John Cox

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Tagged chattanooga · everything

www.cnbc.com

Chattanooga is the 'all-around best city' to retire in the South

Southern Living and Investopedia ranked the best Southern towns and cities for retirees based on cost of living, home values, hospital access, and continuing education opportunities. Chattanooga, Tennessee emerged as the top overall choice, offering no state income tax, affordable homes averaging $295,930, and proximity to major cities and natural attractions, while the list also includes specialized recommendations like Beaufort, North Carolina for healthy living and Ocean Springs, Mississippi for home affordability with tax-friendly retirement income policies.

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Condé Nast Traveler

America's First ‘National Park City’ is Chattanooga, Tennessee | Condé Nast Traveler

Chattanooga, once declared "the dirtiest city in America" due to severe industrial pollution, has transformed itself into North America's first National Park City, a designation recognizing its commitment to urban conservation and outdoor accessibility. The article profiles specific rewilding efforts like MacLellan Island, where the Chattanooga Audubon Society is restoring native ecosystems with volunteer help and invasive species removal, while also exploring the broader shift that has made the city a model for how metropolitan areas can prioritize environmental remediation and public access to nature. The National Park City designation, awarded by a UK-based foundation, reflects a global movement to recognize and protect urban ecosystems alongside pristine wilderness.

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www.islands.com

Between Nashville And Chattanooga Is Tennessee's Wildly Underrated State Park With Scenic Trails And Lakes

Fiery Gizzard State Park is one of three new Tennessee state parks carved out of the sprawling South Cumberland State Park between 2022 and 2025, and at roughly 7,800 acres it's the largest of the trio, inheriting the famous Fiery Gizzard Trail, waterfalls, gorges, and Grundy Lakes. The piece is a practical primer covering trail options and difficulty, rock climbing rules at Foster Falls and Denny Cove, fishing and non-motorized boating on the lakes, primitive camping costs, nearby towns like Monteagle and Tracy City, and swimming/beach access — useful for anyone planning a visit now that the old South Cumberland name and boundaries no longer apply. Worth keeping as a trip-planning reference for this lesser-known but highlight-packed replacement park.

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www.islands.com

Between Chattanooga And Knoxville Is Tennessee's Growing City Renowned For Fishing And Downtown Fun

Dayton, Tennessee is a quiet, growing town of about 8,000 people roughly 2.5 hours from Nashville, offering a low-key alternative to the state's busier tourist hubs. The piece highlights its historic downtown—home to the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial courthouse-turned-museum and local shops like The Gathering Place and Main Stage Music—alongside its outdoor draws, especially Chickamauga Lake's trophy bass fishing and the waterfalls and trails of Laurel-Snow State Natural Area. It's worth keeping as a practical guide for a scenic, car-friendly detour near Chattanooga and Knoxville.

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