How about living there? Love to visit but would it be fun to live?
Young professionals? Too slow?
Single and early thirties?
Thanks!

I'm just finishing my second year in Nashville and have really enjoyed it. My husband is in law school at Vanderbilt. I think it is really a great town.

With all the colleges nearby (Vandy, Meharry, Fisk, Tennessee State, Trivecca, Lipscomb, Belmont, etc.) and the cluster of outstanding hospitals, AND the music industry, there's a great mix of professionals.

Because of the music industry being here (and not just country/western), there's always something going on in terms of parties, concerts or events. Not to mention the Tennessee Titans. There are also a number of nice parks to enjoy a weekend afternoon hanging out in. Add to that some great restaurants and clubs and you've got a lot to offer.

Nashville is not NYC or LA but I do think it is a nice town with a lot to offer, depending on what you're looking for. Check out www.tennesseean.com to get an idea of what it's like.

Thanks so much atlswan. I am excited about moving there. Maybe you could help me with areas to live in? Not really collegy but more young professional? I do not think people live downtown there yet, right? Is Bell.something the right area?

I am also a big fitness buff....running, trithlons, etc... Are there lots of active groups for this stuff there? I would think so.

No problem!

I think you're referring to the Bell South building. Some people refer to it as the Batman Building. My husband says it resembles a giant taser! I don't know anybody who lives downtown myself. For someone who likes to run and enjoys fitness, I don't think it would be the place for you anyway.

We live close to Vanderbilt campus (naturally!) but not all the folks in our area are college kids. There are young professionals (many work at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital and Medical Center), families and young couples. Our apartment is near Hillsboro Village, a cute little cluster of shops, cafes and stores. We live across from what is called the Dragon Park, which attracts a lot of people. Housing costs are going through the ceiling in this area due to its popularity, though. But there are affordable townhouses here and there.

You might enjoy living closer to Centennial Park, which is the West End area. I can walk to it from my place. Plenty of restaurants, shops. And Centennial Park is HUGE. Lots of people run/jog/walk there.

Not far from Centennial is the Sylvan Park area. Lots of people are moving into that area. It's got less traffic, has a lot of trees, housing is good. They have some cute locally-owned cafes and stores there. I don't know if you've heard of the group Sixpence None the Richer, but they live back there. I know a couple who lives across from their bass player.

The truly HOT area of town that people are moving into is East Nashville. They're moving into older 30s-40s-era homes, fixing them up. Lots of young, hip professionals. It seems like every week there's a new bisto or cafe popping up over there that's in the newspaper. I would definitely look there.

All the places I've mentioned are not all that far from downtown. I don't know much about places further out, like Bellevue. That area has gotten popular. The "stars" tend to live out in Brentwood but that are is definitely more geared toward families.

Does that help any? I hope so. Feel free to ask more questions and I'll help if I can.

I just got back from visiting a friend in Nashville. He and his wife are originally from back east. They said they love it in Nashville and would never leave. They especially like the friendliness of the people and the affordability of housing.

I lived in Nashville for over a year and liked it alot. There are many young professionals and college students living in the town. As far as living in the south for a young professional, I think Nashville is only second to Austin, TX.