Nashville is called Music City for a reason. Live music is everywhere: on the street, in cafes, accompanying your late-night drinks. Nashville is THE destination for country music hopefuls. Even If your career isn’t center stage, there are plenty of jobs to be had in Music City. A recent study by NerdWallet found that the top two employers in the city are healthcare and tech. Aside from Bridgestone Tires and Vanguard Industries, both of which have their headquarters in Nashville, there is quite the startup hub blossoming here, playing host to companies like Emma and Cicayda. With an extremely low unemployment rate of about 3%, it doesn’t take very long for new residents to find a job!

It can sound mean-spirited to put down the people who bring so much revenue to the city but not only is Nashville the go-to destination for music lovers, but it’s also acquired a new title: Bachville...Anyone who’s anyone is having their bachelor/bachelorette parties in Nashville. On any relatively warm night, you can find Broadway packed with veil-wearing parties all in matching “Bride Tribe” shirts, looking for a good time. Luckily, if you stay out of downtown you may never see them!

The Opportunities Rule

LookyLOO Review of Nashville

Nashville is a city of transplants: everyone is from everywhere. It may be the music scene or it could be the job opportunities, but there’s no doubt that Nashville has grown tremendously in the last 10 years. The city feels varies wildly depending on where you are. Overall, it has the feel of a college town. The city’s culture revolves heavily around the large university community and there are parts of town that feel like a college town: bars with neon signs and half-price drinks, fans flooding the streets on game day, and a ton of late-night spots that are crowded until 2 AM. Outside of those areas you’ll either be in one of two places: tourist-center (downtown) or chill, true Nashville. Tourism plays a huge role in the city’s economy as well as the vibe. If you’re anywhere downtown in the warmer months, you will be inundated with people in town for Bachelor or Bachelorette parties. Then there’s the people in town for the music who flock to the Grand Ole Opry, Tootsie’s, or the Country Music Hall of Fame. Then there are a ton of areas that just feel like Nashville. Not as crowded with tourists, they still have the friendly southern hospitality, great food, and even greater coffee and beer. A lot of locals rely on their neighborhood because they dread getting in the car and trudging across the city for a night out.

Check out the Nashville [calendar of events](https://www.visitmusiccity.com/things-to-do-in-nashville/nashville-events) to get a deeper sense of what's happening here.

We highly recommend visiting Nashville and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can also receive discounted travel fares via our [partnership with Expedia](https://expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ).

Lifestyle 

In Music City, the country music industry plays a huge part in Nashville’s economy. The Big Three record labels, as well as numerous independent labels, have offices in Nashville. It’s also the headquarters of Gibson guitars. This plays a huge role in the “gig culture” of the work scene here. A lot of people who are trying to make it big in music often piece together work from a variety of day jobs, while playing shows at night. Apart from music, top industries include healthcare, publishing, banking, automotive, and tech. Healthcare being the largest industry, Nashville is home to over 300 health care companies including Hospital Corporation of America (the largest private operator of hospitals in the US). Headquarters in the city also include Bridgestone Americas, Logan’s Roadhouse, and more, while Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Nissan, amongst others, also maintain a large presence in the city. University life also plays a huge role in the workforce of Nashville, with Tennessee State, Vanderbilt, Belmont, Fisk and more all within city limits.


Worklife 

[Nashville Public School District](https://mnps.org/) comes in at a ["B-" on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/metro-nashville-public-schools-tn/), but many parents chiming in on the ranking sites and Reddit proclaim these scores as not capturing the opportunity fairly. 

If you pay attention to the ranking systems then check out a couple of local pearls at the high school level:
-[Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School](https://humefogg.mnps.org/); is the highest-ranked school in the entire state and receives an ["A+" on niche.com](https://www.niche.com/k12/hume-fogg-academic-magnet-school-nashville-tn/). 
- [Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School](https://mlk.mnps.org/): the fourth highest-ranked public school in Tennessee, MLK Jr. receives an ["A+" on niche.com](Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School) as well. 


Here is a review from one parent countering the rankings Nashville Public Schools receive on standardized sites: 

**n-dubz**
Living in Nashville
Edited 3mo ago


We’ve almost completed year #2 of our MNPS elementary school experience and are totally satisfied. Our teachers have been fantastic! Last year in K, it was our teacher’s 2nd year. This year in 1st we have a 27 year veteran. We’ve been thoroughly impressed with both.

I checked the Great Schools website and our school seems to have low marks, but 4.6/5 stars from parents. I’m not sure where this data is pulled. I’m not challenging the legitimacy of it, I just haven’t seen the testing data myself from the school. Especially since our child is in 1st and I think they start testing in 3rd?

