Throughout the United States of America, there are so many places to live that inspire charm, creativity, and hospitality in different ways.
From the mountains to the beaches, and from the rugged West to the simple and charming South, America has dozens of great cities to choose from.
One of the greatest and most popular cities in the country is Nashville, Tennessee.
Located in the southern region of the country, Tennessee is a beautiful state with luscious greenery, mountains, and great food.
Nashville, the capital city of the state, is known for its music scene and hospitality.
Because it is such a popular place to live, the question is: what are the pros and cons of living in Nashville, Tennessee?
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Pros of Living in Nashville, Tennesee
1. Music Scene
Nashville is best known for its incredible music scene.
Specifically, it is known as the capital of country music.
Many songwriters have started out in this city, and musicians from all over the country move to Nashville to get their big break.
Nashville is home to famous performance arenas such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe.
Country music is not the only genre of music that is popular in Nashville, although it may be the most well-known.
However, you can find every genre of music in Nashville, and there are many live shows to check out.
2. Downtown Life
Nashville has a great downtown area with shops, restaurants, and music venues.
As you walk the streets of downtown Nashville, you can hear music floating throughout the streets from Music Row.
The bars on this street constantly have live music, and you can have your pick of the live show you want to see that night.
3. Great Food
True to its Southern heritage, Nashville has many incredible restaurants to explore.
Many of these restaurants also offer live music, as well.
Nashville is also known for creating hot chicken sandwiches and dirty bird fries.
The original spot for these Nashville delicacies is the popular Hattie B’s Chicken.
There are also many coffee shops in the area, as many people in the Nashville area are coffee connoisseurs.
Coffee lovers can try a plethora of different coffee styles and decide on their favorite spot.
4. Housing Opportunities
There are many different types of housing that are available in Nashville.
Because so many people are constantly moving into the city, more and more housing options are being built every day.
There are many options to choose from when it comes to housing.
If you are moving to Nashville but not ready to purchase real estate, there are so many options for rental properties as well.
5. Low Unemployment Rate
Nashville offers an amazing array of job opportunities for anyone who is looking for work.
As the city has grown and more people have moved to the area, jobs have not been scarce.
Every field of work is available in the Nashville area.
The city boasts an incredibly low unemployment rate of only 2%.
It does not take long for residents to find jobs in Nashville.
There are entry-level employees moving into the area every day that are able to start their careers quickly.
6. Low Cost of Living
Compared to other large cities in the United States of America, Nashville has a much lower cost of living.
The average cost of rent or mortgage payment in Nashville is around $1,200.
The average home price is just over $300,000.
There are many neighborhoods with great schools that also have affordable housing for families.
The property taxes in Nashville are also much lower than in other parts of the country.
7. Top Public Schools
The public schools in Nashville, Tennessee are held to a high standard.
Some say the standard these schools are held to is much higher than the national average.
Therefore, the public school system in Nashville is more highly ranked and more prestigious than in other comparable big cities around the United States.
8. Nightlife
In the entire city of Nashville, the nightlife is a great benefit of living here.
Music Row is one of the better-known places to grab a drink and listen to all different kinds of musicians.
However, there are bars, restaurants, and other kinds of venues all across the city, not only in the downtown area.
Any of the different neighborhoods
Cons of Living in Nashville, Tennesee
1. Transportation
Unlike other major cities, Nashville does not have a strong public transportation system.
Because of this, it is very difficult to get around the city if you do not have a vehicle or if you are trying to save money by using public transport rather than owning your own vehicle.
The landscape of the city is also more spread out than in other major cities, so if you do not have your own vehicle, it will be very difficult to get around.
2. Noise Levels
If your desire is to live in the inner parts of Nashville, where the action is in the downtown area, the noise levels near your home will be very high.
Because the nightlife of Nashville is scattered all over the city, and not just in the downtown area, you will want to be aware of your surroundings when you are deciding on a place to live.
Pay attention to what restaurants and venues may be around before you decide.
3. Weather
Much like many southern states, Tennessee can be extremely hot and humid for much of the year.
Although you do get the benefit of all four seasons, the winters are short and the hot and humid months are very long.
4. Seasonal Allergies
Due to the southern hot and humid weather, many people in Nashville struggle with seasonal allergies.
There are many different types of trees, grasses, and flowers that all contribute to a very high pollen count that goes on throughout the majority of the spring, summer, and fall.
5. Traffic
As more and more people move into the Nashville, Tennessee area, the roads and highways are getting more crowded.
Road construction is constant and always interferes with the flow of traffic.
Nashville traffic is an issue for anyone who is traveling through the city or going to and from work, and there are not many plans to change the infrastructure any time soon.
6. Competitive Job Market
The job market in Nashville has become more and more competitive as more people have been moving into the area.
The music scene has made Nashville a popular location for up-and-coming musicians to move so that they can try and make it in the music business.
In addition, Nashville is a popular place for families with children to live.
Many entry-level jobs are available, but the competition for those jobs is fierce.
7. Housing Locations
Downtown Nashville is a great place to have a good time and start a career.
However, the housing options around that area of Nashville are few and far between.
The family homes are further out of the main area of Nashville, and further away from the jobs and entertainment.
8. Tourism
Because of the music scene and nightlife, people from all over the world come to Nashville.
Tourism can be a big con of living in Nashville.
Tourists contribute to the traffic, noise level, and overall crowdedness of the city.
Many locals dislike the prominent tourist presence in the city because of these things.
Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville, Tennesee – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Nashville, Tennesee | Cons of Living in Nashville, Tennesee |
|---|---|
| 1. Music Scene | 1. Transportation |
| 2. Downtown Life | 2. Noise Levels |
| 3. Great Food | 3. Weather |
| 4. Housing Opportunities | 4. Seasonal Allergies |
| 5. Low Unemployment Rate | 5. Traffic |
| 6. Low Cost of Living | 6. Competitive Job Market |
| 7. Top Public Schools | 7. Housing Locations |
| 8. Nightlife | 8. Tourism |
Nashville Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Nashville Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary that people make in Nashville?
The actual median salary of residents of Nashville, Tennessee is around $49,000 a year.
Experts recommend that in order to be able to afford housing and life necessities, Nashville residents need to make around $70,000 a year as a salary.
However, many families make a household income of less than that and are able to afford Nashville housing.
Does Nashville have snow?
Nashville does occasionally have snow, even though it is very uncommon.
Many places in the southern United States have snow once or twice a year.
The winters are short and the springs, summers, and falls are much longer.
If you want to live in a place that has a lot of snow, or that is cold and snowy over the holidays, Nashville is not that way.
However, Nashville does experience all four seasons, which is a great part of living there.
What should I avoid in Nashville?
Just like any city, there are neighborhoods that you will want to avoid due to crime rates and overall safety, especially in the evening and overnight hours.
These neighborhoods include the following: West Meade, Heron Walk, Talbot’s Corner, Glencliff, and Bordeaux.
All cities have these types of neighborhoods, so it should not be a factor in whether or not you should go to or move to Nashville.
However, it is important to know what areas to avoid.
What kinds of jobs are available in Nashville?
Just like in any other city in the United States, jobs are available for all types of people in Nashville, Tennessee.
Stores, restaurants, gas stations, schools, hospitals, and nonprofits always need workers.
There are many Christian nonprofits and churches in Nashville that draw people from that career path.
In addition, the hospitality industry employs many people in Nashville due to the high rates of tourism.
What kinds of jobs are available in Nashville?
The median price of homes in Nashville, Tennessee is around $405,000.
However, there are many housing options for all price points.
Houses and apartments are available for rent and properties of all kinds are available all over the city for many other prices.
