Life on Lookout Mountain offers spectacular vistas
The ridge of Lookout Mountain is a familiar backdrop for those living in the Chattanooga area. It stretches from Tennessee to Georgia and is split between the state lines. While locals refer to it as one being, the Georgia portion has its own zoning and unique characteristics. One thing doesn't change, however—living atop the mountain provides breathtaking views and peace no matter which side you choose.
"Many of the homes here are traditional styles, and the views are just amazing. Around Rock City is the 'Fairyland Area,' which has a close-knit feel and fun street names," says Steve Dorsa, a real estate consultant with Lookout Living. With roads named after fairytale characters like Peter Pan Road and Red Riding Hood Trail, an atmosphere of whimsy is brought to life.
Lookout Mountain features caverns, waterfalls and multi-state views
Lookout Mountain is home to Lookout Mountain Cave, the famed Ruby Falls and the mountaintop Rock City Gardens, with its 4,100-foot trail of ancient rock formations, caverns and soaring views. The Lookout Mountain Club is a great way to meet people and pursue fitness goals. The club has an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis and pickleball courts, a pool and plenty of social events. Reflection Riding Arboretum is an outdoor nursery, a summer camp, a wildlife preserve and a nature park. Its five-acre Nature PlayScape offers kids endless ways to climb, jump, explore and build to their hearts’ content.
Mountaintop homes offer incredible views and architectural variety
Architectural home styles are varied in Lookout Mountain and feature rolling acreage, shade from massive native trees and aerial views of the valleys below. Stucco Tudor Revivals sit next to elegant stone Colonial Revivals and modern cabin homes. Residential development took off in the mid-20th century, so many properties date from the 1950s to the 1990s. According to Jay Robinson, Broker with Keller Williams Realty for over 25 years, “Lookout Mountain’s convenience to Chattanooga is a big reason people come here, but they stay for the vibrancy of the neighborhood and the sense of community that is unique to this area.”
The median selling price for homes in Lookout Mountain is $610,000. Smaller homes typically start around $300,000, while larger properties – or vintage homes that have enjoyed complete renovation – can easily surpass $700,000. New Traditional townhouses have recently sold from $329,000 to $400,000, while stately Colonial Revivals have sold from $800,000 to $1,100,000.
There’s a party on the mountaintop every month of the year
Rock City Gardens offers plenty of year-round events, including a spring flower show, a summer music festival and a holiday lights celebration with craft vendors. It’s also a highly popular destination for universities, corporations and religious organizations to hold annual conferences and retreats. The Lula Lake Land Trust Hike Bike Brew Beer Festival is one of many annual events the Trust hosts on the mountain, including a half marathon and a 50-mile bike ride. Realtor Steve Dorsa adds, "It's easy to love driving around and getting lost up here, just admiring everything."
Mountaintop markets offer diner favorites and fresh foods for the perfect picnic
Diners can head to Big Rock Grill on Patten Road for big burgers and homemade sandwiches. Kids will get a kick out of the “big rock” that welcomes visitors when they enter the restaurant. Market on the Mountain offers groceries, spirits, fresh produce, ready-made sandwiches and takeout meals. It’s a great place to pick up the perfect items for a mountaintop picnic. With wood-fired pizzas, homemade soups and outdoor seating, Massey’s Kitchen balances casual dining with trendy entrees. Lookout Mountain offers a few gas stations, banks and medical centers, but for shopping plazas or Target or Publix, “Locals will head to downtown Chattanooga or Rossville. It's about a 20-minute drive either way," Realtor Dorsa says.
Walker County public schools are highly rated
Students in Lookout Mountain can attend public schools in the Walker County district, which has a B grade from Niche and is rated the ninth-best district in the Chattanooga area. Fairyland Elementary takes the No.1 spot for the best elementary school in Chattanooga with an overall A grade from Niche. Students can move on to Chattanooga Valley Middle and then to Ridgeland High, where they can enroll in several college prep programs. Both schools have B-grades from Niche.
Chattanooga and its metro airport are about 15 miles away
Lookout Mountain's main thoroughfare, Highway 58, is the most direct route into Chattanooga, 7 miles north. A slower but scenic drive that is not to be missed follows Highway 148 to the southwest side of Chattanooga at the Tennessee River. Residents who travel often will want to allow two hours to get from the mountain to Chattanooga Metro Airport. While it’s only 15 miles away, it’s wise to allow for traffic near the city and tourism on the mountain.
Low crime scores reflect the peaceful setting of Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of five, which is higher than the national average of four. This overall crime score is driven by higher-than-average burglary and larceny crimes and proximity to Chattanooga.
Written By
Sarah Albiston
Photography Contributed By
Morgan Nowland
