Since the turn of the 21st century, Nashville has surged in popularity as more and more people choose to move here, in part due to its charming culture and history. New residents flock to this city for its variety of entertainment options and to eat some of the best food in the Southern world. If you find yourself imagining a life in Nashville, we encourage you to explore that impulse further. To help you make an informed decision, we outlined everything you need to know before moving to Nashville.
Moving to Nashville? Reach out to AptAmigo to find your dream apartment. With your own personal apartment expert, apartment hunting is easy and stress-free.
Related: Tour Nashville Like a Local
What to Know Before Moving to Nashville
Nashville displays the perfect combination of welcoming attitude and metropolitan atmosphere.
With its Southern charm and enough hustle and bustle to keep your weekends occupied, you experience the best of both the regional culture and the big city lifestyle. Regardless of where you find yourself within Nashville, a real sense of community permeates the streets. And, as its population and popularity increase, a burgeoning food and drink scene bolsters the city’s cultural offerings. Whether new residents arrive for the world-class dining, live music, or access to nature, Nashville checks all of the boxes.
Read our exclusive inside scoop on living in Nashville for even more information about moving to Nashville.
How People Get Around
Even though Nashville is an urban city, it’s not very walkable.
While huge cities like New York or Chicago rise, Nashville spreads out. However, most neighborhoods sit within about 15-minute’s of drive time from the next. While traffic (although mild compared to places like Los Angeles) is the major complaint of some residents, the costs associated with owning a vehicle can shock transplants who previously relied on public transportation.
Why Not Everyone Moves Here
Summer is the most common reason some people choose not to make the move to Nashville. Middle Tennessee experiences less than ideal air quality, and when paired with extreme heat and humidity, it creates a recipe for long, sweltering summers.
Things Locals Know That You Might Not
The housing market remains slightly above average in terms of competitiveness. Most locals will tell you to take your search a bit further and discover lesser-explored neighborhoods like Donelson, Madison, and Old Hickory to save on rent.
The well-known zip code 37206, also known as East Nashville, shows up everywhere in local settings. You’ll find bumper stickers, t-shirts, and artwork all paying ode to one of the most popular zip codes in this city.
Things You Need
A car, an air conditioner, and a bit of Southern charm are all Nashville necessities. Honestly, the latter, while technically optional, sure does help.
You guessed it: cowboy boots. Although it may seem stereotypical, many Nashville natives sport their boots at their favorite local pub.
A Bushwacker. After a long day of exploring this beautiful city, head to your local bar, and order one of these famous Nashville cocktails. You’ll thank us later.
Things You Don’t Need
A Bushwacker… or at least more than one. These drinks get you tipsy quicker than most cocktails.
A metro card. As previously mentioned, most locals own their own vehicles because of the sparse public transportation.
A winter coat. A jacket that hits the waist and contains some kind of lining will do the trick. Yes, Nashville gets snow; but no, the winter temperatures do not get miserable, and it’s over before you know it.
Unsweetened tea. We’re not even sure this exists in the South, but we definitely don’t recommend it. Locals may side-eye you if you ask for it.
Related: Nashville’s Best Hot Chicken
The Nashville Housing Scene
Depending on your preference, you can make yourself at home in a 1930s Tudor or a new luxury condominium with rooftop views. Either way, Nashville offers options for everyone.
As with most popular cities, rental prices continue to increase over time as more people decide to call Nashville home. Thankfully, many apartment complexes offer rent specials that make living here more affordable.
To learn more about moving to Nashville, read about what to do to prepare for your move, and don’t miss our article on moving from Chicago to Nashville to see how much weather and lifestyle can change between major U.S. cities.
Find Your Dream Apartment in Nashville
Now that you know the inside scoop on what to expect when moving to Nashville, reach out to AptAmigo for a 1-on-1 apartment hunting experience. All you need to do is tell us your preferences, and we’ll compile a list of buildings you’ll love. Once you choose your top buildings from the curated list we created, we will schedule a day of tours and go with you to ask all the questions you never thought to. The best part? It’s completely free.
Read Next: Nashville’s Best Beer
* The original version of this article was first published on August 24, 2020.
Taylor Small is a New York transplant now residing in Nashville, TN, with a background in social media, public relations, and marketing. She freelances and runs her own interior plant design business, Oasis Design. On the weekends she can be found riding around in her 1971 Ford searching for the best antique mall or hiking with her dog, Oliver.
