Your Mini 'Nooga Neighborhood Guide: The Best Places to Live in Chattanooga

The North Shore - Eclectic, Relaxed, and Fun

North Chattanooga has been at the front of the city’s renaissance from the very beginning. North Chatt features a blend of the hip and the historical, with a wide range of houses, condos, and apartments to match almost any budget. The prime spot here is the North Shore: home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and shops along Frazier Avenue/Cherokee Boulevard.

The North Shore is also home to two popular public parks—Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park. When it’s time to explore the rest of the city, take one of the four bridges across the Tennessee River into downtown. Be sure to check out the Walnut Street Bridge, the largest pedestrian bridge in the country--do it at sunset and tell us you’re not hooked on the North Shore.

Downtown & The Innovation District - Energetic, Vibrant, and Growing

It used to be that Chattanoogans fled the downtown area as soon as the sun began to set. Now, things are a little different. In less than 30 years, downtown Chatt has transformed into one of the most exciting places in the city. It may just be the place to be on a Friday night. Anchored by the Tennessee Aquarium, the IMAX theater, and AT&T Field, the Riverfront is a popular area for locals and visitors alike. On top of the tourist hot spots, the Riverfront is also chock full of restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.

Heading away from the river on Market or Broad streets, you’ll pass through City Center, an area transitioning from sleepy business district to bustling nightlife destination. In City Center you'll find several great spots, including Miller Plaza. Miller Plaza is a smoke-free city park/open-air pavilion surrounded by restaurants. This is a lovely place to eat lunch or to catch a moment while you enjoy the complimentary wifi hotspot there.

But what about housing downtown? Historically, there hasn't been much. But, new and affordable places like The 300 and The Tomorrow Building make downtown accessible for those who want to be close to the action and don't mind simpler living.

MLK/University - Soulful, Innovative, Accessible

As the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has grown, so has its need for student housing. The university has added a considerable number of student apartments south of campus in recent years, pushing closer and closer to Martin Luther King Blvd. Not only has the expansion helped meet UTC’s housing needs, but it has also helped MLK revitalize itself, as well.

Already the site of the Bessie Smith Strut—the city’s unofficial, long-running, cross-cultural block party held each June during the Riverbend Festival—MLK is also home to several other Chatt staples. You've got the wildly popular Champy’s Fried Chicken, the always-busy coffee shop and meeting place The Camp House, and J.J.’s Bohemia, Chattanooga’s “favorite little venue” that serves up live music from both nationally touring bands and up-and-coming hip, local outfits.

Also on MLK is UTC’s McKenzie Arena, where you don’t have to be a student to enjoy sporting events and concerts. Also, the area’s biggest hospital, Erlanger, is right around the corner if you ever need it.

If this sounds like a good neighborhood to call home, check out some of the apartments near Georgia Avenue, the restored historic homes in the Fortwood district, or the newer homes hidden in the neighborhood along Eighth Street.

The Southside - Cozy, Fun, Relaxed

No bigger transformation has taken place in the city in recent years than on the Southside. Starting just south of 12th Street and running down to 20th, the Southside has evolved from a decaying neighborhood to Chattanooga’s most-talked-about residential and recreational spot. From Cowart Place to Fort Negley, Jefferson Heights, and beyond, the Southside is overflowing with a wide selection of both modern and traditional housing options. Each year, the 24-hour MAINX24 festival celebrates local businesses on Main Street (the heart of the Southside) with a marathon of free food, parades, parties, and more. The rest of the year, locals and visitors eat at Main Street staples like Alleia, Bluegrass Grill, Taqueria Jalisco, and the local staple Zarzour’s. If you’re in the mood for a drink, hang out for a bit at the Flying Squirrel Bar, one of Chattanooga’s more upscale places to grab an old-fashioned with friends. If you want a burger with your booze, swing around the corner to The Terminal Brewhouse, a fantastic local brew-pub and kitchen.

The Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel has recently undergone major renovations, and now she shares the property with nationally acclaimed live music venues the Revelry Room and Track29. And the acclaim isn't for nothing-- they've hosted huge acts like Jack White, the Avett Brothers, the Flaming Lips, and Jason Isbell. If you’re in the mood to laugh, check out the touring comedians who regularly appear at the Comedy Catch.

For sporting events, there's the nearby Finley Stadium. Finley draws thousands of people each year to see the UTC Mocs football team, the Chattanooga Football Club, and other events. Finally, if you want to buy local, the adjacent First Tennessee Pavilion hosts the open-air Chattanooga Market every Sunday. Crowds pour in every week to buy local produce, artisan foods, and local arts and crafts.

St. Elmo - Hip, Historic, Peaceful

Located at the foot of Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo has seen a renaissance of its own over the last few decades. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Elmo was a thriving, independent municipality before its incorporation into Chattanooga in 1929.

The area was slumping by the 1970s, but things have started to turn around in recent decades. One by one, its turn-of-the-century homes are being restored to their original splendor. St. Elmo’s small business area is bustling, too. Be sure to visit 1885 Grill, Mojo Burrito, or Sawasdee, before hopping a ride on the Incline Railway for a trip up the side of Lookout Mountain.

The Chattanooga Suburbs - Plenty of Options

While Chattanooga is a mid-sized city, it still feels very much like a small town. Much of that has to do with the variety of suburbs that surround the city in every direction. If downtown living isn’t your thing, you’ll find a pleasant variety of living situations in Missionary Ridge, Red Bank, East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Hixson, East Ridge, or Harrison. Each 'burb has its own personality, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions.