Westside

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.

Written By

Kaitie Lamb

Photography Contributed By

Kristinah Archer

Video By

Adam Lapallo