Fort Oglethorpe

Blue Spring is a semi-rural community in Catoosa County, Georgia, bordered by the historically rich Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and boasting endless rolling green hills. It's a wonderful option for those who seek the peace that comes with winding backroads and balmy Georgia summers but want to maintain being close to city convenience.<br><br>"You're about 20 to 25 minutes from Chattanooga and less than two hours from Atlanta. There are some great little subdivisions in Blue Spring, especially by the military park," says Christopher Owens, a Realtor with eXp Realty. "It's growing quickly as an area, and you can find some beautiful homes." Blue Spring saw much of its residential development in the late 20th century, so many properties here are contemporary, and new builds are popping up constantly. Typical to the Tennessee landscape, you can find mixed-material ranch homes and vernacular styles, such as Cape Cods and bungalows. Newer houses blend classic characteristics into a modern style – you'll see steep gabled roofs paired with plenty of large windows and covered entryways. While Blue Spring isn't as heavily rural as some of its nearby counterparts, it certainly doesn't skimp on green space – many residents enjoy large yards and the shade of native trees.<br><br>The median selling price for single-family homes in Blue Spring is $350,000, and properties typically stay on the market for around a month before going under contract. Older homes with two or three bedrooms start selling for $250,000, while newer, larger properties start at $320,000 and can spike to $500,000.<br><br>Schools for Blue Spring are zoned under the Catoosa County School District, and children will have access to highly rated institutions. They'll begin their education journey at Boynton Elementary, which receives a B+ grade from Niche, and according to GreatSchools, test scores have improved tremendously compared to previous years. Students then move on to Heritage Middle School – taking the No.2 spot for best middle schools in Catoosa County – and finish their primary education at Heritage High. Heralded for its extensive options of clubs and athletics, Heritage High is all about school pride – throw in above-average test scores and college readiness, and you've got a well-rounded high school experience. They're amongst some of the highest-rated public high schools in the Chattanooga Metropolitan area.<br><br>Residents of Blue Spring have quick and easy access to the main thoroughfare of Highway 27, which will take you to any commercial area you're seeking. Considering its bordering neighborhood is the large area of Ringgold, it's simple to find big-name grocery stores, retailers and medical centers. Local businesses are peppered in with all the chains, giving the neighborhood some residentially curated personality. You'll find many locals in Pie Slingers Pizzeria, a locally owned restaurant offering craft beer and hand-tossed pies, or taking tours at the Georgia Winery, boasting Chattanooga Valley's oldest public vineyards.<br><br>"You're right near the Chickamauga Battlefield Park, and they did a great job at maintaining the area, so it's clean and kept up with – it's great to drive through and visit. There's a ton of Civil War monuments, campgrounds and hiking trails – they even do a couple of marathons through the park during the year. It's a nice place to take a nature walk and discover some history," Owens says. Nearby Helicopter Park is an excellent resource for a quick afternoon trip of taking the kids to the playground, and the connecting sports complex regularly hosts baseball games for the community. Blue Spring's location puts you in the middle of so many outdoor recreational areas, from smaller nature parks to large, sprawling state parks, so you'll never be without something to do in the fresh air.<br><br>If you're looking for a laidback, quiet area while still being close to everyday necessities – and weekend fun – take a look at Blue Spring.

