Nashville or Music City is a welcoming and hospitable city on the move. With a strong foundation in country music, you’ll find entertainment all around you, including museums, attractions, restaurants. Take in one of the many performances of world-class entertainers or stop in a local lounge and see a promising up and coming talent. As the capital and second largest city in the state, Nashville has a strong economy supported largely by tourism.
From music to history to culture, this city has it all. The revitalized downtown and the charming architecture along with a strong nightlife make this an ideal area for people of all ages. Nashville residents love their Goo Goo Cluster candy bar started in 1912, making it a Southern staple.
With state of the art healthcare, strong employment potential and fabulous weather, many folks are making Nashville their new home! With a wide variety of new homes in and around Nashville it’s easy to start your journey in a warm, inviting Tennessee city!
Nashville Area Communities
12 South
Charming urban condos are part of what’s available in this happening area that draws young families and free spirits. 12 South is close to walkable parks and coffee shops as well as a great farmers market.
White House
Enjoy a wide array of home styles ranging from craftsman to ranch to colonial in this great community. Local parks and large private lots are some of the draws of White House.
East Nashville
Find luxury flats, condos and townhomes with a hip vibe in this revitalized area of Nashville. Living east of the river offers a variety of great events and a strong sense of community.
Mount Juliet
Live in one of the more serene and growing suburbs of Nashville. Choose from beautiful colonial, farmhouse style and modern townhomes for the perfect fit. With easy amenities and great outdoor recreation it’s hard to pass up Mount Juliet.
Downtown
Living in central Nashville in the downtown area means a great variety of walkable neighborhoods like the Gulch and Sobro. These trendy areas are close to everything and features some great urban living options like luxurious lofts.
Franklin
One of the best suburbs for young professionals, Franklin is located just 20 minutes from Nashville. Excellent schools, great amenities and a quaint downtown add to its charm for new homebuyers.
Midtown
Midtown is nestled between downtown, West End, Hillsboro Village and Music Row. Close to Vanderbilt University this area is full of eateries and bars, making it an ideal place to call home for young professionals.
Hermitage
This quiet community is family-friendly with many new homes available in different price ranges in a beautiful historic area of the state.
Hillsboro Villaage
Live in a walkable area between Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities. This family-friendly area features several single family homes.
Top Nashville School Districts
Nashville has great schools, where your children can thrive!
Finding the right school district for your children has a major impact on their quality of life and path to success. These are the top rated school districts in the Nashville Area; if you want to delve deeper into school records and standards for the State of Tennessee, NewHomeSource has a guide to all the resources you need to find the right school for your child.
Williamson County Schools
Students Served: 36,874
School Breakdown: 25 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 9 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 16
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: Williamson County, aside from the city of Franklin
Rutherford County Schools
Students Served: 43,085
School Breakdown: 35 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 13 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in most demographics
Communities Served: Rutherford County, aside from the city of Murfreesboro
Sumner County Schools
Students Served: 29,196
School Breakdown: 28 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 11 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 16
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in most demographics
Communities Served: Sumner County, part of the city of Mitchellville
Wilson County School District
Students Served: 17,543
School Breakdown: 13 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 6 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 17
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in somedemographics
Communities Served: Wilson County, aside from the city of Lebanon
Robertson County School District
Students Served: 11,404
School Breakdown: 11 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 6 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15
Test Proficiency: Below state averages
Communities Served: Adams, Cedar Hill, Robertson County
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Students Served: 85,598
School Breakdown: 90 elementary schools, 47 middle schools, and 31 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 17
Test Proficiency: Below state averages
Communities Served: The city of Nashville
Murfreesboro City School District
Students Served: 8,432
School Breakdown: 11 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 0 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in most demographics
Communities Served: Part of Murfreesboro
Top Employers in Nashville
Nashville’s economy has a lot to offer, even if you aren’t a country music star.
