Ooltewah, TN

Tucked just northeast of Chattanooga, Ooltewah pairs scenic foothill views with an easy commute into the city. It has a quirky backstory, too. In the late 1800s, it served as the bustling seat of James County until the entire county went bankrupt and dissolved into Hamilton County in 1919. The stately 1913 brick courthouse is still standing today, serving as a distinct local landmark from a county that no longer exists.

ATTRPrayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA / CC BY 2.0

Today, that historic core sits right alongside popular gathering spots like Cambridge Square, where locals head for dinner, coffee, and weekend events. Families moving to the area appreciate the strong community schools, including Ooltewah High and Middle, along with the greenways and parks in neighboring Collegedale. It all comes together as a comfortable, fast-growing suburb with a genuine small-town feel.