Safe areas in Chattanooga? (Memphis, East Brainerd: apartments, lease, condos)

[Scarletthurricane]

I'll be moving to Chattanooga around September, after I graduate culinary school. What areas should I look for or avoid? I need someplace safe for a single, white girl. If that sounds odd I should add I'm from TN originally and have split my life between memphis and the west coast. I'd really like to rent a small house.

[jkmewright]

What do you look for in a home and what is your budget? I can help you w/a bit more info. For fun, I will assume that your budget is not extravagant as you are single and just out of school. Cheap nice areas close to town will include Red Bank, Soddy Daisy (safest IMHO), Hixson (may be pricey). I live in Brainerd and just love it but I would recommend that you really check out the neighborhoods and not just move right in. Hope this helps!

[SPLIT]

S.H. Interesting Name..! Happy Holiday , Welcome to neighborhood. Any chance you went to school in Hyde Park NY.? We lived in that CIA town. Prior post has good leads that North side of town might be 1st choice. All towns have variety of SQuare Feet so just get a feel of how big you need.
We will Leave A Light On FOr Ya . ! Let me know if any Samples are Left Over? Many years and still skinny . Hixon does seem to have new modern style townhouses/condos.? in my opinion.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by Scarletthurricane

I'll be moving to Chattanooga around September, after I graduate culinary school. What areas should I look for or avoid? I need someplace safe for a single, white girl. If that sounds odd I should add I'm from TN originally and have split my life between memphis and the west coast. I'd really like to rent a small house.

put soddy daisy
in a search here, there was a person from soddy daisy who said there are brand new townhouses to rent for maybe 650.00 that should give you a start. People seem to like soddy daisy.

[Scarletthurricane]

Thanks for the advice. Soddy daisy seems nice but a bit too small for me.

No, I'm not going to CIA, Split, although one of my teachers went there. I'm attending OCCI in Oregon. It's in a town of 15,000 and about 2 hours from the next big town. Can't wait to get back down south!!

I think 650 (on the high end) and under is a good starting point. I don't know how quickly I will get promoted, so my expenses will probably change within the first year. I don't want to get stuck with a long lease, so a year in a decent place should work for me. Something bigger than a studio, smaller than a mansion...bigger than my stomach, smaller than the universe? The more you think about things, the more you realize how picky you are.

I won't choose anything until I've seen the city, but I'm hoping to get a feel of the town first. It seems like a great place, and I'm sick of the crime in Memphis.

[jkmewright]

Let's see Scarlette... Soddy is small but it's 15-20 minutes from downtown on a nice newer highway so you will get more for your money. Red Bank has a small town atmosphere and local eateries but not that exciting. It is "just over the hill" from downtown and Hixson though. Now Hixson seems your best bet even if it makes for a tight budget. Lotsa trendy restuarants, tons of shops. Hmmm.... I am going to have to think on this one lol If you are going to check out the city, I will also recommend North Chattanooga. There are lots of very nice homes that rent out mother-in-law apartments for extra income. VERY VERY cool part of town.

[Scarletthurricane]

LOL, mother-in-law apartments??

Hmmm, hixon and n. chattanooga sound more like what I am looking for. Lots of people, good places to eat and decent beer...as long as those things are close by, I'm good. I'm tired of driving 2 hours for groceries and supplies.

[AllenB]

just moved to chattanooga and found a nice house in n chatt. for 700/mo. Nice area and close to anything you need. Like yourself i just got out of school and was looking for something affordable.

[Scarletthurricane]

Do you mind being a bit more specific about the area? If you don't want to post it here, could you send me a private message? It's just when people say "North Chattanooga" I'm still lost as to where it is. Is it north of Chattanooga or are there certain streets that surround it?

I've been looking at apts in Signal MT. They're nice, but are really a 2nd choice for me.

[AliasSpiff]

North Chatt is an area of Chattanooga. (the north part of the city LOL) If I am not mistaken, it is the older part of the city....the homes are quite a bit older and have much more character. I am from Chatt, and am considering a move back, I currently live in Pa....I still do not know why I moved here LOL... but, anywho good luck finding your spot.

And, stay away from Soddy, its a bit country ghetto, also areas to avoid, Orchard Knob and places like that...East Brainerd and Ooltewah are fantastic, I grew up in EB, but a bit pricey...

Cheers!
Amanda