Riverwalks to Rock Climbing: Living in Chattanooga, TN
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, along the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a beautiful city brimming with small-town, Southern charm. Offering both opportunity and adventure, it’s a strong, warm-hearted community known for its active nightlife, stunning scenery, and innovative mindset. Often referred to as “America at its best,” over the past several years it has gradually transformed from a regional transportation hub into a popular moving destination for families, seniors, and young professionals. For anyone curious about living in Chattanooga, it’s time you took a closer look at this Southern hotspot.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Chattanooga area is ten percent below the national average. Homes here sell for $55,000 less than they do in most other major cities, while apartments rent for at least $300 less. In addition to its affordable housing market, the city also pays less for natural gas and electricity, thanks to careful management from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Electric Power Board.
Healthcare is also reasonably priced. Due to the large number of nonprofits, and moderate competition between hospitals, a trip to the doctor, dentist, or pharmacy generally costs ten percent less than it would elsewhere in America. And while public transportation options are limited, the low price of gas and diesel makes it easy to get around.
Job Market
During the nineteenth century, Chattanooga developed into a major rail and transportation center, linking Knoxville, Nashville, and other cities in the South and Midwest. Freight and logistics still play a large role in the economy, as does manufacturing. Volkswagen’s Chattanooga assembly plant is responsible for an estimated 125,000 jobs in the area, both directly and indirectly. The Komatsu factory produces articulated haul trucks and hydraulic excavators for mining and construction, while McKee Foods Corporation operates a facility outside town, turning out Little Debbie Snack Cakes.
The city is a major healthcare provider as well, with Erlanger Health System, Parkridge Health System, and CHI Memorial Hospital providing comprehensive medical services to patients living in Chattanooga and the surrounding Hamilton County. There are also a growing number of job opportunities in the city’s burgeoning tech sector.
In 2010, the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga became the first utility in the Western Hemisphere to offer one gigabit-per-second fiber internet service - turning the city into an attractive option for IT startups and entrepreneurs. Local enterprises, like the Company Lab, have accelerated the trend, helping found over 300 businesses in competitive sectors like software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
Friendly Neighborhoods
Chattanooga excels at Southern hospitality, so much so that Conde' Nast Traveler recently named it the friendliest city in America. Locals are warm, polite, and welcoming. People here know their neighbors and aren’t afraid to strike up conversations with total strangers, imbuing the city with a real sense of community.
Outdoor Activities
Some suspect the reason Chattanoogans are so friendly is because they spend so much time outdoors. Parks are packed most weekends with joggers, cyclists, birdwatchers, and picnic goers. There are also basketball courts, softball fields, and dog-friendly trails to explore. Kids love the playgrounds and splash pads, especially during summer, when temperatures soar.
Most parks are strategically situated near art galleries, restaurants, and local entertainment, allowing you to take full advantage of the city's amenities. At Coolidge Park, you can take a spin on an antique carousel then stroll over the Walnut Street Bridge (largest pedestrian bridge in the world), which connects downtown to the Tennessee Riverwalk on the north side of the river.
The river also provides plenty of opportunities for biking, kayaking, and boating, not to mention fishing. The tributaries, reservoirs, and tailwaters around Chattanooga are home to more species of freshwater fish than anywhere else in North America. Beyond the city, there are miles of hiking trails around Lookout and Signal Mountains. Chattanooga is known as the Scenic City and it doesn’t take long to see why. The city is surrounded by oak-hickory and bottomland forests leading to spectacular views and panoramas.
Rock Climbing Capital
Chattanooga sits along a range of cliffs and boulder fields on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, an ideal environment for rock climbing. With over a dozen major climbing spots within easy driving distance, residents have plenty of opportunities to explore the rocky terrain. Whether you prefer crack climbs, sports routes, or bouldering, you're sure to find a location that matches your skill level. Popular sites include:
- Tennessee Wall. The biggest climbing destination in the state, with over 600 established lines stretching along a beautiful sandstone cliff. Its southern exposure provides ample sun, making it a great location for winter climbs but a challenge during summer.
- Suck Creek. Experienced climbers will enjoy the roof climbs and sloper traverses at this location, which features some of the longest routes in the state, as well as less traffic and chalk along its vertical terrain.
