Chattanooga, Tennessee is a thriving metropolitan area with an incredibly affordable cost of living. Positioned on the Tennessee River near the Georgia border, Chattanooga offers beautiful scenery with a slower pace than many bustling cities. The city of Chattanooga has received national acclaim for the revitalization of its architecturally significant downtown and the riverfront areas. This includes the development of a five mile greenway system along the Tennessee River, with a continuous paved riverwalk that starts downtown and wanders through historic and art districts and several local parks.

City government has made a commitment to affordable housing, and now boasts the most productive affordable housing program in the country. It is also relevant to note that the city utilizes a "citizen visioning" process to chart its course. By involving residents in the planning process, the city ensures managed growth in support of the wishes of its citizenry.

Chattanooga is home to over 155,000 residents, whose median age is 37. The average household income in the city is approximately $32,000 per year, and the median home value is an incredibly affordable $83,500. Manufacturing is the largest employment sector here, followed by retail and finance. The area maintains a number of outstanding public and private schools and is served by several colleges and universities. Three of the largest are the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tennessee Temple University, and the Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

The city is also a popular tourist destination, another contributing factor to its stable economy. A key item in keeping the downtown area clean and pleasant are the Chattanooga-manufactured zero-emission electric buses. Access to attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, the African American Museum and Appalachian Trail draw visitors throughout the year. A number of special events and festivals draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city.

The Riverbend Festival is a decades-old event that celebrates nine full days of live music. The riverfront area is set up with multiple stages with over 100 musical acts featuring jazz, rock, oldies, folk, country, gospel, bluegrass, and pop. There is literally something for every musical taste at this festival that averages 80,000 attendees each night. Weaving through the crowds, roving entertainers delight children and adults alike. Above is the aerial sky show, and at ground level, hundreds of booths highlighting the best of Chattanooga's cuisine.

A special side event is the Bessie Smith Strut, held a few blocks off the river. Called the largest block party in the south, this event pays tribute to Chattanooga's own blues legend Bessie Smith. The city honors this remarkable lady again in May with the three-day Bessie Smith Traditional Jazz Festival. Other annual events include the Fall Color Cruise, the Southern Writers' Conference and the NCAA Division I Football Championships.

Chattanooga is also a great place to eat. For casual fare, it offers microbreweries and coffees in charming courtyards. There's a diverse array of famous southern barbecue. And for fine dining, you could enjoy a jazz brunch, or even dine from the vantage point of a renovated barge on the Tennessee River. The Chattanooga Market is the weekly farmers' market held from Sunday through Christmas. Never quite the same each week, the Market showcases everything from chef demonstrations and live music to car shows and a coffee festival.

Chattanooga is a diverse and thriving city with a pleasant down-home atmosphere. It is well maintained and planned by local government, and its residents enjoy the fruits of this effort each day. There are myriad entertainment options that honor the area's history, while representing the newest and best that Chattanooga has to offer.


If you're thinking of moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee, our relocation packet is yours for the asking!