While Chattanooga suburbs definitely have their charm, you don’t need to leave the city to find a beautiful neighborhood to call home. Chattanooga has undergone dramatic revitalization to its downtown area with several amazing and historic communities all connected by a free electric trolley. Want a walkable neighborhood close to attractions and shopping? Interested in a family-friendly neighborhood with outdoor recreation? Here’s a look at the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga, TN to explore as you search for the best place to live in Chattanooga.
Downtown Chattanooga – One of the Best Places to Live in Chattanooga for Young Adults
The city center was once a dangerous place that Chattanooga residents left after dark. Today, Downtown Chattanooga is one of the city’s most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods. Why move to the Chattanooga suburbs when you can have an exciting nightlife, award-winning restaurants, and top attractions at your fingertips? The city center is located on Market and Broad streets and it’s quickly become a top destination for nightlife in the region. Since it was revitalized, the city has won national awards for its livability.
Who lives here: Downtown is home to a diverse population, including young professionals, millennials, and singles. The average household size downtown is 2.36 people, with an average age of 37.
Cost of living: You can expect to pay about $1,000 per month for rent in downtown Chattanooga. This is average for the city but it’s a premium over many neighborhoods. Still, it’s more affordable than the hip Southside neighborhood in Chattanooga! At properties like 1400 Chestnut, you can find resort-style amenities and enjoy the downtown lifestyle for under $1,000 per month.
Things to do: There’s always something to see and do in downtown Chattanooga! The neighborhood is home to Miller Plaza, an open air pavilion with restaurants, the AT&T Field, the Riverfront with its bars, shops, restaurants, and the Tennessee Aquarium.
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North Chattanooga – Walnut Street Bridge Connects Pedestrians to Downtown
North Chattanooga, also known as “NoCha,” is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood nestled against the Tennessee River. It’s a hot spot for foodies, with a diverse range of local eateries serving delicious cuisine from around the world. The streets are lined with charming boutiques, coffee shops, and art galleries, making it a haven for creatives and unique shopping experiences. North Chattanooga truly has something for everyone, combining small-town charm with a trendy urban atmosphere that will leave you wanting more.
Who lives here: The neighborhood is a haven for foodies, artists, young adults, and families.
Cost of living: It’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods. North Chattanooga homes sell for a median price of $585,000 or $350 per square foot, far exceeding the city median. You’ll find many homes priced at $1 million and up to $10 million.
Things to do: Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the nearby trails and parks, including Coolidge Park which offers stunning views of the iconic Walnut Street Bridge. The pedestrian bridge directly connects you to Downtown Chattanooga.
Southside Chattanooga – Vibrant Neighborhood
Southside is a picturesque Chattanooga neighborhood known for its parks, great restaurants, and plentiful housing options. The neighborhood begins south of 12th Street and runs to 20th Street and was once Chattanooga’s center of industry before it became known for its abandoned warehouses in the mid-20th century. It’s just west across the Tennessee River from Lookout Valley, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Chattanooga.
Over the last decade, Southside has gone through substantial revitalization and it’s now a mecca for entertainment, cuisine, culture, and art. Revitalization began by bringing affordable housing to the area then Battle Academy, a magnet elementary school. Millions have since been invested in housing and retail along Main Street.
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Who lives here: Southside is a diverse neighborhood in Chattanooga with a younger population. Within just a decade, the neighborhood has transformed from a decaying warehouse district to a community filled with artists, musicians, and young families.
Cost of living: One of the best things about Southside is it has housing options for everyone. You’ll find condos, townhomes, apartments, and single-family homes. The average home price in Southside, Chattanooga is $286,000 or $236 per square foot. There’s a lot of room on either side of this average, though. New construction homes range from $350 to $500k. Rent in Southside is on the higher end, especially for new, upscale condominiums. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Southside is $1,550, well above the Chattanooga average.
Things to do: Southside is a desirable Chattanooga area thanks to its mix of people, entertainment, and art. Outdoor sculptures dot Main Street thanks to the Art on Main Street program. There are also tons of art studios and galleries to explore. You’ll find more intimate music venues, too, plus local shops and nightlife options like Clyde’s on Main and Southside Social, which offers lounge seating, pool, ping pong, giant Jenga, and more. Other popular Southside attractions include the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Sanctuary Skatepark, and Finley Stadium.
Northshore – Hippest Neighborhood in Chattanooga
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Northshore is one of the most exciting Chattanooga neighborhoods known for its independent boutiques, restaurants, and gastropubs. The sights and sounds of Northshore make it a unique neighborhood with streets that are always bustling with activity.
Who lives here: Northshore is popular with millennials, young professionals, and young families. This is the Chattanooga neighborhood for you if you want to be close to the action, love spending time outdoors, and enjoy people-watching.
Cost of living: Northshore is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Chattanooga. You can buy a new condo in Northshore for $300k to $400k. The average home price in Northshore is $390,000 or $196 per square foot.
