Dallondale

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

Written By

Kaitie Lamb

Photography Contributed By

Kristinah Archer

Video By

Tyler Newbold