Unpopular opinion: Do we pay these schools to educate our children? Yes. Does educating stop there? No. While I think the schools should provide the best education possible, I do think as a parent, I’m responsible for closing any gaps as well as going above and beyond to best prepare my children for life. Private school is out of reach for us also, but my kids only get one shot at this before they’re grown and into the real world. I don’t want to knock against others’ parenting, but I do know of parents who really don’t care about their child’s education.

Lastly, if you want an optimist perspective, if you don’t have children now, that means you are looking 5-ish years down the road. A lot can change between now and then, for better or worse. The vast majority tend to gloss over local elections, but I’d recommend paying attention to who your elected school board folks are, and if you think a change needs to be made, be sure to vote!

Schools

Trends come and go, but Nashville isn’t going to be dethroned as Music City any time soon. There’s jobs, fun restaurants and bars, and a plethora of housing to fit any budget or family. It’s definitely growing, but there’s something about the fun hustle and bustle of being surrounded by hopefuls that just makes you feel at home!


Nashville will always be a hit!

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Pootater**
Living in Nashville
2y ago
✭✭✭

It depends on their reasons for wanting to move here, I think.

If home buying is important, it’s tough to recommend. If they are intrigued with just the general vibe of what they know of Nashville, that is probably only the tourist side of the city which gets old quickly. It is frustrating that the city seems to keep doubling down on tourism and bringing in huge corporate interests rather than invest in those of us who are already here.

On the other hand, if they are coming to be closer to friends and family, that’s the reason to move here or anyplace really. I’ve been to a decent number of American cities and, broadly speaking, they’re all pretty same-y. It’s more about the community you want to be a part of.

I moved back here after growing up in Franklin to be closer to family and to live in a city big enough to have an indie music scene and that smaller, touring bands came through (not a country fan at all). For that, I love it. I hate that it feels like I’ll never be able to afford a house here unless the market crashes. I stay because of the people around me, though.

Reviews of Nashville from Locals

**The Best Thing About Nashville?** The Opportunities

Nashville is called Music City for a reason. Live music is everywhere: on the street, in cafes, accompanying your late night drinks. Nashville is the destination for country music hopefuls. 
Even If your career isn’t center stage, there are plenty of jobs to be had in Music City. A recent study by NerdWallet found that the top two employers in the city are healthcare and tech. Aside from Bridgestone Tires and Vanguard Industries, both of which have their headquarters in Nashville, there is quite the startup hub blossoming in the city, playing host to companies like Emma and Cicayda. With an extremely low unemployment rate of about 2%, it doesn’t take very long for new residents to find a job!


**The Worst Thing About Nashville?** Tourists in Downtown

It can sound mean-spirited to put down the people that bring so much revenue to the city, but not only is Nashville the go-to destination for music lovers, it’s also acquired a new title: Bachville...Anyone who’s anyone is having their bachelor/bachelorette parties in Nashville. On any relatively warm night, you can find Broadway packed with veil-wearing parties all in matching “Bride Tribe” shirts, looking for a good time. Luckily, if you stay out of downtown you may never see them!



**How You Living?** Do want to be hip or no?

There seems to be a distinct separation between the hip neighborhoods and the...less hip! IF you’re looking for condos and a younger crowd, check out the West End. The Nations is an up and coming neighborhood, or if you’re in an older hip demographic check out East Nash. It has great restaurants and bars, but you’ll have a yard. If you can’t live without a neighborhood feel, try Sylvan Park/Sylvan Heights area. If you’re hardcore suburb, maybe try Charlotte Park. It’s perfect for those of us who consider fun Saturday plans to include Target and Costco runs (we’re not judging). 


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Nashville will always be a hit!

Trends come and go, but Nashville isn’t going to be dethroned as Music City any time soon. There’s jobs, fun restaurants and bars, and a plethora of housing to fit any budget or family. It’s definitely growing, but there’s something about the fun hustle and bustle of being surrounded by hopefuls that just makes you feel at home!


Nashville is in an area a lot of people refer to as “Middle Tennessee.” It’s almost smack dab in the center of the state and has Knoxville to the east, Memphis to the southwest, and Chattanooga to the southeast. Cumberland River snakes through the city and it’s also surrounded by reserves and nature areas like Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area to the east, Boxwell Scout Reservation to the northeast, Beaman Park to the northwest, and more. If you take a look at a map of the city from above, the roads might not seem like they make much sense, and you’d be right. Locals and long-time Nashvillains complain that the city was not built for as many people have started moving there, meaning traffic is a huge issue. Living in Nashville can also feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, as you’d have to put in a solid road trip to get to a neighboring major city like Atalnta or Charlotte.


