Discover 19 Pros And Cons Of Living In Nashville, TN
Is Nashville a good place to live? To explore the topic, let’s discuss the pros and cons of living in Nashville.
First, I will start with the big-picture view.
Is Nashville A Good Place To Live?
Nashville offers an exceptional living experience. The city has a vibrant atmosphere, abundant job opportunities, a thriving music and art community, diverse neighborhoods, and a top-notch food scene.
However, living in Nashville won’t be for everyone. So, let’s look at all the pros and cons.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Nashville: Comparison Table
Living in Nashville Pros | Living in Nashville Cons |
1. Great economy | 11. Summer heat |
2. Quality schools | 12. Seasonal allergies |
3. No state income tax | 13. Lacking public transit |
4. Music scene | 14. Bad traffic |
5. Outdoor activities | 15. Rising cost of living |
6. Convenient location | 16. High sales tax |
7. Sports | 17. Competition for jobs |
8. Nightlife | 18. In the Bible Belt |
9. Good food and drinks | 19. Lots of tourists |
10. Access to healthcare |
Next, let’s review these facts about Nashville one at a time.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Nashville
1. Economic Growth And Jobs Opportunities Await You
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
Booming industries include health care, technology, music, and tourism. Furthermore, the city’s unemployment rate is low.
Nashville attracted Amazon’s “Operations Center of Excellence.” The business unit created thousands of new jobs in the area.
2. Quality School System
The Nashville public schools get good marks for their high school graduation rate. Nashville schools have a solid track record for setting up kids to succeed in higher education.
The Nashville area has more than 20 colleges and universities to choose from. Some of the larger schools based on enrollment include:
- Belmont University
- Lipscomb University
- Nashville State Community College
- Tennessee State University
- Vanderbilt University
Thus, Nashville is a big-time college town.
3. No State Income Tax: A Huge Benefit Of Nashville Living
After moving to Nashville, you will not have to pay state income taxes.
Tennessee is one of nine states that does not levy an income tax on its residents. The tax savings can be substantial depending on how much money you make and where you move from.
Zero state income taxes are one of the big aspects of Tennessee’s draw.
Life in Nashville is not just about work, school, and taxes. Let’s shift gears and explore some of the city’s fun things to see and do.
4. It’s Hard To Find A Better Music Scene
Nashville is called “The Music City” because of its musical heritage and robust music scene.
First, there are the big-name music houses, including:
- Grand Ole Opry
- Ryman Auditorium.
Second, you can discover many intimate spots and hidden gems. Cafés, restaurants, and bars offer live music regularly.
Among Nashville’s other musical hot spots are:
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Music Row
- The District neighborhood
These places contribute to the depth of this city’s musical roots.
More reading: Check out living in Raleigh, NC
5. Outdoor Activities For Keeping Fit
In Nashville, music isn’t the only form of entertainment. The city and surrounding area are fantastic if you enjoy the outdoors.
After moving, you will find that this area of the country is quite scenic. There are tree-lined streets, natural water features, and many green spaces.
Flowing through Nashville is the Cumberland River. There is an inviting river walk for stretching your legs on foot or bike.
Nashville’s Centennial Park is a large urban green space in the West End neighborhood. The park is home to a replica of the Greek Parthenon. Outdoor lovers enjoy walking paths and a lake. Fun seekers enjoy the variety of cultural festivals held throughout the year.
6. Convenient Location For Regional Attractions And Weekend Getaways
Nashville is close to the Appalachian Mountains for an outdoor experience that is second to none.
Nearby, Lexington is the horse capital of the world. Enjoy the races at the beautiful Keeneland track, and check out the Kentucky Horse Park.
From Nashville, travel less than an hour to the east, near the charming Tennessee town of Cookeville. There you can explore some of Tennessee’s amazing state parks, including:
- Edgar Evins State Park
- Burgess Falls State Park
7. Living In Nashville Is A Sports Lovers Dream
Nashville has plenty to offer the sports enthusiast.
First, professional sports are well-represented in this city, including:
- Nashville Predators of the NHL
- Tennessee Titans of the NFL
- Nashville Soccer Club of MLS
Nashville and the surrounding area are home to some exciting college sports programs.
The Vanderbilt University Commodores are a local favorite. As are the Tennessee State University Tigers. The Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders are based in nearby Murfreesboro.
8. The Night Life Never Stops
Nashville offers a robust and rowdy nightlife. There is no shortage of places to eat, drink, party, listen to music, and socialize.
The night scene makes Nashville one of the most lively and vibrant southern cities. Take your pick from sports bars, speakeasy-style bars, clubs, pubs, microbreweries, taverns, and rooftop lounges.
Great places are located throughout downtown Nashville and other neighborhoods, including
- The Gulch
- SoBro
- Midtown.
Sooner or later, your appetite will kick in, leading me to another one of the pros of living in Nashville.
More reading: Check out living in Richmond, VA
9. Top-Notch Food Scene And Plenty To Drink
Nashville’s food scene has something for everyone.
