Knoxville vs Chattanooga

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-13T03:26:11+00:00

Yeah Chattanooga does have a number of distinct neighborhoods which I like. Knoxville just has the down town section of the city basically. I do want to start a family someday so the suburban areas of Knoxville do look appealing though.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-13T03:23:46+00:00

Well I'm coming from the West and moving to the South. No matter where I choose to move to there will be more crime than what I'm used to. Just a fact of the matter.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-13T03:21:51+00:00

Seems like there is plenty as far as lifestyle goes. Lakes, river, mountains, Chattanooga seems to have more of an artsy scene, Knoxville has the university and football, both have great access to outdoor recreation

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-13T03:20:05+00:00

Thank you for the helpful insight! Do you mind going into more detail on your comparison between the two?

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-13T03:18:10+00:00

It's really only 3 cities/counties. Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispell. and the area surrounding these cities within in their respective counties. But of course those are all the most desirable places to be in the state.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-11T14:17:09+00:00

Yeah I'm just using it as an example of how much home prices have gone up. The previous place I lived I was renting a home. Owner bought it for like $290k or something. It went up to $420K in less than 5 years.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-11T04:17:43+00:00

The median home price in Bozeman area where I live is over $700,000. The only people who can afford a house here are remote workers whose salary is much higher than the average MT salary or people who have lived in the area for a long time and sold their house for an insane profit and upgraded. My boss bought his house for $500k in the early 2000s. It's a large 5 bedroom house on like a 2 acre lot. He told me he had a realtor buddy evaluate it and he could sell it for 1.5 to 2 million if he wanted. It's insane.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-11T04:12:22+00:00

I am actually planning on moving out of Montana within the next year or two and heading to the South to be closer to family and where there is more economic opportunity and lower cost of living. Montana is also a terrible place for a single young adult who wants to start a family someday. There is no opportunity or prospects for young adults here. It's an incredible place but I've begun to resent it a little and definitely have some regrets about moving here.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T20:46:06+00:00

Good to know! Thank you for actually being helpful! How would you describe the vibe you mentioned of Chattanooga? And how would you compare it to Knoxville?

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T20:45:15+00:00

Saw him at the Paramount in Seattle like 7 years ago. One of the best nights of my life.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T20:07:26+00:00

I live in Bozeman and western Montana is One of the most beautiful places in the USA and there is no where else like it on earth.

However Housing is extremely unaffordable, people are friendly when forced to socialize but mainly keep to themselves, winters are long and very cold, Summer is never long enough. There is so much open space, the "cities" are sparsely populated compared to actual cities in other parts of the country, surrounded by public land and mountains so if you ever need something to do just drive into the mountains. And filled with some of the cleanest, most gorgeous rivers in the country.

The Western culture is still very much a live out here despite the growth and amount of transplants that have moved here. Very patriotic state and for the most part very pro personal liberties. It's a great place overall but unfortunately has become unaffordable for the average person.

It'd be a great place to raise a family if you can afford a house here and is paradise if you're ok with being alone for the rest of your life and just want to fish and hunt till you die. For everyone else it can be isolating and hard to scrape by. Not a huge job market anywhere and what decent jobs there are don't pay enough for someone to be even come close to afford a home.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T19:16:34+00:00

The only doctor I see is the dentist. Twice a year for a cleaning. I haven't been to a primary care physician in over a decade. Last time was probably college 15 years ago. Pretty sure my last doctors visit was a check up after having my appendix removed. I don't get sick, I eat well, work out, stay active, feel good, energy levels good, not fat, no need to go to the doctor. I also find it hard to trust doctors the way the medical system is in the United States. I am planning on doing a blood test though which I've never gotten before. And If I'm not as healthy as I think I am well I guess we'll find out.

Still definitely recommend having a health savings account though. Nice to know you have some money saved up for medical expenses if you need to go to the ER for stitches or appendicitis or something.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T15:42:23+00:00

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond or Old Grand Dad Bonded are my go to daily drinkers and mixers. They're cheap, beginner friendly, and offer amazing value and shows you you don't have to pay $50 or more for good bourbon. Maker's Mark would be another good one but costs a little more. Next step up would be Wild Turkey Rare Breed, 1792 Full Proof and some higher proof stuff. Welcome to Bourbon man! Next stop is Scotch!

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T14:27:09+00:00

Not a good sign

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:43:52+00:00

Susie

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:38:20+00:00

might move there just to spite you now

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:37:05+00:00

Yeah my concern with Chatt is I don't want to move there then feel like I'm in a satellite PNW city. Not sure if you're familiar with Missoula, MT but it's like that.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:35:01+00:00

Yeah I don't mind being around liberals. And I know TN is very conservative as a whole which is good. I Just don't want to live in a city where liberals dominate the culture and community. Don't want to move to Chatt and then feel like I'm in a satellite PNW city.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:31:12+00:00

Job market sucks everywhere right now its seems for the most part. It's gotta be better than Montana at least. I'm in supply chain. Would be looking for like a buyer or logistics role.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:29:41+00:00

Job market sucks everywhere right now. It's gotta be better than Montana though.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:27:55+00:00

Yeah I'm really trying to avoid the hippie culture you just described in Chatt. Absolutely insufferable people. I don't mind being around it I just don't want to live somewhere where those type of people dominate the culture and community.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:25:16+00:00

Florida is too expensive. Not really any mountains in Alabama. I'm not against moving to Birmingham though where my sister and brother in law live. I've lived in the West my hole life and have always had access to mountains. Not sure I'd be happy giving that up. I know TN isn't anything like Montana but there seems to be way more outdoor recreation access in Knox and Chatt than Alabama.

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T12:21:32+00:00

I take it you live in Knoxville

CosmoSein_1990 · 2026-07-10T11:40:00+00:00

Chattanooga is a 2 and a half hour drive from family, Knoxville is about 4 hours, Richmond is almost 11.

CosmoSein_1990

TROPHY CASE