The 13 Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville

The reasons for wanting to live in Nashville are as diverse as the people packing the boxes. Some are lured by the reputation of Music City, with the Grand Ole Opry, countless live music stages, and the chance to make it big in country music and other entertainment. Others come because Nashville is known as the Athens of the South, with the Parthenon and academic draws from Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, and four historically Black colleges and universities, including Fisk and Tennessee State. Others just want the hot chicken.

As great as Nashville is (and it is pretty great!), it has its challenges and room for improvement, like any city. Most residents will tell you they’ve had the chance to mull them over while stuck in traffic on I-24. Before you buckle up your guitar case and change your area code to 615 (even temporarily) read this list of 13 pros and cons of living in Nashville. These observations, culled from decades of living in this Tennessee town, will make your relocation to Music City far easier:

The pros of living in Nashville, TN

• Creativity is in the air
• You’ll always meet new people
• Incredible food scene
• The city is steeped in history
• There’s music everywhere
• It’s easy to get outside
• You’ll never be bored

The cons of living in Nashville, TN

• The weather is unpredictable
• You’ll need a car
• You’ll need a reservation
• It can get pricey
• Quiet isn’t Nashville’s middle name
• You’ll be tired
• Demand is up

Read on to learn more!

Pro: Creativity is in the air

For more than a century, residents have decided to live in Music City because it is a place where artists, musicians, and other creative types can gather. That’s still true today, so no matter what kind of creative pursuit floats your boat, you’ll find inspiration while living here. Head to the Frist Art Museum, the Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery, or the art galleries along Rep. John Lewis Way North to peruse other artworks.

Con: The weather is unpredictable

Some days—particularly in autumn—Nashville has long stretches of sun-dappled afternoons, with red leaves on the tree-lined streets and a breeze through the air. And if you want to escape a climate with many feet of snow all winter, you’ll be happy with what you find in Middle Tennessee. But the weather can and does change frequently. You’ll get used to listening for the tornado siren, and a raincoat should be nearby at all times in early summer. Humidity is also a constant companion for a couple of months in summer.

Pro: You’ll always meet new people

Nashville’s status as a top-rated city means there are new people deciding to live here every day. While this influx of new residents can present some challenges (more on that later!), it generally means there’s likely a new friend, date, or co-writing partner sitting on a stool at the bar. Summon up some of that Southern hospitality and get to know your soon-to-be neighbors.

Con: You’ll need a car

With more than 500 square miles of land, Nashville is a spread-out city. And while some neighborhoods—particularly the Downtown, Midtown, 12South, Green Hills, and Hillsboro Village areas—have good access to buses, not all of the city has a reliable public transportation system. You’ll want to have a car (or access to Lyft or Turo) and download some podcasts in advance, as you’ll likely spend some time in traffic on I-40 or I-65 to get to other areas.

Pro: The food scene is incredible

Thanks to chefs like Margot McCormack of Margot Café and Bar, who built the foundation, and award-winning Sean Brock and Maneet Chauhan, who moved to town, Nashville’s selection of restaurants means you’ll always have a chef-prepared meal at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking to meet with friends or impress a date, you’ll have plenty of options throughout the city’s neighborhoods (and no, not just hot chicken).

Con: You’ll need a reservation

Everyone loves Nashville, which means that if you want to dine at a particular restaurant or nab a particular time slot at Topgolf or Eastside Bowl, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. Didn’t plan ahead? Some of the down-home barbecue spots might have first-come, first-serve lines, or you can track down an up-and-coming chef and be the one who discovers them for other Nashvillians. You may be surprised by the quality of food at your local coffee shops, too!

Pro: This city is steeped in history

Nashville didn’t just pop up on the banks of the Cumberland River fully formed. Plenty of people worked to make the city what it is today, from the freedmen who built Fort Negley in 1864 to the women who fought for the right to vote in 1920 to the Fisk and Meharry students who practiced non-violent protests during the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s. Stop by the second floor of the main branch of the Nashville Public Library in downtown Nashville to see free exhibits about the city’s changemakers. You can also hang out in Centennial Park and admire the full-scale replica of the Parthenon.

Con: It can be pricey

Another downside of this area’s popularity is that everything is in demand. As a result, you may find food, drinks, and other non-essentials to be more expensive than they are in non-tourist-centric cities. And, year-over-year costs are up, as they are in other cities, thanks to inflation. (That includes TN housing and real estate, too.)

When possible, shop in the neighborhoods rather than downtown. You’ll likely help a small-business owner while paying less for your stuff. As compared to the national average, Nashville is about 4 percent lower in cost of living than the rest of the country.

Pro: There’s music everywhere

From the Ryman Auditorium to the Grand Ole Opry to during breaks at Nashville Predators’ hockey games, world-class live music is always being played somewhere in Nashville. Sometimes you’ll be chasing a hard-to-get ticket to a sold-out show, but just as often you’ll find a free singer-songwriter open mic in your neighborhood. It’s easy to support local musicians by putting some cash in the hat when it is passed. There’s a family-friendly music scene, too, if you want to bring the kids.

Pro tip: Sometimes, newcomers to the metro area think Music Row is where the music is. Those streets are actually generally where the music publishers are and are more of a destination for working Nashville residents.

Con: Quiet isn’t Nashville’s middle name

Nashville’s Lower Broad is well-known and world-famous for its nightlife, with a strip of honkytonks where things get rowdy. If you like a more mellow hangout, you can find it, as long as you are more strategic about where you go. Look for mom-and-pop-owned restaurants along Nolensville Pike and Gallatin Road for bars and restaurants without hordes of partiers. East Nashville is a great place for smaller music venues, too.

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Pro: It is easy to get outside

Chattanooga and the Great Smoky Mountains may be known as Tennessee’s outdoor gems, but there’s plenty of TN green space available when you live in Nashville. Jump on a bike and check out the miles of Greenways, or rent a paddleboard and take in the scenery of Percy Priest Lake. Looking for places to go hiking? Check out Beaman Park, which features waterfalls, wildflowers, and miles of trails to enjoy.

The Vanderbilt Arboretum, located on the Vanderbilt University campus, is a great place to stroll among trees in Midtown. If you’re bringing your pet to live with you, you’ll appreciate being able to walk your dog around Lockeland Springs and other leafy neighborhoods.

Con: You’ll be tired

Nashville offers residents so many fun things to do, but there’s no way to do it all! You can’t go to every concert venue, take advantage of all the nightlife and entertainment, or attend every mouth-watering restaurant, new Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit, or Tennessee Titans game. You’d be exhausted. You just have to pick and choose what’s most important to you during your time living there.

Pro: You’ll never be bored

There’s never a shortage of things to do while living in Nashville—whether you want to take a hike, attend a show, audit a class, or volunteer, your options are limitless. You also won’t be bored at work, either: Nashville is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, which means it has a competitive job market with lots of opportunities for young professionals.

Thinking about living in Nashville?

If you’re interested in living in Nashville and are looking for housing, consider renting from Landing, which offers fully furnished apartments in Nashville with flexible leases that let you stay in town on your terms. Whether this Tennessee town is your new forever home or you’d just like to check out the scene for a month or two, Landing apartments are the perfect home base to explore this vibrant city. Learn more about becoming a Landing member today!