Apartments or rentals in GOOD school areas- PLEASE give me some advice- DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME! (Chattanooga: condos)

[shoemakers4]

HI! I'm hoping you guys can help me out as I'm DESPERATELY in need of some advice!!

My husband and I live about 20 mins east of Nashville in Hendersonville, TN with our two daughters (4 1/2 and 8-on Sunday ). My husband came home today to tell me that he has a job opportunity (that would be a promotion!) in Ringgold, but if he's going to be considered for it, he has to apply BY THURSDAY! Of course, he doesn't want to apply if he's not really interested on the chance that he would be offered the job (wouldn't want to seem wishy-washy- you know, apply for the job, be offered, then say no thanks!) With the need to make a basically immediate decision and almost no time for research I'm hoping that you guys will be able to steer me in the right direction.

The biggest concern is schooling and of course, the type of neighborhood (of course, I know usually a good school is reflective of a good neighborhood). We would probably want to rent for the first 6 mos to a year (luckily we're in an apartment right now so we don't have a house to scramble and sell!), but would like for that rental to be in the same school district/zone that we would hopefully be settling in.

I have already seen some suggestions on some of the other postings (East Brainard, Collegedale, Mountain Creek, East Ridge), and I'm just wondering if someone can maybe tell me how these different areas are related as far as location is concerned.

Thank you so much in advance for your help- we really want to make the right decision- it's just so hard when I've come to looove our city, and ESPECIALLY our school that our daughters attend (the principal had us hook, line and sinker when at the first room mom meeting he told us that Christmas was Christmas- not Winter Festival)

Oh yes, I forgot, one other thing (to add to my long list!). I am enrolled to start college on January 14 (finally with our 5yr old in school!) at the community college to start working towards my degree in education- if at all possible, I would like to be within 20minutes or so of a local college (local meaning affordable! - the college I'm enrolled in has no tuition for in state students and is only $2800 per year!)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!!

[RiverView]

There are a few rentals on Signal Mtn. School is excellent but that would add 20 minutes to his communte to Ringgold.

North Chatt has rentals as well but the ones in the good areas will be a little pricey. There are several unsold condos you could try calling them and work out a lease agreement to stop their bleeding. RiverView <--- Thinking outside the box

[TriDad]

good idea! we thought of doing something like that too, but ran out of time and needed something quick.

Mountain Creek Rd apartments would put them in which district?

[RiverView]

Originally Posted by TriDad

good idea! we thought of doing something like that too, but ran out of time and needed something quick.

Mountain Creek Rd apartments would put them in which district?

Red Bank

[TriDad]

doh!

[Ateh]

Disclaimer: I am not a Chattanooga-area resident - not yet! But I've been looking into the elementary schools pretty hard. We're moving up very soon.

Ringgold itself has good schools and good neighborhoods. If it doesn't interfere with your education degree (I know that's a big "if" with it being in another state!), I'd look there first. It's no Nashville, but it's a short drive from Chattanooga and a not-too-long drive from Atlanta if you start missing the city amenities.

If you are looking to stay in Tennessee, I'd check out Ooltewah and Collegedale. It's a straight non-interstate shot from Ooltewah to Ringgold, only 20 minutes.

From East Ridge to Ringgold is a very short distance as well, maybe ten minutes. The schools at the middle and high levels there didn't excite me, but there are a few that aren't bad at the elementary level.

OnGeorgia Department of Education use the "school finder" to get to the test scores and demographics for Coweta County in Georgia.

On Chattanooga Times Free Press - Breaking News in Chattanooga, TN. Classifieds and Top StoriesChattanooga Times Free Press - Breaking News in Chattanooga, TN. Classifieds and Top Stories scroll down to "special sections" and see "state of our schools" for test scores and demographics for Hamilton County in Tennesee.

I only wish there were some way to compare across the state line! Unfortunately the tests are different.

[TriDad]

how did it work out for you?