Vanderbuilt University& Medical Center
Vanderbuilt University and Medical Center employs over 23,000 people in the Nashville Area, with the majority of these people working in the medical center.
Nissan North America
Nissan North America has its headquarters in Franklin, TN, with 1,500 corporate workers supporting 8,000 assembly line workers in near by Smyrna.
HCA Holdings Inc.
Hospital Corporation of America is the largest for profit healthcare provider in the world, that has a major employment presence in Nashville.
Saint Thomas Health
Saint Thomas Health is another major healthcare provider working in the Nashville Area that employs a large number of people in the medical sector.
Randstad Staffing
Austin based Randstad Staffing has numerous Nashville locations that provide numerous employment options.
Nashville Area Museums
The Willie Nelson Museum is just one of the music themed museums in Nashville.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Immerse yourself in the music culture, memorabilia and videos in The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Dedicated to the preservation of country music, the museum has extensive musical collection. Take the audio tour to enhance your experience while enjoying permanent and temporary exhibits.
The Parthenon
It’s hard to believe you will find a full-sized replica of the Parthenon inside a lush park in Nashville. Centennial Park boasts this building that was originally designed for the 1897 Centennial Exposition. Home to a vast collection of art and surrounded by the park this is a serious museum worth merit.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
This historic plantation and museum was owned by the seventh president, Andrew Jackson for nearly 40 years. History buffs will appreciate the VIP tour. Experience a duel and a delicious cup of hot cocoa as you take in some history.
Lane Motor Museum
The Lane Motor Museum is an out of the ordinary museum celebrates a great collection of vehicles in various styles and colors. See everything from propeller-powered cars to the smallest production car ever made.
Tennessee State Museum
It doesn’t take long to fall in love with the state of Tennessee and this museum showcases its history. Enjoy quirky exhibits like the Let’s Eat Food Exhibition to historically important Civil War exhibits.
Adventure Science Center
Young and old will appreciate this children’s museum dedicated to science exploration. Get ready to immerse yourself in over 175 hands-on interactive exhibits sure to spark interest in biology, air and space, earth science and physics.
The Johnny Cash Museum
This museum pays homage to this country music legend. The Man in Black allows you a closer look at his personal life through his music, memorabilia and videos.
Great Parks in the Nashville Area
Reconnect with nature in Nashville’s fantastic parks.
Centennial Park
Take a break from your busy day and jog or walk this downtown park. You’ll often spot paddle boarders in the small lake, bike riders and picnickers enjoying the scenery.
Radnor Lake State Park
Get out and see the beauty of forests, trails and wildlife at Radnor Lake. Learn something new at the aviary and education center.
Percy Priest Lake Park
Walk the loop around the lake. Rent some kayaks. The fall foliage is stunning. The summer brings a sandy beach sure to cool you off. When you want to be out and about in a well-maintained state park, this one rises to the top of the list.
Edwin and Percy Warner Parks
These beautiful parks feature all the beauty Nashville has to offer with stunning flowers, trails, golf, dog parks, creeks and picnic areas. Take some time and recharge your batteries.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
This centrally located park is 19 acres and home to the bicentennial Tennessee monument. Close to downtown this beautiful green space is a respite from the hustle and bustle.
Elmington Park
One of the things that stands out at this park is the abundance of role-playing medieval costumed people. This popular area showcases medieval combat with foam javelins, swords, arrows and more! It’s quite an impressive society of players.
Nashville Sports Teams
You Can Root On (Or Pretend You Don’t Care About)
Nashville sees its fair share of professional sports. Home to the Tennessee Titans, this NFL team loves when its fans are seen in any combination of navy blue, Titans blue, red, silver and white.
This former Houston Oilers team became the Tennessee Oilers in 1997-98, changing its name to the Titans a year later. Catch this talented team in the Nissan Stadium or training at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville.
Hockey is big in Nashville with the Nashville Predators showing dominance on the ice. Baseball fans can root for the home team, the Memphis Sounds. Minor league baseball is always a great American pastime. The state-of-the-art facility in Germantown includes a guitar-shaped scoreboard and loads of concessions offering refreshing beverages.
