Moving--Chattanooga or Asheville? (Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville: appointed, sales, 2014)

[drfranklin]

I live in Greenville, SC which is a little over 1 hour south of Asheville (in fact, Greenville/Asheville share the same television market) - lived in Chattanooga and know that area somewhat well (although it's been 5+ years since I moved). Some clarification above: Charlotte is 2+ hours to Asheville - in fact, Boone, NC is closer to Charlotte than Asheville.

Chattanooga's aesthetic backdrop is very similar to Asheville's; of course, with the exception that Asheville's surrounding mountains are much greater in elevation.

Chattanooga's metro population is slightly bigger than Asheville's (529k vs. 425K); but, shopping amenities (IMO) are somewhat better in Asheville - Asheville has Trader Joe's, REI, (will have) 2 Whole Food locations, Mast General, and anything Biltmore.

I'd argue that tourism plays a MUCH bigger part of Asheville's economy than Chattanooga. Chattanooga's economy is much more diverse than Asheville's.

Access to airports: Ashevillians have access to GSP (which is now a Southwest airport) and, of course, Charlotte (but still ~ 2 hours away; if one lives in Black Mountain, Charlotte/Douglas is a little over 90 minutes).

Mission Hospital (in Asheville) is a designated Level II trauma center (as opposed to Erlanger's Level I status).

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by groovamos

I'm familiar with both cities. I lived in Chattanooga for 9 months of my freshman year in college, and my brother moved there last Feb. I know Asheville fairly well because my parents located to Hendersonville 20 miles away, and I spent time there every year for their last 30 years. My mother grew up in N.C.

Asheville wins on the size of mountains and maybe on the scenery for real mountain types. It is maybe half the size of Chattanooga. Asheville draws a lot of artsy types, new agers and old hippies, but Chattanooga actually has a couple of good sized art museums, one on the river, and while we're at it, the river and two large lakes are a major part of the spectacular scenery around Chattanooga. The mountains around Chattanooga are actually fingers of the Cumberland Plateau carved by the water. There is not the dominance of water around Asheville, but the Appalachian trail and Blue Ridge Parkway are nearby. Asheville is maybe 1.5 hours from Charlotte, and 3 from Atlanta. Chattanooga is 2 hours from Atlanta and 2 to Nashville. Both cities have similar sized airports but Chattanooga has a huge advantage with shuttle service every 2 hours to Nashville BNA and hourly to Atlanta ATL. Chattanooga has more tourist business by far and a much higher level entertainment and restaurant sector. And if jobs and economy are a consideration, Chattanooga would be the obvious choice. They also have a two weekend music festival there every year. I should mention the two world class attractions in Asheville, the Grove Park Inn and the Biltmore Estate, but then you have the attractions of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga.

You might check into the medical footprint of the two cities, I don't think Asheville has anything to measure up to Erlanger med center in Chattanooga. Also there is a state U. in Chatt. there is a small college in Asheville. Finally, my brother was living in Lawrenceville, Ga, a northern Atlanta suburb, and he and his wife chose to relocate to Chattanooga, and Asheville was not on their list; Knoxville was.

Good Luck

You're right.

[Shakeesha]

Chattanooga and Asheville are very comparable. However, Asheville is certainly more liberal and artsy, and offers better shopping. Chattanooga is larger and offers better nightlife/dining. In terms of economic growth, neither city is growing fast, Nashville and Charlotte have a lot to do with this :-(. If you love the outdoors, young people, tourists, food, fun, and a slow pace of life, either city will suit you fine. Both cities heavily depend on tourism for their economies, which may not appeal to you. Knoxville also deserves an honorable mention, but it's metro population is closer to Birmingham rather than Chattanooga or Asheville, not quite sure how big of a city you will want, especially coming from Chicago.

[Beretta]

Folks I appreciate your responses but I want to let you know that the OP has not logged back in since the day that they posted the question. Another one hit wonder.

[Susannah Noll]

I have lived in Chatt for nearly 30 years. Asheville is at a much higher elevation, so you get a lot more of that wintry feel. Much more stunning and dramatic mtns as well. Asheville has a better downtown IMO. They're mall is comparable to our biggest mall Hamilton Place. Asheville is much smaller, but in a good way, meaning much less sprawl and commute time. NC does have state income taxes and asheville def has a higher cost of living. (check out salary wizard). Both have nice people. Good luck! Also, check out Knoxville. Much more big city vibe than Chatt and has a real airport. Very close to Smoky Mtns which are awesome. Lots to do there

[Mark-faf]

Originally Posted by Beretta

Folks I appreciate your responses but I want to let you know that the OP has not logged back in since the day that they posted the question. Another one hit wonder.

The OP may have come and gone, but I, for one appreciate the comments on this thread. Those two cities are on my retirement radar, along with Knoxville and the TRI.

Mark

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by Mark-faf

The OP may have come and gone, but I, for one appreciate the comments on this thread. Those two cities are on my retirement radar, along with Knoxville and the TRI.

Mark

Mark,

Yay! That is exactly why we leave old threads and don't lock them like other sites! I have actually explained that very reason that you posted to other posters previously. I had DM's from posters that were frustrated because the OP had not responded, and usually there are posts as well that are deleted that are off topic that you can't see.

