As a new transplant to Chattanooga, I’m enjoying every opportunity to discover a few traits that distinguish Scenic City residents from other citizens of the world.
I was born and raised in central Kentucky. I have a penchant for slow drawls, hot summers and bourbon straight. But since I have relocated to Chattanooga, I have twice been called a Yankee. Once it was because I refused a sweet tea. The second time was because I’d never heard of fried okra. Slowly, I am adjusting to the Deep South. I have made some observations on the quirky characteristics that make my new city unique and have found that you just might be so Chattanooga if…
1. You are unreasonably tolerant of spiders.
My home is rampant with spiders: orb weavers on the porch, wispy arachnids in the ceiling corners, jumping spiders inside the windows. The first time my mother visited I thought she might cry. Not because she is afraid of bugs, but because she didn’t think my new place was much better than a dusty garage. I think my decision to move in anyway made her worry I was not equipped to take care of myself in a new city. I shared her concerns with some locals and quickly learned that I was not alone in my infestation. Nobody seemed bothered. “Spiders are good. They keep away the other pests,” somebody said. “There is a spider the size of a crab in my backyard,” somebody else said. I no longer knock down webs, but don’t tell my mother that.
2. You want to know what church I belong to.
In my hometown, it is common for strangers to ask, “What do you do?” As in, how do you pay your bills? After my move to the Scenic City, I was caught off guard the first time I was asked, “What church do you belong to?” I have since been asked that same thing a handful of times. I am never sure how to answer that question … I do not belong to a church. I have learned however to field that question simply by saying, “I was raised Methodist.” It seems to be good enough and is typically met with a smile and nod. I am grateful that most Chattanoogans, no matter their beliefs, seem to take the same stance that they’ve taken on spiders: live and let live.
3. You do not easily succumb to road rage.
It’s been a bit of a struggle learning to navigate around town. I rely heavily on my GPS to get me to every point between work and the grocery store. I drive like a tourist-at least 10 below the speed limit so that I do not miss my street, but inevitably I do. On more than one occasion this has resulted in my making frantic U-turns into the path of unsuspecting motorists. I instantly flinch in anticipation of blaring horns or wild gesturing that in fact, never come. Instead, I have been kindly waved on. I do wonder if my out-of-state tags make drivers more tolerant. Regardless Chattanooga, I appreciate your patience.
4. You are passionate about helping me find a place to live.
I suppose this also falls into the Southern hospitality category. When I first began to plan my move, I knew nothing about Chattanooga. The most daunting obstacle was where to live. I reached out to everyone I could. I even contacted strangers on Facebook asking for advice on neighborhoods. In response I received long emails deconstructing sections of town by demographic, cost of living and accessibility to the best beer spots. Friends of friends offered to send around firm-wide emails. Landlords even offered to hold apartments after I explained that time was of the essence. Within the first day of my first trip to Chattanooga, I found an affordable two bedroom in the hip North Shore. I love my neighborhood dearly. Spiders and all.
5. You are in really good shape.
I have always been an active person, but back home my standard of “being active” was walking my dog around the block. But in Chattanooga-in my hilly neighborhood in particular-a simple walk around the block can turn you into a mountaineer. Everybody just seems more active here. There are always kayakers on the river and cyclists on the street. Every day at work I overhear conversations about weekend rafting trips. So I have taken up running and joined a crossfit class. When my Kentucky friends come to town they huff and puff up the hills. Smugly, I tell them over my shoulder, “I jogged up this hill yesterday.” It’s been rather rewarding.
So thank you, Chattanooga, for the tolerance, kindness and inspiration. I have not been here long, but you have been good to me. Now, if I could just learn to love sweet tea, I might be so Chattanooga yet.