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Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page

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So you want to move to Nashville. You've read all about the city's history, found out how it became Music City USA, and you even visited Opryland when it was open. You can't wait to drive the streets as a resident. However, there are quite a few things you don't know about your new city like the cost of living, education, and food. Well, y'all come on down, and we'll tell you all about your new city.

Nashville History

The establishment of Fort Nashborough is thought to be the beginning of the city's history. However, when the country began establishing territories, North Carolina owned what would become Kentucky and Tennessee. The area below the Ohio River was known as the Southwestern Territory.

North Carolina ceded its western territories to the newly founded government due to the cost of protecting the settlers from the Indians among other costs. In 1783, Davidson County was formed out of the former Washington area just above the delineated Indian Lands.

Nashville was founded by James Robertson and John Donelson during the Christmas of 1779. The city didn't become the state capital until 1827 and became permanent in 1843. You'll see the city's earliest plantation homes dotting the countryside, for Nashville was largely agricultural, although logging and milling provided a healthy income for the area.

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Fun Facts About Nashville, TN

You're moving into a fascinating city. Some fun facts about Nashville include:

  • Oprah Winfrey got her start on Nashville's WLAC TV as the first African-American as well as female news anchor while attending Tennessee State University
  • Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs in the RCA Studio B
  • Founder John Donelson's daughter Rachel married the future president Andrew Jackson. His home, The Hermitage, features a guitar shaped drive
  • Nashville was home to the World Expo in 1897 and called the “Athens of the South.” This was due to the west's only replica of the Parthenon in which is a 42 foot tall statue of Athena, the largest in the Western Hemisphere
  • Got a sweet tooth? Have a GooGoo, Nashville's premier candy. It was developed in 1901 and is still crunching
  • Nashville's WSM Radio was given the first FM license in 1941
  • The only American to become president of another country was Nashville's William Walker, who became president of Nicaragua in 1856
  • President Richard Nixon in 1974 played “God Bless America” on the piano in the new Opry House's first show
  • Another president, Theodore Roosevelt, drank a cup of coffee at the now defunct Maxwell House Hotel and declared it “good to the last drop,” a slogan the company has kept to this day
  • The Tennessee State Capital building is the oldest capital building in the country still in use
  • Tennessee has only one five star, five diamond hotel. It's the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, and has seen such names as John F. Kennedy and Al Capone pass through its elite doors.

Nashville Relocation Facts And Figures

Moving to Nashville TN

With between 90 and 100 people moving to Nashville every day, it's no wonder the population has swelled to almost 700,000. They pay no income tax to the state, although the sales tax is 9.25 percent. The median income is almost $67,000. The median home price is $290,000. The city is ninth down the list of cities with the highest cost of living below New York and San Francisco. Here are some more relocation tips:

For over 84,000 students, there are 383 preschools, 142 elementary schools, 91 middle schools, 61 high schools, and 362 private schools.

Colleges and universities include number one rated Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Trivecca Nazarene College, American Baptist College, Watkins College of Art, Gupton College, Nashville State Community College, National College, Remington College at Nashville, and SAE Institute of Technology at Nashville.

Your power will be supplied by Nashville Electric Service, your water by Metro Water Services, your gas by Nashville Gas Company, and your trash and recycle by Metro Nashville Public Works.

You'll need a moving company near you. The top three picks in Nashville are Two Men and a Truck, All My Sons and Music City Movers.

Humans have to eat, and many of us like to do it three times a day. Try 12 South Tap Room, Loveless Cafe, Pancake Pantry, Whiskey Kitchen, Southern Steak & Oyster, and Tavern. Also sample Parson's Chicken and Fish, 'za for innovative pizza, or Hathorne for the vegetarian in the family.

You'll also want to get outside and run around. Nashville offers everything from hang gliding to kayaking, walking paths to riding paths, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and more in its 178 parks. Check out Centennial, Cumberland, East, Warner, Grassmere, Green Hills, Mill Creek, Shelby, and White's Creek parks.

Summer wouldn't be any fun without a swimming pool, and in Nashville, you've a choice: Wave Country on Two Rivers Parkway, Rose Community Center on Edgehill Avenue, and Coleman Regional Center on Thompson Lane, among others.

Of course, Nashville has a little something for every type of sports fan. There's college ball, but there's also professional ball. The NFL Titans, for example, play on Nissan Field. At the Bridgestone Arena, it's the Nashville Predators playing hockey. If baseball is your passion, then head on over to Sounds Stadium to watch the Nashville Sounds run those bases. Let's not forget the MLS Nashville Soccer club for those who love soccer.