Best of luck on your search and let me know if I can help with the Knoxville and TRI area as I am extremely familiar with both of those areas.

Beretta

[Lugnuts]

Originally Posted by shinestx

I disagree with the comparison to Greeneville and Asheville, which I like, but are dispersed with pockets of activity. Both are nice compact downtowns, but are not on a major river, which is an enormous asset. Just this weekend, the city will be hosting Head of the Hooch, which is an international rowing competition that lasts all weekend and brings thousands to the city. Plus, the surrounding scenery is amazing (yes, I like Asheville's too!). But take an autumn or spring drive up the Sequatchie Valley or take in the vistas of Cloudland Canyon, and you'll see what I mean. Not to mention all the Civil War history that seems so "alive" around Chattanooga. A large portion of Chickamauga Lake is in the city limits too. Plus, the Chattanooga MSA has approximately 550,000 residents, but that doesn't include Cleveland-Bradley (100,000) which is only 20 minutes north... and Dalton-Whitfield (100,000) 20 minutes south.. all which combine to form a relatively compact market area of over 750,000

And regarding jobs... The greater Chattanooga area is booming with approximately 4000 new jobs right now. That percentage growth leads the state among all the major cities. And the new VW plant is just a "small" part of the overall picture. There are factories that supply the auto, plastics, ceramics, logistics and textile industries that are expanding. Examples: Aerisyn, Amazon, General Electric, Whirlpool, T Mobil, Honigsberg-Duvell, Mars M&M, Access America, Homeserve, and Wacker. And speaking of VW, Team 3 Logistics and Woodbridge are expanding with hundreds of jobs. Plus, VW just announced a 1000 job expansion... with a real possibility of adding a new car line in the next two years (a new SUV model will be made at either Chattanooga or a plant in Mexico). Plus, there are large established F500 corps with significant presences in the area: Dow, Dupont, Olin, Rock-Tenn, BASF, ADM... and several with divisions based here: Wrigley, Sanofi, Cigna, TVA, ... not to mention the "homegrowns" Blue Cross Blue Shield, Unum, Miller Industries, Aztec, Fillauer, Miller and Martin, Luken and CBL.

And there is a rapidly growing entrepreneurial sector that has both started and moved to Chattanooga (mostly in South End/South Market) because of the city's fastest Internet in the world, with the EPB's (yay, you have to love competition) Gigabyte fiber optic infrastructure that supports all the emergency response and phone systems, along with cable TV. And Erlanger Medical Center is a teaching hospital and L1 trauma center. Plus... the Tennessee Riverpark (greenway)... ah, the Riverpark. Just Google it for a glimpse of what an asset the Riverpark is.

Then there is the hospitality industry, which has grown just this year with four Hampton Inns, and new Embassy Suites, a new Marriott downtown on the river and over 1000 new residences currently under construction downtown. There are another 500 apartments planned downtown, as well. There are two new Publix supermarkets under construction (one on the northshore) and two large hospital expansions underway (Memorial and Erlanger East). Plus, there are two fine 4-year universities in UTC (13,000 students) and Lee University (5,000). Covenant College (1000 students) is a Presbyterian affiliated college on Lookout Mountain and Southern Adventist University (3000) is located in Collegedale (10 miles north). And Chattanooga State (CC) has 12000 students and partners with many manufacturers in the area. Plus, the downtown bus/shuttle system operates without having to pay fares. Then again, compared to those other cities (and this is no small thing), Tennessee has no state income tax.

Plus, if you ever get a bit of wanderlust, I can make it to Atlanta in 1 hour and a half... and Nashville in a little over 2 hours. Air service in any of the three G'ville, A'ville and Nooga are not the greatest (actually, they can suck depending on where you need to go), but that's another good reason to be so close to Atlanta (and Nashville too if you like to fly Southwest). Plus, there are three Interstate highways that traverse the city (I-75, I-24 and I-59).

On the diversity point, I haven't noticed that Chattanooga "flaunts" diversity (although I can believe it... as that's something a lot of "progressive" cities and towns want to be known), but the current Mayor Andy Berke is quite left-center in his politics; so this might be a "push" of his. However, I can tell you with certainty that the city has a lot of diversity outreach with the inner city areas (e.g. Chattanooga Housing Authority and Urban Alliance, Families First, Benwood and Ochs Center, and the Hamilton County Department of Education) have all had tremendous success with programs for minorities. Plus, there is even an "international area" along a two mile stretch of Lee Highway (ironically) lined with Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern restaurants and shops.

Great summary. Very helpful. Thx

[smpliving]

Originally Posted by Mark-faf

The OP may have come and gone, but I, for one appreciate the comments on this thread. Those two cities are on my retirement radar, along with Knoxville and the TRI.

Mark

Agree. A very big thanks to all who have contributed in the past and present

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by rigizug

Agree. A very big thanks to all who have contributed in the past and present

Are you looking at Chattanooga? I keep associating you elsewhere in TN so I am going to have to retrain the brain.

By the way, I like your new name!