Whether you’re relocating for a job or thinking about a solo move to pursue your country music dreams, you may wonder: is Nashville a good place to live? As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, you’re not alone in wondering that. We think Nashville should be at the top of your list for consideration. Keep reading to learn more about Music City!
Nashville’s Location
Nashville is in Middle Tennessee, in the Southeast United States. It is centrally located near several other major cities and about a 4-hour drive from Atlanta, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Three major interstates, I-24, I-65, and I-40, plus an international airport, make Nashville a great hub for people who need to travel for work.
If you’re looking for a variety of weekend getaways, Nashville is also a great hub. About 3 hours driving west will take you to Memphis, the home of delicious Memphis BBQ and legendary blues. Drive the same distance east, and you’ll be in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains with endless hiking trails and stunning vistas (plus Dollywood, for the Dolly Parton fans).
Nashville Neighborhoods
Just like any other major city, Nashville has dozens of neighborhoods and suburbs to choose from. Here are just a few of the most popular ones that you might hear mentioned when you’re shopping for apartments.
East Nashville
East Nashville lies to the East of downtown, across the Cumberland River. East Nashville is known for having hip restaurants and bars, funky shops, and great coffee.
Broadway
Lined with dozens of honky tonks owned by the who’s-who of country music past and present, you’re sure to find live music in almost every place you enter. Watch out for Pedal Taverns when you cross the street, though!
12 South
12 South has adorable bungalow houses, stylish local stores, and tasty restaurants. During the summer, grab some friends and head to the 12 South farmers market for local produce and snacks.
Music Row
As the name suggests, Music Row is home to many of Nashville’s former and current recording studios. Some studios are now museums, like RCA’s Studio B, while others are fully operational. You’ll also find plenty of historic homes in this area.
The Nations
The Nations is a densely-populated residential area on the west side of Nashville. The Nations is also home to some of Nashville’s popular restaurants, like Daddy’s Dogs (trust us, you’ll never think of hot dogs the same after eating here) and Fat Bottom Brewing.
Nashville Industries and Job Opportunities
According to the Wall Street Journal, Nashville had the country’s hottest job market in 2023. Here are just a few of the most popular industries in Nashville, but remember that other sectors, such as tech, are constantly growing, too.
Music
Pursuing the dream of being a musician, whether country or not, is one of the top reasons to move to Nashville. Nashville has a long and storied history with the Grand Ole Opry and countless legendary recording studios such as RCA’s Studio B. Still, Music City’s reputation remains: the Nashville Chamber of Commerce reports that Nashville has over 190 recording studios, over 3,000 working musicians, and the highest concentration of musicians and music industry business in the country.
Healthcare
If you aren’t a musician, there’s still plenty of work to be done in Nashville. More than 900 healthcare companies are located in Middle Tennessee and directly employ more than 167,000 people. That includes 28,000 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center alone! HCA Healthcare Inc. is also a large employer in the region.
Distribution, logistics, and manufacturing
Did you know that 50% of the US population lives within 650 miles of Nashville? That makes it a hub for distribution and logistics companies, including Amazon, GEODIS, and Lowe’s. This also gives manufacturers a huge advantage of convenient distribution, so you can find advanced manufacturing from Nissan North America, Bridgestone Americas Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., and more.
Things to Do in Nashville
As a visitor to Nashville, the list of things to do can seem endless. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, catch a show at the Ryman, stroll Broadway, and hope to hear the next big act in country music at one of countless bars. But what do actual Nashville residents do on a weekend? Here are a few recommendations.
1. Take a hike or run at the Warner Parks
The west side of Nashville holds a not-so-secret gem: Percy Warner and Edwin Warner Parks. The two parks, known as the Warner Parks, boast more than 3,000 acres of beautifully preserved woods and recreation areas. Whether you’re a hiker, trail runner, golfer, mountain biker, history buff, or equestrian, you’ll find something to love at Warner Parks. These parks are so special that they’re on the National Register of Historic Places!
2. Catch a show at the Ryman or one of dozens of smaller venues.
Okay, the Ryman is legendary for a reason. From the historic church pews to the crystal clear acoustics, the Ryman doesn’t lose its charm when you move to Nashville. However, if you want to do as the locals do, venture off-Broadway and find a local bar or venue for a show. Discover your next favorite artist – and in Nashville, you never know which celeb vocalist, legendary guitar player, or low-key singer-songwriter with dozens of Billboard hits may sit in for a song or even plop down on the barstool next to you.
3. Go to a sporting event.
Nashvillians are lucky to have four professional sports teams! Soccer fans can enjoy a Nashville SC match, hockey fans can cheer on the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena, and football fans can watch the Tennessee Titans downtown at Nissan Stadium.
While baseball lovers will know that Tennessee doesn’t have an MLB team, they can still get their fix with Nashville’s Minor League team, the Nashville Sounds. Hardcore MLB fans have options for their next road trip, though, as the home stadiums for the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals are all within 250 miles of Nashville.
Nashville Weather
Weather is a strong determining factor when considering what to wear in Nashville or what to pack when you move! Nashville enjoys a humid subtropical climate, which means it has hot, humid summers and cool winters. Summer high temperatures can regularly hit over 90ºF, while winters can average around 48ºF. Spring and fall are more mild but often come with thunderstorms. But does it snow in Nashville? Most winters, yes! But typically, not very much (less than an inch) and not very often.
Turn to CORT for Nashville Furniture Rental
Ready to pack your bags and head to Music City? Whether you’re chasing your country-western dreams or simply looking for a fresh start in your forever city, Nashville might be the right place for you.
Once you’ve set your sights on Tennessee, turn to CORT to furnish your new Nashville house or apartment. CORT has the classic furniture you need to turn Tennessee into a home, whether you’re there for a temporary change of scenery or plan to stick around for a long time. Build your CORT furniture package online or in-store at your local showroom. Set a delivery date, and our team will set deliver and set up your new space. Then, once your time in Nashville is over or you’re ready to move on to a more permanent spot, set a pickup date, and we’ll take everything away. Get started today at your local CORT showroom!
