Best time/season to visit, want to look around for possible relocation (Chattanooga: real estate market)

[SDKreidler]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are looking to hopefully relocate in the next year or two. I have my sights set on Tennessee/ Georgia around the Chattanooga area within about a 30 minute drive max. I’d really love to come visit at least 2-3 times before we’re ready to make our final move. I’d love some help with what times of year seem to be best for getting to know the local area. When we come our plan is to really get to know what it feels like to live there. Not too concerned about doing a ton of touristy things. We are from Pennsylvania and are hoping to escape the colder weather. My husband works for Comcast and I hear it’s common around the Chattanooga area. I work from home and can work anywhere I have an internet connection.


We’re looking to rent our first year with the idea of buying once we become accustomed enough to the area, to choose where to settle down. We’re in our early 30’s, no kids, 2 medium sized dogs under 60-65 lbs. Hoping for a more active lifestyle with a warmer climate. When it comes time for us to buy, I’d like to stay within a budget of 150k, and would prefer to rent in the area we’re hoping to be local in. I’ve read and researched a lot the last year. I’m thinking about the Soddy-Daisy area, however, we’re open to anywhere within a 30 minute drive of Chattanooga (my husband isn’t big on too rural of a lifestyle, LOL!).

[MidasMulligan]

I'm a lifelong East TN resident so I would say that anytime from late April to late October is a great time to visit. The hottest time of the year is going to be in August while the most pleasant times will be in May/June or September. The leaves start to turn in October but I wouldn't say that it gets "cold" until November. The depth of winter is going to be from late December through February. So, given that - everyone starts to come out of their caves around this time of year and your festivals and outdoor activities are going to start being held right now and they'll continue all the way into November.

Specific to Comcast, they are a provider in this area but not anywhere within the city's municipal utility (EPB) service area because EPB owns and operates a fiber network itself that is - no offense intended - way better than Comcast.

As far as location goes, I would note that down here things can go from "city" to "rural" pretty quick, depending on your definition of both. When you visit, I'd say check out Soddy-Daisy, Cleveland, Hixson, Signal Mountain, Collegedale, Ooltewah, St. Elmo, Riverside/Downtown, Harrison, North Shore, and East Brainerd. All of those should be within your 30 minute target but they are all quite different. Some are significantly more expensive than others but the Chattanooga real estate market is particularly hot right now so you can get a feel of where is more pricey. I am in the market for a house myself right now and think that - to get a place that is nice and doesn't need some immediate improvement - something in the $150k range will be challenging but not impossible if you're OK with a 30 minute from city center commute.

Hope that helps - let us know how the search goes!