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Chattanooga, Tennessee is a mid-size river city wrapped in mountains, and it's home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a campus of roughly 11,000 students just east of downtown. The Tennessee River runs through the middle of it all, with the 13-mile Riverwalk and the pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge linking downtown to the Northshore. Student life draws on UTC and the broader downtown scene, where the Tennessee Aquarium, riverfront parks, and a steady run of festivals keep things busy. Walkable historic districts like Fortwood and Southside sit close to campus, while Coolidge Park and the surrounding ridges and trails give you outdoor escapes minutes from class.
Right next to campus, pedestrian-friendly and the easiest walk to class.
Just south of downtown, it packs historic buildings and a lively scene, popular with students who want walkable nightlife.
Across the Walnut Street Bridge by Coolidge Park, it draws students who want a trendy riverfront feel with shops and trails.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Chattanooga.
CARTA runs the city bus network, and a validated UTC ID gets you unlimited free access to every route plus the free downtown electric shuttle that loops the core every 10 minutes. UTC also runs the free Mocs Express campus shuttle. That combo means students near campus or downtown can skip a car entirely. Fortwood, Southside, and the Northshore all connect to campus easily by shuttle or bus.
Chattanooga is genuinely walkable downtown, with wide sidewalks, the 13-mile Tennessee Riverwalk, and the pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge linking downtown to the Northshore. Biking works well on flatter riverfront routes, though the surrounding ridges are hilly. The Riverwalk doubles as a long car-free path for rides and strolls. Students near campus can cover most of their routine on foot.
A car helps if you live in outer neighborhoods, but central students often skip it. With free transit and shuttles, daily driving is rarely necessary near campus or downtown. Keep parking in mind on game days and for trips beyond the core. Budget for a permit only if your housing sits outside the walkable, transit-served districts.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Citywide, studios average around $875 per month, while shared four-bedroom units drop to roughly $635 per person. Expect downtown and Northshore units toward the higher end, with shared houses near campus the most economical.
Browse student housing near each Chattanooga-area university.