We've left music for last. You hear music everywhere you go in the city from blues and R&B to jazz to rockabilly to rock 'n' roll to country music. Most of the hotels have lounges in which you can hear your choice of music all week long, but there are a few venues that offer more seating than a hotel lounge can. Check out Belcourt Taps in Hillsboro, Mercy Lounge downtown, The Lipstick Lounge in East Nashville, and The Row at Vanderbilt.

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Moving And Shipping Costs

The cost of moving depends on three things: how many rooms you're loading onto a truck and its weight, the distance you're moving, and if the moving company personnel pack and unpack for you. Most local moves or moving one or two states over costs up to $5,000. Long distance moves can run up to $10,000. If you rent your own truck, it costs upwards of $2,000. A shipping container runs you around $5,000.

Moving Alone versus Moving With Family

Moving alone is a lot simpler than moving with a family. You know your deadline for being in the new house, so you do the work, transport it, and it's done. Individuals don't generally have all the belongings a family does, so it takes less time to move it. It costs less, too.

Families, on the other hand, require not just physical work but emotional work as well. Children need to have arrangements made to keep in contact with friends. Adults have Facebook and Skype, so kids need their own social media equivalents in order to not feel so bad about moving away from them.

Pets are like children, in that they know something's up, and they worry they'll be forgotten in the hullabaloo or left behind. Our furry babies need reassurances just like humans do. If you're moving long distance with pets, then you won't be able to take these furry buddies to the new house so they can get used to it.

If you're not beginning too far from Nashville, then definitely take the pets and kids to the new house. Allow your pets to roam the place to get used to it. Put their feed bowls, toys, and beds in the same places they were in the old house. This will make your pets feel right at home when you all move in. Keep reassuring the pets so they feel loved and not quite so worried.

Families have three and four plus bedroom houses to move in addition to all the boxes. This takes a bigger truck, more time to pack it all, and costs more. Packing the personal and important things and the pets in the car around the children makes for bored and trapped kids. You'll have to bring tablets loaded with cartoons or movies for their entertainment.

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Monthly Life In Nashville

Life in Nashville

It's the 21st century. Life has gotten steadily more expensive as time has gone on, and Nashville is no different. The monthly cost of living here is as follows:

  • Rent: $1,500
  • Utilities: 160.00
  • Internet: $70.00
  • Automobile Gas: $130.00
  • Food: $300.00 (Food is figured as groceries and the occasional meal out.)

A GoBankingRates study found that Nashvillians could live comfortably on $85,000 per year.

Miscellaneous

  • If you're into heat and humidity, then Nashville's for you.
  • Stay off Briley Parkway if you're in a hurry.
  • Be prepared to drive wherever you need to go. There's public transportation, but it's quicker to drive.
  • An all day bus pass is $4.00. A seven day pass is $20.00. A month pass is $65.00.
  • If you get sick, never fear. Nashville is health care headquarters. It's a huge industry here.
  • Nashville is 533 square miles.
  • The city gets up to five inches of snow.

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See also: Moving to Memphis Tennessee

FAQs about Moving to Nashville TN

Is it worth moving to Nashville?

If music is what keeps you going every day, then staying in the Music City can do wonders in your life. Life here is fun especially if you visit all the beautiful live music venues and rock to the beats of the songs performed by world-renowned artists. To add to that, the bars, restaurants, and charming local coffee shops keep your tummy full at all times.

If this wasn’t enough, Nashville is one of the most preferred places to move to because it is bustling with job opportunities. You probably won’t believe that the unemployment rate in Nashville is as low as 3.2%! Additionally, Nashville is also a super affordable city to live in. If you ask us, then yes, it is worth moving to Nashville, TN.

Is it expensive to live in Nashville?

Living in Nashville isn’t expensive and we can say that confidently because the cost of living here is 3% lower than the national average. The main factor that decides how much you will spend while living in a particular place is the housing cost. Housing cost here is 9% lower than the national average, the median home price in Nashville is $262,000 (so cheap right?).

Although the transportation costs are at par with the national average, you can expect to find the prices of utilities to be 10% lower than the national average. Food and groceries are cheap as well (3% lower). However, the best part about staying here has to be the affordable health care services that don’t wipe out your bank account. Healthcare is 18% cheaper than the national average! In conclusion, Nashville staying in Nashville isn’t expensive at all.

Is Nashville a good place to live?

The real question here is why wouldn’t anyone want to stay in Nashville! The Music City has something to offer to everyone. As it is apparent from its name, the city is a paradise on earth for music lovers. Nashville is also lovingly called Smashville because it is home to one of the best hockey teams in the country. Apart from hockey, Nashville is also known to offer a diversity of professional sports opportunities to its residents.

In addition to that, Nashville succeeds in impressing the academic minds by housing several nationally recognized schools and universities. The economy of this city is stable and job opportunities are ever-growing. Moreover, the cost of living here is extremely cheap. We would definitely recommend moving to Nashville as it certainly is a good place to live.

