Ringgold

Serving as the county seat for Catoosa County, Georgia, the city of Ringgold dates back to 1846. The site of several Civil War events, it's rooted deeply in Georgia's history and has seen extreme growth throughout the 21st century. While new businesses and homes might have moved in, one thing has stayed the same – it's a community that looks out for its own.

"It's the best of both worlds. We're sandwiched between Chattanooga and Dalton, so you can commute to the city. But we've got every outdoor recreation you could want within 30 minutes – mountains, lakes, you name it," says Debbie King, owner and managing broker for DK Real Estate. "I was born and raised here, married my high school honey. When people move to Ringgold, they stay here." There's been a substantial residential boom in Ringgold since 2020, and the new construction has been a huge part of jumpstarting the housing market. You'll be able to find contemporary properties in neat, sprawling subdivisions, along with Southern-typical styles, such as Colonial Revivals and ranch homes. Ringgold has also focused on building new town houses and senior living communities for homeowners ready to downsize. Three-bedroom homes with large backyards are standard for modern properties, and the median selling price for single-family homes is around $280,000.

"We've got some of the best schools in a 50-mile radius, and it's a huge appeal. A lot of people move here to raise families," King says. There are several different schools that children can attend; a common pipeline has them starting at Ringgold Elementary – with a B+ grade from Niche, which breaks into the top five of the best elementary schools in Catoosa County. Students move on to Ringgold Middle, which has an impressive A- from Nitch, and GreatSchools notes that test scoring and student progress are significantly above average compared to previous years. It's considered by several educational reviewers to be a leading middle school in Catoosa County, with a small teacher-student ratio that ensures personalized learning and an emphasis on each child's interests, from tech fairs to community outreach. Students finish primary school at Ringgold High, raking in highly acclaimed reviews for college readiness programs and progressive academics.

Ringgold has several main thoroughfares that run through the area, such as I-75 and Highway 41. It makes getting around the city quick and easy, and you can get to Chattanooga in just 30 minutes. Commercial and business areas are evenly spread throughout the neighborhood, so no matter where you're situated, chances are you're not far from a major retailer, grocery store or any other day-to-day essentials. "Our downtown district is the most historic, right at the heart of Ringgold. That's where you'll find lots of weekend events – sidewalk sales, farmer's markets, things like that," King says. You'll often find locals in Farm to Fork, enjoying classic American fare and watching the game at the bar or walking past small antique shops and cafés at the downtown square.

Down on Lafayette Street, you can take the kids to The Little General Children's Park, an expansive play area near South Chickamauga Creek and the scenic Richard Taylor Nature Trail. Kayaking on the Chickamauga Creek is a huge pastime for locals, as is exploring the gorgeous woodland and mountain ranges surrounding Ringgold. The Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park spans 66 acres, with trails that let you admire the native flora and fauna of northern Georgia. "We love our events here, too. 1890 Day – that's when Ringgold was incorporated – is a big deal. We have a parade, hundreds of vendors and artists coming to perform music. It's completely free, too. We want everyone showing up," King says.

Ringgold has an outstanding balance between city convenience and outdoor opportunities – but the emphasis is on your neighbors. When asking King what she wanted people to know about Ringgold, she said, "I had a client stop in for lunch, and it was Veteran's Day. There were thousands of flags lining the streets, memorializing the names of people who served or that we lost from Ringgold. She moved here just after seeing that. The care for our community is so present."