Things to do: Northshore is known for its two great parks: the riverside Renaissance Park with walking paths through wetlands and Coolidge Park which features a climbing wall, antique carousel, and interactive fountain. Coolidge Park is right at the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge with some of the city’s best views. You can rent bikes to explore the area and ride all the way to downtown or even try your hand at hang gliding.
St. Elmo – One of the Best Chattanooga Neighborhoods for Outdoor Enthusiasts
St. Elmo is one of the most interesting Chattanooga communities. This historic district, formed at the crossroads of ancient Indian trails, has many examples of architecture from the late 19th and early 20th century. You’re just 10 minutes from downtown but downtown St. Elmo, which is a few blocks long, is also packed with local businesses and restaurants.
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Who lives here: St. Elmo is popular with active adults, retirees, and families. Active people love the neighborhood’s easy access to outdoor recreation and hiking while families with kids love the established neighborhoods, quiet streets, and affordability.
Cost of living: Homes in the neighborhood tend to be older and more affordable than other areas of the city. You can find 4-bedroom homes in St. Elmo for under $400k. There is also some new construction available in the community. You can explore St. Elmo, Chattanooga homes for sale to get an idea of what you can afford in the neighborhood. The average rent in St. Elmo, Chattanooga is $760, about average for the city.
Things to do: St. Elmo is one of the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga for enjoying the outdoors. You’re located strategically near mountain trails like the Guild Trail and you can reach downtown via bicycle thanks to the extended Tennessee Riverwalk. You can also ride the Incline Railway, a rebuilt passenger railway from 1895 that takes you up Lookout Mountain where you can explore Ruby Falls or enjoy the natural beauty of Signal Mountain. It’s one of the world’s steepest passenger railways. St. Elmo is also home to the Tennessee Bouldering Authority, the city’s oldest climbing gym.
Avondale – Affordable Neighborhood in Chattanooga
Close to the Chattanooga Zoo, Avondale is one of Chattanooga’s smallest neighborhoods. This small, quiet neighborhood may not seem very exciting but it has a lot to offer with affordable home prices and a convenient location close to everything. Avondale is also one of the safest neighborhoods in Chattanooga.
Who lives here: Avondale is home to many first-time buyers, millennials, and families. That’s in part due to the neighborhood’s affordability. Avondale is an up and coming Chattanooga neighborhood perfect for a starter home.
Cost of kiving: Avondale is one of the most affordable places to buy a home or rent in Chattanooga. You can find spacious 3-bedroom homes in the neighborhood for under $100k and get more land within your budget. The average home price in Avondale is just $55,000. The average rent in Avondale, Chattanooga is $700 compared to the city’s average of $1,003.
Things to do: Avondale is home to the new Avondale Youth and Family Development Center. The Avondale YFD features a multipurpose room, gym, computer lab, basketball courts, game room, and a Chattanooga Public Library.
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Belvoir – One of the Best Desirable Areas of Chattanooga for Home Buyers
Belvoir is a quaint, historic neighborhood in Chattanooga known for its charming homes. The neighborhood is very walkable and convenient to downtown, although dining and shopping aren’t as close as you may like.
Who lives here: Belvoir is known for its friendly residents. The neighborhood isn’t very popular with families as the schools aren’t the best, but it’s common to see neighbors out walking dogs and jogging.
Cost of living: Belvoir is a fairly affordable neighborhood in Chattanooga. Homes are mostly historic dating to the 1960s with lots of charm and unique character. You can expect to pay between $150,000 and $350,000 for a 4-bedroom home in Belvoir. It’s one of the best places to buy a house in Chattanooga!
Things to do: The Clarence T Jones Observatory is very close to Belvoir. The historic observatory has existed for over 80 years and it’s one of the best free attractions in Chattanooga.
Brainerd – Convenient Suburban Neighborhood Close to Shopping
Brainerd is a suburban area of the city with convenient access to downtown yet plenty of green spaces. Either side of Brainerd Road, the main thoroughfare, offers shopping and dining options. There are several shopping centers nearby too including Eastgate Town Center.
Who lives here: The neighborhood is popular with young families.
Cost of living: You may just find your dream home in Brainerd with many well-maintained Craftsman, Tudor Revival, ranch-style, and modern homes dotting the community. The average home price is $262,000, significantly lower than the city average of $318,000.
Things to do: Check out Brainerd Golf Course, the oldest city golf course in Chattanooga, or try your hand at mini golf at Sir Goony’s. You’ll find plenty of shopping along Brainerd Road. It’s minutes from East Brainerd, a suburb known for its family-friendly amenities and outdoor space.
Best Chattanooga Neighborhoods Map
Are you ready to move to the Scenic City? If one of these neighborhoods in Chattanooga sounds perfect for you, call (423) 716-3025 to get started with your free moving estimate from the friendly Chattanooga movers at All Out Moving & Storage!
Whether you’re changing neighborhoods or settling into the city for the first time, our team makes moving within Chattanooga easier through coordinated planning, transportation, and careful handling.
