Barbara Woods (CQ) participates in one of Outdoor Chattanooga's bicycle rides for older adults along the Tennessee Riverwalk on Monday, her birthday. Chattanooga in particular and Tennessee in general have long been attractive to retirees financially.
The cost of living in Tennessee is almost 10 percent lower than the national average, housing prices are generally low, and there is no general state income tax, the Chamber of Commerce notes in promotional materials.
"Our property taxes are so much less," said Nathan Walldorf, president of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors. "I knew a guy who moved out of New Jersey who was blown away that he was paying $13,000 a year for his 2,000-square-foot home there and could get one in our area and pay $2,000 to $3,000 in taxes."
Walldorf also cited the city's natural beauty, its mild winters and its location midway between Nashville and Atlanta.
"We're not too big, not too small," he said, "and you can get to a big city if you want to go to a big city."
While those have long been part of Chattanooga's appeal, what has improved in recent years are the lifestyle and cultural opportunities.
The Scenic City is not Manhattan, but there is a serious local art scene, and the Hunter Museum of American Art can hold its own against similar midsized institutions anywhere. There is a quality symphony and ballet, a thriving theater scene, and the Tivoli Theatre adds a touch of old-school class. Money Magazine named Chattanooga one of its 25 best places to retire last year, and listed it as one of four runners-up in the arts category.
The rebirth of downtown and the dramatic increase in places to live there has added new choices for retirees who are tired of caring for a house and lawn.
"I think a lot of baby boomers are willing to take less house to be closer to the [Tennessee River] and to be a part of what's going on in the community," said Realtor Beth Harrell, who focuses a lot of her business on downtown properties. "They want smaller spaces, but good spaces with nice amenities no matter what price point they are in."
And for those not interested in the downtown vibe, there are plenty of wooded retreats in the mountains or hills nearby.
But what is probably the city's best asset is its growing reputation as a midsized town where interesting things are happening, that is not stuck in the past. The city has long had an outdoors tradition, but it's better organized now. The Riverwalk gets used by thousands every day (and it will be 50 percent longer by late spring) but the river-hugging walkway is just a symbol of the multiple options for moving around outdoors, with hiking and biking trails around Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain, and walking trails through suburban neighborhoods. Outside magazine, which emphasizes an outdoor-oriented lifestyle, named Chattanooga its best town ever last year.
The quality and variety of restaurants keeps improving as well, something that was definitely missing 20 years ago.
Good health care is also a key attraction for retirees, and the area is blessed with quality medical facilities, ranging from the Big 3 medical centers (Erlanger, CHI Memorial and Parkridge) to specialty facilities such as the Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation.
"Chattanooga has all these appeals - authentic beauty, a low cost of living, a great quality of life," said Realtor Harrell, who is 60. "Our age is not like our parents. People are living longer and they are more active. I think people want to be a part of something that is vibrant and alive."
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There are numerous retirement facilities available in Chattanooga.
Some include:
* Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries
Various locations
www.alexianbrothers.net
* Creekside at Shallowford
7511 Shallowford Road
423-761-8036
* Elmcroft
Various locations
www.elmcroft.com
* Friendship Haven
950 Dodson Ave.
423-475-6163
* Garden Plaza of Greenbriar Cove
4586 Forsythia Way
Ooltewah, TN
423-396-5100
* Hickory Valley Retirement
6705 Ballard Drive
423-855-0508
* Mary & Martha's Personal Care
616 Mohawk St.
Rossville, GA
706-866-7454
* Morning Pointe
Various locations
www.morningpointe.com
* The Bridge At Ooltewah
5901 Snow Hill Road
Ooltewah, TN
423-760-8540
* Terrace at Mountain Creek
1005 Mountain Creek Road
423-822-2914
* Rosewood Assisted Living & Memory Care
14 Fort Town Drive
Fort Oglethorpe, GA
706-866-4443
* Rose of Sharon's Senior Villa
5410 Lee Ave.
423-822-7673
* Thrive at Brow Wood
37 Brock Drive
Lookout Mountain, GA
706-956-5898