Looking to move: Need some town ideas (Chattanooga, Hendersonville: house, job market)

[cwen]

My family and I went to Chattanooga last year and instantly felt at home there. We are now contemplating a move. However, after looking at the job market pay and school system ratings, we think Nashville may be a better fit. We would like a nice rural town not too far from the city. My wife and I are both teachers and fee working in the city gives us the best opportunity to maximize our salaries. That being said, we are not city people at all. We live 20 minutes from NYC and loathe ever having to go there. Our most important requirements are affordable homes in a small town with exceptional schools for our two elementary-aged boys.

Thanks,

Chris

[DonCorleone]

If I've got the basics right here: wanting to work for Metro Schools for a higher salary, rural town/feel, good schools for your kids (not necessarily the ones you're teaching at)...


I might start by looking at the surrounding counties around Davidson/Metro Nashville with good schools like Sumner County, Wilson County and focusing on areas near Davidson/Nashville but still in those other counties to minimize commute times. Williamson County is top-knotch for schools, but you're likely to run into more issues finding affordable housing in areas near Davidson County.


As far as rural feel goes, most areas just nearby the county border are suburban rather than rural, but you can find pockets of rural around. The Beech area of Hendersonville/Sumner County still has a rural feel to it, Cottontown in Sumner County certainly does but that's pushing it for a commute. Maybe areas outside of White House in Sumner would also fit the bill. The area south of Providence in Mt Juliet/Wilson Co is still pretty rural.


I guess my question would be wouldn't it make more sense to work in the school system you're zoned for? Most counties will give you, as an employee, the right to place your child in whatever school you want inside the county. Weighing the salary increase versus convenience of living and working in the county you're zoned for is something to consider.


All of this, of course, depends on your home budget and other economic factors.


Hope that helps.

[HaleyinNashville]

I live in Williamson and people love it for schools, but I also know they have some of the lowest teacher wages around...this is strange to me, but I'm not in government or education...All that to say I don't blame you one bit for not wasting any energy on that.

If you loved Chatt, I would figure part of that is the scenery, and while Nashville is hilly, there are parts that are more scenic than others. Definitely do some driving, but I love this aspect too so I make mental notes for one day when we want to move further out... White Bluff/Montgomery Bell state park area is gorgeous, as is north of Nashville (Whites Creek/North of Briley, west of 24). You might be able to find something pretty near Fairview or off of McCrory Rd too, both have fabulous elementary schools (Fairview and Harpeth Valley)and would put you pretty close to town. The other side of town is cool too with the lakes, but I appreciate the extreme hills/tiny mountains more than the lakes. Center Hill has both...but sooooo far.

Good luck!