Posted: 1/29/2014 6:32:56 PM EDT
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Hey everyone,
My wife's job may be taking us to Chattanooga in about a year. I searched through your FAQs and entire forum but didn't find anything about that area. We're currently in Louisville, KY, so the culture will be fairly similar, but I was looking to find out what the job scene looks like in that area for someone in IT software development or IT support. If those are slow, are there any fields or companies that are hiring like mad? It appears to be an outdoorsman's sort of place, which is perfect. TN gun laws look similar to those in KY, so that is a good thing as well. Any insight into relocation, job market, housing (places that are good within 30-40 mins of town, places to avoid), or anything else that someone who has insider information would want to share would be extremely helpful for us. If you'd rather not post publicly, feel free to PM me. Many thanks!!! |
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I'm considering relocating in the same time frame, and one of my concerns is that Chattanooga doesn't seem to have anywhere near the breadth of IT positions as the Atlanta area (I'm a UNIX system and storage administrator, primarily on IBM pSeries these days). What they DO have, if you live within EPB's service area, is danged fast internet service (gigabit), so even if you can't find a local position, you may be able to land a position that allows telecommuting (one of my friends works for BCBS in Nashville and telecommutes 3/4 weeks and spends the fourth week at a hotel in Nashville). |
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East TN is indeed a sportsman paradise. There's fishing galore, kayaking, biking, hiking, hunting, etc. all within a 30-45 min drive.
About the few places I don't think one should live might be the East Ridge area, the Howard School area (forget what it's called, MLK Dr.) & so forth. Unless you got some serious scratch as well as 4WD, don't bother looking on Lookout Mtn. 
Hixson is a growing area as is Bradley Co. (next door). A real estate agent will be your best bet on thinning out the losers, IMO. Use your common sense & so forth when looking at areas (as usual). I also suggest you drive the area during rush hour to get a feel for it BEFORE you buy it. Best gun shop in the area is Benton Shooters Supply, in Polk Co., on Hwy 411. Not great pricing but real nice selection. That's also the area for kayaking & rafting. 
Good luck! |
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I'd avoid the Southside neighborhood, though it is getting better. One thing to consider is that Chattanooga (in Hamilton county) has smog testing and higher property tax than the surrounding counties (like Rhea and Bradley) which have no smog testing.
There are definitely opportunities for IT pros, but of course it won't be anything like what's available in Atlanta. There are lots of startups here, which always helps. |
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Thanks everyone. We don't have kids, so schools aren't an issue.
Interesting about the startups. Since we won't be depending on my salary it gives me more options. I'm not limited to IT, it is just the field I am currently in. We will definitely be spending time there before moving should we make that decision. Thanks again. |
| Hey Bob< I just come across your post and noticed you reside roughly in the same area as myself.I am trying to find an outdoor spot where people go to shoot a few rounds without the headache of indoor ranges...I grew up plinking everywhere as a kid,But nowadays its not so easy....I don't have the connections as i did back then.Most guys I knew have passed away or I just lost touch....My Dad use to own a gunshop in East Ridge called Tommys Guns,He passed away recently so naturally I want to do more of what we did together in my childhood.. [/font=Georgia] |