The Area

With the universities in the area, there are no shortage of neighborhoods with great sports bars and walkability. If you can afford it, we suggest trying to find a place in Midtown. It’s a notoriously cool neighborhood with trendy apartments and lofts, walkability to outdoor spaces as well as nightlife, and it’s also close to a lot of the medical centers in Nashville. Living here you’ll get weekend picnics in Centennial Park, concerts at Exit/In, dancing and drinks at Play Dance Bar, and a ton of great food (hello mimosas at Americano)!
- Midtown
- Gulch
- Downtown


College Students

Midtown

Nashville is a young professional's dream city. There’s music, great food, and a ton of job opportunities, especially if you’re in tech or medicine. Skip East Nash for now and check out the Wedgewood-Houston area. It’s just south of downtown, it has relatively affordable places to rent, and thanks to the old warehouses, factories, and redone garages, there are great art galleries, breweries, and cute shops in the area. It’s definitely walkable, although locals will tell you about the notoriously narrow streets. If your perfect Saturday consists of brunch at Earnest Bar & Hideaway, shopping at Track One, day drinks at the Loading Dock, then dinner at the Flying Hawaiian, then this is the place for you.
- Wedgewood-Houston
- East Nash
- West End


Young Professionals

Wedgewood Houston 

Unlike other large cities, Nashville has some neighborhoods with a little room to grow. You can find cute houses that need a little love or completely redone condos– it just depends on what you’re looking for! We suggest starting your search in the Nations. It might be expensive, but it has a young/hip vibe with bars, restaurants, coffee shops and a lot of dog friendly areas. Here you’ll find what locals call the “tall skinny” home architecture. Homes are built up, while still maintaining a southern style feel with double porches and a just enough lawn for little ones!
- The Nations
- East Nash
- Sylvan Park


Young Families

The Nations

Even though it’s getting more expensive, you can definitely find some larger homes in the area without having to go full suburb. Sylvan Park may be pricey, but it’s worth it. It’s located on the westside, it’s walkable, and there’s a ton to do. You’ll be close to some of the best restaurants and shopping in the area as well as a ton of parks. The homes here have larger yards and the style can vary from brick bungalows to modern mini-mansions. 
- Sylvan Park/Sylvan Heights
- The Nations
- Charlotte Park


Established Families

Sylvan Park/Sylvan Heights

Nashville is a great place to retire if you love going out, music, and don’t mind a younger crowd. Arguably the most walkable area is the Gulch. It can feel a little bit like a tourist hub, but that’s what makes it fun! There are a lot of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops to spend time at. Check out the high-rise condos and apartments that also give you rooftop pools and great views!
- The Gulch
- Sobro
- Midtown


Retirees

The Gulch

Nashville

**ruuustin**
Living in Nashville
2y ago
✭✭

Brentwood
My best suggestion would be to find Doc Brown and hop in the Delorean and get here 5 years ago.

It's fine, but barring a good job bringing you here it's a tough sell for me today. My wife and I moved here for jobs 13 years ago and it was great at the time. As a two professional household we got a ton for our money. We see houses in our neighborhood renting for 2.5x our mortgage payment. If you bought a house 4-10 years ago you are probably fine, but that same house is likely ~3x as much now and if you didn't buy a few years ago it'll be reallllllly hard to buy now.

Now Nashville is in this weird spot where we're masquerading as a big city, but we don't have big city things quite yet.

All that being said... If I was young and single and had a decent enough job... It would be a fun place to live for a couple of years. You'll be fine living in a place that's a little too small and having a little fun... meet some people...

If you're a bit older and are used to a house and some space... I wouldn't come here now.

**Cesia_Barry**
Living in Nashville
10mo ago
✭✭

If climate is important to you, know that Nashville is very hot in the summer. Last year we had 90 days of 90+ degrees, with a single, random 83-degree day. This year was only slightly better. We also have huge thunderstorms, floods every few years. The floods are much worse now because developers are allowed to build in near the 100-year floodplain, which is now flooding much more often & much deeper.

And we have winters that can be mild, and winters when the city is paralyzed by snow and ice.

Nice that you've heard great things about Nashville but the "let's move to Nashville because it's fun & cheap & the weather is great" ship has sailed.

