Moving from Memphis to Chattanooga area (Signal Mountain, Savannah: for sale, apartments, rent)

[hahaley]

My family is planning to move to the Chattanooga area a little after the new year. My father is getting a job transfer and I'm looking at UTC for grad school.

My dad is wanting to buy a house with some acreage after living in a city for so many years. So we're looking for a nice area outside of Hamilton county.

Any suggestions for cities within an hour to Signal Mountain in TN, AL, or GA?
Would really appreciate any additional information on these places.

Also, any idea on how expensive getting utilities cut on would be, insurance, or other "getting settled" expenses?

[An Einnseanair]

Why within an hour of Signal Mt, is that where your father will work? If that's the case, then you probably will be looking at Sequatchie or Marion county in TN. You can get really rural (raising cows and chickens in your front yard kind of rural) with WELL under an hour commute. One issue to keep in mind with this, though, is that those two counties are in the Central time zone while Hamilton is in the Eastern time zone. I have a few co-workers who manage the difference without too much trouble, but it can be a factor if some of the family deals with a work or school time schedule that's an hour off from the rest of the family.

Going from GA to Signal means driving THROUGH Chattanooga, which would be a rather unpleasant commute, and AL is even farther.

Going rural from Signal Mt means going farther north or north-west. You've got Prentice Cooper WMA directly west, and huge escarpments south and east. Going off the mountain in these directions means getting closer to Chattanooga and more urban. Unfortunately, UTC is near downtown Chattanooga. Signal Mt is already about 20-30 minutes away, and adverse weather REALLY affects that climb up and down the mountain. Getting more rural means moving even farther away from UTC.

I don't know about utilities in rural areas, but there are several Realtor-types who browse here and can probably help.

[hahaley]

Yeah, his job will be in Signal Mountain. He and my mom are looking for a place within an hour to an hour and 15 minutes with a few acres and not a lot of neighbors. After living in Memphis with a neighbor a stones throw away, they're pretty tired of it.

Apparently GA and AL are out of the question.

Also, I hadn't even thought about the time zone thing! Thank you.

My brother and I will be at UTC and are looking at apartments/houses for rent within 20 minutes of the university.

[MountainAire]

Lots of places like that for sale on Signal Mtn. And if not, I can totally fix you up in Sequatchie. We've done the time zone thing forever. Its not a big deal as long as you can tell time. My husband is on fast time and me and the kids live on slow time. Eventually we all get where we are supposed to be and on time.

[firefighter38310]

I currently live in Savannah Tn. and will be moving to Chat. I have a daughter and family there and lived for some years north of Chat. UTC is outstanding. I currently work weekends at the Trauma Center in Memphis as a nurse and have a landscape business in Hardin County. Moving my business to Chat.

You will love that change in towns. Change is hard for anyone but I will no longer have to carry my Glock 19 as I drive. No offense to anyone but Memphis was a job only and I spent my life in a rural setting. Granted I saw the bad side of Memphis for 32 hours a week for 25 years. I don't think Memphis has a good side.

Wish you the best! !!!!!!!_

[thisbloominglife]

Originally Posted by hahaley

Apparently GA and AL are out of the question.

Just wanted to chime in before you rule out North Georgia entirely:

I currently live in Gordon County, GA and we can be to Signal in WELL under an hour when we go on weekends. I'm not exactly sure how much time the rush hour traffic might add to the commute but I do think it could still be done in under an hour. Also, I work in the county just north of us (Whitfield County) GA and it's, obviously, even closer. Catoosa county might also be a good choice for your family since they have plenty of rural there. ;-p

Heck, if you do decide Gordon County might not be too far out for you, we are thinking of putting our little mini-farm up for sale soon (just under 9 acres, fully fenced for horses, cows, sheep, goats, pretty much anything that can't jump more than 5 feet high , in case he's interested in doing some farming).

[RiverView]

Your father will be able to find something much closer to and and maybe on Signal. Signal is very peaceful. Even if they have to buy something is Sequatchie Valley it's maybe 15 to 20 minutes from the top of Signal.

[lovingtheweb]

I would try Soddy Daisy. You can get some land out there and it is also a reputable area, not to mention good schools for resale value.