Anyone who has ever been to Nashville can attest to the fact that it is an awesome city. But Nashville has become known as a great place to relocate to for a variety of reasons. Not only was Nashville listed as one of the 10 best places to live and work in America, it is also home to one of the lowest costs of living in the Nation.
Here are 10 other reasons why Nashville is a good choice for relocation.
1. Nashville is home to an appreciating real estate market. With home values on the rise, home owners are seeing a great return on their investments. The current market is estimated at having a 4 1/2 month supply of homes. Naturally this is a great environment for real estate investors who are seeking to increase their equity. The current median home price in Nashville is $295,000 and average price per square foot is $204 a 6% increase from last year.
2. One of the most attractive aspects of Nashville is its central location in the South. Tennessee has easy access to numerous surrounding states. Need some beach time? It’s only an 8 hour drive to Florida/Alabama coast line. Nashville is also located within a one day drive of 50% of the U.S. population.
3. Tennessee is one of only 7 U.S. states with no personal income tax. As you can imagine this is a bit of a money saver!
4. Nashville is home to a great local arts scene. There is an abundance of live theater and cultural events that showcase the history and culture of this beautiful city. There is never a shortage of things to do or see in Nashville.
5. No list of Nashville’s assets would be complete without mentioning the local music scene. This is the heart of the nation’s country music scene. It is also the home of the world famous “Grande Ole Opry” which is one of America’s best known and most beloved venues.
6. The Nashville area is blessed by a bounty of beautiful lakes and parks such as Percy Priest Lake, Marrowbone Lake, Old Hickory Lake and Tim’s Ford Lake to name a few. This is truly some of the most stunning countryside in the nation. Gently rolling hills and prairies set a picturesque backdrop for the homes and properties.
7. Nashville is renowned for its friendly people and southern hospitality. This area is home to a diverse and cultural population, it is not hard to find your place in Nashville. This is the kind of community where new residents immediately feel like they are a part of something special.
8. If you are a sports fan, Nashville is a fantastic place to live. With pro football’s Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators of the NHL any sports fan will have their calendars full of things to do and games to see. Try visiting on a day that the Titans and Predators play on the same day. What an amazing experience in the streets of Nashville on Broadway.
9. As a national focal point for relocation, Nashville has a remarkably cosmopolitan make up. This city is host to a varied blend of commerce and industry and the outlying areas are home to a thriving agricultural sector. This is also one of the reasons that Nashville is known to be one of the hottest real estate markets in the U.S.
10. What more could be said about the climate in Nashville aside from the fact that it is beautiful, year round. The average temperature in Nashville is 73 degrees! You could really wear shorts at least 10 months out of the year.
There are numerous other reasons to consider Nashville for relocation, in fact there are simply too many to list in such a small space. Nashville has excellent employment opportunities, numerous places of worship of all denominations, and excellent health care. Maybe you should check out Nashville sooner rather than later.
Southern Living Realty Partners have been helping buyers and sellers in Nashville for over two decades. You can visit www.MichaelShrader.com to see all of Nashville and its surrounding area’s homes for sale.
[showcaseidx shortcode encountered an error]Relocation Guide
This guide should help anyone moving into the Nashville, TN area! From coordinating temporary housing to what to do with pets, you should find everything to get started. Of course you may always give me a call if you have any specific area questions or concerns, we are always here to assist. 615-499-6827 – Mike Shrader.
Temporary Housing
Most relocation’s include a period of “in-between time,” when you initially move to your new town and begin the process of settling in and looking for a place to lease or purchase. If you are planning on leasing, or if you’ve made several preview trips and have contracted on a new home, this interim period may only be a couple of weeks. In this case, a hotel or suite-hotel usually works best.
However, if your interim period is going to be close to 30 days or longer, you will probably want to opt for temporary “corporate housing.” Corporate Housing is a property that comes fully-furnished with room suites of furniture, cookware, linens/towels, small appliances such as coffeemakers, irons & alarm clocks, major appliances like microwaves, refrigerator, stove and washer/dryer, plants & pictures, accessories, maid service and all utilities included, even local telephone service and cable TV.
Apartment Renting
While renting has always been and continues to be an interim option during the home purchase process of a relocation, more and more it is becoming a long-term preference. Frequent moves, greater flexibility, rising ownership costs and amenities available through renting are great advantages. People today are renting in greater numbers, not just as a temporary step on the way to home ownership, but for the lifestyle they enjoy through renting.
Some of the factors to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy are:
- your job situation and likelihood of moving again
- initial and monthly costs of both options
- tax savings and advantages
- the availability, lifestyle and desirability of properties to rent or buy
- current interest rates and mortgages available
The cost, availability and variety of rental housing possibilities will vary tremendously in different parts of the country. While a large city will offer a far greater number of rental properties and a greater variety of styles and amenities, they will also be much higher priced and may even have an extremely low vacancy rate. On the other end of the spectrum, small towns also tend to have a very low rental vacancy rate, simply because of the lack of rental housing there. Mid-sized cities will generally have the greatest choices available.