**chiquitatexicana**
Living in Nashville
10mo ago
✭✭✭

like any place, there are pros and cons. I recommend visiting here more than once before moving. there are also a lot of variations in the way things will impact you, depending on your lifestyle.

traffic is literally horrible. every single day. not a big deal if you work from home. no end to this issue in sight (regardless of “transit plans” that get floated around).

there is always something going on in town (this is both a good thing and a bad thing. stuff is crowded at all times.) Candidly, a lot of it does revolve around bars but there’s so much more than that if you’re willing to look.

in general, I think a lot of decisions are made with tourists in mind rather than locals. this can be a huge bummer sometimes and I have found that things that were enjoyable over the last few years have become too popular to really enjoy anymore. but on the flip side, growth is always happening..everywhere.

the state is beautiful for outdoor activities and you can easily drive to surrounding states and areas for additional places to explore. Summers can be HOT and outdoor activities are not as enjoyable as a place like Colorado (in my opinion).

in general, people are nice here. the tourist crowd tends to be celeb/influencer obsessed but it’s not nearly as bad as CA.

housing prices are insane but a great place to invest in if you plan to buy. rent is….borderline highway robbery. everywhere.
I like the opportunity the city provides. It's booming and you can feel the energy. Whenever someone says "why don't you have XXX in Nashville" what they mean is "I haven't bothered looking for XXX yet." Yeah, we may not have off-the-boat Chinese food like San Francisco but we have a surprising amount of authentic food all over the city.



**15 things you DON'T Know About Living in Nashville Tennessee**

The City For Dreamers

California

Michigan

Minnesota

New Jersey

New York

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado’s appeal is multilayered. Of course, there are the Rockies—snow-capped peaks, ski resorts, and Instagrammable vistas—but beyond the obvious, the state reveals itself in its micro-regions and quirks.

Denver has grown into a full-fledged metro, attracting industries from aerospace to fintech. Neighborhoods like RiNo and Cap Hill pulse with murals, independent bookstores, and some of the best third-wave coffee west of the Mississippi. Yet, 20 minutes outside the city, you’ll find Golden, a once-sleepy brewery town now thriving with young families, hikers, and mountain bikers—all while still housing Coors’ giant facility.

Boulder, perched between rugged wilderness and intellectual ambition, is equal parts Patagonia fleece and startup pitch decks. It’s home to Naropa University (the country’s only accredited Buddhist-inspired school) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, reflecting the state’s unique mix of spiritual curiosity and scientific rigor.

To the north, Fort Collins flies a little under the radar but boasts Colorado State University, a jumping historic downtown, and enough breweries to rival cities twice its size. Meanwhile, Colorado Springs feels like a different state altogether—home to multiple military installations, it leans more conservative but surprises visitors with epic natural landmarks like Garden of the Gods and the quirky artist enclave Manitou Springs, where mineral springs bubble out of old-timey fountains.

Then there are the mountain towns that get less attention than Aspen or Vail:

- Salida: An artsy river town known for whitewater festivals and a historic downtown dotted with galleries.
- Paonia: Tucked on the Western Slope, it’s where organic farmers, artists, and winemakers coexist—a quieter, greener slice of Colorado.
- Crested Butte: A former mining town turned "wildflower capital of Colorado," still fiercely local despite its world-class skiing.
- Leadville: The highest-elevation incorporated city in the U.S., with Wild West vibes, antique shops, and a reputation for producing ultra-endurance athletes.

- Even Pueblo, long dismissed as a steel town, is experiencing a mini-renaissance—check out its green chile scene, which locals claim beats New Mexico’s any day.


**Lifestyle**

Colorado is all about the blend: high-intensity outdoor pursuits and laid-back social life. People measure days by powder totals or trail mileage, but they’re equally serious about craft beer, local music, and farm-to-table brunch.

There’s a statewide obsession with gear—ski racks are practically standard issue—and the unspoken dress code skews toward Patagonia puffer jackets, trail runners, and trucker hats. Even at upscale restaurants, you’ll find Gore-Tex mingling with linen.
Summer weekends revolve around farmers' markets, mountain festivals (like Telluride Bluegrass), and patio culture, where people sip IPAs while their dogs lounge nearby. Yes, 
Colorado is one of the most dog-friendly states in the country—don’t be surprised to see pups on brewery patios, hiking trails, and even paddleboards.

The weed industry is fully mainstream here—legal since 2012, dispensaries now sit next to yoga studios, and CBD drinks are common on menus. Despite the outdoor glamour, winters can drag, especially along the Front Range, where weeks of “brown season” (dry, gray winter days) test your patience if you’re not skiing every weekend.


