Choo Choo Town
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8/16/2014
We have lived in the South for 17 years. Seven years in Columbia SC and 10 in Hixson TN which is about 13 miles out of Chattanooga. We live close to the lake and keep a boat at a Marina 10 minutes away. We're originally from Southern Maine where we lived in Cumberland. Just a short distance from Freeport & LL Bean. While Maine is wonderful State we just got tired of the snow and cold & would rather visit then return to our home in TN. When we lived in Maine we skied in the winter and sailed the coast in the summer. If you like outside activities I think Chattanooga has it all... except downhill skiing, but there are places in West VA not far away. We have lake Chickamauga which is part of the TN River. You can actually travel to Knoxville or Nashville or even get to the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. We own a power boat which being sailors we never thought we'd do and unlike Maine it stays in the water year round. A New Years Day cruise is an annual event. We also have kayaks to explore the shallow parts of the river or slews as they are called. I still prefer the ocean where you can go to towns more directly and there is more sea life such as seals & dolphins. We also have mountains, hiking & biking, and lots of fishing. The Cost of Living here is below the national average and well below the cost of living in Maine. While we cool our home in the summer & heat during the winter, it is cheaper than heating in Maine. The sales tax is 9%, but no State Income tax and everyone has to pay it. Or we can go to Georgia which is a short distance and avoid our higher tax. Georgia's tax is lower, they have a State Income Tax and excise tax on cars. We don't have excise or personal property tax in TN and pay $26 to register our vehicles. The tax on buying cars is less than 9% but not sure. I'll have to check that. Homes are cheaper than Maine & property taxes are low. We have a 3000 sqft home worth about $310,000 and pay about $2400 in property tax. Gas also runs below the national average. The people here are very friendly. People you don't even know will wave. Back in the 60's & 70's Chattanooga was a pretty dirty town with a lot of industry. A lot of that is gone now & the city is very clean. A friend in Columbia met some folks who had moved around a lot and they told him of all the places they had lived in Chattanooga was their favorite. Long summers 7 short winters. Yes, the summers are hot, but your body adjusts just like it does living up North during the winter. We do get an occasional dusting of snow which is nice because it's usually gone by noon. I don't believe Chattanooga gets high ranks for Crime, but there are different ways to count crime which makes us look worse than it is. I feel as safe here as I did in SC & Maine. After living in SC where there is a large African American population I went back to Maine on vacation. Sitting there I noticed there was not a lot of black folks. Then realized wherever you live there will always be a percentage of people who thru no fault if there own are less educated & finically challenged. So poverty and violence is not a color thing. And last this is where a lot of the Civil War was fought so if you like that type of history Chattanooga (Lookout Mountain) and Georgia (Chickamauga Battlefield) as well as many other sites. Also Tornado alley is in the western part of the state although in todays weather world it can happen anywhere. We love it here and while Maine will always be dear to our hearts, we're Damn Yankees. We ain't leaving. (I didn't spend oa lot of time word smithing etc so plead forgive any mistakes)
Bruce | Chattanooga, TN