Getting to Know Nashville – Your Moving Guide

Are you planning to move to Nashville, TN? If so, there is a lot to learn about – the cost of living, the job market, real estate options, and the things to do in this dynamic city. Fortunately, this comprehensive Nashville moving guide has all the information you need to get a feel for your new hometown!

Cost of Living

When it comes to affordability, Nashville is an attractive option. Sure, the city comes in 3% above the national average for affordability. However, living costs are lower than in many major cities on both coasts. Housing costs are the largest expenditure and average 17% above the national rate. Still, that’s way better than metros like Miami and Atlanta.

While city and sales taxes are high (9.25%), you’ll love having no state individual income tax. It’s one of the seven states without one, so imagine how much that will save you each year.

Plus, salaries have been steadily increasing in recent years. A family of four with one working adult and two children would need an income of $69,213 after taxes each year to cover their living expenses. This average family spent $9,856 on food, $15,542 on housing, and $15,013 on transportation.

Job Market

Nashville’s one of the South’s booming cities. Nicknamed the “Music City,” its music industry is second only to New York. However, music recording and production aren’t the top industry. Thanks to the many hospitals and medical centers, that accolade goes to healthcare. Three of the five top employers by the number of hires are in healthcare.

Education is another top employer, thanks to Vanderbilt University, its medical center, and the county school district. A total of 10 colleges and universities are in the Nashville metro.

The automotive industry has also made great strides in recent years, adding jobs to diversify the economy. Nissan is a significant local employer with a factory in Davidson County. Nashville’s gaining a reputation for its tech industry, with anticipated 16% growth from 2022-2024. Other leading industries include finance, hospitality, and tourism.

Real Estate

Nashville has a reputation as a top real estate market in the nation in terms of price growth. A list of the hottest real estate markets in 2023 placed Nashville no. 5. With so many job opportunities available, plus its low cost of living, people want to be here. So it’s no surprise that buyer demand drove the median home value to $484,900, above the national median of $370,700.

As with other cities in this post-COVID era, there is a shortage of housing inventory. This makes it challenging to find move-in ready homes. The good news is that Nashville’s real estate market has variety, from apartments downtown to suburban houses with some acreage.

Nashville’s top neighborhoods range from the walkable The Gulch near downtown to the more suburban Sylvan Hills.

Education

For families moving to Nashville, education is an important factor. Overall, Nashville’s schools do not stack up well. A few well-regarded magnet and charter schools provide high-quality education, but getting in is competitive and often depends on a lottery system.

However, the suburbs around Nashville have some of the state’s top school districts, so it’s possible to live here and commute into town.

This city excels in higher education, thanks to the nationally ranked Vanderbilt University near downtown. Vanderbilt stands out for its excellent medical program, but it’s equally regarded for its social studies, engineering, humanities, law, and nursing.

Other universities in this area include Belmont University, Tennessee State University, and Fisk University.

Nashville Crime Rate

People move to Nashville for the vibrant city life. But like in any large city, some areas have increased crime rates. Overall, Nashville’s crime rates are above average for cities of similar sizes. Property crime was particularly high.

Each neighborhood will have different safety statistics, so do some checking on the area of the city you’re interested in living in.

Traffic

Like any major metro, traffic can be a challenge at peak times. The thing is, Nashville roads have a reputation for being particularly poorly maintained. In 2022, it took the top spot for having the worst potholes in the nation. Winter seems to be the worst time of year.

The average commute for getting around Nashville is 25 minutes, which is on par with the national commute time. The metro has a bus system, but you’ll want a car if you live in the suburbs.

Things to Do

Nashville is well known for its music scene, but it has plenty of other things to do too. Here’s a sampling of what you can do once you live in Nashville.

Music

Nashville’s the undisputed country music capital, but Music City is also home to plenty of blues, rock and roll, pop, and classical. Music is always playing in the downtown bars and restaurants. Find concerts and live music happening nearly every night of the week.

Popular music attractions include the Country Music Hall of Fame. A tour of RCA records is a Nashville bucket-list item. Though associated with Nashville, the famous Grand Ole Opry is in the suburbs outside of town. Still, it’s another metro bucket list place for music fans.

Top venues for catching live music include the Bluebird Cafe, The Station Inn, and The Basement East, but there are dozens more music cafes and bars scattered around town.

Sports

It’s no surprise that the most popular sport in Nashville is football, thanks to the Tennessee Titans. The Nashville Predators are the local hockey team, and if you prefer baseball, catch the game with the Nashville Sounds. Nashville also has a professional soccer club playing in Major League Soccer.

Arts & Culture

Besides popular music, Nashville’s creativity extends to its art culture. Its art galleries and public art projects are dotted around the neighborhoods. Over 50 art venues participate in the city’s Art Crawls, hosted on dates throughout the year. Find them in the 5th Avenue Art District or WeHo Art Crawl.

Visit the Parthenon at Centennial Park, a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, or take an afternoon at the Frist Center for Visual Arts.

The Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Symphony Orchestra provide exceptional performance art experiences.

Cuisine

From upscale to down-home, farm-to-table, and international choices, Nashville’s plates drum up an impressive range of cuisine. Today this city is one of the South’s dining hot spots. Its most famous dishes are currently Nashville Hot Chicken, a spicy fried chicken sandwich, and the GooGoo Cluster, an iconic local candy bar. Of course, don’t miss out on the barbecue and southern biscuits.

Popular and iconic restaurants include The Catbird Seat, City House, Husk, Rolf and Daughters, and The Loveless Cafe. Locals also love their coffee from Frothy Monkey.

Golf

Golfers have options in Nashville, as the city’s surrounding area has some of the nation’s top courses. In total, locals have 44 golf courses in the metro. The Country Club of Nashville, Harpeth Hills Golf Course, and Hermitage Golf Course are just a few favorites.

Outdoor Recreation

Nashville Metro Parks runs a vast trail system with nature centers, mountain bike trails, and river access. The 180 miles of Greenway Trails consist of 90 off-road trails and counting. Kayak and canoe rentals are available to experience the Cumberland River as it rolls through downtown.

Cheekwood Estate and Gardens is a popular outdoor destination. It’s 55 acres of gardens, trails, and galleries. For more space, the two Warner Parks combine for 2,500 acres of rolling parkland hills. Find more pocket parks scattered in the Nashville neighborhoods.

Dog Parks

Take the four-legged locals to dog-friendly parks to exercise and socialize. Nashville has several off-leash dog parks; some even have swimming pools for your pup to cool off on those hot, humid summer afternoons.

Popular dog parks include Centennial Dog Park, McCabe Dog Park, and Richland Dog Park.

Moving to Nashville, TN

So what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags and move to Nashville! The information in this moving guide should have given you a picture of what life is like in Music City. Explore the culture of Nashville with a local real estate agent who can pinpoint the best place for you to live. Learn more about living in Tennessee.