Moving to TN (Chattanooga, McMinnville, Dunlap: for sale, home, good schools)

[pbnj97]

His job is in downtown Chattanooga. We went yesterday to look in Signal Mountain. Today we are going to Cleveland. I think most of Chattanooga is going to be to busy. We are coming from a very busy city and want to slow down, country almost. I'm not concered to much about having big stores in the city, but would like them within a 30 min. driving distants. I am very concerned though about the school. My oldest son who is in high school is in band and in all honors and AP classes so I need a good school system. Thank you for your comments, they were helpful. I will check out GA too.

[jkmewright]

Whitwell and Pikeville are a very small towns nestled in the valley of two mountain ranges. Whitwell is mostly a farming community but more and more are living there and driving to Chattanooga to work. Nice quiet area. Pikeville is farther up the valley, over an hour to Chattanooga but closer to Crossville where lots of retirees are moving. Birchwood is very flat level land. Lots of farms out that way. The closer you get to Chattanooga, you will see more developments. Birchwood and Pikeville are probably the most rural of the three but still close enough to shopping to run get some milk!

Originally Posted by Screenplayer

We're considering a move to Tennessee. Our search has begun on the Net and the homes we like are in Decatur, Birchwood, Pikeville and Whitwell. We have not physically visited any of them yet. A trip is in the planning stage.

Can anyone give us the scoop on any of these towns? Also, what's the terrain like? Mountainous...hilly?

We sure like the no state income tax but we sure were'nt aware of the 9+% sales tax.

Any responses would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[country pig girl]

Hi does anyone know anything about Decatruville TN? Like how the people are, do they accept newcomers? My husband and I considering moving there from out of state. I have alot of questions tho>
Thanks for any help.

[Hepmac]

Traffic in Chattanooga can be tough at rush hour, so I am curious where your husband will be working?

We live in East Brainerd, which is a 20 minute drive downtown. We like it here for the convenience, mostly single family homes, and professional family population. Westview School is ranked well, and you don't have to take part in a lottery to get your kids in! Signal Mountain has good schools, too, if you can stand the drive down the mountain. Might be a good choice if your husband is working downtown.

For a small town feel, I like Ringgold, GA, just over the border. The schools are ranked well, but I can't provide specifics. Collegedale is cute in areas near the university. They would be about a half hour drive to downtown during rush hour.

[jlt58]

We're also moving to Chattanooga area. Coming from rural/small town in south GA. No schools to worry about, but prefer a natural location with space1+acre, trees, mountain views and/or water nearby. Not asking for much, huh? Ringgold has been mentioned several times in forums. Does the lack of paying state income tax in TN make TN a better economic choice than Ga with its lower sales tax? Hubby is in Chattanooga now. Have just started looking, but in general does Ringgold and north GA area have lower cost for housing? Getting mixed feedback about Hixson and north area. Mostly hear should look in the E. Brainerd & Ooltewah side of town. Is that area developing strip malls and traffic jams more than I want to deal with? Thanks for the input.

[McMar]

It sounds like Pbnj wants a small town, not a suburban area. Might I suggest South Pittsburg? It is about a 20 minute drive to downtown Chatt. Pbnj, do a search for this town within the forum. I think we discussed it in the "Dunlap" thread in the TN forum. I don't know about the schools there, but there are lots of expensive homes being built in the area, so I imagine they are improving. There are also more modest homes. It has a cute downtown area and hosts the enormously popular annual Cornbread Festival.

North Georgia is experiencing major development, so although Ft. Oglethorpe is nice - particularly the proximity to the Chickamauga battlefield (a beautiful park), it's becoming the land of the strip mall and chain restaurant.

[loghomeowner]

I live between Soddy Daisy and Dunlap (closer to Dunlap on Flat Top Mountain). Dunlap is about a 35 min. drive to Chattanooga. If your not into rural living, it won't be the place for you though - very slow pace and country. There is a WalMart and a gorgeous valley. From where we live on the mountain, it is 15 miles to Soddy Daisy. There are good schools and nice people. One disadvantage though would be that Dunlap is in Central Time and Chattanooga is in Eastern Time.

[country pig girl]

Originally Posted by JMT

I've never been to (nor heard of) Birchwood or Whitwell. But I've been to Decatur and Pikeville. Decatur is nice, right on the Tennessee River, but it's pretty isolated, and there ain't much there.

I like Pikeville better. It's not too far from Chattanooga, and it's really close to Fall Creek Falls--the most popular of Tennessee's beautiful state parks. It's got the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies. The area around Pikeville is pretty hilly, and it's beautiful.

The sales tax isn't much of an issue for most of us here. For starters, you always have the option of buying something cheaper if you want. Plus the sales tax can be deducted from your federal income taxes. I was able to deduct $1,000 from my federal taxes this past year because of it.

Hey JMT
This has nothing to do with this post, but you mentioned taxes. I heard in TN there is a personal tax also. Do you know if that's correct. Is there tax on food? Thanks in advance for any info. We're moving to TN and just tryin to do as much research as possible.

[clbarnes82]

E. Brainerd, North Chattanooga, Collegedale are some of the better places to check out. If you're looking to move into town, try Lookout Mtn or St. Elmo (good part).

[Jon F Moss]

no personal income tax! But food is taxable