Chattanooga Apartments and Rentals

As the 4th largest city in Tennessee with a metropolitan population of 492,000, Chattanooga has received national recognition for being one of the best mid-sized cities for families. Residents enjoy the small town atmosphere, while modern amenities such as a downtown fleet of zero-emission electric buses keep the city on the cutting edge of technology. Chattanooga's downtown district was recently rejuvenated by a $120 million waterfront restoration, and Chattanooga apartments for rent have become a popular choice for people looking for a high quality of life in an affordable urban setting.

Chattanooga boasts five miles of river walk stretching from the downtown district through art districts and several parks, making it an ideal place for outdoor recreation. The nearby Smoky Mountains and Tennessee River are a haven for activities such as hang-gliding, fishing and mountain climbing. Chattanooga is also home to one of the first bicycle sharing programs in the country, Bike Chattanooga, which offers a fun and eco-friendly way to travel around the city and save money on transportation.

For more than 90 years, the Tivoli Theatre has entertained Chattanooga residents with an eclectic mix of everything from silent movies to Broadway's biggest hits. The Memorial Auditorium is another cultural landmark, known for having state-of-the-art acoustic and lighting systems and playing host to national acts. Chattanooga residents enjoy exhibitions sponsored by Public Art Chattanooga throughout the city, made up of more than 100 permanent and 42 temporary works of art.

A diverse group of businesses thrive in Chattanooga, and the leading industries include services, retail trade and construction. The largest employers in the Chattanooga metropolitan area are the Hamilton County Department of Education, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority and Erlanger Health System. Chattanooga's unemployment rate is lower than both the state and national average, making it an attractive choice for recent graduates or families relocating to find better employment opportunities.

The Hamilton County School System operates 44 public schools serving Chattanooga residents, and an additional 41 private schools are located within the city. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has become a leading metropolitan university, and offers an impressive array of bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. Private colleges and universities in Chattanooga include Southern Adventist University, Covenant College and Tennessee Temple University. Chattanooga's community college, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, offers degree and certificate programs focused on career development.

Chattanooga residents enjoy a stable local economy, inexpensive housing, low real estate taxes and easy commutes. Chattanooga's low cost of living gained nationwide attention when Forbes.com named it among the top 10 most affordable cities in the U.S. in 2009 and 2010, and a growing retirement population has relocated to Chattanooga to enjoy an affordable lifestyle. By using grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chattanooga has revitalized low income neighborhoods and provided funds to affordable housing initiatives and social services designed to improve the entire community. According to city-data.com, the median rent for Chattanooga apartments in 2009 was $657.

Every summer, Chattanooga receives international attention by hosting the Riverbend Festival, a nine-day event featuring more than 100 bands performing everything from classic rock to bluegrass life music in an open-air setting. Science fiction and fantasy literature fans converge on the city to attend Chattacon, hosted by the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. The convention draws almost 1,000 visitors per year, and features seminars, lectures and costume contests. Chattanooga preserves its rich history in museums such as the Chattanooga History Center and 6th Cavalry Museum, and boasts an equally impressive array of specialty museums like the Dragon Dreams Museum, which contains thousands of dragons on display in nine rooms.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Chattanooga apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.