Happy to be Home in Greater Chattanooga

Hear from three Greater Chattanooga residents who have built lives they love.

By Lindsey Hyde on August 7, 2023

Greater Chattanooga has many intimate communities, like Fort Payne, Alabama, Trenton, Georgia, and Athens, Tennessee. With an average size of 15,000 residents, all of these cities offer a tight-knit community of neighbors who enjoy a high quality of life and low cost of living. Here are some of their stories:

Just the Right Size

Silvia Hernandez is a proud DeKalb County, Alabama, local who lives roughly 15 miles from where she was born and raised. For her, the rolling hills and pine trees give the feeling of being home.

As a lifelong Alabama resident, Hernandez sees the region through different eyes and appreciates its unique qualities, from its diverse population to its peaceful atmosphere and charming stores and restaurants.

“I feel like we have just enough. I think if you were to add more, then we would be one of those bigger cities. I don’t think that’s what Fort Payne is,” she says. “I think we’re nestled here in the valley, and it’s just a great place to be.”

In addition to enjoying the area’s laid-back lifestyle, Hernandez capitalized on Fort Payne’s welcoming business scene, opening Go Play Therapy, which specializes in pediatric occupational and speech therapies, in 2015. Thanks to the area’s close-knit business community, which includes the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, a helping hand is never far away.

“There’re so many resources through the Chamber. It’s just easy to call and say, ‘Hey, this is what I’m looking for. Can you help me?’” she says.

Opening even more doors for businesses owners, the Fort Payne-Dekalb County Entrepreneurial Center is a new facility that works with area colleges, universities, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center to provide resources and help empower local entrepreneurs.

The 50,000-square-foot building formerly functioned as a sock factory, but thanks to a $5 million investment, it is now outfitted with various coworking, training and conference spaces.

The center has developed programs for K-12 students, in hopes of inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. There are also plans to offer re-entry programs to assist individuals who are returning to the workforce.

Small-Town Success

About seven years ago, Cris Angsten and her husband, Dave, took a leap of faith by purchasing property in Trenton, Georgia, and converting a residential area into a wedding venue known as Oakleaf Cottage.

“We were dipping our toes into it. We had never pictured ourselves with a wedding venue,” Cris Angsten says.

While it took them a few years to become comfortable with the wedding industry, they’ve blossomed as business owners, turning the venue into a full-time job and growing the business to host approximately 50 weddings a year.

“It’s been a rush,” Cris Angsten says.

About two years ago, the couple chose to make Trenton an even bigger part of their lives and moved to the area. In addition to being closer to work, Cris Angsten says they enjoy the quiet, wildlife, hiking options and friendly neighbors. Plus, Chattanooga is just a short drive away.

“We love it. We’re comfortable. Things seem like they’re doing well. I don’t see any reason to change careers or do anything different,” Cris Angsten says.

Pleasant Surprises

After moving multiple times for her husband’s job, Delanie Domzalski found a new sense of belonging when her family relocated to Athens, Tennessee, in 2016.

“We really wanted something that would help put down roots for us,” Domzalski says.

The Domzalskis discovered that Maddi Mae’s Café – a lunch spot in Athens – was for sale when they were looking for a home. The cafe’s then-owners were selling their house and business, and the Domzalskis purchased both.

“People come in and chat with you. I’ve got customers that I’ve made friends out of. Athens is just such a tight community,” Domzalski says.

In addition to the cafe, Domzalski has fallen in love with Athens, as it offers an affordable cost of living, friendly people, small eateries, cute shops and much more.

“I didn’t really imagine that it would turn out as well as it did,” she says. “It’s really been an amazing experience for me.”

A Thriving Craft Brew Scene

Domzalski isn’t the only one who has had a great experience in Greater Chattanooga. Many residents are thriving, thanks to the area’s superb communities, jobs, outdoor recreation and entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, several communities offer unique craft beverage destinations for friends to meet and clink drinks.

In Whitfield County, Georgia, Dalton Brewing Co. is a small, independent brewery and taproom, located in the heart of downtown. Established in 2018 by a group of professional engineers, Dalton Brewing’s tagline is “Good Beer. Engineered.”

Buck Bald Brewing is housed in a retro gas station in Polk County, Tennessee, and features 14 taps of IPAs, sours, and English and German-style beers. Its most popular selections include Not a Cure for Baldness oatmeal vanilla stout and Yikes, Bobby! India pale ale.

In Marion County, Tennessee, a popular spot is Top of the Rock Restaurant & Brewery, where the beer choices include IPAs, stouts, wheats and red ales. Another big seller at Top of the Rock is a line of Kölsch brews, which are light beers that finish crisp and clean.

Sequatchie Valley Brewing Co., located in Sequatchie County, Tennessee, sells popular beer brands like Bison Vienna lager and Brush Creek American lager.

And in Rhea County, Tennessee, Monkey Town Brewing Company offers a full line of small-batch beers, including gluten-free options, along with hoppy IPAs, dark creamy stouts and smooth pilsners. The Dayton destination also features spirits, wine and pub food.

Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.