Traditional mid-south favorites include:
- Fried chicken
- Barbeque
- Macaroni and cheese
- Biscuits and gravy
- Savory cooked greens
Nashville has a favorite local dish called hot chicken. It is a type of fried chicken covered in a special hot sauce.
The city has also attracted many professional chefs. They have taken the culinary scene well beyond the traditional dishes. Thus, ethnic fare and fusion cuisine are plentiful.
Nashville’s coffee scene is alive and well. There are many locally-owned cafes and coffee houses to explore. Find and enjoy your favorite cup.
Finally, specialty cocktails or the freshest craft beer are easy to find.
Of course, working hard and playing hard can take a toll. So, this next point is another one of the good reasons to move to Nashville.
10. Access To Quality Health Care
Living in Nashville means easy access to health care services.
First, Nashville is home to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a highly-rated hospital. Furthermore, the metropolitan has over 20 other hospitals and medical centers. The vast amount of facilities has led to growth in companies supporting the healthcare industry.
So, you should be able to find the care you and your family need. And if you work in the healthcare field, there are many potential employers looking for your skills.
Okay. That completes my top things about Nashville living.
However, an article addressing the pros and cons of living in Nashville is not complete without reviewing the worst things about Nashville living.
So, let’s keep moving.
Cons Of Living In Nashville
11. Can You Beat The Summer Heat And Humidity?
Nashville’s summer weather can be uncomfortably warm here.
July is the worst month when the average high temperatures climb well into the 80s. Furthermore, temperatures in the 90s are not uncommon.
You can count on extreme humidity, too. The air feels sticky, and the temperatures feel warmer than the thermometer indicates.
12. The Seasonal Allergies May Bring You Down
Nashville gets quite a bit of rain. The moisture brings the abundance of trees and shrubs to life in the spring.
Along with the season comes a ton of pollen, lasting through the summer and into fall. There are times and places when pollen leaves a sticky residue on everything.
So, before moving to Nashville, account for your seasonal allergies.
Next up, another one of the bad things about living in Nashville.
13. Limited Public Transportation Will Have You Looking For A New Ride
Nashville has become a sprawling metropolitan area, overtaking Memphis as the largest city in the state. Thus, many residents live outside of downtown in surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs.
The area’s bus system provides public transportation. But the buses do not have widespread coverage. In some places, the buses run infrequently.
14. Tough To Get Around Town: Cars Required
After moving to Nashville, urban sprawl and limited public transportation means you need a car.
Population growth has stressed the road network. This is plenty of road repairs, construction, and bad traffic congestion.
The traffic probably won’t phase someone moving from New York City. On the other hand, getting around has gotten pretty lousy in recent years.
Nashville does have an international airport. The facility serves the major U.S. airlines. Frequent non-stop flights to many big cities in the United States are available.
Consider this next item as one of the reasons not to move to Nashville.
15. Houses In High Demand And The Rising Cost Of Living
Nashville is one of the most expensive areas to live in Tennessee, even though Tennessee is known for its low-cost living.
The city’s popularity has dramatically increased home prices in recent years. And housing usually takes the biggest share of a family’s budget.
For example, popular city neighborhoods and the nearby suburbs of Franklin and Brentwood have become extremely pricey. Costs for health care and private school tuition have been on the rise, too.
As a result, you either have to make a lot of money or do your homework to find an affordable living situation in Nashville.
16. Get Ready To Pay To Play: High Sales Taxes
Nashville’s sales taxes are some of the highest in the country. Thus, a more than 9% consumption tax adds large sums to your daily expenditures.
Pro tip: Use a cash rebate app such as Rakuten to save on your online purchases.
17. Intense Competition For Jobs
In Nashville, competition for the best and highest-paying jobs is pretty stiff.
Many highly qualified workers and professionals have been moving to the city. Thus, expect serious competition if you set your sights on a specific job or company.
18. The Local Religious Views May Not Align With Yours
Tennessee is known for being located in the bible belt, and Nashville is called the Buckle of the Bible Belt.
Christianity is the religion of choice. There are hundreds of Christian churches located throughout the area.
If you aren’t interested in religion or practice a different faith, you may feel out of place living here.
Okay. Here is one more reason not to move to Nashville. Then, I will wrap up.
More reading: Best Tennessee places to live
19. Lots Of Tourists Add Stress On The Community
Nashville is a popular tourist destination. The history, culture, food, and incredible music scene attract many visitors.
The presence of tourists may not be desirable to you. Thousands of tourists make it tough to enjoy some of the city’s great attractions. Crowds of visitors add to the traffic congestion and put stress on public places and services.
Okay. That concludes my list of Nashville’s pros and cons.
Let’s wrap up with some concluding thoughts…
Nashville’s Pros And Cons: Good Place To Live?
Hopefully, this discussion has helped you address some important questions. Such as…
What is it like living in Nashville, TN?
and
Should I move to Nashville?
Best of luck with your decision. No matter where you decide to settle down.
More Reading About Living In Nashville And Beyond
- Tips for finding your place to live
- All about living in Knoxville
- Thinking about moving to Chattanooga
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.