23 Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville in 2024

Have you ever wondered about the pros and cons of living in Nashville?

Nashville, Tennessee is known worldwide as the home of country music.  What else does it have to offer a single woman who is thinking of relocating? 

It is known for amazing green spaces, with great coffee culture, a thriving art scene, a low cost of living, and a diverse population. 

I’m an expat expert, having lived in 18 different countries over the past 10 years.  

Here are my 23 pros and cons of living in Nashville.

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1. Pro: The Music Scene

Nashville is famous for The Grand Ole Opry and Bluebird Cafe.

Country music legends such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lyn have graced the stage at the Old Opry since 1925. Contemporary artists such as Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood continue the tradition.  

The Bluebird Cafe celebrates not just the singers, but the writers behind the songs. Huge stars such as Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks have had “career-defining” moments playing at the cafe.

If country music is not your jam, fear not. There is space in the town for rock, alternative, gospel, blues, and jazz. Try The Basement for an alternative Indie night out.

2. Con: Tourists by the Bus Load!

Being a thriving tourist city has only one downside. The tourists.  In 2022, Nashville greeted a mind-blowing 14.4 million visitors.  

That is a lot of people crowding the streets, taking your favorite nook in your local coffee shop, and hogging the parking spaces when you need to pop into town. 

Forecasts expect this number to continue increasing by 10% per year.  

3. Pro: Lower Cost of living

One huge pro of living in Nashville is that the cost of living is currently 4% lower than the national average.  

Nashville is also one of the 9 US states that DO NOT have a separate state income tax, making a significant difference to your take-home pay and giving you more money to spend on Nashville’s many delights.

4. Con: Housing Market

In contrast, the housing market is a challenging side of living in Nashville. House prices have risen by 30% in the past year and are forecast to continue rising by another 5.3% in 2023.  

Expect to rent while you are searching for the perfect property.  

The average price for housing in Nashville is just under $ 400,000 USD, whilst the average rent cost is $1800 USD. 

Does your relocation budget work with those prices? This will affect your decision on if you move to Nashville. 

5. Pro: The Food

Living in Nashville gives you access to world-renowned cuisine, offering up local hot fried chicken along with everything from BBQ to Bao Buns and fusion cuisine. 

Nearly 200 new eateries have opened since 2020 giving you a cornucopia of options to choose from. 

Every year in  February the annual “Dine Nashville,” returns, offering cool collaborative chef experiences. Local chefs combine their talents and create new dining experiences.  

6. Con: Driving and Commuting Can Be a Challenge

What do locals consider to be one of the worst things about living in Nashville? Traffic and road congestion. 

Nashville is not a walkable city and lacks a great public transport service. You will be relying on your car if you move to Nashville.

Be prepared for some congestion, all day, not just around commuting times.  You need to leave longer to get across town for appointments, which will cut into your day.

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7. Pro: Slower Pace of Life and Friendly Locals

When you consider the benefits of living in Nashville this pro is one of my favorites.

Local Grace King sums up the way of life in Nashville beautifully, “We wave hi. We speak in the grocery line. We’ll converse on the sidewalk. We’re not in a hurry. Slow down & enjoy the day.”  

This slower pace of life and the friendliness of locals is one of the many reasons people are flocking to relocate to Nashville.

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8. Con: Living Outside the City Center 

The draw of the city means that accommodation is at a premium and you will find it challenging to secure your dream home in the city center.  

High demand is pushing affordable accommodation outside. You may find yourself with a commute into the city that you didn’t anticipate. 

In comparison to bigger cities, your commute will be short, but still not ideal.  If you want to live in a city center, you need to be prepared to compromise on the location and size of property.

9. Pro: Weather

If you love proper seasons then Nashville is the city for you. Temperatures range from an average of -0°C  (48°F) in January to 32°C (89°F) in July.  

Summers are generally hot and humid allowing you to be outside and enjoy the city’s green spaces. Expect temperatures around 28°C (82°F). They generally don’t go above 35°C (95°F). 

Winters are cold and often rainy, giving you an excuse to huddle up in one of Nashville’s famous coffee houses. The temperature is usually between 0°C (32°F) and 9°C (48°F).  You can expect a little snow for short times during the winter, but it won’t last long.

10. Con: Allergies

The hot and humid weather, combined with living in a geographical basin means that the wind doesn’t clear the pollen from trees. This means Nashville has higher-than-average allergies.  

Nashville ranks 14th for the worst states for allergies. So, if you struggle with hay fever, then life in Nashville might not be for you.

11. Pro: The Coffee Scene

The coffee shops in Nashville include quirky hidden gems sitting side by side with established brands.  

Three of the best include 

• The Frothy Monkey – always a hit with both locals and tourists, 
• Portland Brew – a great place to get out the laptop and join the locals 
• 8th & Roast – has a reputation for great coffee and fair trade suppliers. 

