Representing 16 counties and over one million residents, the greater Chattanooga region is a hub of innovation, an outdoor mecca, and a popular tourist destination featuring affordable living and a great quality of life.

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Dubbed “Gig City” after becoming the first city in the nation to offer one gigabit broadband internet — which has since grown to 10 gigabit — Chattanooga draws top tech companies and talent, and has become a hotbed for entrepreneurs. 

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Lonely Planet has named Chattanooga as one of their “Best in the U.S.” destinations to visit, Chattanooga has twice received “Best Town Ever” in Outside Magazine readers polls, and National Geographic Adventure calls Chattanooga one of the “Best Adventure Towns in the US to Live + Play”.

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The Scenic City is both a great place to raise a family and, according to Southern Living, the “all-around best city” to retire in the South.

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Here are a few reasons why:

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AFFORDABILITY

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Simply put, Chattanooga will give you a big bang for your retirement buck.  According to Kiplinger, the cost of living in Tennessee is roughly 12% less than the national average and the fifth lowest in the nation when the average cost of housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, health care, and other expenses are taken into account.

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While Tennessee might have a higher sales tax (9.5%) than other states, it has low property taxes and no pension tax or state income tax. The state only taxes dividends and interest of investments, making the state attractive to retirees. 

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WEATHER

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Chattanooga’s mild southern climate is a perfect midpoint between Florida and the Northeast. The region has mild winters and hot summers, but also has four defined seasons with mild snows every so often to give new residents from colder climates a quick and pretty (but seldom heavy) reminder of home.

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ACCESSIBILITY

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You can reach any section of the Greater Chattanooga area in a matter of minutes, and the city is ideally located just a couple of hours via interstate from bigger cities like Knoxville, Birmingham, Nashville, and Atlanta. If you leave Chattanooga at dawn, you can be in Charlotte, Indianapolis, Charleston, or the Florida panhandle by lunchtime.

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The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport offers non-stop flights to 10 cities, including Chicago, Orlando, New York City, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., and recently unveiled a $28 million expansion.

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ACTIVITIES

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Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is overflowing with state parks, urban parks, hiking areas, climbing opportunities, mountain biking trails, a 16-mile riverwalk, and beautiful views perfect for long, relaxing drives — all of which have all combined to give it another prominent nickname, “The Scenic City.” 

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Downtown Chattanooga, Hixson, East Brainerd, and the hugely popular Northshore area feature numerous dining and shopping options, and Chattanooga is home to a thriving arts, museum, and entertainment scene featuring small, acclaimed venues and large outdoor festivals.

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HOUSING

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In addition to the aforementioned low property taxes, Chattanooga offers a median home price well below the national average. 

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Virtually every type of home you can think of is already here or can be easily designed to meet your needs, from downtown condos, riverside bungalows, and quaint cottages to quiet suburban neighborhoods, lakeside retreats, or sizable country lots on the outskirts of town. 

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Greentech offers numerous amenity-filled neighborhoods such as The Farmstead that not only offer a great quality of life, but also the ability to work alongside Greentech’s expert designers to customize your home to suit your specific lifestyle needs. 

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Are you considering retiring in Chattanooga? We’d love to meet you and help you find your next home. Click here to schedule a tour or consultation.

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