Chattanooga recon mission ...

[rayinpenn]

The villages proved to be a bust for us.. So we booked a trip near Chattanooga having read it is a good retirement location. Tax friendly (except for sales tax). I’m think green mountains, trout streams, lakes etc. I believe we will look at the lakes region.

Any thoughts on were to go what to see? How to get a flavor of the area?

 

[Cut-Throat]

The villages proved to be a bust for us..

Well, I can understand that, but why are you writing off the entire state of Florida?

 

[rayinpenn]

Not writing off all Florida.. the panhandle is still intriguing.. we are exploring options. One at a time.

 

[ER Eddie]

I'm eyeing that same area (or perhaps Knoxville) for my retirement relocation. I look forward to hearing the responses. You can certainly add southern friendliness, good internet, and reasonable cost of living to your list of reasons.

Here is a thread from a while back, where I asked for pros/cons about living in TN. I got a lot of good input and suggestions for places to check out.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/living-in-tennessee-pros-and-cons-92588.html

 

[frayne]

I retired thirteen years ago and relocated from west central Ohio to the Chattanooga area to be close to grandchildren. I actually live just across the border in N. Georgia, lower sales tax (7%) as opposed to (9.25%) and at the time you could get more house for your dollar. Georgia also has income tax exemptions for most retirement income. I like the area and people, still get the change of seasons and I can golf pretty much year round. Downside can be traffic especially on the interstates (I-75/24 split and I-24 ridge cut) and if you have allergies the area can be a challenge. Also July and August can be brutal with heat and humidity. Plenty of activities to enjoy, world class aquarium, minor league BBall team, Riverbed festival, Hamilton Place Mall is wonderful and good restaurant galore. If you are into civil war history there is no better place, we also have Rock City, Ruby Falls and great golf courses. But don't take my word for it, come visit.

 

[Cut-Throat]

Not writing off all Florida.. the panhandle is still intriguing.. we are exploring options. One at a time.

Why was the Villages a bust for you?

 

[RE2Boys]

I'm eyeing that same area (or perhaps Knoxville) for my retirement relocation. I look forward to hearing the responses. You can certainly add southern friendliness, good internet, and reasonable cost of living to your list of reasons.

Here is a thread from a while back, where I asked for pros/cons about living in TN. I got a lot of good input and suggestions for places to check out.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/living-in-tennessee-pros-and-cons-92588.html

Check post #83 in the referenced link. Huntsville AL is very unique, a blend of hi-tech, modern city with Southern charm. Growing quickly but well planned growth and road system, four seasons. Much smaller than Chattanooga but about 100 miles from Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham. Lived there for 22 years before an elderly parent issue got me back to serious snow country of PA.

 

[fritz]

We've looked over several areas of Tennessee for relocation or 2nd home possibilities recently. Our likes in order - Knoxville, Clarksville, Chattanooga, Murfreesbourough, and Nashville. Knoxville was favored, as it had a somewhat smaller town atmosphere, and surrounding areas offered something for everyone (hits a lot of your likes). All are very nice areas, but traffic and congestion are deterrents for us. Still looking elsewhere, as we've wintered in NW Florida for years and lived in Texas.

 

[NYEXPAT]

You should be checking the city data forum. They have many folks over there posting about Tellico village in/near Loudon TN.

 

[rayinpenn]

Why was the Villages a bust for you?

1. Too congested
2. The neighborhood outside the villages is depressed
3. $100,000 extra for a pond (sump) view
4. Small lots for the money.. too close together
5. The goings on at the town center concerts seemed trashy

For some I’m sure its paradise just not us..

 

[Cut-Throat]

1. Too congested
2. The neighborhood outside the villages is depressed
3. $100,000 extra for a pond (sump) view
4. Small lots for the money.. too close together
5. The goings on at the town center concerts seemed trashy

For some I’m sure its paradise just not us..

That's about what I figured.... A little too hard to get some 'alone' time.