Soccer is a new sport joining ranks with Nashville. You will also enjoy plenty of college sports in the area as well.
Living in Nashville
Live a life you love in Nashville!
The friendly people, great attractions and fabulous weather draw people to the Nashville area. Add to that the bonus of a lower cost of living meaning your dollar goes farther in Nashville. Compared to comparable cities, Nashville enjoys lower costs for groceries, housing and utilities. Nashville continues to grow at a quick rate with this metro area seeing a lower than national average jobless rate.
This safe city offers entertainment, a strong economy and an abundance of activity for young professionals, families and retirees. Living in the friendly South in a vibrant area is sure to be a great place to call home!
Houston Housing Trends
Housing prices have slowed down and the inventory of new homes is quite varied. Affordable housing in this hot real estate market means your investment will continue to be a wise decision.
Median Home Price: $304,800
Nashville is a fast-growing area filled with opportunity. Being in and around a metro area means there are varied home options. Choose an urban luxury loft or head to the suburbs to find a larger single family home where you can spread out on a large lot. The proximity to Nashville affords you great benefits. Get excited by the sounds and possibilities of Music City!
Growing Communities in Central Nashville
Living in Central Nashville means enjoying the best Music City has to offer, every single day. Because Nashville has a booming real estate market, home shoppers in the area can find great new home communities, like Sterling Point and Poston at the Park, in Central Nashville.
Don’t let your desire for an exciting, urban lifestyle stop you from buying a new home! Central Nashville has your dream home and dream life waiting for you.
Growing Communities in Franklin
Franklin is a thriving satellite city in South Nashville. This comfortable suburb has one of the best school districts in the Nashville Area, making it an obvious choice for growing families looking to put down roots and invest in their children’s future.
Lodd Park and Waters Edge are just two of the wonderful new home communities waiting for you in Franklin.
Growing Communities in West Nashville
West Nashville has it all: a peaceful and private environment, a true sense of community, and easy access to all the fun and convenience of Downtown Nashville. Lebanon is just one of the West Nashville cities with great neighborhoods, like Plantation South and StoneBridge Villas, for families like yours.
Growing Communities in Northwest Nashville
Northwest Nashville has become a great area for people who want to buy a new house at an affordable price point in Nashville’s heated housing market.
Living Pleasant View makes investing in your dream home attainable, while still providing you with a short drive to the city. Great communities like Sycamore Ridge and Drakes Branch are waiting for you to make them your home.
Amazing Nashville Restaurants
Nashville has a diverse and flavorful array of eateries. From upscale spots requiring advanced reservations to delicious food trucks the common denominator is great service and awesome food at all price points. From comfort food to seafood, the Nashville dining experience is like no other!
If you don’t love comfort food and craft beer, you’re going hungry in Nashville!
The Catbird Seat
Consider yourself lucky to get a reservation at this iconic restaurant with its 22 seats. Experience a true dining phenomenon filled with flavorful memories at this coveted Nashville restaurant.
Big Al’s Deli
Found in Salemtown, this popular down-to-earth deli serves up scrumptious breakfast and lunch options like spicy South Carolinian shrimp and grits.
Monell’s
Comfort food, Southern style is what you’ll enjoy at this all-you-can-eat where fried chicken is included in every meal. Locals know to hit the late night breakfast on Saturdays known as Midnight Country Breakfast.
Husk
You’ll find this gorgeous restaurant inside a historic mansion serving brunch and lunch. From fried chicken to decadent desserts, menu choice is difficult here with so many delicious options.
Pelican & Pig
The talents of a husband and wife team are apparent in this restaurant found in a former upholstery shop. Wood-fired food is their specialty. Their unique offerings include fermented chili sauce infused cauliflower and Creole barbecue shrimp.
