Signal Mountain, Tennessee
High on a Ridge at the End of the Lush Cumberland Plateau, Pretty Signal Mountain Overlooks the Tennessee River and Has a Suburban Country Vibe
Walden Ridge is a flat mountain ridge that marks the end of the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee. On top of the ridge sits Signal Mountain, a Chattanooga suburb with nearly 1,800 feet of elevation and a suburban/country feeling and gorgeous views of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga.
There is no real downtown, but there are waterfalls and stunning views of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga, which is reachable via four bridges. The nearby Cumberland Trail is a 196-mile system of remote, scenic hiking trails that follows the ridges and gorges of the Cumberland Plateau.
The Mountain Opry showcases bluegrass music and mountain tunes performed by fiddlers, banjo-pickers and harmonica players every Friday night. The Signal Mountain Playhouse is nestled deep in the forest and has two performances, one indoor and one outdoor each year.
The weekly farmers’ market, which is held in the parking lot of the popular Pruett’s grocery is a hoppin’ place and has a good selection of jams, grass-fed beef, produce, dairy products and more.
Neighborhoods are low density with wooded lots. Homes include ranch ramblers, bungalows, chalets, contemporaries and at least one flying saucer house.
Population: 9,000
Median Home Price: $775,000
Climate: The area has a mild, humid four season climate. Summer temperatures reach the upper 80s and low-90s, and winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s and 50s. The area receives, on average, 57 inches of rain and a dusting of snow per year.
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Age 45 or Better: 48%
Hospital: Chattanooga Healthcare SystemÂ
Public Transit: No
Political Leanings: Conservative
Is Tennessee Retirement Tax-Friendly:Â Yes
Drawbacks: Many more services are in Chattanooga, which involves a drive down the mountain.