**Who’s Moving to Colorado?**

- Outdoor Diehards: Skiers, mountain bikers, climbers, and trail runners all build their lives around nature’s calendar.

- Remote Workers: Many are now settling in places like Buena Vista, Pagosa Springs, or Ouray for mountain views and coworking spaces that offer reliable fiber internet.

- Young Professionals: Cities like Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins attract college graduates seeking startup jobs in tech and a social scene that is outdoorsy and active.

- Families: Suburban areas such as Louisville, Superior, and Castle Rock provide excellent schools, greenbelts, and proximity to both the city and the mountains.

- Military & Veterans: Particularly in Colorado Springs, where military bases and VA services have a significant presence.

- Artists, Creatives, and Off-Gridders: These individuals are moving to smaller towns like Paonia, Crestone (known for its spiritual retreats), and Trinidad, where former mining towns are being transformed into vibrant art communities.

**Worklife** 

**Major Industries:**

- Aerospace & Defense: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and dozens of military installations fuel this sector.

- Tech & Startups: Boulder leads, but Denver is fast catching up with expansions from Google, Amazon, and a strong venture capital scene.

- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Anchored by the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and countless health-tech startups.

- Outdoor Rec & Tourism: A massive industry—from ski resorts to bike gear startups like Yeti Cycles.

- Renewable Energy & Green Tech: Solar farms, wind energy, and electric vehicle infrastructure are booming, especially east of Denver.

- Craft Beer & Cannabis: Both industries are major employers and cultural forces. Denver’s Great American Beer Festival draws thousands annually.

The work culture here is serious about productivity but just as serious about play. Flex hours are common—so is the “Friday early out” to chase powder or head to the hills. People here don’t brag about work hours—they brag about the number of 14ers climbed.

**Why Move Here Now?**

Colorado’s mix of economic opportunity and lifestyle remains hard to beat, but the secret’s long been out. Housing costs—especially in Denver, Boulder, and mountain towns—are steep. Still, the “live where you vacation” dream is possible, especially if you’re strategic about location.

Remote work has made previously overlooked places—think Montrose, Rifle, or Florence—more appealing. These towns offer affordability, mountain access, and emerging arts scenes without the crowds or costs of Summit County.
Meanwhile, climate-conscious infrastructure investments and Colorado’s renewable energy push are attracting a new wave of green tech talent. If you’re looking for a place where your weekends feel like a vacation, your weekdays pay the bills, and your backyard is the view—Colorado still delivers.

Just be ready for the quirks: expect your weather app to lie, brace for spring hailstorms, and know that people here take their green chile—and their Broncos—very seriously.

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Virginia offers a little bit of everything—beaches, busy cities, historic towns, mountain views, and adventures for the outdoorsy types.  Families can find charming colonial neighborhoods to settle in or a tech-driven suburb, and young professionals (or families) will find cities known for culture and lifestyle (tons of breweries) —and none of it feels out of place.

Northern Virginia cities like Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax get a lot of attention for their young professional scene, government jobs (shaky right now but still), and shiny high-rises. But head west, and things shift—Charlottesville, Richmond, and Roanoke are growing fast, thanks to lower housing costs, beautiful scenery, and thriving food and arts communities.
And yes, Virginia’s got beaches. Virginia Beach and Norfolk offer a relaxed coastal lifestyle while still keeping you within driving distance of larger cities.
Lifestyle 

Virginia balances history and modern life better than most. There are amazing historic landmarks and battlefield tours, but it’s also a growing tech hub, home to a solid craft beer scene, and packed with outdoor activities—from hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains to kayaking in the Chesapeake Bay.

Public schools, especially in Northern Virginia, are notably strong, with Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ)  in Alexandria frequently rated the #1 public high school in the country. You get four distinct seasons, plenty of small-town festivals, and easy access to both mountains and beaches. Outdoor lovers will feel right at home.


**Who’s Moving to Virginia?**

- Families: Especially to Northern Virginia and Richmond suburbs for the schools, safety, and space.

- Young professionals: Drawn to government (prepare for this to change), tech, and consulting jobs in DC-adjacent areas like Arlington and Alexandria.

- Retirees and second-home buyers: Looking for less expensive mountain views or coastal living.

- Military families: With large bases in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Quantico.


**Worklife**

Virginia has a strong job market with several major industries driving growth:

- Government and defense: Big in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads although federal jobs are disappearing. 

