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Best Chattanooga Suburbs

If you’re interested in living in Chattanooga, a logical first step is to investigate the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga to call home.

In addition, you’ll be happy to know that just outside of Chattanooga’s thriving downtown, there’s a nice selection of small towns that are well worth a look. Each has its own unique flavor, so to get you started, we compiled a list of best Chattanooga suburbs.

Top Chattanooga Suburbs

 

Red Bank:

Nestled in a valley on the Northeast corner of Chattanooga is Red Bank. For the past several years, it has transformed into an increasingly popular place to buy a home. This is partially due to lower housing prices relative to Chattanooga proper (though prices are on their way up).

But price doesn’t tell the whole story. Red Bank is also a great place to live because it’s minutes from downtown. A few minutes in the other direction gives you access to Hixson, and tons of shopping. Yet, since Red Bank sits at the base of Signal Mountain, it “feels” like you’re out in the country.

There’s easy access to grocery stores, and there are new restaurants and other amenities popping up as well. For example, The Meeting House, located on Dayton Pike, offers a great place to grab a cup of coffee, work on your laptop, or hang out.

 

Chattanooga Suburbs of Soddy Daisy TNSoddy Daisy:

If you can get past the funny name, Soddy Daisy should definitely be checked out.

Located a few miles north of town along Route 27, it’s another up and coming location, particularly for those into the outdoors.

On the South end of town, the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area offers some of the most breathtaking (and rugged) hiking trails you’ll see in the area, and gives you access to the Cumberland Trail. On the North end, you have Big Soddy Gulf, which also offers Cumberland trail access, is just as pretty, but delivers a more mellow stroll with opportunities to swim in a “blue hole.” And for boaters, you have easy access to Chickamauga Lake, which gives you practically unlimited paddling, motor boating, and fishing opportunities.

Lots of infrastructure improvements are currently being made to Dayton Pike, which runs through town. This indicates future development is on the horizon. If you don’t mind a 20 minute drive to get to downtown, be sure to put Soddy Daisy on your radar.

Hixson:

If you want more of a “suburban” feel, Hixson might be for you. It’s got wide roads, a mall, and lots and lots of restaurants. The Home Depot and Lowes are both there, right next to each other. There’s a Staples across the parking lot, and a Target and Best Buy across the road. A dry cleaners is around the corner, and you have your choice of several grocery stores, ranging from an Aldi to an Earth Fare, which specializes in healthy food.

The downside is that bike and pedestrian access is lacking. But if you want easy car access to lots of amenities, Hixson could be your spot.

Signal Mountain:

If you’re at that point in your life where you’re ready for your dream home, Signal Mountain is for sure a place to look.Chattanooga Suburbs of Signal Mountain TN

This upscale area, located literally on top of a mountain, offers your choice of cozy tree-lined neighborhoods and large properties nestled in the woods. There’s also a golf course, the pumpkin patch playground, and a very nice library (with a neat collection of handmade replicas of sailing ships).

Signal is primarily a residential area, so to get access to shopping and restaurants, you’ll likely want to make the drive down into the valley. But there are great local schools on top, as well as CVS, a coffee shop, and other shops where you can grab things quick.

Signal Mountain real estate can be on the pricey side, but ask anyone who lives there, and they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Lookout Mountain:

Lookout Mountain is another upscale area, and therefore Lookout Mountain Real Estate can be expensive. But what you get in return is amazing.

Ruby Falls and Rock City are right there, and Cloudland Canyon State Park is a short drive away. There are also historic neighborhoods with stunning views of Chattanooga in the valley below. Getting to town is no big deal. Simply coast down Scenic Highway, or the equally scenic Ochs Highway, which drops you into St. Elmo.

Chattanooga Suburbs of Saint Elmo TNSt. Elmo:

St. Elmo is technically a neighborhood in Chattanooga, but it feels like its own separate town, so we’ll mention it here.

Designated a local historic district in 1992, it’s for sure a place to look if you’re into vintage homes. Located at the base of Lookout Mountain, you’re minutes away from all the touristy stuff. You can also hop on your bike and take a very easy (and flat!) ride to downtown either via surface streets or the Riverwalk.

Or, you can enjoy St. Elmo’s very own quaint downtown, which offers a coffee shop, a tap house, and tasty lunch at Mojo Burrito or the Purple Daisy Café (The Rainbow Sandwich is a much try).

City or Suburbs? There’s No Wrong Answer:

There’s a good reason Chattanooga twice won Outside Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” contest, while also earning accolades in Livability, Bicycling Magazine. So no matter which Chattanooga suburb you select, you can take advantage of all the area has to offer.

And whatever suburb you choose, you can trust Joe Leffew Properties to find you the perfect home.