Progressive Chattanooga? (apartments, condos, crime)

[trailblazer33]

I am interviewing for a position in Chattanooga, and am interested in what the city is like. I grew up in Tennessee but have been gone for several years. I like neighborhoods that are racially diverse, full of independently owned shops and hole in the wall restaurants and bars. "Ethnic" enclaves are a plus, like neighborhoods/streets full of Mexican tiendas and restaurants. I'm looking for progressive areas a la farmers markets, thrift stores, record stores, walkable, urban, community oriented. Crime and a neighborhood's "reputation" are nonissues. Does this exist in Chattanooga?

[RiverView]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

I am interviewing for a position in Chattanooga, and am interested in what the city is like. I grew up in Tennessee but have been gone for several years. I like neighborhoods that are racially diverse, full of independently owned shops and hole in the wall restaurants and bars. "Ethnic" enclaves are a plus, like neighborhoods/streets full of Mexican tiendas and restaurants. I'm looking for progressive areas a la farmers markets, thrift stores, record stores, walkable, urban, community oriented. Crime and a neighborhood's "reputation" are nonissues. Does this exist in Chattanooga?

The closest thing you will find is the "Southside" Main Street area. It's not Full of these things. But, these type of things are there. There are some art shops, bicycle shops, tiendas, Mexican Restaurants, Breweries, Cajun Restaurant, Coffee Shops, Bread Shop, Chocolate Shop, A new Local Grocery Store is slated for construction, Crossfit Gym (get BUILT), and of course some small neighborhoods. I don't think there is a record store. There is one on Vine Street (Chad's Records and CD's) which is several blocks away. Very community oriented, walkable and urban.

[trailblazer33]

Originally Posted by RiverView

The closest thing you will find is the "Southside" Main Street area. It's not Full of these things. But, these type of things are there. There are some art shops, bicycle shops, tiendas, Mexican Restaurants, Breweries, Cajun Restaurant, Coffee Shops, Bread Shop, Chocolate Shop, A new Local Grocery Store is slated for construction, Crossfit Gym (get BUILT), and of course some small neighborhoods. I don't think there is a record store. There is one on Vine Street (Chad's Records and CD's) which is several blocks away. Very community oriented, walkable and urban.

A quick Southside Chattanooga google search, and this looks like a neighborhood definitely worth checking out. Great suggestion, thanks. Any others?

[RiverView]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

A quick Southside Chattanooga google search, and this looks like a neighborhood definitely worth checking out. Great suggestion, thanks. Any others?

Not really. North Chattanooga is similar but may not be urban enough for you. I live there and it's got the pubs, a Mexican Restaurant or 2, art galleries, pricier restaurants. Absolutely walkable. It has the Parks and you can walk / ride to downtown from most anyplace in N Chatt. Just pick a bridge and head across the river. I rode my road bike to the market this past Sunday. It was 3.7 Mi. The Market is almost in the Southside.

[shinestx]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

I am interviewing for a position in Chattanooga, and am interested in what the city is like. I grew up in Tennessee but have been gone for several years. I like neighborhoods that are racially diverse, full of independently owned shops and hole in the wall restaurants and bars. "Ethnic" enclaves are a plus, like neighborhoods/streets full of Mexican tiendas and restaurants. I'm looking for progressive areas a la farmers markets, thrift stores, record stores, walkable, urban, community oriented. Crime and a neighborhood's "reputation" are nonissues. Does this exist in Chattanooga?

I wouldn't necessarily agree that those things you mention are exclusive to "progressive" neighborhoods. The reason I use quotes is because a lot of times the word is used without a full understanding of its meaning. "Progressive" really has become synonymous with a certain way of voting.

But it's true that most of those things are in either the South Main or Northshore areas. Perhaps the most "progressive" member of the TN State House (Andy Berke) comes from the Northshore area. You'd probably feel right at home in that part of town. Don't overlook the options downtown, especially near the museum and UTC, where many new apartments and condos have been built in recent years.

[chattydoll]

I think I have an idea of what you are looking for, I grew up in California and I have been searching for good Mexican food and the same kind of vibe. Taqueria Jalisco in the "Southside" is a great place, it used to be just a trailer but now they have a very tiny building attached. Insyde Outsyde in Redbank has great furniture at reasonable prices, I bought a cool 50's coffee table for $20 and they had an art deco bar with all the swizzle sticks for $100. Collective Clothing has amazing deals on clothes, sometimes they have fill a plastic bag for $5 day - I stopped going though because it was filled with beautiful hipsters that insisted on dressing like the homeless. I did get an amazing Woolworths wool long sleeve button down for $3 which has come in so handy in the winter. There are also progressive christian churches but I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for as well.