Move
- “Networking is very important. The arts community is rich in quality, but not large in size and knowing people is important.”
- “Jump in! The community is enthusiastic to embrace new creatives.”
- “This is a great city already, but there is still ample opportunity for an individual to make a big difference.”
- “Live downtown. The suburbs of Chattanooga are like suburbs everywhere else. Downtown is unique. The local food alone is worth the move.”
- “Keep in tune with a variety of local artists and organizations. Attend their events regularly. They are a great place to network with others in the community.”
- “Become part of the art. Give back to the community and you will be amazed at what transpires.”
- “Realize you are impacting a community, not walking in to an already matured art network.”
Finding your place
The Arts Move relocation incentive is for artists relocating within a three and a half mile radius of the heart of downtown, Chattanooga’s Main Street. Within those 38 square miles, you can find all kinds of neighborhoods, all with a warm, dynamic community life. Contact one of the realtors listed in Important Contacts or visit Chattanooga on your own to do a bit of home-hunting.
Making the ArtsMove
Once you find a place to call your own, you’re ready to make the ArtsMove. Moving can be a stressful process, so we’ve created a moving guide to keep your tossing, turning, sleepless nights to a minimum. Personalize this list, and add to it by visiting other websites on relocating, linked below.
30+ Days Before the Move
MOVERS
Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring movers, you’ll need to book the necessary resources well in advance. Be sure to get several estimates to find the best price. A list of Chattanooga area movers is included in our Important Contacts list. Once you’ve chosen a mover, start making plans with them: the more details you work out before the move, the fewer complications you can expect the day of.
EARLY PACKING
Begin packing items that are not needed regularly, and remember, moving is a great time to simplify. Get rid of things that you don’t use and host a yard sale, or donate them to a local collection center. Gather important documents (insurance certificates, medical records, birth certificates, etc.). These items should be carried with you during the move, not packed in boxes.
UTILITIES
Notify your current utility companies‚ as well as new Chattanooga utility providers of your upcoming move, and do so as early as possible. A list of Chattanooga area utility companies is included in our Relocation Contacts list.
Utility companies you’ll have to contact include:
- Cable/Internet company
- Electric company
- Gas company
- Phone company
- Telephone company
- Water company
OTHER NOTIFICATIONS
- Notify any/all of the following institutions or people of your upcoming move, preferably a couple of months before the actual move date to allow records to be changed.
- Present and future post offices
- Associations
- Banks/Credit Card Companies/Credit Unions
- Book clubs
- Churches
- Doctors/Dentists
- Employers
- Federal, state, and local government benefits payments
- Insurance companies
- Lawyers
- Libraries
- Magazines/Catalogues
- Motor Vehicle Department
- Newsletters
- Newspapers
- Schools
- Stockbrokers
- Unions
- Voter registration (both old and new jurisdictions)
TRANSPORTATION
Make all necessary travel and lodging arrangements for you and your family members, pets included. Making these plans in advance could save you a lot of time and money.
7+ Days Before the Move
- Make sure all vehicles are ready to travel long distances.
- Find out if your pharmacy has a Chattanooga location. Transfer prescriptions if necessary.
- Likewise, find out if your bank or credit union has a Chattanooga branch. You can refer to the list of local financial institutions in our Important Contacts list. Transfer or close bank accounts if necessary.
- Defrost your refrigerator several days before the move.
After the Move
Once you’ve arrived and settled in to your Chattanooga home, you’ll need to get a Tennessee Driver’s License and plates, if you don’t already have them. You must have these to be considered a legal resident of the state and register to vote.
Home Sweet Home
Making a house a home takes a little legwork, and the same is true in making a town a hometown. There are a few ways to plug in upon arriving to Chattanooga.
- Subscribe to Chattanooga’s local newspapers—such as the Chattanooga Times Free Press and The Pulse—to get a feel for the local community.
- Get to know your neighbors. If they don’t make the first move—which they probably will—you should. Make a mean apple pie? Show them.
- Talk to people. Chattanoogans are incredibly proud of their city, and they’ve all got some insight about “Chatt Town.”
- Do some exploring on your own. Don’t be afraid to get lost: you may come across some gems that otherwise may have gone unnoticed.
- Keep your eyes open. Most locally owned business have windows filled with posters advertising events. Take notice, mark your calendar, and try them out!