 

[Red Badger]

I retired thirteen years ago and relocated from west central Ohio to the Chattanooga area to be close to grandchildren. I actually live just across the border in N. Georgia, lower sales tax (7%) as opposed to (9.25%) and at the time you could get more house for your dollar. Georgia also has income tax exemptions for most retirement income. I like the area and people, still get the change of seasons and I can golf pretty much year round. Downside can be traffic especially on the interstates (I-75/24 split and I-24 ridge cut) and if you have allergies the area can be a challenge. Also July and August can be brutal with heat and humidity. Plenty of activities to enjoy, world class aquarium, minor league BBall team, Riverbed festival, Hamilton Place Mall is wonderful and good restaurant galore. If you are into civil war history there is no better place, we also have Rock City, Ruby Falls and great golf courses. But don't take my word for it, come visit.

+1 above. I traveled to Chattanooga extensively on business and also took family on vacation several times. We love it there. If we had to relocate, Chattanooga would be on a very short list. No place is perfect. That mountain town comes close. The very accessible river front is the centerpiece of a beautiful town. You could do a lot worse.

 

[Bamaman]

You should be checking the city data forum. They have many folks over there posting about Tellico Village in/near Loudon TN.

That was exactly what I was going to suggest. Little Tennessee River around Vonore, TN--off Hwy 411--very close to Maryville and the Smokies. It's an incredible real estate development. You can be in Knoxville in 25 minutes or less.

For golfers, I'd suggest Crossville, TN with about 5 large golf course communities and a thriving Summerstock drama program.

For fishermen, it's hard to beat Guntersville Lake and the city of Guntersville and Scottsboro, AL. The view from the top of Sand Mountain overlooking that lake is breathtaking and the residences on the water are incredible.

For a middle size city, Huntsville is hard to beat. It's possibly the smartest city in the U.S. with all the rocket scientists, and it's a city with lots of culture. Huntsville too has the Tennessee River and mountains. It's as hot as any city in the U.S. of its size economically.

For a little larger city, both Knoxville & Chattanooga have a lot going. Those mountains are very inviting, and both have nice societies.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I was surprised when I saw the pictures how close the houses are in the villages.

 

[always_learning]

The villages proved to be a bust for us.. So we booked a trip near Chattanooga having read it is a good retirement location. Tax friendly (except for sales tax). I’m think green mountains, trout streams, lakes etc. I believe we will look at the lakes region.

Any thoughts on were to go what to see? How to get a flavor of the area?

We've considered Chattanooga for the same reasons mentioned already. What makes me pause is the traffic on I-24 and I-75. It's just horrible and it seems that every single time we go in our out on I-24 (the ridge cut and for about 20 miles west of that), there is an accident backing up traffic for hours. Since that and I-75 would be the main in/out road for us, we have moved Chatt farther down our list.

Otherwise, Chatt and the surrounding areas are just wonderful.

One "what to go see" if you're a reader is McKay Used Bookstore. It's located close to the mall that was mentioned upthread. If you're a book lover, it's utter heaven. The photos don't do the place justice:

McKays | Tennessee & North Carolina | McKay Used Books & CDs They have 'sister locations' in Nashville and Knoxville, too. The Nashville location is just as impressive and a friend said the Knoxville location (their original location, I think) is even bigger.

Rock City is awesome.

Definitely look at some of the other places mentioned in the area, too, and take into consideration each state's taxes for retirees. Even with a state income tax, you might one that works for you if your income falls under the exempt categories.

 

[frayne]

We've considered Chattanooga for the same reasons mentioned already. What makes me pause is the traffic on I-24 and I-75. It's just horrible and it seems that every single time we go in our out on I-24 (the ridge cut and for about 20 miles west of that), there is an accident backing up traffic for hours. Since that and I-75 would be the main in/out road for us, we have moved Chatt farther down our list.

McKays | Tennessee & North Carolina | McKay Used Books & CDs They have 'sister locations' in Nashville and Knoxville, too. The Nashville location is just as impressive and a friend said the Knoxville location (their original location, I think) is even bigger.

Rock City is awesome.

Definitely look at some of the other places mentioned in the area, too, and take into consideration each state's taxes for retirees. Even with a state income tax, you might one that works for you if your income falls under the exempt categories.