Found just below the Tennessee-Georgia border, Westside is a semi-rural community that's been enjoying new development. With seemingly endless green fields, the charm of a small-town atmosphere and quick access to everyday necessities, this neighborhood is a well-rounded place to settle in Georgia. And if you need to get to the city? You're only 13 miles from downtown Chattanooga, around a 20-minute drive. The residential areas of Westside started genuinely developing at the end of the 20th century, so you won't find many truly vintage homes here. Many housing types are common in the Georgia landscape, with simple ranch homes and split-levels built on the rolling hills and stretching green acreage alongside brick Colonial Revivals bringing an air of elegance. However, not all of the landscape looks so rural. New subdivisions have been cropping up more frequently in the 21st century, with contemporary properties set by neat sidewalks and manicured lawns. The median selling price for single-family homes in Westside is $288,000, while town houses sell for around $265,000. Older, two and three-bedroom homes typically start around $250,000, while properties with more square footage – often extremely new builds – can easily surpass $400,000. Schools for Westside are zoned under the Catoosa County School District, and children will have access to highly rated institutions – they can attend schools in bordering neighborhoods of either Ringgold or Fort Oglethorpe. A common pipeline is to begin their educational journey at Boynton Elementary, which receives a B+ grade from Niche, and according to GreatSchools, test scores have improved tremendously compared to previous years. Students then move on to Heritage Middle School – taking the No.2 spot for best middle schools in Catoosa County – and finish their primary education at Heritage High. Heralded for its extensive options of clubs and athletics, Heritage High is all about school pride – throw in above-average test scores and college readiness, and you've got a well-rounded high school experience. They're amongst some of the highest-rated public high schools in the Chattanooga Metropolitan area. Westside is bordered by the major thoroughfare of I-75, part of the primary interstate system for Northwest Georgia. You'll find major commercial areas off the interstate, and the neighborhood has smaller pockets of retail and service businesses along Cloud Springs Road. Whether you need to stop into Costco, take your car to the shop or figure out where you want to do your banking, Westside has you covered. There are also many local businesses to explore, from antique stores to clothing boutiques and restaurants. You'll often find residents in Portofino's, a family-run restaurant that dishes out comforting, homemade Greek and Italian meals. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Westside has a ton of great resources. Jack Mattox Park is a popular destination for residents, boasting several baseball fields, batting cages, a large playground and paved walking trails. If you're a fan of getting in the water, the Cloud Springs Canoe Launch will get you into the West Chickamauga Creek – in certain areas, you can also stop to fish or swim. For a fun weekend trip, you can check out one of the biggest attractions for the area: Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. The park is modeled after the classic American fair theme, with a midway that features games, food and smaller rides. It's expanded over its many years of operation, now featuring an attached waterpark and full-fledged rollercoasters. For those who want the quiet of a rural community without giving up city convenience, Westside has managed a perfect balance between the two.

Bordered by the city of Fort Oglethorpe and minutes from the Tennessee-Georgia state line, Dallondale is a tiny neighborhood that's curated its own little pocket of peace. Surrounded by city convenience without being directly in the middle of any bustle, this densely residential area avoids the highways and major foot traffic to offer its residents quiet streets and a laidback atmosphere.<br><br>The residential area of Dallondale began to flourish around the mid-20th century, and most of the original houses still stand today, often having undergone many renovations. Architectural styles skew toward classic vernacular styles, especially for the South – you'll find plenty of mixed-material ranch homes, brick Colonial Revivals and painted bungalows, complete with decorated porches from its residents. Even the more contemporary properties align with these styles but with characteristic twists. A ranch may have an additional dormer window and be equipped with charming cobblestone exterior sections, and modern bungalows have attached garages and modern paneling. The area is majority owner-occupied, and with such a small neighborhood, you're bound to get to know your neighbors while on a quiet morning walk around the streets.<br><br>The median selling price for homes in Lakeview is $192,000, with smaller two or three-bedroom homes starting as low as $120,000, while slightly larger or recently renovated homes sell for $250,000 to $280,000. The market moves fast here, with properties under contract in about two weeks.<br><br>"Catoosa County is well-known for its schools; we've got some of the best schools for miles, and I think that draws people in," says Debbie King, owner and managing broker for DK Real Estate. Students begin their education journey at Cloud Springs Elementary School. They then move on to Lakeview Middle School, which takes the No.3 spot as the best middle school in Catoosa County on Niche. Lakeview Middle offers an extensive list of athletic teams and chances to advance academically with honor programs and societies. Students will finish primary education at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High, which GreatSchools notes has improved test scores compared to the past few years. LFO High School makes extracurriculars a focus in enriching their students' experience, so the roster for clubs and organizations is both diverse and vast. <br><br>The neighborhood is bordered by the main thoroughfare of Battlefield Parkway, which is lined with commercial businesses for your everyday necessities. It just takes a quick drive to stop into Food City or Walmart, pick up a prescription from CVS and do some banking. You'll also find plenty of dining options and evening hangout spots along the parkway – pop into Kobe Hibachi and Sushi for warm miso soup, tender sushi rolls and freshly cooked steak.<br><br>"You're not far from the Chickamauga Military Park, and they did a great job at maintaining the area, so it's clean and kept up with – it's great to drive through and visit. There's a ton of Civil War monuments, campgrounds and hiking trails – they even do a couple of marathons through the park during the year. It's a nice place to take a nature walk and discover some history," says Christopher Owens, a Realtor with eXp Realty. At the center of Dallondale is Black Branch Park, a small neighborhood pocket green space with well-maintained walking trails, a soccer field and a pavilion for hanging out. If you want a fun weekend twist, head to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. The park is modeled after the classic American fair theme, with a midway that features games, food and smaller rides. It's expanded over its many years of operation, featuring an attached waterpark and full-fledged rollercoasters.<br><br>If you're looking around the Fort Oglethorpe area and are seeking something that might afford you an extra dose of serenity at the end of the day, check out Dallondale.