Looking to relocate? Wanna get outta’ Dodge? Perhaps you’re researching the best places to retire in the US?
We’re here to tell you that Chattanooga is, hands down, one of the best places to live in America.
Sure, it’s not as big as Atlanta, nor does Chattanooga have a TV show written about it like Nashville. But this relatively small hamlet is big on activities, low on costs of living, and has tons of character. Want to learn more? Read on:
Top Reasons Chattanooga is One of the Best Places to Live in the US
Chattanooga Residents Enjoy Some of the Fastest Internet Speeds in the Entire World:
Whether you’re into gaming or looking to start a business, fast Internet is a must. As it turns out, in a groundbreaking move, local utility provider EPB made the fiber optic network it uses for its electrical grid available to consumers. Because of that, residents of “Gig City” can browse, upload, and download at blazing speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Learn more.
Traffic Is Light:
If you’ve ever spent time in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, or Atlanta, you know gridlock can be an infuriating way of life. Not so in Chattanooga. Even during rush hour, you can get around quickly. Granted, as a city grows, congestion can increase. But for the foreseeable future, Chattanooga’s sensible layout and wide roads make for fast travel. In addition to that, the downtown and North Chattanooga areas are highly bike friendly (this includes designated bike lanes and a bike share program), allowing you to leave your car at home.
It’s Ideally Located:
Situated along Interstate 24 and also State Highway 27, Chattanooga is a two-hour drive to Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham, and Atlanta. A little over three hours in the car gets you to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you can get to Asheville, North Carolina in just under four hours.
It Has Its Own Airport:
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, also known as CHA, is small, fast, and super convenient. Long-term parking is reasonably priced and steps away from the terminal (no shuttles required). And once inside, you’re generally through security in minutes. The only downside is that most flights will need to connect through Atlanta (a 20-minute flight). Other than that, you can expect a seamless experience. Learn more.
The Weather is Mild:
There’s no getting around that it can get a little sticky in July and August. But for the other 10 months of the year, Chattanooga offers up some very pleasant meteorological conditions. You still get all four seasons, but the winters rarely dip below the mid-30s, and you get many months of temperatures that hover around the ‘60s and ‘70s. The only caveat is if snow (a.k.a “devil’s dandruff”) is in the forecast, be prepared for everyone to stock up on bread and milk and stay home.
Easy Access to Outdoor Activities:
While towns like Denver get lots of credit as an outdoor Mecca, the fact of the matter is that you often need to drive some distance to get to the good stuff. In Chattanooga, you can drop your kayak in right downtown, pedal your bike 10 minutes to get to some of our best country roads, or even enjoy several surprisingly nice mountain bike and running trails on your way home from work. There’s also hiking and climbing galore within really short drives. Learn more.
The Cost of Living is Low:
According to bestplaces.net, Chattanooga scores below the national average in cost of groceries, health, utilities, and transportation. Most notably, housing is significantly lower than the national average, coming in at an eye-popping 67%. Learn More.
Big City Amenities with a Small Town Feel:
Often there’s a tradeoff between the culture of a city and the peace and quiet of the country. Chattanooga strikes a nice balance between the two. On one hand, it provides plenty of the restaurants, museums, craft fairs, and shopping that you’d expect from a large city. But at the same time, there’s plenty of easily accessible nature and green space to keep you sane.
Chattanooga is Getting Noticed:
Chattanooga is the only city to win Outside Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” contest TWICE. It’s also received accoladed in Livability, Bicycling Magazine, and more. Learn More
We really do think Chattanooga is one of the best places to live in the US. If you’re looking at a move to Scenic City, we promise you won’t be disappointed! Also, you can trust Joe Leffew Properties to find you the perfect home.