Nashville, Tennessee

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.

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

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

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

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

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