Initial costs on a rental property usually include one month’s rent security deposit, additional deposits if you have a pet (many rentals do not allow pets), first month’s rent and/or last month’s rent depending on the area, and an application fee of generally $20-75. Be sure and get renter’s insurance; if you don’t, your personal belongings will not be protected in the event of a burglary, fire or any other loss.
Read lease agreements thoroughly, as they can vary greatly between states and even individual landlords. It is wise to have an attorney review leases. Be sure you understand what you and the landlord are each responsible for when it comes to utilities, maintenance and repairs. Although the most typical lease term in the U.S. is 1 year, this can be negotiable too. Know what your liabilities are if you have to break your lease early.
Moving Solutions
Careful consideration is needed when deciding whether to hire a moving company or do it yourself. Many factors are involved, such as the distance of the move, the size of your household, the time factor involved and the budget or company reimbursement you have for this expense.
| Pros & Cons of Moving Yourself | Pros & Cons of Hiring a Full Service Van Line |
| cost savings can be considerable, possibly into the thousands of dollars. moving yourself can usually save at least half of what a household goods transportation company will charge you, even if you rent a truck and pay helpers for their labor. you assume full responsibility for the move, labor and damages. packing all your belongings yourself gives you a better organizational opportunity to inventory, rearrange, throw away, give away, and tag items for garage sales. | the time savings and ease of move are tremendous with a professional mover. the cost can vary greatly, depending on whether you include packing/unpacking, insurance limits & what company you choose. most companies offer references and free estimates. a binding estimate holds both you & the company to the price quoted; a physical inspection is usually necessary. a non-binding estimate is an approximation of costs; federal law requires a limit of no more than 10 percent additional charges. many companies will guarantee pickup and delivery dates; if you’re in a time crunch, this may be the only way to go. |
Moving Tips
When coordinating the move of household goods, several items require special care and attention. Anytime you are moving pets, automobiles, waterbeds, antiques, plants, waterbeds or office/high-tech equipment, extra planning and coordination is necessary.
The two major items that need special moving are autos and family pets. When considering automobiles in a move, often a full-service moving company will place a vehicle in the moving van. When moving yourself, auto tow-trailers can be hitched to the back of a moving truck. These arrangements, however, usually only handle one vehicle. When considering a second or third vehicle, there are several options:
- Sell your vehicles prior to moving, and purchase new ones at your destination.
- Have one of the family members drive the vehicle to your destination.
- Hire an automobile transportation service to move the extra vehicle (s) for you.
“Timing is everything” when arranging a professional auto move. Scheduling the move can be a challenging, complex and sometimes overwhelming undertaking. There are school and office hours to consider, for example. It is important to use an auto mover that coordinates the move so that it most suits your needs, creating a smooth transition.
Pet Issues
Before you leave:
- Make an appointment & have your pet examined by your veterinarian; collect pet records.
- Ask your vet for a reference for a practitioner in the new city.
- Air travel should be booked four weeks ahead of departure for domestic moves and six to eight weeks prior to international flights.
- If you are moving overseas, your pet must be examined & vaccinated 30 days prior.
- Secure a form of identification to your pet’s collar.
At Moving Day:
- When booking a hotel or corporate housing, make sure the management allows pets.
- Before crossing into another state, know that some states have border inspection of all animals.
- Limit feeding of your pets to once a day during the move, preferably in the evening, unless your veterinarian instructs otherwise.
- The appropriate size for a kennel should allow your pet room to stand up, lie down, and turn around in natural positions.
- If you are moving locally, take your pets on several visits to the new home before you move in to familiarize them with their new habitat.
Career Assistance
Here are some steps you may want to take to ensure results and a positive relocation:
- Search Online Job Databases – thousands of jobs searchable by occupation or location.
- Contact friends and acquaintances both in your desired field of work and the area you are moving to, regardless of their field. Even people in a different industry know the city and can give you ideas on what companies to approach & to avoid; as well, they may know someone in your field and be willing to refer you.
- Subscribe to the Sunday newspaper in the town you are moving to. Not only should you research want ads, but read the business section as well.
- If one spouse’s company is responsible for the move, check with their human resources department to see if they have trailing spouse assistance.
- Contact the Chamber of Commerce. Most have lists of the top businesses in the area.
- Join local business, civic and networking clubs.
- Contact the State Employment Commission.
- Make appointments with executive recruiters and employment agencies. Be sure to find out if you or the employer is charged, if they negotiate the hiring contract, if you would actually work for the agency or for the client employer, and carefully review any contract or have an attorney look it over before signing.
- Sign up with a temporary agency. This can provide you with a job and income while you continue your search; in addition, many temp jobs lead to permanent employment.
- Consider your own business, as either a part-time or interim business, or as a whole new career direction!