St.Elmo, Ridgeside areas safe places to live? (Chattanooga, Signal Mountain: apartments, rental)

[kitkat81]

Im moving in from out of state and I have found come places online in these areas but want to know more. Is the st.elmo area safe, clean, good place to live, etc? Also, ridgeside specifically Pinewood ave, a good area??
Any help is appreciated

[jkmewright]

That's funny, I live in Brainerd and cruise the ridge and ridgeside often and NEVER went down that road. The ridge is a funny place as some of us have found out. You can be in the midst of some very expensive home and the next block totally opposite. You want one of to do a little looksey?

[beachbyrd]

TriDad and i were looking at a house on Montview about two blocks over and we didn't think it was bad on Montview, but the neighborhood was really street to street. I am sure we could convince TriDad to have a look! He loves scoping out neighborhoods! Especially if they are neighborhoods that jkmewright likes

As far as St. Elmo, you will get a different response from everyone you speak with about it. We like the beautiful old houses and many insist the neighborhood is on the upswing. There are many houses being renovated and flipped in the neighborhood and many young families are moving in, however some do not think it is having quite the renaissance that others do. It seems to illicit a different response from everyone we talk to. If we did not have our daughter, we would be much more inclined to move there, but we have schools to think about and would want to really check out what happens there in the coming years.

If you do move there, stay to the northern end of the neighborhood and also, if I am not mistaken the west part of the community is nicer than the east. Even if you do not move there, check it out when you visit, we really like to drive through the neighborhood and enjoy the houses. It is at the base of Lookout Mountain, so the topography is pretty too.

[RiverView]

I probably shouldn't post this but ...... I know people who live in Ridgeside and they do have a crime problem and resale stinks. St Elmo has tried to go through a revitalization for several years now. (IHMO) it still hasn't taken off and resale stinks. I do not know if they have a crime problem but some streets are pretty sketchy and some areas of some streets are pretty sketchy. I can remember to cold blooded murders at the community markets there in the last 5 years. Beachbyrd's northern end remarks are spot on.

[jkmewright]

Riverview, I remember that. So very sad.

As far as St Elmo I agree that the northern end is much better. Stay on the upside of let's say, 47th or the 4700s block. Toss some addresses at us, we'll be glad to scope it out for ya. I'll take the ridge on my way home and Tridad and family can have St Elmo

[kitkat81]

Thank you so much! You all are awesome...Im loving Chattanooga already! If you in the area and can take a look, id very much appreciate it!

Addresses:

3355 Pinewood Ave, 37411

4700 St.Elmo, 37409

[jkmewright]

Here are some neighboring duplexes and apartments...

[jkmewright]

3355 and 3353...

[jkmewright]

I can't make a judgement call for anyone, heck I live in a neighborhood that some people would be hesitant to call home (ethnic mix, rental homes etc...) but we love it. However, I will say that the thing that most concerned me was the pedestrian traffic. This is not a park area or designated walking path and when people are cruising up and down the street it makes me nervous. One street over are some beautiful homes, you could walk to the drug store and there are plenty of neighbors.

We all have our idea of what's acceptable and what we can afford and do our best with that in mind. Hope this helps.

[beachbyrd]

I have to go up Signal Mountain today to bring some dinner to a family at church (mom just had surgery and has another one on Tuesday) I will try to go on down to St. Elmo and take a couple of pics, as well.

I agree with you jkmewright, based on what I saw before and then seeing these pics, I am not sure I would live there.