Are you considering a move to Nashville? Nashville is a growing city with a thriving economy and a vibrant arts scene. But, like any city, there are pros and cons to living in Nashville. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of living in Nashville to help you make an informed decision.
Nashville,Tennessee at a glance
- The average monthly rent in Nashville for a 1-bedroom apartment is 1,730 and 1,950 for a 3-bedroom apartment
- Temperatures in Nashville average 85 degrees in the summer months, and 50 degrees in the winter months
- The current population in the Nashville metropolitan area is 1,294,000 as of 2022
- Outside of music, the major industries in Nashville include education, manufacturing, health care services, and hospitality
- There are two professional sports teams in Nashville: The Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Nashville Predators of the NHL
Living in Nashville gives you access to some of the best food, music, and attractions. Be warned, though, that living in Music City is desired by many. You’ll have some competition when trying to find a place to live. Here’s why…
Pro: The music scene is legendary
Of course, you’ve probably already heard that Nashville has quite the live music scene. This place has been built on its affinity and love for country music; whether it’s in the famous venue the Grand Ole Opry House, or one of the more intimate spots (but still just as beloved) like The Bluebird Cafe, locals here love their live music. On Broadway, the major thoroughfare in the downtown area, including lower Broadway where you’ll find the main entertainment district. Head to Music Row, the heart of the Nashville music industry, and you’ll find recording studios that have seen Elvis and Dolly Parton walk through their doors.
Other Nashville favorites for live music
- The Stage on Broadway
- Layla’s Honky Tonk
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
- Tin Roof
- Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar
Con: You’ll probably need a car
Nashville’s only form of public transportation comes in the form of bus lines via WeGo Public Transit. It’s not entirely dependable and doesn’t cover all of the sprawling city. Plus, not only is public transit not accessible or comprehensive in this city, traffic jams here are also inescapable.
With Nashville growing as quickly as it is, the down-home infrastructure is simply not set up for the amount of cars on the road now that may cause jams. If you’re considering moving to Nashville, expect to sit in some gridlock traffic when commuting to work during rush hour.
Major streets and intersections in Nashville
- Broadway – The major thoroughfare in the downtown area and includes lower Broadway where you’ll find the main entertainment district
- 16th and 17th Avenues South – Known as “music row”, where you’ll find attractions and businesses related to the music heritage of Nashville
- Charlotte Pike – Known for its thrift stores and coffee shops
- 12 South – A popular shopping neighborhood located just outside of downtown Nashville
Pro: Lively bar scene
Dive bars with cheap drinks, great live music, and casual meet ups are aplenty in Nashville. Looking for a well-crafted cocktail? How about a dive bar with cheap drinks and live music? Maybe a casual place to meet up with friends or a first date? You’re in luck in Nashville because this city has a bar for everything. Living in Nashville means you’re living in one of the top destinations for music and nightlife, so buy you a pair of boots and get ready to start scootin’.Get quality, hand-crafted cocktails at The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, an art-deco inspired speakeasy-style bar tucked away in an East Nashville alleyway. Refine your dart game at The Villager Tavern, a local favorite that’s been around for nearly five decades, and is just a few blocks away from the Vanderbilt campus. Acme Feed & Seed is your go-to spot for a casual meet up with friends, a date, or even a corporate event. Its first floor features restaurant-style seating and beers on tap, the second floor is more of a bar and lounge (and one you can rent out for private events), and the third floor gives way to a large rooftop patio.
Other favorites for drinks in Nashville
- The Patterson House
- Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
- Nudie’s Honky Tonk
- Whiskey Bent Saloon
- Springwater Supper Club and Lounge
Con: Get ready for the humidity
You should know upfront that Nashville, like many other cities in the eastern and southern United States, gets hot and humid in the summer months. From May through August, expect sticky weather, with average temperatures in the high 80s. Many of Nashville’s popular festivals take place in the summer months, including CMA Fest, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and Nashville Pride, so be prepared to brave the humidity to enjoy some fun. Spring and fall are pleasant, though, and make up for the three to four months of humidity.
Oh, and also be prepared for seasonal allergies.
Pro: Food
When you live in Nashville you’ll have some of the best cuisine at your fingertips, which is perfect for the abundance of finger foods made by many of the locally family owned restaurants.
If you haven’t heard of hot chicken, you’ll want to head straight to Prince’s Hot Chicken. Hot chicken is a type of fried chicken that’s covered in a special hot sauce, and it all started at Nashville’s own Prince’s. If fried chicken isn’t your thing, check out Henrietta Red in Germantown, a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. The restaurant and barroom specializes in American seasonal cooking. That sounds delicious already!For a beloved Nashville experience, hit up Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, home of the famous Tennessee Whole Hog Bar-B-Que. At their downtown location, you can enjoy the mouthwatering BBQ in their communal, outdoor beer garden. Pork Leg Porker BBQ is another must eat with award winning barbecue that’s smoked fresh daily.
