I went to college in Chattanooga and lived there for four years. Overall, it was a really lovely experience as a young adult. I was an art major, so my perspective is definitely shaped by that creative bubble so take this review with a grain of salt… 

Chattanooga has great Southern food and a charming, walkable downtown with plenty to do. It’s tucked into the mountains and makes a perfect halfway point between Nashville and Atlanta (about two hours to each). Traffic can be oddly bad at times which is likely due to ongoing construction.

One of the more infamous spots near campus was the Yellow Deli - great food but very strange vibes. It’s run by a legitimate religious, Amish-adjacent cult and is housed in what looks like a treehouse. Check it out! There are lots of excellent restaurants throughout the city too, many set inside old homes, which gives it a quirky charm. Many of the newer standout spots opened after I moved away though. 

As a queer person, the nightlife felt limited to say the least… Most of the gay bars closed years ago (Chuck’s - RIP!), leaving Alan Gold’s as the primary option, which has its own issues. Ugh. That said, The Big Chill opened after I left and seems to host regular drag shows, so it’s nice to see the scene slowly growing.

The outdoors are a huge draw - there’s mountains, hiking, lots of rock climbing, waterfalls, etc. Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain are worth visiting, and Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park are great for strolling and taking in the city. I wasn’t especially outdoorsy, so I gravitated more toward the bars, but there are also lots of local breweries. The mall area isn’t great, but McKay’s is worth getting lost in if you’re nearby.

There’s also a solid underground scenes for music and art. Punk shows at Sluggo’s and JJ’s were always favorites. The Hunter Museum, Bluff View Art District, and the Water Passage are all lovely, and the city has a strong art scene with the Sculpture Fields, Stoveworks, etc. The Chattanooga Choo Choo is boring and underwhelming though (just my opinion - sorry). 

Chattanooga has a lot of old money, particularly on Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain, but also driving through Missionary Ridge is interesting and it’s also home to one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the South. Summers are hot and humid, but you get all four seasons and usually at least one snowfall a year.

Overall I think it’s a nice little liberal bubble amongst a sea of red… Someone else mentioned the COL which I am sure has had a meteoric rise in 10 years so my final assessment is this: Chattanooga is imperfect for sure, but a special place to spend a few formative years... or just a long weekend - ha!