About Fort Oglethorpe, GA

With one of the country's oldest Civil War parks and limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation, the city of Fort Oglethorpe is a massive anchor for Northwest Georgia. Considering many areas around it are increasingly rural, it serves as a hub for commercial convenience and well-maintained parks. Not only does it call to history lovers, but the city has a staggering amount of varying architectural styles and residential terrain.

"We've got a lot of great areas. Lake Shore Cove has a crazy wide price range, and lots of new homes are being built. The properties are gorgeous," says Christopher Owens, a Realtor with eXp Realty. "Properties by Gilbert Stephenson Park are nice homes for first-time buyers and still have great access to the parkway. Plus, you've got historic homes near the battlefield park at "The Post," so yeah, lots of options." Due to the highly different areas in the neighborhood – everything from lakeside homes to wooded sections by the battlefield – you'll find seemingly limitless different architectural styles. Contemporary lakeside properties with private docks have gorgeous domed back porches facing the water and steeply gabled roofs. Meanwhile, many subdivisions have quintessential Southern houses, such as sprawling ranch homes, brick Colonial Revivals and split-levels.

The median selling price for single-family homes in Fort Oglethorpe is $275,000, and properties are typically sold after being on the market for a month. Smaller homes or town houses usually start at around $250,000 to $300,000, while larger, newer homes – especially ones with lakeside access – can span anywhere from $350,000 to $600,000.

Students begin their education journey at either Cloud Springs Elementary School or follow the Battlefield Primary to Battlefield Elementary pipeline. Battlefield Elementary, in particular, boasts above-average test scores compared to previous years on GreatSchools, and it's in the top five for best elementary schools in the county. 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.

"Battlefield Parkway has all the on-off ramps for I-75, which is the main interstate system for Northwest Georgia. The parkway basically cuts Fort Oglethorpe in half, and that's where you'll find all your chain retailers, popular errand places, things that you need for every day. You never get stuck being super far away from shopping and restaurants," Owens says. Peppered in with the big names such as Walmart and CVS are locally owned businesses, so you'll find residents browsing carefully curated clothing boutiques and enjoying ice cream during balmy evenings at Sweet Treats. You'll also have quick access to the CHI Memorial Hospital, one of the largest medical centers in the Chattanooga Metropolitan area.

Fort Oglethorpe is a gem for nature and historical lovers alike, considering a substantial portion of it is engulfed by the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. "It's the country's oldest and largest military national park, so it's an awesome place to check out for history. The rangers there have great insider information, and the walking and biking trails are so well-maintained," Owens says. The neighborhood has plenty of well-maintained city parks and greenways – Gilbert Stephenson Park is an excellent resource for taking the kids to the playground, rallying on the tennis courts or taking a lap at the swimming pool. Disc golf is also popular in Tennessee and Georgia, so you'll find several courses in Fort Oglethorpe. Make sure you also keep an eye on the community calendar – Fort Oglethorpe has several events throughout the year, from summer farmers markets and Fourth of July celebrations to autumn and winter festivals.

If considering a move to Northwest Georgia, this neighborhood holds down the fort when it comes to being a residential gem.

Written By

Kaitie Lamb

Photography Contributed By

Kristinah Archer

Video By

Mark Tilley