Up For Job in Cleveland, TN (Chattanooga, Columbia: how much, houses, college)

[OldButHip]

Hi All,

I am up for a job in Cleveland, TN. Could anyone tell me if I would be better off living in Chattanooga and commuting the 20 miles one way? Are there any other communities near Cleveland that I should consider?

How cold does the Chattanooga area get in winter, and how much snow can you typically expect?

I'm a native NY'er who has lived in Columbia, SC for the past 2 years. I'm also a single, 50+ female who will be living alone...so safety is a critical issue for me.

Thanks for your help!

[wilsonmom3]

ooltewah is not far from cleveland (if you lived off of exit 11 area of ooltewah, cleveland exits start at exit 20, i.e. 9 miles up interstate-75) I went to college in cola, SC so as compared to there, the weather is a little bit cooler in the summer (but not much) a little bit less humid (but not much) and a little more snow (but not much). Unless you live on one of the mountains (signal or lookout being the main two) there is usually very little accumulation.

[WhaleyBS]

I was born and raised in various parts in Chattanooga and have lived in Cleveland for the past 25 years. I worked back in Chattanooga for a long time, which required a 30 minute drive each way. It was all interstate driving and would go much faster now if I was talking on my cell phone enroute.

Ooltewah is between Chatt. and Cleveland and is a fast growing area as far as home building. The big VW car manufacturing plant being built between Ooltewah and Chattanooga will have a major impact. There is one I-75 interchange which is growing with the big mall about 10 minutes south on I-75. But homes seem to be mostly in new subdivisions and I don't care for houses jammed together.

Between Ooltewah and Cleveland via Hwy 11 is a community called McDonald. My stepson and family live there and just love it. More a semi-rural area, meaning neighbors but much larger lots or a few acres. Only one little local gas station/grocery store so any shopping would be north or south on Hwy 11 about 20 minutes.

I can't give you specific average temperatures in this area but since we have livestock on a small farm, I can tell you there are only about 3 periods (lasting 2-4 days each) where the water in the crocks freeze. When it gets down to below 25 degrees, people start getting nervous. Most of us don't bother to wear a heavy winter coat, just a sweater to dash from the car into Walmart. We've gotten only a dusting once maybe twice in the past winters. I say we're due for a good one (meaning 2-3 inches) this winter.

I usually shop alone and take the usual precautions (look around as I walk to the car in the parking lot, lock my car and house doors) but I've never had any kind of problem while out nor while at home.

There are several senior citizen centers, a big square dancing hall for clubs to use, and lots of churchs with social groups to visit and join. A good number of local attractions in the area that a single woman would be comfortable visiting alone.

If I can help with anything more, just let me know.
Becky

[TriDad]

If you're going to work in Cleveland you should check out living there as well. Rather than commute 5 days a week to work you could commute 2 days (weekends) or less to Chattanooga for leisure activities. Just a thought.

[SPLIT]

If you're going to work in Cleveland you should check out living there as well. Rather than commute 5 days a week to work you could commute 2 days (weekends) or less to Chattanooga for leisure activities. Just a thought.
Safety being a issue ,I would not commute on I-75 , large 18 wheel tractor trailers speeding into Atlanta. Wreck almost every day. Only make the 5pm tv news when a fatality.

[TriDad]

yeah, what he said