It never fails that Chattanooga becomes a topic when Brian May has a conversation.

“(My wife is) always kind of jabbing me like I’m running for mayor because I talk about the city all the time to people who really couldn’t care less,” said the 37-year-old graphic designer. “But it’s my hometown now.”

Mr. May, who owns MayCreate on Main Street, was born in North Carolina and has lived in areas from New York to Florida. He said he lives in Chattanooga now because of its geography, waterfront and welcoming atmosphere for young professionals.

“I’m not sure how it gets much better than that,” he said.

Others agree, including RelocateAmerica.com, which named Chattanooga the third best city to live in on its 2008 list.

The company chose Chattanooga after several residents nominated the Scenic City, praising its opportunities for raising a family, starting a business and realizing their dreams, said Steve Nickerson, president and CEO of HomeRoute, a real estate firm in Howell, Mich., that operates RelocateAmerica.

“There was a big emphasis on the quality of life in Tennessee in general, living in Chattanooga and what it affords in terms of recreation, home prices, employment opportunities, the people, music and the arts (and as a ) family friendly, mountain area,” Mr. Nickerson said. “These are things that people are really passionate about and shared with us that they loved about living there.”

Charlotte, N.C., topped the list and was followed by San Antonio, Texas.

Before compiling its list, RelocateAmerica accepts nominations for cities and considers those alongside data on education, employment, economy, crime, parks, recreation and housing before cities are reviewed, rated and judged by its editorial team to create the top 100 list.

People who relocate to Chattanooga tend to enjoy the myriad activities it offers, said Carol Nall, vice president/director of relocation for the Crye-Leike real estate firm. Many relocate from Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia and often are retirees or young professionals, she said.

“I think they’re surprised with the quality of life, not just the beauty of the city,” Ms. Nall said. “They know about mountains. But they get to hear and see the quality of things to do.”

Chattanooga is one of the few cities in the world that offers a vibrant, cosmopolitan downtown and outdoor recreational activities minutes away, said J.Ed. Marston, vice president of marketing and communications for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.

“There aren’t too many places in the world where you can go hiking in the morning, hang gliding in the afternoon and take in an opera on the same evening,” he said.

The Scenic City is attracting people at a rate about 30 percent faster than the national average, Mr. Marston said, especially baby boomers and members of the millenial generation. A third group of people are those who have been characterized as the young, creative class — the driving force behind new, innovative businesses, he said.

“The success that we’ve had in expanding and attracting new companies to Chattanooga is certainly one of the things that is driving relocations by other people,” Mr. Marston said.