- Tech and data centers: Amazon HQ2 in Arlington and Loudoun County’s “Data Center Alley”

- Healthcare and education: UVA, VCU, and major hospital networks

- Tourism, shipping, and military: Especially along the coast

The state consistently ranks as one of the best for business. Salaries are strong, especially near DC, though the cost of living is higher there too. Farther south or west, your money goes a lot further.


**Why Move Here Now?**

Virginia is hitting a good stride—a strong economy, a cultural boost in mid-sized cities, and more opportunities popping up beyond the DC suburbs. If you want East Coast energy without New York or Boston prices, Virginia’s a great option.
There’s a lot to like: solid job prospects, a wide range of places to live, and easy access to nature. Remote workers are starting to notice cities like Charlottesville and Richmond for their charm and affordability. And if you’re in tech, Amazon’s expansion means even more jobs on the horizon.

Bottom Line: Move for the jobs, stay for the mountain views, farmers markets, and the fact that you can hike on Saturday and hit the beach on Sunday. Virginia’s got space for you


Virginia

Massachusetts

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Mexico

North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, driven by a combination of economic opportunity, natural beauty, and a more reasonable cost of living than many large metro areas on the East Coast. For people looking to bail on expensive cities like New York, Boston, or D.C., North Carolina’s growing mid-sized cities hit a sweet spot—offering urban energy without the overwhelming cost or scale.

Charlotte and Raleigh remain the fastest-growing hubs, but what’s fueling the state’s appeal are cities like Durham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville. These places have seen significant investment in arts, culture, and local businesses, creating vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods while maintaining accessibility and affordability. Wilmington, with its historic riverfront and proximity to beaches, adds a coastal option with similar momentum.

North Carolina offers a blend of lifestyles—from dense city cores to suburban communities and small mountain or coastal towns—all within a state that delivers four distinct seasons and easy access to both the Atlantic and the Appalachians.

**Lifestyle** 

Living in North Carolina means having access to almost every kind of landscape and lifestyle you can imagine. The mountains of western North Carolina, including the Blue Ridge and Smokies, draw hikers, climbers, and people looking for small-town life with incredible scenery. Asheville anchors the region with a nationally recognized food scene, music venues, craft breweries, and a progressive arts community—all surrounded by nature.
Along the coast, places like Wilmington, New Bern, and the Outer Banks offer a completely different pace of life—historic charm, beach towns, and maritime culture.

In between, North Carolina’s mid-sized cities have grown into dynamic cultural hubs. Durham, once defined by tobacco warehouses, is now a food, music, and startup center, balancing grit and growth. Greensboro and Winston-Salem have embraced their history while building arts districts, indie music venues, and foodie scenes that attract newcomers looking for quality of life without the price tag of bigger cities.
Outdoor recreation is baked into the lifestyle—weekends are often spent hiking, kayaking, hitting the coast, or exploring dozens of state parks. Meanwhile, urban centers keep adding restaurants, music festivals, museums, and farmers markets that make daily life feel rich and varied.

Housing costs have risen, particularly in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville, but remain notably more reasonable compared to cities like D.C., New York, or Boston. Mid-sized cities and suburbs still offer affordable homeownership options, which continues to draw families, young professionals, and retirees.


**Who’s Moving to North Carolina?**

Young professionals and remote workers: The combination of job opportunities and lifestyle has put places like Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte on the map. Increasingly, mid-sized cities like Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Asheville are drawing remote workers who want cultural amenities without the high price tag.

- Families: Good schools, growing suburbs, and attainable home prices make North Carolina a top choice for families leaving higher-cost states. Suburban areas around Raleigh and Charlotte, like Cary or Huntersville, are growing fast.

- Retirees: North Carolina is a retirement destination—particularly western towns like Asheville, Hendersonville, and Boone, or coastal towns like New Bern and Southport, where people are drawn to the mild climate and slower pace of life.

- Tech, biotech, and finance workers: Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle remains a major driver of growth, along with Charlotte’s powerhouse banking sector. Mid-sized cities are seeing a ripple effect as people seek affordability near these job centers.


**Worklife** 

North Carolina’s economy is diverse, which has helped it stay resilient and attractive to new residents:

- Tech, biotech, and healthcare: The Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) is home to major universities, research parks, and a growing number of startups and tech companies. This area competes nationally for talent.

- Finance and banking: Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the U.S., home to Bank of America and major offices for Wells Fargo, Truist, and others.

- Education: With strong public universities and private colleges, education remains a huge employer, feeding into the region’s research and innovation economy.

- Tourism, arts, and service industries: The mountains and coast pull in millions of visitors each year, supporting a growing tourism economy that fuels restaurants, shops, and creative industries in cities and small towns alike.

