Why you'd want to live in Lafayette
Lafayette was originally founded as Chattooga in 1835, named after a French nobleman who fought in the Revolutionary War. The town itself is bordered by Foster Mill Rd, Boomtown Rd, and Hwy 193. It’s located about thirty miles from Chattanooga and main thoroughfares in the metro area, including I59, I24, and I75. Aside from its close proximity to Chattanooga, the city is only about two hours away from larger cities like Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham. Lafayette is a great community to consider for commuters to and from Chattanooga. It offers great schools, a relatively low cost of living, and a shorter commute with less traffic than Ooltewah, a comparable Tennessee suburb of Chattanooga. This town is also a perfect match for any outdoor enthusiast. National parks in the area include Chattahoochee National Forest and Chickamauga Military Park, and Lookout Mountain is nearby—hosting a variety of outdoor activities and hiking trails. If you are seeking more family-friendly venues, Lafayette offers plenty of outdoor recreation areas. A municipal park center is located on Main Street, which contains a gym, game room, four ball fields, and picnic shelters equipped with grills. The area also contains a playground and a walking track. Other facilities include Ross Abney Complex, which contains a football stadium, practice field, and a walking track. The Max Stoker center is located on Glenn Street, and the facility offers dance classes, soccer fields, and a walking track. Simmons Memorial Park is located on Mill Street beside the Marsh House, which contains an outdoor basketball court. Other recreation options include Joe Stock Memorial, which is a passive park with a gazebo and a play fountain. The park serves as a site for many seasonal events, including Christmas lights, an Easter egg hunt, a Fourth of July Freedom Fest, and Scare on the Square for the Halloween season. All picnics and meeting rooms in listed facilities are rentable.