What should I avoid in Nashville?

  • Driving on Highway 24 during peak hours and roads during the CMA fest.
  • Broadway at night (you are most likely to encounter several drunks having a time of their lives).
  • Coffee shops, Pancake Pantry, Loveless Café, and Jeni’s ice cream at rush hour.
  • Other drivers on the road seldom follow traffic rules.
  • Sunday morning traffic while going to church.

Where do celebrities hang out in Nashville?

The best part about living in Nashville is that there is always a chance to spot some of your favorite celebrities in the city. The Music City is home to several artists, sports celebrities, and actors and you can definitely catch a glance of them while they are enjoying their time in the city. Here are the topmost celebrity hotspots of the city.

  • Bluebird Cafe
  • The Mall at Green Hills
  • Santa’s Pub
  • Franklin, TN
  • Pancake Pantry
  • Pinewood Social
  • Whole Foods in Green Hills
  • Clyde's on Church Ping-Pong Bar
  • Bongo Java on Belmont Blvd

What is the bad part of Nashville?

Although Nashville is a beautiful city to move to, you cannot forget that some areas of the cities are deemed bad and you should avoid moving to these neighborhoods at all costs. Want to know what these places are? Have a look at the following list.

  • Haynes Area
  • Woodycrest
  • Buena Vista Heights
  • College Heights-Clifton
  • Talbot's Corner
  • Southside
  • Hadley Park
  • Heron Walk
  • Four Corners
  • Osage-North Fisk

Why are people moving to Nashville?

The main reason why a lot of people prefer moving to Nashville is its ever-growing and recession-proof economy. The economy is stable because the education, healthcare, and government sectors are the ones that employ the greatest number of people. Youngsters are attracted to Nashville due to the sports and musical opportunities available. Similarly, many people also move to Nashville because of its wonderful weather and affordable costs of living.

Why is housing so expensive in Nashville?

The city offers numerous perks because of which attracts more and more people every day. Because of this, the population of Nashville is growing steadily. This has led to a rise in the demand for housing options. Due to very high demand and not-so-enough supply, the prices of the houses and rents have gone up in Nashville.

What to know before moving to Nashville?

The population of Nashville has been growing since the last decade since more and more people are deciding to move to the city. Are you interested in moving to Nashville? If yes, then you should probably know the following things before moving there.

  • You will have to drive everywhere you go. The public transport system isn’t one of the best here, but you can always drive to wherever you wish to go.
  • It is difficult to be a vegetarian in this city. The city is known for its legendary hot chicken and much of its cuisine caters to the non-vegetarians,
  • Nashville is a cultural hub, no doubt in that. However, it does not cater to the needs of only music lovers. You will find several galleries, art and film classes, sculpture gardens, botanical, gardens, etc., to keep yourselves entertained.
  • The weather in Nashville is pleasant as ever. Winters aren’t that long and the Spring is your time to shine. You would basically be able to enjoy the outdoors in Nashville to your heart’s content.
  • Nashville is where and a lot of tech giants have been moving to. Because of this, you get several jobs as well as educational opportunities in the tech sector.
  • Nashville is known for producing some of the finest whisky and brewing some of the finest beer in the world.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Texas?

Living in Tennessee is much cheaper than living in Texas. This is because there is a major difference in the cost of housing in both states. The median home price in Texas is about $214,700, meanwhile, the median home price in Tennessee is $150,100 which is almost 30% less. Although healthcare costs more in Tennessee, Texas proves to have higher prices when it comes to transportation, utilities, and food and groceries.

Does it rain a lot in Nashville?

Nashville receives about 119 days of rainfall on average every year. July is the wettest month in this city and it receives the highest rainfall (4.02") during July.

Is Nashville dangerous?

Although Nashville is a beautiful place to move to, you should know that it has one of the highest crime rates (54 per 1,000 residents) in America. In fact, the chance of you being a victim of either violent or property crime in Nashville are one in 19. Here is a list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Nashville.

  • West Meade
  • Salemtown
  • Heron Walk
  • Glencliff
  • Haynes Area
  • Bordeaux
  • Talbot’s Corner
  • Inglewood-Riverwood
  • Four Corners
  • Eastwood

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Conclusion

Moving to a new city is exciting. Moving to one that's world-famous is exhilarating. Nashville is fun, and it's a voyage of discovery. The past and present merge seamlessly for an in depth look at how a city can remain vital for over 250 years. It's a city that preserves its green spaces as well as all its natural resources. Welcome home, you're going to love life here!

See also: Best Moving Companies in Nashville TN | Moving From NYC To Nashville | Moving From California To Nashville – Expert Tips & Advice | Moving From Los Angeles To Nashville – Expert Tips & Advice