✅ UPDATED! 15 Things You MUST Know Before Moving To Nashville

Hello — I’m Susan Thetford, a native Nashvillian and your local realtor. If you’re seriously considering Moving To Nashville, you’ve landed in the right place. I made a short video outlining the top 15 things everyone should know before making the move, and here I’ve expanded those points into a detailed guide so you can plan with confidence. This article captures the honest, inside view I give newcomers: the good, the quirky, and the practical.

Why so many people are Moving To Nashville

Nashville isn’t just “Music City” anymore — it’s been recognized by Forbes, Money Magazine, and U.S. News & World Report as one of the best cities for quality of life and for young professionals. Over the last two decades the region has grown rapidly, and an estimated 70+ people a day were heading here in 2024. That kind of growth brings energy, opportunity, and yes — growing pains.

As a born-and-bred Nashvillian, I’ll be candid: plenty of my neighbors are surprised our quiet, midtown roots evolved into a top-50 city. But that change also brought new jobs, new restaurants, stronger arts offerings, and a sense of vibrancy that keeps people moving here.

What I hear most from people Moving To Nashville

Over the years, my clients and neighbors have told me the same things: they’re drawn by the lifestyle, the job market, and the warmth of the people. Below you’ll find the 15 must-know items I share with anyone who’s Moving To Nashville — organized, updated, and expanded so you can actually use it when planning your move.

1) Southern hospitality is real

Let’s start with the heart: Southern hospitality. People here say hello. Neighbors wave from porches. Strangers will strike up conversations in coffee shops. That friendly, small-town feel persists even though Nashville is growing fast. If warm, neighborly interactions matter to you, that’s a huge plus when Moving To Nashville.

"Southern hospitality is a thing. Get used to it. Love it if you're coming here."

2) A diverse and growing economy

Nashville attracts creatives, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, bankers, manufacturers, tech people, and hospitality workers — a broad mix that makes the city resilient. A few highlights:

• Healthcare hub: More than 500 healthcare companies operate here — Vanderbilt and HCA are anchors, and the medical sector employs hundreds of thousands regionally.
• Corporate relocations: Big names like Alliance Bernstein, Amazon, Nissan, Bridgestone, Asurion, and an expanding Oracle presence have brought high-paying jobs.
• Airport expansion: BNA is mid-way through a major expansion (about $1.4 billion), adding direct flights and improving connectivity for business travel.

3) Food — far beyond hot chicken

Yes, you must try hot chicken. Prince’s is the origin story, and Hattie B’s is the more-well-known modern favorite. But the culinary scene goes way past that. With over 2,000 restaurants and roughly 200 food trucks, you’ll find everything from slow-smoked barbecue and farm-to-table to multi-course chef-driven tasting menus.

• Try Prince’s or Hattie B’s for hot chicken.
• For barbecue, check out local favorites like Martin’s.
• For a special night out, reserve at the Catbird Seat (a chef’s counter tasting experience).
• My personal favorites include smaller standouts like Etch and other neighborhood restaurants.

4) Craft beer and taprooms with live music

Grab a brew and catch a show — that’s not an exaggeration here. Nashville’s craft beer scene features noteworthy breweries like Yazoo Brewing, Tennessee Brew Works, Bearded Iris, and female-founded Jackalope Brewing Company. Many taprooms offer live music, which is a perfect blend of two of the city’s favorite things.

5) Housing — your dollar goes further, but be prepared

Housing has appreciated significantly, and yes — longtime locals feel the shock. That said, compared to other U.S. coastal cities, Nashville still offers strong value for the money. Typical points I tell newcomers:

• In many neighborhoods you’ll find prices that are substantially lower than comparable properties in Los Angeles, Seattle, or Denver.
• Renovated bungalows and historic homes can still be affordable compared to some West Coast markets (example: parts of East Nashville offer more competitive pricing).
• Emerging neighborhoods like The Nations and Wedgewood-Houston can still offer opportunities for first-time buyers under $500K (this may shift with time).

