Haletown

Pocketed by marinas and giving way to the rise of Racoon Mountain, Haletown – also referred to by its original name, Guild – is a scenic and small waterside community. It's found to the west of downtown Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, its unique hooked shape following the curve of the Tennessee River. Largely rural with a quaint central hub, Haletown has some exciting residential development happening.

Many original homes in Haletown were built in the 1970s and 1980s, and they're simple styles, such as ranch homes and split-levels. They work perfectly for the area's mountainous terrain, finding their place amongst the dips and rises of the ground. Riverside houses with attached docks are usually more contemporary, with plenty of windows and porch space. Many are sunk from the main road, bordering the water, so you've got privacy from people driving along the scenic Lee Highway. New properties are currently being built throughout the area, large properties with staggered frames and picturesque styling, such as the steep gabled roofs of Tudor revivals and sleek materials, such as stucco and cobblestone. Many are being built higher up on the ridge so residents can enjoy aerial views of the river and valley below.

The median selling price for single-family homes in Haletown is $1.2 million, and properties stay on the market for longer than the Tennessee average, typically only selling once they've been available for a couple of months.

Many children will attend public school in a bordering neighborhood – a typical pipeline is Lookout Valley Elementary School, Lookout Valley Middle and Lookout Valley High. Easy to remember, right? Lookout Valley Elementary receives an above-average rating from Niche for the Chattanooga area, praised for its continuously updated academic procedures and willingness to engage with the community. After fifth grade, students will finish their primary education at Lookout Valley Middle-High. Their CTE Department offers two "Future Ready" programs for students to get hands-on learning for subjects such as technology and engineering, and they have an impressive amount of different athletics to join.

You'll hit the central hub of Haletown as you enter the community over the Lee Highway bridge, and they've got a little convenience store, gas stations, a post office – true simple necessities. To find a significant commercial area with big-box stores and retailers, you'll have to go into nearby Lookout Valley. Haletown does locally owned business well, especially when it comes to restaurants. Succotash offers authentic Cajun cuisine with its rich and spicy flavors, while Lookout Winery offers wood-fired pizza and an extensive wine menu, all with aerial views of the Tennessee River and mountain ranges.

When it comes to outdoor recreation, Haletown gives you the choice of both fun in the water and exploration through woodland. Much of the eastern region is engulfed by Racoon Mountain, and it's rated as Tennessee's top location to see underground caverns. With nearly six miles of cave passageways, campsites, scenic overlooks and mountainous hiking trails, it's a great place to escape for the weekend. If you're a fan of water activities, head to your closest marina or dock launch – you'll constantly see people meandering down the river in kayaks and any river-cleared boat. Hales Bar Marina and Resort is the most well-known in the area for rentals and immediate access to Lake Nickajack. It's also a popular spot for, of all things, ghosthunters and those who love a Halloween thrill. The Hales Bar Dam is rumored to be haunted, and the community puts on a Halloween scare event every year.

In essence, Haletown is waterside living for those who want a quieter version of larger lake communities, and you get the extra perk of mountain views. It's only 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, so you're not leaving city convenience behind.

Written By

Kaitie Lamb

Photography Contributed By

Morgan Nowland

Video By

Michael Voyack