Historic architecture, educational museums, scenic surroundings and exciting festivals are abundant in this Southern city, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and the banks of the Chickamauga and Nickajack Lakes. Affordable costs of living, a diverse workforce, and extensive recreational options make Chattanooga an intriguing place to relocate!
If you are planning or considering a move to this Tennessee city, read on for more information to ensure that it is the right place for you.
Chattanooga Climate
The city lies in the humid subtropical zone, with four varied seasons. Summers are generally hot and balmy, and winters cool and mild. However, temperatures can drop below freezing occasionally. The region receives very little snowfall--usually less than one inch a year.
Though the city is surrounded by mountains, the region is still occasionally struck by tornadoes. Once you move in, you should prepare your home for potential twisters--find out how here.
Chattanooga Neighborhoods
Before relocating to any new city, you will need to find out more about its individual neighborhoods--such as the costs for housing, crime rates, and available amenities.
The city has a number of historic neighborhoods, such as Ferger Place, Fort Wood and St . Elmo. These areas feature beautifully-preserved Victorian, Tudor Revival, Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles architecture.
The Riverfront area recently went under a $125 million revitalization, with upscale townhomes, apartments and condos overlooking the Tennessee River. A hub for the city's tourism industry, the Riverfront is abundant in hotels, attractions and dining establishments.
The Southside is a pleasant urban residential neighborhood, with an array of eclectic housing options, from single-family homes, to apartments, to townhome developments. The area features a plethora of available amenities, including lovely parks, restaurants, retail stores, and businesses. Head down to the Market Street and Main Street areas for trendy eateries, pubs, and the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel.
Registering Your Car
Within 30 days of moving to Tennessee permanently, you must register your vehicle. This can be done at any County Clerk's office, and you will need your current registration, title, proof of identification, proof of residency, and an emission inspection certification.
To transfer your driver's license to the state, you must visit any Tennessee driver's License center within 30 days of moving to the state. You will have to pass a vision test, and show proof of identity, residency, and citizenship. Tennessee is one f the few state's that has no minimum requirement for car insurance--however, you must prove that you meet the standards of the Financial Responsibility Law to ensure that you are economically capable of covering damages on your own. If your out of state license has been expired for more than six months, you will have to take the road skills test and written test.
Chattanooga Schools
Public education in the city is served by Hamilton County Schools. The district contains 78 facilities and 42,000 students from all over the county. There also a number of private and parochial schools in the area, including Baylor School, McCallie School, Girls Preparatory School, Chattanooga Christian School and Notre Dame High School.
Chattanooga also has a wide variety of higher education institutions. The public college University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the second largest campus of the University of Tennessee system. The school has a nationally-ranked business program, as well as departments in nursing, education, English and engineering. Chattanooga is also home to a branch of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. For associate's degree programs, you can attend the two-year Chattanooga State Community College.
Other notable institutions located nearby include Covenant College-- a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in the nearby suburb of Lookout Mountain, and Southern Adventist University in the Collegedale area.
Chattanooga Employment
The city's economy is mainly fueled by the manufacturing and service sectors. Plentiful natural resources, a thriving tourism industry, and a centralized location contribute significantly to Chattanooga's economic developments. The city's extensive system of highway, air, water, and railways make it a major transportation and distribution hub. Items produced in the city include processed foods, iron and steel products, textiles, apparel, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clay products, furniture, machinery, paper, and petroleum products.
Ready access to natural gas and electricity at low rates has influenced the city's growing utility industry. Chattanooga is home to the headquarters of the largest utility company in the nation -- the Division of Power of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The largest employers in the city include BlueCross Blue Shield, Hamilton County Department of Education, McKee Foods, Unum Provident Corporation, and Memorial Health Care System.
Living Costs in the City
If you are considering a move to Chattanooga, the good news is that this city is a very affordable place to call home. The overall cost of living is six percent below the national average, with housing, healthcare and utility costs among the most economical amenities in the region. Groceries and transportation expenses are equal to or less than the typical American city as well---food-shopping costs are the same as the national average, and getting around will cost you about two percent less.
If you are looking to rent, the average one-bedroom apartment in the city goes for about $694 a month, while the typical two-bedroom will cost around $820 a month. If you plan to buy, the median home price is listed at $159,900.
Chattanooga Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Chattanooga that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Chattanooga Transportation
If you plan to live in Chattanooga without a vehicle, you will have to become familiar with the city's public transportation system. Mass transit in the city and outer-lying areas is operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). There are 17 bus routes--find out more about the destinations and schedules here. Fares are $1.50 a ride for adults, and $0.75 for students and seniors. An unlimited 24-hour pass is $4, and a monthly pass is $50.
The system also operates a free downtown shuttle via electric bus from the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo Terminal Station to other points of interest. You can also take a ride on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway--this historic method of transportation is one of the nation's steepest railways. It ascends from the St. Elmo station at the mountain's base and climbs to Point Park at the summit, which offers scenic views of the entire city and the Tennessee River.
Culture and Contemporary Life
The city is rich with history, laden with beautiful scenery, and a hub for outdoor recreation. Visit one of several unique museums, enjoy the parks, mountains and river, and attend one of many festivals that are celebrated in Chattanooga each year!
The city's museums cover a diverse subject range, from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, to the Hunter Museum of American Art, to the Chattanooga Regional History Museum and the Chattanooga African-American Museum. The waterfront area is home to a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as the Tennessee Aquarium, the historic Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel, and the Tennessee Riverwalk--a 13-mile riverside path that runs from the Chickamauga Dam to downtown Chattanooga.
The annual nine-day music celebration known as the Riverbend Festival is held each June, and features live blues and jazz performances. The Southern Brewer's Festival and the River Roast commemorate down-South favorites beer and BBQ; NightFall is a summer-long weekly Friday night musicfest featuring a diverse mix of rock, blues, jazz, reggae, blue grass and folk performances; and the Chattanooga Market hosts a multitude of seasonal events including an Oktoberfest celebration in the fall.
Chattanooga Relocation Tips
- Bring a varied wardrobe--the city experiences four distinct seasons with temperatures ranging from the upper 80s in the summer to occasionally dropping below freezing in the winter.
- Make a moving checklist--there are numerous tasks associated with your relocation to complete before you make your trek to Chattanooga. Make a packing schedule, change your address, and compare quotes from several moving companies at Movers.com.
- Research the neighborhoods. Before choosing any section of the city to call home, you will want to know everything it has offer--housing costs, crime rates, proximity to amenities, and quality of nearby schools.