David, Clarissa and Kris Northrup, from left, are our Novemeber Newcomers of the Month.Getting out of the heat and humidity of south Florida was the goal for the Northrup family, our November Newcomers of the Month, in moving to Signal Mountain.
The family looked at homes in Harrison and Hixson, as they were used to living on the water in their previous hometown of Boca Raton, but ultimately set their sights on Signal because of the quality of the high school, they said.
"It was really the school that brought us up on the mountain," said Kris Northrup, whose daughter Clarissa is now a sophomore at Signal Mountain High School. "I also like the fact that you have the Smokies on one side and Signal and Lookout on the other. And there's no hurricanes!"
She said the whole family likes that there is so much to do on the mountain. They enjoyed hiking to Rainbow Lake this summer, and they have several favorites among the mountain's restaurant and retail offerings, she continued.
"El Metate is really good, Accents is adorable, and I need to go to the frame shop," Kris Northrup said, adding that Pruett's, The Pizza Place and Wild Hare Books keep the family from having to drive off the mountain.
She said the family also likes that it is easy enough to get downtown when they want to visit their favorite restaurants, which include Easy Bistro and St. John's Meeting Place.
The family's favorite part about Signal Mountain is the people and sense of community, said Kris Northrup.
"They're so friendly and welcoming, and the [Signal Mountain Community] Guild has been wonderful," she said.
She said guild member Angie Bandy recently offered to give her a tour around the mountain. Even though the family moved to the mountain about a year ago, Kris Northrup said there are still places people refer to that she is unfamiliar with.