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[woode]

I was considering moving to the Chattanooga area to be closer to my grandkids in Atlanta (but not too close).  On the surface, it looks like a nice area with reasonable real estate prices and good year-round riding.  I have heard that crime is an issue in that area, so I wanted to get some opinions from anyone who happens to know the area.  Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

[Rimjam]

I'm a couple hours from Chattanooga in north Alabama, my wife & I occasionally take short three day vacations there.  We found it to be full of southern hospitality, good food and awesome scenery.  I don't have an opinion about crime rates but in a city that large you're sure to find a little of everything. We usually stay near downtown, ride the free bus, mingle with whoever happens to be enjoying the weekend, have never had any problems whatsoever.  Happened upon a bike nite/free concert last fall, one local said it goes on all summer. If you're a civil war buff there's tons of historic stuff around, TN river flows right thru the place, Appalachian mtns dwarf everything human.  One lifetime is not long enough to ride all the good roads in the area.

[JoeVibe]

I live in Nashville but work in Chattanooga quite a bit. It's like most big cities, there are very nice areas and some not so nice. I don't know what the crime rate stats are but I would live there. Like Rimjam said, the area has a lot to offer.

[MadCVORG]

I'm in Huntsville, about an hour away. Chattanooga has a nice small-town feel--has a pleasant downtown with the aquarium, events along the river, and some nice dining.  Roads in the area are great, weather is pretty mild, and you can hit several cities reasonably close.  Also, Thunder Creek H-D is pretty nice.  Not sure how bad the crime rate is, but like anywhere else, where you reside is a big factor.  Take time to select a good neighborhood and you should be fine.

[JCZ]

Jon, Andy and I spent a couple of days in Chattanoga when we did our ocean to ocean ride.  All three of us liked that area, the civil war history, downtown...the riverfront area, etc.  We also enjoyed Rock City and Ruby Falls before moving on.

Here's some web sites that might help you a bit....

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tn/chattanooga/crime/

http://www.usa.com/chattanooga-tn-crime-and-crime-rate.htm

[woode]

Thanks for all of the replies.  The statistics in the links were a little sobering, but all of your experiences were positive.  We are going to do a little house hunting down there at the end of the month (barring another blizzard up north), so that we can get a feel for the place.

[BAGGER 1]

I grew up in Chatta, and its a good city. I now live in Ringgold Ga., and can get there in 10 minutes.
   There are lots of great communities surrounding Chatt town and I prefer Ga. cause of schools and taxes.
You can find good riding in all directions, deals gap, blue ridge mountains, Gatlinburg and Smokey mnts.,
   PM me and I can tell you much more.            Leeco

[chaos901]

Don't know about the crime but lots of good riding in East TN, North AL, North GA and Western NC.

[JCZ]

Thanks for all of the replies.  The statistics in the links were a little sobering, but all of your experiences were positive.  We are going to do a little house hunting down there at the end of the month (barring another blizzard up north), so that we can get a feel for the place.

Not as sobering as most of the cities here in Calif.    Take a look at the city you live in now, to compare.....you might be surprised to learn that Chatanooga isn't all that bad.  And, like any city, I'm sure it's more to one side rather than the other. 

[FLSTFI Dave]

Chattanooga is a nice city.  I live 56 miles north of Chattanooga and 48 miles south of Knoxville.  Lots of great riding, and you can usually ride year round, there are days in the 40's or more every month.

I would look at some of the little towns just north of Chattanooga, 15 minutes or so north.  Taxes would be less, property would be less, and still just a few minutes from the city.

I would not trade where I live for anywhere else.

[dlaws01]

I don't know man, I'd stay in PA if it were me, or get closer to Atlanta.

[Jswerve]

I used to drive through Chattanooga on the way back to Iowa from Ft. Benning and I loved it. Looked like a great place 

[woode]

I don't know man, I'd stay in PA if it were me, or get closer to Atlanta.

dlaws, why do you say that?  Are you an expat Pittsburgher, or have you had issues with the Eastern side of the state?