Lexington vs Chattanooga FD

Who would you work for and why? It seems like Lexington has better pay/growth, but I would prefer to live around Chattanooga. Has Chattanooga increased their base salary yet?

Considering:

-Salary

-Outdoor Activities

-Retirement

-COL

-Schedule

-Amount of actual fires

Where would you choose? I’ve researched this to death with what’s available online. I’d love to hear personal experience from people at both Departments. Really looking to plant roots and retire from whichever department I go to next.

Moving to be closer to the mountains and have better access to rock climbing/hiking/white water as well as more Fire hopefully. Thanks!