the weather, we got 70 inches of rain last year and average around 55 60 in a year.Hot, humid 5 months a year add the rainy and hot humid days that does not allow much time to get out and enjoy all the outdoor activities we have.Crime, we do have a lot of overall crime in certain areas.I do agree with area vibes grades on amenities,cost of living,housing, employment.But on weather i would give it a c- and education a c Read Less
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Limited in what matters User Rating 2 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 18, 2019) Cons:
Healthcare here is a joke. There are three hospitals and only one is marginally acceptable. The other two are filthy and understaffed.

Not much choice when it comes to grocery stores.

Bible Belt area filled with hypocrites.

Job market is very limited.

Expect to be
...Read More disliked by the locals if you’re an “outsider.”

Pros:
Riverwalk. Awesome for biking or walking if it’s not closed for an Ironman.

Downtown area is nice. Read Less
User Rating 0 rating By willthethrill ( Jul 17, 2016) very good community,dining,attractions and so much outdoor activities .Alot of places to Rock climb,mountain bike, trail run,hang glide,kayak ,fish, hunt you name it chattanooga has it all (except snow skiing) for the outdoors.Good restaurants ,beer houses, wineries,good festival ...Read More s and a arts.Diversity is improving a lot .folks are friendly,but keep in mind if your moving here from other parts of the country that southerners can be passive aggressive..Chattanooga is mostly conservative but we do have a growing progressive community.Schools here compared to other cities are average to below average.There are opportunities to get out and meet people whether its volunteering,outdoor,festivals meet up groups.Cons of living here are the weather, we got 70 inches of rain last year and average around 55 60 in a year.Hot, humid 5 months a year add the rainy and hot humid days that does not allow much time to get out and enjoy all the outdoor activities we have.Crime, we do have a lot of overall crime in certain areas.I do agree with area vibes grades on amenities,cost of living,housing, employment.But on weather i would give it a c- and education a c Read Less
Really nice place to take your kids User Rating 4.5 rating By Luiyo ( Sep 30, 2011) We were on our way to Knoxville but we stop in Chattanooga to spend one night and it was completely worth it. My kids love it. There are so many things to do with your kids. The children museum was the best.

We are planning to return may be the next year or if we have time and m
...Read More oney this year.

Thanks and enjoy Chattanooga!!
cheers Read Less
Chattanooga, TN - Bring the Kids! User Rating 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 06, 2010) Last spring, my husband and I took our two year old twins to spend the day in Chattanooga, TN. We had a blast!

There are many things to do and various attractions to see throughout the city to entertain your children. The downtown Chattanooga Aquarium was our favorite! We spent
...Read More hours there touring the aquarium as well as the outside surroundings.

The people in Chattanooga are as friendly as people in the South and it is an easy city to travel about. Our family stopped to ask for directions on multiple occasions in Chattanooga and the locals were always willing to help.

We were concerned with traffic with there being so many things in the downtown area to do. However, we had no issues. If you and your family are looking for a summer getaway or a short weekend trip I would strongly encourage visiting Chattanooga, TN as you will not be disappointed. Read Less

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      Chattanooga, TN

      Few cities in America are surrounded by more natural beauty than Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nicknamed the "Scenic City," Chattanooga comes at the point where Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia meet, and it is nestled in a valley in the southeastern part of the state between the Cumberland and Appalachian mountain ranges. On the north of the city is Signal Mountain, and on the south is Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga lies on the Tennessee River's two banks at Moccasin Bend. Because there are interstate highways and multiple railroads, there is easy access to this city that has much to offer residents and tourists alike. For the tourists, there are numerous hotels, even one converted from a railroad terminal, the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel. There are also shuttle buses to transport visitors and residents to spots of interest conveniently and to work.

      With its scenic settings, historic Civil War battlefields and the Appalachian Trail, Chattanooga draws many people to the area. Additionally, the city hosts events such as the Riverbend Festival, a music festival of nine nights that ranks in the top 10% of all American festivals. There is also the Fall Color Cruise and Haunted History Walking Tours, during which visitors are taken into haunted places connected to the darker history of Chattanooga. Guides narrate intriguing stories of ghosts as they point out locations. Another event at this time is the adult ghost hunt in Citizens' Cemetery, using temperature and laser guns, along with a paranormal communication device.

      Another popular event is the Bessie Smith Strut, an event with a parade and stage performances. With Chattanooga's children's Creative Discovery Museum and the Tennessee Aquarium, the city has much appeal for visitors and residents alike. Chattanooga also has the Incline Railway, a sloped cabled railway. The Incline is the steepest passenger railway in the world, and it transports people up historic Lookout Mountain. In operation since 1895, the Incline is now a National Historic site. Tourists can ride and then visit the machine room to see the giant gears working. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chattanooga has hang-gliding, mountain climbing and caving expeditions. The lush and beautiful Smoky Mountains have a wider variety of flora in the Tennessee River watershed than in any other area of the United States.

      Along with the city's beauty, a stable economy and a renovated downtown, Chattanooga has made people eager to live there. Although the cost of living is slightly higher than in other cities of Tennessee, the cost of housing in Chattanooga is lower than the national average. Recognition has been given to this city for its livability, along with awards for excellence in consolidated planning and housing. In the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, goods and services match the average in Tennessee, but they are lower compared to the nationwide average.
      .

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Chattanooga? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Miller Park
      Miller Plaza
      Phillips Park
      Fountain Square Fireman Memorial
      Fountain Square
      Shelia M Jennings Westside Park
      Main Terrain Art Park
      Bluff View Sculpture Garden

      Entertainment

      Tivoli Theatre
      Memorial Auditorium
      Creative Discovery Museum
      The Majestic
      UTC Mckenzie Arena
      imax
      Houston Museum of Decorative Arts
      River Gallery

      Food & Drink

      Jimmy Johns's
      Subway
      Midtown Music Hall
      Dusk Bar
      Chattanooga Billiards Club
      The Honest Pint
      Barley
      Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Chattanooga? Of all people who commute, 1.8% take public transportation in Chattanooga.
      Drive to Work
      79%

      2% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      2%

      3% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the US average

      B Health & Safety

      Is Chattanooga a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Kindred Hospital - Chattanooga
      Erlanger East Hospital
      Parkridge Medical Center
      CHI Memorial Hospital
      HealthSouth Chattanooga Rehabilitation Hospital
      Erlanger Health System
      CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson

      Pharmacies

      Access Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Publix Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      CVS

      Doctors

      Tennova Medical Group
      Erlanger East Brainerd Internal Medicine
      Chattanooga Bone & Jount Center
      Robert S. Furr M.D. FACOG
      Dr. William H. Smith, MD
      Dr. Chad M. Charapata, MD
      Greater Chattanooga Orthodontics
      Martin Tamara DPM