You have a great choice of coffee spots to hang out at.  You are sure to find the one that vibes with you.

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13. Pro:  Green Spaces

Nashville gets a green thumbs up if green spaces are an important factor in your pros and cons of living in Nashville. 

The greenways are an expansive network of trails and parks that connect communities to workplaces, schools, and shopping areas.  The award-winning 100 miles of greenways were recently featured on the TV show “Tennessee Crossroads.” 

Nashville also has numerous parks scattered around the city, there is always one close by so you can get a quick fix of fresh air on a stressful day.  You can pop by with a picnic lunch during work and relax with friends there on the weekend.

14. Con: Not a Great Public Transport System

The lack of a substantial public transport system is one thing locals seem to agree on as being a disadvantage of living in Nashville. Redfin rate Nashville as 23/100 giving it a “minimal” rating.  

There is no subway system as Nashville is built on rock and geology prevents this from being an option. A recent push to improve transportation failed to go ahead.  

You’re going to be relying on your car to get about in the near future.

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15. Pro: Diverse Population

If you are looking for a culturally diverse place to live then consider a move to Nashville.  

12% of Nashville’s residents were born abroad and a massive 140 languages are spoken across the school districts. 30% of students speak a language other than English at home.  

Nashville is working hard to create an inclusive atmosphere. Their library staff speaks a total of 22 languages and stocks books in 19. 

Diversity is something I really value in the place I’m living, so this makes Nashville a win for me!

16. Con: Segregated Housing Areas

These diverse communities are not as integrated as you might like or expect. 

Checking out different areas for housing will quickly reveal that the history of Nashville and its redlining zones still carries an impact on the city today. 

Visiting the area you are thinking about moving to is a must,  in order to check it is as diverse in reality as it seems on paper.

17. Pro: Job Opportunities 

One of the advantages of moving to Nashville is that there are many job opportunities in this thriving city.  

Nashville has a growing tech industry, on top of the growing healthcare, manufacturing and tourism-related industries. 

Unemployment is super low at just 2.7%, so you can be confident about landing that job.

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18. Con: Drinking Culture

Living in Nashville is a dream if you are up for a party! There are so many venues, with so many events to attend, often linked with drinking. 

If late nights and an atmosphere boosted by alcohol are not your things, when you first move to Nashville it is more challenging to find your social circle, as so many activities are based around venues that serve alcohol.

Give Nashville some time and you will find quieter, less crazy places you can hang out comfortably. Or consider that Nashville is not the place for you. 

19. Pro: Mountains and National Parks

I’ve already discussed the amazing green spaces in Nashville.  If that is your vibe, how exciting is it that you can drive to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in only 3.5 hours! The Appalachian Mountains are only a short 1.5 hours further along the highway.   

A long weekend away, hiking and soaking up nature is entirely possible if you feel the need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

20. Con: Religion

Nashville is predominantly a Christian area. 

Nashville is located within what is known as the Bible Belt. With over 700 Christian churches it has sometimes been called ‘the buckle on the bible belt.’  

Expect to find lots of Evangelical Christian churches.  If you disagree strongly with religion, then Nashville will not be the best fit for you.

21. Pro: Thriving Arts Scene

Nashville is not just about the music. The city hosts regular art crawls in which art is scattered over the city.

In the last crawl over 50 venues participated, showing the diversity and depth of art in Nashville. Festivals and pop-up events are often on the calendar, along with the more traditional galleries.  

Check out Nashville’s Public Art Collection, which has a series of statues, murals, graffiti, and signs across the city for you to discover, all for free! Another option is Fifth Avenue of the Arts, which offers monthly art experiences for both locals and tourists. 

22. Con: Too Much Choice

Can you have too much choice?  If you struggle with indecision, living in Nashville might be a problem for you!  

You will have to decide between the speakeasy, the jazz bar, or the sports bar. Then choose between the hot fried chicken and your favorite Kurdish restaurant. Another choice is attending the launch of a new band or a new artist.

Living in Nashville, these are real choices you will have to make on a weekly basis.

When I am thinking about the pros and cons of living in Nashville, I’d take too many choices over too few any day! 

23. Pro: So Much To Do

Have you got your answer to the question, “should I move to Nashville?” Let’s consider just how much there is to do in Nashville.  

There is robust nightlife, numerous art events, amazing food, diverse culture, and countless coffee bars.  

The outside activities are based around the green spaces and the proximity of National Parks.  

Nashville is holding onto its “small-town” vibe in the face of a strong, growing economy.  

You could never be bored living in Nashville, there is something new to try every weekend.

Wrap Up: Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville

I hope this helps you decide if Nashville is the right place for you. 

The top three reasons I would choose to live in Nashville are

• the music scene
• the green spaces
• the lower cost of living, which allows you to afford and enjoy all this fabulous city has to offer.  

Nashville is a fantastic place to live if you like a lively, vibrant, multicultural city with great music, arts, and food scenes. 

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