Chattanooga : Tennessee

Chattanooga is a low-cost, interesting retirement city of about 183,000 people in southern Tennessee. This was the site of the famous critical civil war Battle of Chattanooga due to its strategic location on the Tennessee River.  Called the "Scenic City", it is home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The city has had its ups and downs economically. Its industrial focus combined with its many ridges also resulted in some very dirty air up until the 1980's. The city's 21st Century Waterfront Plan is a $120 million redevelopment to transform the Chattanooga waterfront and downtown area. The Riverwalk is a 13 mile trail along the river.

Baby boomers in retirement are coming to Tennessee and Chattanooga because of its milder climate and much lower costs - a couple can retire here for a fraction of what it might cost in the northeast or along one of the coasts. Many people cite how friendly the locals are, while some others say people from the northeast feel unwelcome. Photos per license of istockphoto and Shutterstock.

Watch this short Youtube video prepared by Outside Magazine:

Here is the Topretirements Mini-Guide to Retirement in Tennessee

Four of Chattanooga's neighborhoods have been designated by the National Register of Historic Places: Fort Wood, Ferger Place, Glenwood and St. Elmo.  There are many pleasant suburbs including Lookout Mountain, and there are a number of active adult and 55+ communities in the area (see link at top left.)
The median selling price of a home in Chattanooga in the 4th quarter of 2021 was $269,900, according to the National Association of Realtors, up 15.5% from the previous year. Many active adult communities are being built in the area with a wide range of prices.

• Low cost of living and no state income tax
  
• Hunter Museum of Art
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
• Many historic buildings and neighborhoods
• Solid and growing economic base
• Chattanooga Aquarium (see picture at top of page)
  
• Historic battlefields
• Many outdoor recreational activities

Chattanooga crime rate may be high in certain parts and public transportation may be a problem for those who do not drive.

Professionals with college or post-graduate degrees tend to retire to Chattanooga.

A number of big companies, 3 major medical centers, numerous other health care facilities, construction and several colleges and universities in and around Chattanooga.