- Remote work is also changing the landscape, as people relocate from expensive markets to cities like Asheville or Wilmington, seeking a better work-life balance without sacrificing culture or community.


**Why Move Here Now?**

North Carolina is in that rare window of growth where the state feels exciting but still livable. While housing costs are rising, they remain manageable compared to the Northeast or West Coast. Newcomers are often surprised at how much house—or quality of life—they can afford here.

The job market is strong, especially in tech, biotech, finance, and education, and there’s momentum in the arts, food, and cultural scenes, particularly in mid-sized cities that still feel accessible.

If you’re looking for a place that offers career opportunities, space to explore, and a more affordable cost of living—all without sacrificing culture—North Carolina’s cities, especially its rising mid-sized ones, are worth a serious look.


North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Maryland might be one of the smallest states by land area, but it feels expansive in the variety of places, landscapes, and cultures you’ll find here. Locals sometimes call it “America in Miniature”—and it fits. Within a few hours, you can go from the crab houses and maritime history of the Eastern Shore to the rolling farmland and horse country of Howard and Carroll counties, then up into the Appalachian foothills in Western Maryland.

Baltimore—gritty, beautiful, and still deeply local—anchors the state with its historic brick row houses, growing arts scene, and a complicated but evolving identity. It’s a city of neighborhoods, from the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to the indie shops and music venues in Hampden. Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland draw researchers, students, and healthcare workers, while the Port of Baltimore keeps the city tied to global trade.

The DC suburbs—places like Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, and College Park—are among the most diverse in the country. They’re fast-paced, career-driven, and home to major employers in tech, healthcare, defense, and international policy. Montgomery County consistently ranks high for public school systems, while Prince George’s County—once overlooked—is booming with development and homeownership among Black professionals.

Then there’s the Chesapeake Bay—arguably Maryland’s emotional center. Fishing villages, waterfront towns, and a deep-rooted culture of crabbing and boating shape life here. In places like St. Michaels or Solomons, watermen traditions meet weekenders from DC.


**Lifestyle** 

Maryland is a state of contrasts:

- Outdoors: Summers bring locals out for blue crab feasts, sailing regattas, and Eastern Shore beaches like Ocean City or Assateague Island, where wild ponies roam. Hikers find solace in the Catoctin Mountains or the Maryland stretch of the Appalachian Trail. In the fall, leaf-peeping in western Maryland rivals New England.

- Suburban Professional: Many Marylanders are commuters, with highways like I-270 and the Capital Beltway packed every weekday. Work-life here often revolves around careers in government contracting, federal agencies, or research labs.

- Cultural: Baltimore punches above its weight in music, art, and food. It's home to quirky traditions like the annual HonFest, while the nearby suburbs offer concert venues, museums, and some of the country's best public libraries.

- Education-Focused: With several nationally ranked school districts, plus colleges like UMD College Park, Loyola, and St. John’s in Annapolis, education drives many families’ choices.

The cost of living is high in the DC metro area—Montgomery County and Howard County are expensive but offer great schools and amenities. Meanwhile, Baltimore City and parts of the Eastern Shore remain relatively affordable, though income disparities can be stark.


**Who’s Moving to Maryland?**

- Government and Defense Professionals: With NSA, NIH, and countless government contractors, Maryland is a hub for federal careers.

- Healthcare and Biotech Workers: The state’s economy is built around giants like Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland Medical System, and a growing biotech corridor around Gaithersburg and Rockville.

- Families: Strong school systems, safe suburbs, and access to both urban and rural life make it a prime target for families.

- Nature and Water Lovers: The Bay, mountains, and access to the Atlantic draw people who don’t want to choose between city life and nature.


**Worklife**

Maryland boasts some of the highest median incomes in the country, but it comes with a cost. Key industries include:

- Government, Defense, and Cybersecurity (Fort Meade, NSA, countless Beltway contractors)

- Healthcare and Life Sciences (Johns Hopkins, NIH, biotech firms in the I-270 corridor)

- Port and Shipping (Baltimore’s port is one of the busiest on the East Coast)

- Education (Universities, research centers, and public school systems)

Maryland’s job market tends to be resilient especially near D.C.—especially in recession-proof industries like healthcare, science, and in prior administrations, federal government work. High wages can offset higher living costs, particularly in areas like Montgomery County.


**Why Move Here Now?**

Baltimore is changing -- neighborhood revitalization, a growing arts scene, and affordable historic homes make it a city to invest in. The DMV’s tech and biotech boom means Maryland’s share of the tech and life sciences boom is growing fast, especially in Montgomery County and the suburbs along I-270.

