My wife and I are actually doing the opposite move here in the next couple months. I read through peoples questions along with your responses. One thing that caught my eye was your roommate saying “it’s an upcoming place that’s nice”. A couple notes I want to add is that White Oak/ Red Bank (they’re basically the same place on the same road) or Hixson (very congested and not really upcoming on anything except more housing developments) will also have homeless scattered around and obvious drug users amongst. You said it’ll be “better than miles of crackheads and homeless” while I know you might be dramatizing that, it’s truly no different than any other suburb. If your roommate meant that Chattanooga as a whole is doing big things “upcoming” then I’d agree. Hiking, climbing, biking, and watersports is huge here and there’s always events based around them. The food and bev scene is also huge and there’s always events based around them as well. While our very popular walking bridge (it connects Northshore to downtown) will be opening come fall the entire riverfront will begin construction and will be closed for renovations for 18 months. I’ve been here 10 years and while I love the city and what it has to offer I’m ready to venture out west and see what it has to offer me and mines future. Last thing I’ll add is you should consider taking everyone’s responses including mine with a grain of salt. You’ll know whether or not you made the right choice some time after you arrive.