Knoxville vs Chattanooga (Lookout Mountain: apartment complex, home, construction)

[NCUser100]

Ok, so I hate to beat a dead horse (as I presume this comparison has done the rounds a few times). But with things changing all the time, I wanted to get an current comparison of the two.


Things I would be most interested in is:


* Nice suburbs which are part of good school zones (what are these locations around each city)?
* Home prices in said areas
* General cost of living
* Commute to and from each suburb
* Most lively downtown (bars, live music etc)


Many thanks in advance for any responses.

[onetoughkitty]

Dude... have you been up this way yet? If not, do it!!!! Only you can determine which you want to go to. I personally like both and think they each have GREAT potential. I think they are pretty much even except 1.) Knox has UTK and 2.) Chattanooga has kickass internet. Each are close to major metros: Atlanta and Nashville. I can't choose. My hubby's family happened to be from Knox so we chose here but I like it.

Oh, visiting the Smokies is free but if you want a nice view if you visit Lookout Mountain in Chatt, go to the national park and avoid the tourist trap called Rock City.

Good luck!

[NCUser100]

Hey, thanks for the reply! I guess this is going to be one for a road trip (Since I'm not far away in NC anyway). It seems to really be a 50:50 split as far opinions I've read. The good thing is, I don't think anyone puts the other down......they just prefer one for their own personal reasons.


Thanks again.

[Stone1]

NC, I won't put either city down and I think most things on your list will be fairly close between the two cities.

One of the things on your list was commute times; we have noticed during peak travel times if you have to use I-24 in Chattanooga you will often have backed up traffic. The last news report I heard indicated that construction was going to start in 2019 to help the traffic flow better.

In reference to the downtown bar scene, both have good options but I would say Knoxville is ahead, we just spent Friday evening in downtown Knoxville and I was surprised by how many places there are between Market Square, Gay Street and Old City.

If you check out the downtown area in Chattanooga also include the newer stuff around Market St. & Main St. near the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the newer developments across the river from downtown called Northshore.

[groovamos]

Originally Posted by onetoughkitty

avoid the tourist trap called Rock City.

Why?

[MidasMulligan]

I just moved to Chattanooga in October 2017 after having lived in Knoxville for the previous 8 years. For the longest time, I thought Knoxville was the bees-knees but I have been thoroughly impressed with Chattanooga and enjoy it more.

But truly, as others have said - you are going to be able to rank them very close on paper. It's going to come down to personal preference and no "list" I can type will make that decision for you. They're small enough cities you can get a flavor for the different districts in a single day so you just gotta experience them.

[onetoughkitty]

Originally Posted by groovamos

Why?

You can see the same views by visiting the national park not far from there and not pay $20 to do it.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by onetoughkitty

You can see the same views by visiting the national park not far from there and not pay $20 to do it.

What?

But you'll miss all of the gnomes!

Just kidding. I agree with you.

I've always admired their early innovative marketing campaign, though. Less annoying than South of the Border, too!

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by groovamos

Why?

Ruby Falls and Rock City are rip offs. There are plenty of other free places that overlook the area and offer better hikes.

[creeksitter]

From the Chattanooga thread:

Honestly if Knoxville put in one or two focal point attractions & fixed up the river area more you'd probably never hear about Chattanooga again.

I highly doubt that. Chattanooga has the advantage of being closer to Atlanta. Why drive an extra hundred miles when Chatt is an excellent getaway.

Knoxville has its attractions but they are hidden away. There are plans to build a visitor center to introduce the "Urban Wilderness" attractions. Then the river walk is being extended as properties are developed. The newest complex will include some public amenities.

There was a time in the 00's when a series of focal point attractions were proposed for downtown, culminating in a Planetarium. I happened to be sitting at the council meeting when a financier complained that the city wouldn't guarantee the bonds. I heard him say with my own ears when he let it slip that the reason to build the place was to have bonds to sell. Seriously.

The land for the proposed Planetarium (sore thumb, IMO) is now a very attractive apartment complex.