Other Nashville favorites for eats
Pro: Local coffee shops are everywhere
You won’t have any trouble finding quality coffee in Music City. The most recognizable one, Barista Parlor, works with local artists, farms, businesses, and bakeries to create inviting atmospheres in each of their five Nashville locations. Keeping in line with Nashville’s epic music scene, Ugly Mugs serves up some delicious coffee and hosts live music events. Crema is another crowd-pleaser, and two of its coffees have been awarded top finishes at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s annual roasting competition.
Other local favorites for a caffeine fix in Nashville:
Pro: Low unemployment rate
Nashville residents are fortunate to live in a city with plenty of job opportunities. In fact, it’s one of the fastest growing cities, not just in the south, but in the United States as a whole. Its unemployment rate is just 3.5% which means it won’t be too tough to find a job in Nashville.
There are many other industries popular in Nashville besides music including healthcare, finance, and tourism. In fact, tourism is one of the most popular industries in Nashville due to the city’s desirability for out of state travelers. Join the rest of the young people here and check out the top Nashville neighborhoods for young professionals.Additionally, Nashville is home to several well-regarded colleges and universities to prepare young adults for the city’s economy. One of which is Vanderbilt University. Ranked in the top 20 of National Universities, according to US News, Vanderbilt is known for its medical, law and engineering schools. Industries that have helped and continue to help design and define Nashville. It also ranked #3 for happiest students and #12 for best campus food in the nation (there goes that good southern food again).
Con: You aren’t the only one moving here
Nashville is a great city to live in, and if you don’t know it already, you’ll find out once you move here. Be warned, though, that living in Music City is desired by many, meaning you’ll have some competition with young entrepreneurs, hopefuls looking for a career in music, college students, and young families when trying to find a place to live.
Fortunately, the unemployment rate is low, as we just mentioned, so you shouldn’t have a problem with the job market. What you should also be prepared for is lots of out-of-state visitors. From bachelor and bachelorette parties, weekend college gatherings, to visiting sports fans, the city is known to be a place for partying.
Pro: Cost of living
Compared to cities like Atlanta, Denver, and even Scottsdale, Arizona, Nashville is more affordable. With median rents for one and two-bedroom apartments coming in at $1,730 and $1,840, respectively, Nashville remains a city with a reasonably low cost of living. Compared to the rest of the country, Nashville is ranked 26 on our list of the cities with the most expensive rent, so housing will be more affordable than other larger cities like LA and NYC.
Despite the simple living and growing crowds, Nashville remains a relatively safe city. Of course with its own areas to avoid, but the affordable and safe neighborhoods certainly outweigh the bad. And if you’re just coming into town for a sample of the living, there are plenty of short-term, fully furnished rentals available, too.
Nashville fun facts
- Nashville is named after American Revolutionary war hero Francis Nash
- The first FM-broadcasting license went to Nashville’s WSM radio station in 1941, and radio host David Cobb is said to be the first person to ever call Nashville the “music city”.
- Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs in Nashville
- Nashville was the first city to desegregate public businesses
- The phrase “good to the last drop” came from President Theodore Roosevelt after drinking a cup of Nashville coffee
- Centennial Park is home to the only replica of the Greek Parthenon
Nashville FAQs
The cost of living in Nashville is relatively affordable compared to other major cities in the US. However, it has been on the rise in recent years, especially in terms of housing prices.
Nashville has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. It’s important to be prepared for occasional severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes.
The best neighborhood to live in Nashville depends on your personal preferences and needs. Some popular neighborhoods include East Nashville, Germantown, and 12 South. It’s important to research each neighborhood and visit them in person to get a feel for the community.
Whether Nashville is a good place to live depends on individual preferences and priorities. The city offers a vibrant music scene, diverse culinary options, a growing job market, and plenty of outdoor activities. However, as with any major city, there are also downsides such as traffic and a rising cost of living. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider factors such as personal interests, job opportunities, and preferred lifestyle before making a decision on whether to move to Nashville.
After Nashville-Davidson County and the U.S. Government, HCA Holdings, Nissan, and St. Thomas Healthcare industry are the biggest employers in Nashville.
First, don’t move here in the summer. The heat and humidity in the south is fierce. Second, there is no individual income tax in Tennessee.
It is one of the least walkable major cities in the country and public transportation isn’t too popular either. That is why we recommend a good car or budgeting for Uber/Lyft rides.
Final thoughts
Living in Nashville gives you access to some of the best food, music, and attractions. If you can stand the growing traffic, love live music venues, and want a low cost of living, Music City might just be the place for you.
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