Chatanooga, Athens, Birmingham??? (Atlanta, Canton, Reynolds: university, tornado, closing)

[clawson26]

My parents want to move closer to me and I am trying to decide which area would be better. I live in Canton, north of Atlanta, but they don't want to live too close to a city this big. They are 70 and 73 years old so they need to be near a town large enough to have good medical facilities and would like to be on or near a lake and other retired people. Does anyone have any advice as to which area is better? Taxes? Activities? Safety? Cost of living? Any small town or suburb suggestions near these areas?
Thanks

[bsnyder98]

Can't help you much but Chatanooga is beautiful!

[harry chickpea]

Maybe Pell City, between Birmingham and Atlanta. B'ham has major medical facilities, and the drive to Atlanta isn't bad. There is a lake nearby.

[atlantagreg30127]

I'd pick Chattanooga. The Birmingham area is just some kind of super magnet for every storm and tornado outbreak that hits that whole area. I've known people who have moved there and hate the weather so bad a couple of them moved back. During the Spring it's just one continuous thunderstorm.

Athens - great if you're college age but I don't see it as a "retirement" type of city.

Chattanooga is just the right size - has the aquarium and other attractions but isn't bursting at the seams either.

[harry chickpea]

I really try to like Chattanooga, but the enclosing mountains, rush rush traffic, and seedy side of the south end just turn me off. When driving through, I always breathe a sigh of relief when I get to Rising Fawn, south of the city.

[argecash]

I am familiar with all three cities. I have visited Chattanooga several times, I go to Athens on a regular basis and plan to move there next year, and I lived in B'ham for a year. For a retirement age couple I would pick Athens. It is the smallest and less hectic of the three choices, the University is great for older people because of continuing education opportunities and cultural events, and it has a small walkable downtown with cute shops and restaurants. Plus it is a shorter less stressful drive to the Atlanta area. I would think B'ham and Chattanooga are a little too big and hectic for older people. B'ham also has very bad air pollution and traffic.

As far as health care - if they were in Athens they could always go to the great facilities in Gwinnett County if they needed more high tech. services., but there are two good hospitals in Athens. B'ham is the best for healthcare of the three choices. They have the University of Alabama hospitals which are excellent.

Hope this helps!

[AthensProf]

Of the three and if they do not have any major medical conditions, I'd recommend Athens. They're is a great community to which many people are retiring on Lake Oconee - Reynolds Plantation. Pricey, though! It is about a 40 minute commute to downtown Athens. About 30 minutes to Gwinett county/East Atlanta. There are also several sidewalk community developments that may be of interest to your parents. These include Oak Grove (just north of Athens), Cottages as Creekside (Oconee County) and The Georgia Club (located in both Barrow and Oconee Counties).

[happymom4]

I love Chatanooga but I recently read that they are having a huge problem with illegals/gangs.

[Southlander]

Why not post this question in the Tennessee and Alabama forums, too?