Oh please no, not another relocation post (Knoxville, Chattanooga: apartment, to rent)

[thefirstnoelle]

Sorry, I hate to do yet another post about "I'm moving, tell me everything you know about the area" but I've read the recent posts and haven't really found any that cater to my specific questions. So...here goes. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Please note as well that we aren't completely set on Chattanooga, so if you have suggestions from other areas around TN, or even other states (as long as they're warm - I'm escaping the Michigan cold for a reason), I'm open to hearing them. I've specifically looked into Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville (though I'm priced out of the latter, I think), and outside of TN, have looked briefly at North and South Carolina as well as Virginia (my boy prefers the Carolinas, but he has a buddy in Chattanooga, which may make the move slightly easier).

Also, if you can't necessarily tell me where to look, by all means tell me where NOT to look. A list of areas to avoid is really as helpful as a list of areas to check out

The movers: Myself (a mid-30's lady), and my boyfriend (an early-30's gentleman).

Budget/Timeline: We're currently in the "saving money" stage, so we're hoping to move within a year but we're very flexible. Our $800/month or less budget gets us a lot where we currently live, but I'm aware that's not the case everywhere. Neither of us have a 4-year degree, but he has one hell of a work ethic and a beautiful work history, and I'm good with temp agencies or retail/factory work. I don't expect that we're going to live on easy street and we're willing to make some sacrifices. A simple but clean 1 bedroom apartment to start off for a couple years is fine. We want to rent or buy a single-family home in the future, depending on our financial circumstance.

What we're looking for:

Safe. Obviously. I want to be able to walk around after dark. I can take common sense precautions, but I'm small and timid, and I'd rather not be in confrontational situations.

Affordable. This will probably clash with the "safety" requirement.

Non-suburban. I hate subdivisions with a fiery passion, I don't like the suburban soccer-mom lifestyle (to each their own, but it's not a good fit for me), and I like a nice vibrant (or at least friendly/neighborly) walkable area. Big box stores and an occasional strip mall are fine, but not if they're the only option.

We aren't religious, but religion and religious people don't bother me as long as church isn't like...the center of the community. Not sure if I'm phrasing that correctly. Someplace where church and state don't mix is really what I'm looking for.

I'm politically liberal. Not "hipster/tumblr" liberal, but union-loving, lgbt-accepting, socialism-sympathizing, democrat-voting, bleeding-heart liberal. If I can get along with and still love my Texas tea-party, Trump-voting family, I can get along with damn near everyone. But if certain friends/family won't be welcomed by my neighbors, and if they have to hide who they are in order to be accepted, I cannot live in that area out of respect for their safety.

We plan to start a family soon, but schools are not a concern. We intend to homeschool (I've heard TN is much more difficult to homeschool than MI, so any tips there would be seriously appreciated). I'm not a fan of strict curriculum or a lot of government control over education (a not-so-liberal view that I carry), not sure if that makes a difference.

Nightlife would be great. Something more than just sports bars. And something that doesn't just attract the rowdy under-25 crowd. I like quiet classy places, he likes smoky pool halls and dive bars. Also, being 2nd/3rd shifters, having things that are open late or 24 hours would be a hugely convenient bonus.

"Daylife" would be nice too. Festivals, local shows, arts/dance/music classes, independent movie theaters, farmers markets, beaches, car shows, etc. You get the idea.

A sense of community. I figure if there's anywhere I'm going to find nice people and a real community feel, it's the south. I've heard lovely things about TN people, and that's in part what attracts me to the state.

And silly question: Everyone who knows that we're moving south tells me about the bugs. Always with the horror stories. Is it as bad as people say? Any tips on what to look for or how to cope?

If you need more information, let me know. I'm no good at describing exactly what I want, I guess, but hopefully this gives you some guidance. Thanks again!!

[arabus]

The most common advice given here is to get a job first and then move. There is a Volkswagen plant near Chattanooga.

[thefirstnoelle]

Thanks, I've looked into it Luckily, he has a job that he can transfer, but he'd like to find something new when we get settled in. And I don't have a job that will transfer, so I'll probably look into it as well once we move.

[SPLIT]

WELCOME... Your long letter & timing sounds like DAYTON area of Rhea county may be your ticket..Just this week the Second major new factory was announced in the Pikeville area. . Dayton had been a major job with LAZY BOY furniture & shift work that you mention. . Cost of housing should be lowest of all S.E. Tenn. Dayton courthouse should still have the farmer market outdoor selling.

Also the rd # 60 across the river into Cleveland, will have more of the Cruise In Car shows you mention.
Four lane Rt # 27 will go south into City of Chattanooga when you wish any weekend activities or events. COKER tire has some of the biggest car events to view or enter.

New hospital was built on the north side of Dayton about 3 yrs ago... Also next town north is Spring City & some weekend family activities may be of interest.

[thefirstnoelle]

A strong job market and low cost of living? Sounds great! I'll have to check it out in person! Dayton looks a little small/rural for our taste, but as I mentioned, I know there will be compromises. My biggest concern about that area is where is the nearest UPS hub? That's where the boy works, and I'll probably be driving him back and forth (we share a car) so I don't want the commute to be too brutal.

[SPLIT]

,, Assume HIXSON would have a UPS Hub..Just into Rhea county around Graysville would have low $$ housing.... East of the river / lake along the I-75 route you will have more crowded neighborhoods.. VW & Wacker built 3 years ago in industrial park... Along with AMAZON hub... They are having national Job Fair this week.. It mentions few hundreds more for Chattanooga / Hamilton county...
Out of state readers can always get daily Newspaper articles at Timesfreepress.com

Again just across river at Dayton on Rt # 60 may be the housing you seek... Birchwood, etc. Easy trip to Cleveland if want more store crowds. .. Your original post stated Hate Sub- Divisions...

[nurider2002]

Low cost of living? I'm always amazed by the housing prices for Chattanooga!