Rossville

With Chattanooga a hop-skip away and surrounded by distant mountain ranges, the city of Rossville borders the Tennessee-Georgia state line. Comprised of laidback residential streets and a tight-knit community, it's a great landing spot for those considering a move to north Georgia, especially if you want quick access to the larger metropolitan areas.

Residential areas in Rossville started to blossom in the mid-20th century, and many of the original homes from that era still stand, albeit with some extensive renovation or awaiting a little TLC. Architectural styles are typical of the Southern vernacular, such as the quintessential mixed-material ranch home, simple bungalows and brick Colonial Revivals. New construction has been popping up in the city, providing quiet subdivisions with neatly manicured lawns. The median selling price for single-family homes in Rossville is $225,000, while town houses dial up to around $245,000. Properties typically stay on the market for just under a month before they go under contract. Older homes with two or three bedrooms, typically built in the mid-to-late 20th century, start as low as $150,000, while new construction with more extensive square footage begins around $300,000.

Public institutions in Rossville fall under the Walker County School District, and children can be zoned to several different schools. A common pipeline has them starting at Rossville Elementary, which GreatSchools notes to be above average in academic progress compared to previous years, and it's a leading Title I school when it comes to providing for their students in all aspects, from free meals to personalized learning needs. Students move on to Rossville Middle before finishing primary education at Ridgeland High. Here, students can prepare for the next step in their academic career through several college prep programs, and Ridgeland offers a diverse and vast list of extracurriculars. It's considered above average by Niche, sporting an overall B grading and exceeding in the staffing and athletics category.

The city has numerous commercial and business areas, so no matter where you settle, you'll only be minutes from day-to-day essentials. Need to grab groceries from Food City, find your nearest bank or head to the salon? Rossville's got it covered. The Old South Restaurant may appear as a hole-in-the-wall, but locals love it for its cozy, at-home feel and homestyle Southern cooking – and yes, the reviews for the fried chicken and okra are stellar. Highway 27 is the main thoroughfare for the area, and not only can it get you to any of the central northern Georgia neighborhoods, but you can be in downtown Chattanooga in under 15 minutes.

Rossville has a few maintained parks where you can find sports fields and baseball diamonds, playgrounds and paved trailways for jogging or biking. Rossville is nearby a true gem for nature and historical lovers alike, as it borders the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. It's the country's oldest and largest military national park, with several monuments throughout to inform you of the sites and their significance. The park rangers have excellent insider information, and the walking and biking trails are well-maintained for when you want to wander. For a fun weekend trip, you can check out nearby 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. In the summer, make sure to check out the annual Rossville-BLVD open air market, which features live music, great local eats and artisan vendors every weekend.

Don't let Rossville fly under the radar if you're looking for a new home just outside of Chattanooga.