Housing market snapshot

Here are a few local stats to keep in mind (Davidson County focus):

• Median price: Around $497,000 (benchmarks change, so check current data).
• Average days on market: Roughly 25 days (faster than pre-pandemic).
• Most competitive price range:$400K–$650K.
• Fastest-appreciating areas: The Nations, Wedgewood-Houston, and East Nashville.
• Good family value areas: Donelson, Hermitage, Mount Juliet (Wilson County), and neighborhoods around Bellevue.

Pro tip: get pre-approved before you visit

If you’re serious about Moving To Nashville, get a mortgage pre-approval before you start house hunting. It takes a short conversation with a mortgage specialist — I often refer clients to Brandon Carter at Steadfast Mortgage. Being pre-approved sharpens your search and helps you act quickly in a fast-moving market.

6) You’ll enjoy four seasons — but mild winters

Nashville has four distinct seasons without the extremes of the Northeast or the deep-south humidity. Expect:

• Mild winters with maybe two or three light dustings of snow annually.
• An occasional 8–10 inch snow every decade or so that melts quickly.
• An average of around 213 sunny days a year — great for year-round outdoor activities.

7) Education — the “Athens of the South”

Education is a major reason families move here. Nashville calls itself the “Athens of the South” for a reason — it hosts many higher-ed institutions and strong K–12 options:

• Universities: Vanderbilt, Belmont, Tennessee State (TSU), Fisk, Lipscomb.
• Magnet and specialty programs: Metro Nashville Public Schools offers magnet programs in arts, sciences, and languages.
• Private schools: Montgomery Bell Academy, Harpeth Hall, and others deliver strong private education options.

If schools are a priority, always check resources like GreatSchools and ask your agent about county-by-county differences (school zoning follows county lines, not mailing addresses).

8) The arts scene is robust — museums, symphonies, murals

Music gets the headlines, but Nashville’s broader arts scene is impressive. Key institutions and opportunities include:

• Frist Art Museum — housed in a beautiful Art Deco building, with rotating world-class exhibitions.
• Tennessee Performing Arts Center — Broadway shows, ballet, and more.
• Schirmer Horn (Schermerhorn) Symphony Center — home of the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.
• Public art — colorful murals across the city make “mural hunts” a fun weekend activity.

9) Live music — beyond Broadway

Music is the pulse of Nashville. While Broadway gets the tourist attention, the music scene stretches across neighborhoods and venues of every size and style:

• Broadway’s honky-tonks (Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World) are iconic.
• The Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills is legendary for singer-songwriters and intimate shows.
• Ryman Auditorium remains the historic “mother church” of country music.
• Neighborhood venues in East Nashville, Germantown, and beyond host indie, jazz, blues, and more.

A recent client told me they saw more live music in a single week here than in a year in Los Angeles — and often without a cover charge. That’s a rare and delightful perk for folks Moving To Nashville.

10) Neighborhood personalities — there’s one for you

Nashville’s neighborhoods each have a unique vibe. When people ask “Which neighborhood should I move to?”, I ask what they want in life first. Here’s a quick personality map:

• East Nashville: Artistic, eclectic, creative energy; mix of historic homes and new builds.
• The Gulch: Urban, walkable, luxury condos and dining.
• 12th South: Charming, historic homes, trendy shops and restaurants.
• Germantown: Historic architecture meets cosmopolitan dining.
• Sylvan Park: Established community with craftsman bungalows and an active neighborhood feel.
• Green Hills: Upscale, with top schools and premier shopping.
• The Nations: Up-and-coming, more affordable, industrial-creative vibe.
• Brentwood & Franklin: Suburban luxury a bit further south with excellent schools and amenities.

11) Market reality — still strong and mostly a seller’s market

Although the buying frenzy of 2020–2022 cooled a bit, Nashville’s housing market remains competitive. Inventory has loosened slightly, which helps buyers, but prepared buyers still do best. Work with a local agent who understands micro-markets — that agent should be helping you identify the right neighborhood and the right strategy.