Midtown Cafe
Head to a Music Row mainstay for 30 years. The Midtown Cafe is a charming diner that offers shuttle service to downtown hotels. The lemon artichoke soup is a favorite!
Greko Greek Street Food
Looking for some ethnic fare? The Greek food at this restaurant is nothing short of superb! Wood-fired meats, fresh pita and baklava are real crowd pleasers.
Dozen Bakery
The scents will lure you into this delicious bakery owned by baker Claire Meneely. Be sure to get your share of delicious pastries and fresh breads. Get there early for the weekend brunch to avoid the wait.
Folk
It’s not just pepperoni at this great pizza-based restaurant. Try the chicken Milanesa or clam pies. Delicious food is at your fingertips in this McFerrin Park eatery.
That’s My Dawg
This beloved food truck is proud of its hot dog cuisine that does include the “b” word too, that’s burgers! With great twists on fabulous hot dogs served in a toasted New England-style roll, you might just be following this truck from location to location.
Bastion
Bastion is an intimate restaurant with 24 seats that are always full! The only way you will be eating here is with a pre-paid deposit on your reservation but its oh, so worth it!
Manny’s House of Pizza
Transplanted owner, Manny Macca brings his wealth of pizza knowledge from Brooklyn. Get a fabulous slice of Sicilian-style pizza to satisfy your pizza craving!
Mas Tacos Por Favor
Translates to “More Tacos Please” and rightly so! This delicious East Nashville taco eatery serves up chicken tortilla soup and an outstanding fried avocado taco.
Readheaded Stranger
Named in honor of the owner’s favorite singer. This delicious taco eatery offers amazing queso, breakfast tacos and frito pie.
Rolf & Daughters
Pasta is what they do here and they do it well! The well thought out flavors of their pasta dishes will have you coming back often!
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Serving up the traditional meat and three, this great Nashville restaurant specializes in offering delicious meats with three sides and amazing desserts. Locals know this is the place to go for delicious comfort food!
Lyra
This diverse city offers a variety of ethnic fares and the Middle Eastern food from Lyra is on top! With refreshing beverages to complement lamb, hummus and fried haloumi it doesn’t get any better than Lyra.
Two Ten Jack
Another fabulous ethnic restaurant that pairs Japanese-inspired pub food with Southern ingredients is the popular Two Ten Jack. Some great recommendations here include the amazing sushi and crab butter garlic noodles.
Great Attractions for Nashville Stay-cations
Explore Nashville’s exciting art scene!
The Nashville Zoo
Worth the price of admission the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is one of the most popular tourist attractions. With over 6,000 animals on 188 acres this zoo will entertain and inform for hours. With fun holiday events and friendly staff you can’t go wrong visiting and learning about more than 300 different species.
Nashville Festivals
No doubt there are music festivals to attend in Nashville but did you know there are some other quirky festivals here too? Bob for tomatoes or create a tomato costume to wear at the Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville. Southerners love their cola and marshmallow pies Get some of both at the RC-MoonPie Festival in Bell Buckle.
In nearby Lewisburg pay homage to goats and see fainting goat shows at the Goats, Music & More Festival. It doesn’t take much to bring people out to celebrate over a common theme in the Nashville area.
Grand Ole Opry
You can’t come to Nashville without seeing a performance at The Grand Ole Opry. This long running radio broadcast features amazing world-class entertainers as well as up and coming talent.
Belle Meade Plantation
Tour this historic mansion and learn more about the Civil War. The amazing Victorian architecture is impressive in this spot on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Music Row
Music Row is where many careers have been made. Filled with local music businesses, the architecture and stars made in this little area of Nashville are what this city is about! Grow a stronger appreciation of what it takes to succeed in the music industry.
Gaylord Opryland Resort
Why not pamper yourself in your own backyard? The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is luxury at its finest. Play in SoundWaves. Four acres of water experience includes both indoor and outdoor water attractions. Enjoy a drink or take in the cascading waterfalls and indoor gardens. Relache Spa offers signature treatments to get you relaxed.