There are plans to re-do the 75/24 split but I'm sure any project would take years to complete. What we really need is a I-75 or I-24 bypass around the city to really relieve congestion. With that said traveling these roads between 9am and 3pm isn't bad at all.

 

[audreyh1]

I just remember driving the motorhome through Chattanooga and then climbing up I75 into north Georgia. That wasn’t fun.

 

[Jerry1]

Not writing off all Florida.. the panhandle is still intriguing.. we are exploring options. One at a time.

Let us know what you think about the panhandle. My brother lives in Crestview and we’ve vacationed in Fort Walton. We’ve enjoyed our trips, but now we’re giving thought to finding a way to snowbird and that area is an option because of my brother being there.

 

[Bamaman]

Let us know what you think about the panhandle. My brother lives in Crestview and we’ve vacationed in Fort Walton. We’ve enjoyed our trips, but now we’re giving thought to finding a way to snowbird and that area is an option because of my brother being there.

The panhandle of Florida can get cold in winter. You've really got to get south of Orlando to get the really warm winter weather. I've even seen it snow just south of St. Augustine.

 

[Bamaman]

We've considered Chattanooga for the same reasons mentioned already. What makes me pause is the traffic on I-24 and I-75. It's just horrible and it seems that every single time we go in our out on I-24 (the ridge cut and for about 20 miles west of that), there is an accident backing up traffic for hours. Since that and I-75 would be the main in/out road for us, we have moved Chatt farther down our list.

Otherwise, Chatt and the surrounding areas are just wonderful.

Definitely look at some of the other places mentioned in the area, too, and take into consideration each state's taxes for retirees. Even with a state income tax, you might one that works for you if your income falls under the exempt categories.

We have to go through Chattanooga to get to our RV in Helen, GA. We seldom during the daytime make it through that city without hitting debilitating traffic in downtown. I've seen traffic backed up 50 miles to the base of Monteagle Mountain even. I've tried other routes thru Georgia, and still cannot make decent time. The traffic is a Chattanooga issue.

 

[Jerry1]

The panhandle of Florida can get cold in winter. You've really got to get south of Orlando to get the really warm winter weather. I've even seen it snow just south of St. Augustine.

Understand, but if I can golf with a sweater on most of the time I’d be down there, that would be much better than February in Michigan. Plus, my brother is there. There’s other places I’d consider, but as long as I can get outside most of the time, family would make a difference. I have friends in other places I’m considering so just starting a process to see what options could work.

 

[Nick12]

1. Too congested
2. The neighborhood outside the villages is depressed
3. $100,000 extra for a pond (sump) view
4. Small lots for the money.. too close together
5. The goings on at the town center concerts seemed trashy

For some I’m sure its paradise just not us..

So true about the Villages. One thing it's got a great marketing gimmick to lure moneyed retirees from up North to buy into the Florida dream. True about bordering depressed areas. One example is Palm Beach is right next to West Palm Beach that is like night and day.

 

[audreyh1]

Let us know what you think about the panhandle. My brother lives in Crestview and we’ve vacationed in Fort Walton. We’ve enjoyed our trips, but now we’re giving thought to finding a way to snowbird and that area is an option because of my brother being there.

We nixed the Florida Panhandle in winter because of cold plus big wet winter storm systems.

In fact, RVing full-time, we quickly found most of the gulf coast unacceptable for winter, which is how we ended up in the Río Grande Valley where we are the same latitude as Naples, Florida. We didn’t really spend winter time in south Florida due to the distance for us and crowding as it might impact an RVer. We had spent time there non-RVing.

But still, it seems there would be tons of choices besides The Villages.

 

[MikeTN]

Traffic issues on interstates seem to be a problem for every location with a reasonable size city nearby. I lived in Tellico Village near Knoxville, TN. Recently moved to an area outside St. Augustine, FL. Both are better than big cities like Orlando, but are still pretty bad.
I found East TN to have cheaper cost of living than FL, even with the high sales tax. I was happy with Tellico Village, but since we spend summers at a cottage in Northern Michigan, we decided to spend the rest of the year in a place that has more warm weather: St. Augustine.

 

[rayinpenn]

Point of Order I doubt we would live in any city.. I’d hope we would find something up to 45 minutes out of town.