12) Sports — pro teams and passionate fans

If you care about sports, you’ll find plenty to cheer for:

• Tennessee Titans: NFL football draws a big local following.
• Nashville Predators: NHL hockey at Bridgestone Arena — famously loud and fun.
• Nashville SC: MLS soccer team playing at a large, passionate stadium (Geodis Park).
• College sports: Vanderbilt Commodores (SEC) and Tennessee State University.
• Minor league baseball: Nashville Sounds at First Horizon Park (guitar-shaped outfield — yes, really).

13) Water, lakes, and outdoor recreation

The Cumberland River snakes through town, and nearby lakes give plenty of outdoor options:

• Percy Priest Lake and Old Hickory Lake provide boating, fishing, and water sports just minutes from downtown.
• Many people join boating clubs rather than keeping a boat themselves, because docking and storage can be tricky.
• Parks, greenways, and dog parks (Centennial Park, Shelby Bottoms, Two Rivers) are widespread and community-building.

14) County, taxes, and jurisdiction nuances

Nashville is in Davidson County, but the larger metro area spans multiple counties (Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, etc.). This matters for a few reasons:

• Property taxes: Rates and services vary by county — Williamson County tends to have higher taxes but top-rated schools.
• School zoning: Follows county lines, not mailing addresses. A “Nashville” mailing address could lie in another county.
• Municipal services and codes: Trash, police, building codes, and other services differ depending on your county and municipality.

These nuances are exactly why working with a local agent is invaluable. I help clients avoid surprises by mapping taxes, schools, and services to the neighborhoods they’re considering.

15) Job market, remote work, and time-to-employment

Many newcomers move without a job in hand. With a roughly 3% unemployment rate and a diverse economy, people often find work quickly — many within 45–90 days. Sectors hiring include healthcare, tech, finance, music and entertainment, hospitality, and manufacturing. Plus, Nashville appeals to remote workers who can live here for quality of life while working for employers elsewhere.

Bonus perks: mountains, golf, and year-round outdoor play

If you worry you’ll miss the West’s mountains, rest easy — the Great Smoky Mountains are about a three-hour drive from downtown Nashville. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are accessible weekend escapes, while Ober (formerly Ober Gatlinburg) offers winter skiing and tubing.

Golfers will be happy, too: Middle Tennessee has more than 30 golf courses, many playable year-round. Courses like Gaylord Springs and Hermitage host championship layouts and events, and numerous public and private clubs spread across the area.

What I recommend if you’re serious about Moving To Nashville

If five of these items piqued your interest, here’s a practical checklist to move forward with confidence:

1. Download my relocation guide (available at susanthetford.com) to start narrowing neighborhoods and budgets.
2. Get mortgage pre-approved before visiting; I can connect you with Brandon Carter to make it simple.
3. Make a list of must-haves versus nice-to-haves (schools, commute, yard, proximity to parks, nightlife).
4. Schedule a 30-minute call with me so I can map neighborhoods to your lifestyle and budget.
5. Plan at least a long weekend trip to tour neighborhoods and local hangouts — treat it like reconnaissance, not a vacation.

Final thoughts — is Nashville right for you?

Moving To Nashville is an exciting decision. For many, it’s the balance of job opportunity, quality of life, music and culture, food, and outdoor access that seals the deal. For others, the rapid growth and rising housing costs might be a dealbreaker. That’s why honest conversations up front are important.

If you want a real local perspective and a practical plan for your move — whether you’re selling where you are now or just starting to research — let’s talk. I help people match lifestyle to neighborhood, navigate the nuances of county taxes and schools, and make the move as smooth as possible.

Grab the relocation guide at susanthetford.com, get pre-approved, and when you’re ready, book a no-pressure conversation with me. If five of these things matter to you, there’s a very good chance Nashville will feel like home.

Safe travels as you explore the idea of Moving To Nashville — and I hope to meet you in person soon.

- Susan Thetford