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Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Chattanooga
Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options. You may be concerned about house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location—it all can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve researched the up and coming neighborhoods in Chattanooga for you, so you don’t have to (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—your friendly Chattanooga movers). We’ve examined what it’s like living in each of these highlighted neighborhoods. And we’ve created in-depth guides with insider scoops on close-by, popular destinations. Soon, you’ll be living like a local.
A Little About Living in Chattanooga
Small but mighty, Chattanooga boasts of natural beauty, a thriving arts scene, and a business climate ripe for start-ups. The city is nestled up against the base of Lookout Mountain and winds along the Tennessee River.
This growing city has caught the eye of urban entrepreneurs. Chattanooga was dubbed “Gig City” when it became home to the fastest Internet service in the country. This mountain town is also a favorite spot among outdoorsy folk. And it’s hit culinary heights with places like Main Street Meats, Alleia, Brewhaus, Back Inn Cafe, and The Flying Squirrel.
Its growing job market and urban amenities don’t stifle Chattanooga’s small-town spirit, which can still be felt, seen, and tasted at farmers markets, homegrown startups, and one-of-a-kind restaurants, many started by long-term Chattanooga locals. But has the city reached a stagnant point? Are there still up-and-coming areas?
Although Chattanooga sits just two hours from Nashville and Atlanta, it still shines bright. In fact, Chattanooga has become so alluring that it’s recently had a huge influx of residents from all around the country. Below, we’ll dive in and give you our insiders’ scoop on our favorite 3 Chattanooga neighborhoods that are on the up and up.
RED BANK
Sitting against Chattanooga, the small city of Red Bank lies on the north side of the Tennessee River. Its small-town feel has drawn about 12,000 residents. And the city is home to over 350 small businesses. Despite its bedroom-community feel, Red Bank is growing.
In the evenings, locals take walks throughout Red Bank’s safe streets or drive the 10-minutes into Chattanooga’s downtown. With a lower price tag and great location, Red Bank has started gaining attention among first-home buyers and families. Good cost of living, safety, diversity, and outdoor amenities make Red Bank the new spot to buy in Chattanooga.
What’s Happening in Red Bank
Despite its small size, Red Bank is home to several parks. The Red Bank Dog Park offers a large grassy for dogs to play together. The quiet and clean White Oak Park has a playground and grassy lawns perfect for a picnic. And Stringers Ridge Park is a beautiful place to walk and ride bikes through the woods.
Chattanooga’s downtown is so close, residents can easily access all its amenities. But Red Bank is home to several local hot spots. Check out Pizzeria Cortile, which serves creative wood-fired pizza. Or snag a chocolate caramel tart, chocolate cherry cookie, or coffee and croissant at the Bread and Butter artisan bakery.
Schools in Red Bank
Highly-rated schools near Red Bank include Alpine Crest Elementary School, Normal Park Museum Magnet Upper School, and Red Bank High School among others.
Homes in Red Bank
In Red Bank, you can still find homes for as low as $70K. Single-family homes with two, three, or four bedrooms can be bought at steal prices. Some of this neighborhood’s homes have been beautifully renovated, giving others a sneak-peek into Red Bank’s pretty future.
SODDY-DAISY
This charming quiet town is full of friendly residents. Sitting on the outskirts of the mountains, locals love the peaceful and quiet vibes in this community. Soddy-Daisy is great for families. But the area is also seeing a lot of young professionals looking for their first home. Still very affordable, locals can enjoy a quiet getaway after 5 o’clock and take the short drive into downtown Chatt on the weekends.
What’s Happening in Soddy-Daisy
Soddy-Daisy sits up against North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area. This gorgeous nature oasis in the mountains fills up on the weekends. But during the week, locals enjoy hiking down rocky creeks and along nature trails. During your visit, hike out to Blue Hole where you can cliff jump and swim.
Families love to walk to Veteran’s Park or explore Poe’s Tavern Park where there’s lots of space for the kids to run around. The beautiful Big Soddy Creek Gulf has hiking trails that wind along waterfall creeks.
You’ll find a long list of casual dining spots in Soddy-Daisy. But our favorite spot is Steve’s Landing Waterfront Grill that sits right on the edge of Soddy Creek. Downtown Chattanooga is also just 18 minutes away for easy commutes and a night out.
Schools in Soddy-Daisy
Some of the top-rated schools around Soddy-Daisy include CSLA, Lookout Valley Middle and High School, and Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, among others.
Homes in Soddy-Daisy
From fixer-uppers that ring up at under $50K to beautiful single-family homes with many bedrooms, Soddy-Daisy is becoming a wonderful home for families of all income levels. The architectural style in Soddy-Daisy is assorted. Ranchers, farmhouses, new builds, even a little Victorian style can be found in this neighborhood. But most of these homes sit comfortably on roomy lots with long, grassy front yards.
SOUTHSIDE
The Southside of Chatt has been a popular spot for young professionals for years. But work in the neighborhood over the past few years is going to transform this area of the city.
The biggest housing and commercial project to go up in Chattanooga’s East Main Street area in decades is in the works. This $120-million neighborhood will be named Mill Town and span 30 acres around the former Standard-Coosa-Thatcher textile site.
This huge transformation happening on Southside is going to bring lots of locals to the area, with its 330 units and new commercial space. But even before the new build is complete, there’s plenty to do on the Southside.
What’s Happening in Southside
On the Southside, you’ll find popular spots like Urban Stack, Bluegrass Grill, St. John’s Restaurant, and one of our favorite local spots, Alleia. Southside is also home to two of our favorite places in Chattanooga to grab a beverage. For coffee, check out Velo Coffee Roasters. For a classy cocktail, check out Flying Squirrel.
Southside Social, a large modern space, packs in activities like bowling, pool, cornhole and serves local craft beer and cocktails. Nearby, Imbibe sells wines and hosts regular wine tastings. Each Sunday, locals gather at the large Chattanooga Market, where you can buy lots of local goods like fudge, vegan cheeses, flowers, pottery, produce, sandwiches, and beer.
Schools in Southside
Southside sits close to several highly-rated schools, including CSLA, Battle Academy, and Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, among others.
Homes in Southside
In Southside, residents can live in a piece of history. Houses range from charming historic homes for just over $100K to roomy victorian brick homes to large stately houses for close to $700K. Southside is also seeing an influx of modern new builds and upscale townhomes.
There you have it: The up and coming neighborhoods in Chattanooga!
We hope this was helpful! If you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate long-distance and local moving services in Chattanooga, and we would love to help.
Lastly, if you’re interested in nearby cities with a good reputation, Atlanta, Birmingham, Knoxville, and Nashville are a few that should be high on your radar. Feel free to give us a call if you decide to make the move!
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