Waterfront and small-town charm aplenty, with coastal towns offering an escape that feels worlds away from DC but still within reach for weekends or remote work. Finally, access without total commitment: Maryland lets you plug into DC’s energy, Baltimore’s grit, or nature’s calm—all without fully committing to just one lifestyle.


Maryland

Washington is not what most people around the country think if their view is based solely on the Emerald City. You’ve got Seattle, yes — the tech hub with glassy towers, expensive lattes, and endless cranes reshaping the skyline. But Washington’s story is bigger and weirder than that.

Head east and you hit the Cascades, where towns like Leavenworth lean hard into their Bavarian cosplay — full-on Alpine architecture and Christmas markets, even in summer. Cross those mountains and the state turns dry, golden, and wide open — apple orchards, hops fields, and wine country roll through the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. It’s a different state over there, one that cares more about rodeos and crop yields than whatever Seattle’s latest zoning fight is about.

There’s also the pocket-sized, artsy cities people don’t talk about enough — Bellingham, tucked up near the Canadian border with its crunchy, outdoorsy vibe and a local ski hill just 30 minutes up the road; Olympia, the capital, where the punk music scene still has a pulse and the farmers market is the real social center; and Port Townsend, a Victorian seaport town known for wooden boat festivals and a whole lot of ghost stories.

What keeps people here is the geography — Puget Sound, the Olympics, Mount Rainier looming massive. There’s a certain stubborn pride about how many people own a kayak and know how to dig their clams. You don’t have to go far to find someone who will try to convince you their corner of Washington is the best — whether that’s a foggy coastal town, a moss-draped mountain pass, or a sunny plateau east of the mountains. And honestly, they’re all kind of right.



**Lifestyle** 

Living here means you learn to live with the weather — or love it. Western Washington’s gray season lasts months, but the long, golden summer days make up for it. The east side flips the script — hot, dry summers and winters that mean snow.

People are big on the outdoors, but not in a performative way. It's less Instagram hiking and more “this is just what we do.” Mountain biking in the Cascades, skiing at Stevens Pass, trail running in the Issaquah Alps, or mushroom hunting when the rains come — the connection to nature runs deep.

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here — it’s baked in. You’ll see people line up to return compost buckets at the farmers market or debate which salmon run needs protecting. There’s a hyper-local food scene, from oyster farms like Hama Hama to foraged nettles making their way into restaurant menus.

Housing is a mixed bag. Seattle and the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) are expensive, with median home prices well above $900k. But smaller cities like Spokane or the Tri-Cities offer more space and sunshine without completely unplugging you from the economy.



**Who’s Moving to Colorado?**

- Tech folks chasing jobs at Amazon, Microsoft, and the sprawl of startups. The Eastside suburbs — Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish — are full of transplants figuring out the PNW way.

- Families looking for good schools, parks, and the rare suburban neighborhood where you can still walk to a coffee shop (Issaquah and North Bend, looking at you).

- Outdoor types — climbers, paddlers, skiers — folks who want a job and mountains in their backyard. Bellingham and Wenatchee both punch above their weight for this crowd.

- Healthcare and education workers — UW, WSU, major hospital systems, and growing biotech hubs keep the state anchored beyond tech.

- And increasingly, people just looking for a lifestyle shift — artists, remote workers, folks burned out on California or Texas sprawl — are finding their way here.



**Worklife**

The job market stays solid, especially if you’re in:

- Tech: Seattle’s core, Bellevue’s new skyscrapers, and a growing remote scene

- Aerospace: Boeing’s still big, even if quieter than it once was

- Healthcare: especially in Seattle and Spokane

- Agriculture: apples, cherries, hops, and wine rule Eastern Washington

- Shipping and trade: major ports in Seattle and Tacoma keep global goods moving

The interesting thing is how the economy balances — world-class tech and scrappy farming towns coexist, sometimes uneasily, but it works.



**Why Move Here Now?**

Washington’s still growing, but in ways that give you choices. Yes, Seattle’s pricey, but places like Spokane, Bellingham, and even Bremerton are growing fast without feeling like polished suburbs yet. The access to nature is unbeatable, but what might surprise people is how distinct each region feels.
You could live where you’re skiing before work, or where you’re sipping wine on your porch at sunset. You could be downtown for an Amazon meeting or out in the San Juans watching orcas. Washington has range — that’s the real sell.


Nashville, Tennessee

The City For Dreamers

Looklyloo Score: 93