- Sunset Rock. Contains some of the most scenic climbs in Tennessee, with high-quality rock and great views of downtown Chattanooga for those who make it to the top. A great spot for beginners and experienced trad lead climbers.
- Castle Rock. This scenic turret overlooks the town of Jasper, a short drive west of Chattanooga. Its concentration of classic face climbs includes blocky features, sidepulls, slopers, and technical sequences on slabby to slightly overhanging rock.
- Foster Falls. Located in South Cumberland State Park, this location features an impressive collection of high-quality routes, everything from steep, beginner climbs to tremendously underhung bunkers for more experienced outdoorsmen and women.
New arrivals are encouraged to join one of the local Facebook groups or online forums, to connect with Chattanooga’s climbing community. There are also a number of guide books with driving directions and insider knowledge on what to expect at each destination.
Arts Scene
Chattanooga is an artist’s city. In addition to its growing number of art galleries, it also contains the largest collections of American artwork in the country. The Hunter Museum of American Art showcases major works from the Colonial Period, 19th century, and modern day. For those who prefer the outdoors, the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park lets you walk through a collection of over 50 steel, concrete, and wooden statues towering over the grassy fields.
The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera has been enchanting audiences for over 90 years. In addition to its classic concert series, which features classic works from Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, the orchestra also performs a number of more contemporary works, including big band hits from the 20th century. Their season also includes a number of youth programs, to help inspire the next generation of musicians.
Besides hosting the Chattanooga Symphony, the Tivoli Theatre (known as the “Jewel of the South”) is also the place to go for comedy, ballet, and Broadway shows. Originally a silent movie theater, it’s the city’s premier showcase for musical talent, which has included some of the biggest musicians of the past 50 years, including Prince, Kiss, and Johnny Cash.
Every spring, the 4 Bridges Arts Festival gives residents a chance to immerse themselves in the local art community. You’ll not only find some of the town’s most accomplished painters, sculptors, and photographers, but also a wide range of musicians performing live throughout the event. There are even interactive exhibits that let you explore your own creativity!
Festivals and Attractions
There are no quiet weekends in Chattanooga. Visitors to the city’s famous Riverfront area can take a sunset or sightseeing cruise on the Southern Belle, an antique riverboat that spends its time exploring notable sights up and down the city’s waterfront, as well as the surrounding area. Children love the Tennessee Aquarium and the Creative Discovery Museum, whose interactive exhibits let them immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world.
On the southside of town, there’s the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo, a grand hotel partially situated in a converted rail yard, with several rooms housed in refurbished train carriages from the 1920s and 1960s. Popular with locals and visitors, it’s home to world-class dining, boutique shopping, live music, and its own craft distillery. The hotel is located next to Station Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare packed with bars, cafes, and restaurants. It’s also home to some of the finest breweries and cocktails in the state. You can even sign up for a whiskey tour, a great way to sample the city’s fine spirits.
Outside of the usual holidays, Chattanooga also holds a number of public festivals throughout the year. The 3 Sister Bluegrass Festival celebrates the region’s mountain music, while the Street Food Festival at Chattanooga Market gives you a taste of the best food trucks in town. Thirsty residents won’t want to miss the Craft Beer Festival, Southern Brewer’s Festival, or Tennessee Whiskey Festival, which features refreshing local brews and liquors from across the state. Every December, Southside residents take over the historic core, turning Main Street into a massive, 24-hour block party. Mainx24 features music, poetry, and a chili cook-off, not to mention a parade and costumed footrace.
Rock City
A short distance south of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain is more than a hiking destination. It’s also home to Rock City, one of the region’s trademark attractions. Rather than hike to the top, visitors can ride the Incline Railway instead. It’s one of the steepest passenger trains in the world, capable of climbing up the mountainous landscape at grades of over 70 degrees.
Lookout Mountain was the site of a major battle during the Civil War and you can still walk over the ground where the Union Forces fought the Confederates in 1863. After taking in the astounding views of the city and countryside, head down to Ruby Falls, the largest underground waterfall in the United States. You can also stroll along the Enchanted Trail, a garden track decorated with German gnomes and fairies, or strap on a harness and go ziplining through the treetops.
Moving to Chattanooga
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