The Retreat at Oakbrook — Ooltewah, TN

Pratt’s newest single-level townhomes: maintenance-free, accessible by design, attainably priced — and open to all ages.

HomeChattanooga › The Retreat at Oakbrook

Honesty box: The Retreat at Oakbrook is not age-restricted. Pratt markets it to “downsizers and first-time buyers” alike. We include it anyway because, for a retiree who wants new construction and a lock-and-leave lifestyle, it is one of the most realistic homes-you-can-actually-buy in the metro — just don’t expect an all-55+ neighbor mix.

What it is

The Retreat at Oakbrook is a brand-new community of single-level (and some two-level) townhomes by Pratt Home Builders, in the Ooltewah / East Brainerd corridor with quick access to I-75 and roughly 20 minutes to downtown Chattanooga. You can build to order with design selections or buy a move-in-ready unit. Pricing for townhomes has commonly run from the low-to-mid $300,000s for move-in-ready product, which is attainable for the Chattanooga market.

Why it works for downsizers

The tax advantage: county-only

Like Stonebrook, Oakbrook sits in unincorporated Hamilton County, so owners pay the county rate with no city levy on top. That keeps the effective property tax around 0.38% of value — roughly half what an in-city Chattanooga address pays.

2025 estimate (no exemptions)Oakbrook townhome ~$340,000
Assessed value (25%)~$85,000
County rate $1.5157/$100~$1,288/yr property tax
State income tax on retirement income$0

Combine a low purchase price, county-only taxes, and zero state income tax, and the carrying cost is genuinely modest. What you give up versus Stonebrook is the longer track record of an established community; what you gain is a new home and a warranty.

New build vs. established resale? Oakbrook (new, all ages) and Stonebrook (resale, adult-oriented) are the two county-only options worth comparing directly. Tell us your priorities and we’ll lay out current inventory side by side. Get the comparison →
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