Ryman Auditorium
This beautiful venue was the former home of the Grand Ole Opry but now serves as a great place to see a show. From local comedians to gospel performances, the Ryman is not to be missed. Get a selfie with the bronze tribute of Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff.
Broadway Honky-Tonks
There are so many great honky-tonks sure to get your toes tapping or have you bust out some dance moves. Some of the more popular spots include Dierk’s Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Acme Feed and See, and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. See the talents of Music City.
Cave Music
Listen to bluegrass music in a cave. Over an hour’s drive south of Nashville you’ll find a great opportunity to hear the Bluegrass Underground. This unusual concert series is presented in the Caverns at the base of Monteagle Mountain.
Shopping
Live like a local and get yourself a cowboy hat!
One thing’s for sure, Nashville has an eclectic mix of shopping opportunities. You can still venture to the mall or do some picking at the flea market for great finds. The charm and fun vibe of these shopping spots is worth a serious look!
East Nashville
East Nashville has a creative vibe and that’s also true of its retail area. Hand-crafted items created by local artisans lead the way of fabulous finds.
The Shoppes on Fatherland appeal to your artsy side with unique items. Vintage clothing, high end boutiques and music stores all await you with tempting treasures.
Downtown Franklin
Just 20 minutes from Nashville is the quaint downtown shopping area of Franklin. This charming area has everything from cowboy boots to home décor. Walking the historic streets you’ll find several eateries and coffee shops for great respites from your retail therapy. High end designers, boutiques and antiques are high on the list of great finds!
Nashville Farmers Market
There’s more than just fresh local fruits and veggies at the Nashville Farmers Market. You will find amazing souvenirs including T-shirts, beauty products and more. Shop this open-air market for great finds from local artisans producing some unique wares.
12 South
This re-emerging area is a sure bet for young professionals and college students. The walkable shops feature hip clothing with local stores like Imogene + Willie and Draper James.
This area packs a punch with several high-end stores owned by celebrities and country music stars as well as independent specialty shops. The welcoming cool vibe makes window shopping and grabbing a cup of coffee fun and easy.
Places of Worship
Nashville is a diverse city, and has numerous places of worship that represent a wide range of faiths and religions.
Christ Church Nashville
Christ Church Nashville has a vibrant and diverse congregation that seek to serve each other and the greater community by thoughtful giving and work.
Islamic Center of Nashville
The Islamic Center of Nashville serves a diverse congregation, and has a number of outreach options for non Muslims to learn about Islam and help with community service.
Congregation Ohabai Sholom
Congregation Ohabi Sholom has served as the heart of Reform Judaism since in 1851. It offers a beautiful temple and a thriving community of welcoming believers.
Padmasambhava Buddhist Center of Tennessee
The Padmasambhava Buddhist Center of Tennessee one of the largest Tibetan Dharma groups in the region. It holds regular retreats and meditation classes.
Hindu Cultural Center
The Hindu Cultural Center is a beautiful temple in Nashville, devoted to Sri Ganesha. It offers a range of religious services, hosts cultural events, and children’s classes.
Congregation Sherith Israel
The Congregation Sherith Israel welcomes everyone to a warm, welcoming congregation seeking a deeper connection with Judaism.
Salahadeen Center of Nashville
The Salahadeen Center of Nashville has served the Muslim community in Nashville since 1998, dedicated to the upbringing of children and caring for the greater community at large.
St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows
St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows is a historic Catholic church in Nashville, and is the oldest church in the Nashville area. This beautiful cathedral isa wonderful place of worship.
Other Tennessee Resources
20 Most Affordable States in 2021 Top Master Planned Communities Around Nashville Best Suburbs Near Nashville, Tennessee Top 10 Safest Cities in Tennessee Moving To Nashville? Our Relocation Guide Will Help The 10 Best Places to Retire in Tennessee in 2021
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.