South Cleveland provides small-town living close to daily comforts
Located within the Great Appalachian Valley, South Cleveland offers quiet living away from the bustle of downtown Cleveland. “It’s more rural out there with mountain views and farms, and there are churches on just about every corner,” says longtime resident Jannis Sams, a Realtor with Crye-Leike Real Estate Services, who's been selling homes in the area for 30 years. “It’s a great place to live, and it’s friendly. People throw their hands up and wave to people they know.” Its somewhat secluded setting, large lot sizes and abundance of outdoor activities attract homebuyers to this Bradley County community.
Outdoor recreation includes biking, disc golf and boating
Much of the area’s recreation revolves around spending time outdoors. Locals often hike or bike along the wooded trails of Johnston Woods. Just north, Fletcher Park offers walking paths, a Japanese garden and a disc golf course. The Ocoee River is less than a 20-mile trip east, and the Nancy Ward Boat Access Area offers a public launch. Sams notes that fishing, boating and paddling along the river are popular among locals. Blue Springs Park hosts Little League practices and games, and Falcon Pointe Golf Club features an 18-hole course open to the public.
From midcentury ranch-style homes to modern builds in subdivisions
Pockets of woodland line the quiet roads of South Cleveland, which rise and fall with the area’s hilly terrain. Roughly half of the market comprises 20th-century ranch, raised ranch and split-level-style homes. Plot sizes vary, from 2 to 20-plus acres in the more rural parts. “People will have gardens, chickens and if the land is large enough, a horse,” Sams says. 21st-century New Traditional and modern ranch-style homes fill the remainder of the community and sit within neat subdivisions. Homes across South Cleveland typically sell for $150,000 to $450,000. Larger, more recently built homes in subdivisions like Athur’s Crossing can reach $720,000. Properties in low-lying areas have a moderate flood risk following heavy rainfall. The city of Cleveland provides flood maps and other relevant resources on its website.
Local public schools and nearby colleges
Children start at Black Fox Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. They move on to B-plus-rated Lake Forest Middle and Bradley Central High School, which earns a B-minus. The high school’s Business Academy offers career and technical education courses, allowing enrolled students to earn college credits before graduation. Pathways in the program include Culinary Arts, Collision Repair and Marketing Management.
Cleveland State Community College and Lee University are within 8 miles. "Many people move to the area to go to school at Lee University, then stay in the area," Sams says. The private Christian institution offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Major roadways make for easy commutes out of the area
Interstate 75 passes just west of the community, connecting residents to Chattanooga, 33 miles southwest and Knoxville, some 83 miles northeast. U.S. routes 64, 74 and state Route 60 are also accessible in the community and support regional travel. “If you work in Dalton or Chatsworth, it’s an easy commute from there,” Sams says. Bradley Medical Center is closer to home, 5 miles north in Cleveland, and the nearest commercial flights take off from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.
Residents do most of their shopping and dining along U.S. Route 74
Several shopping centers sit back from U.S. Route 74. In addition to a Food City for groceries, there's a Walmart Supercenter, local restaurants and chains. The family-owned Rafael’s Italian Restaurant is a go-to spot for a slice of pizza or calzone, and La Altena serves classic Tex-Mex dishes. Bradley Square Mall, 6 miles northeast, features dozens of retailers.
Events in downtown Cleveland keep locals active
The city of Cleveland gets neighbors together through events like Friday Festivals. “During summer, they have a big band play downtown, and people bring their lawn chairs out to watch,” Sams says. “The band might be bluegrass, country or something else.” MainStreet Cruise-In is another annual tradition. The downtown car show, which takes place in late April, features a parade of vintage cars around Courthouse Square.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
