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7 Reasons to Get Excited About Moving to Nashville

Discover what makes living in Nashville so special and why it might be your next home.
By Winona Dimeo-Ediger on November 11, 2026
Julianna Valencia and Fabio Carmargo celebrate a point at Sensa Padel in the Neuhoff neighborhood in Nashville.
©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

You might be dancing on Broadway when it happens. Or eating biscuits and peach jam at an old-school diner. Or taking in the view from a downtown rooftop. But at some point, during a visit to Nashville – perhaps even multiple times a day – it will hit you: the “Oh, I could live here” moment.

And, hey, maybe you should.

Need a little more convincing? Here are seven reasons why Nashville is a great place to call home.

1. Neighbors Who Feel Like Family

Visitors walk past Tootsie's Orchid Lounge along Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Southern hospitality is alive and well in Nashville, and you’ll notice it often in daily life here. From the barista who remembers your name to the new neighbors who invite you over for a porch pour to welcome you to town, this is a place that values its people and acts accordingly.

2. Opportunities for Career Growth

Millions of visitors come to Nashville every year seeking fun and entertainment, but residents know Music City is not all play and no work; it’s also a great place to grow your career or business. Major industries here include healthcare, finance, advanced manufacturing, entertainment and hospitality, and the city is home to around 60,000 businesses and growing every day. Living in a state capital also means access to government jobs and services in every sector.

3. Alive With Art and Music

Visitors view art work in the Ninth Avenue Elevator during the opening of the first micro-exhibition, Elise Kendrick: Salon Noir at the Frist Art Museum in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Looking for creative inspiration and collaboration? You’ve come to the right place. Nashville is buzzing with creative energy and opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow dreamers, makers and doers. Of course, you’ll find plenty of musicians and songwriters from all over the world honing their craft here, but the creative scene as a whole is surprisingly diverse. Avant-garde art is showcased at indie venues all over the city and at OZ Arts Nashville, while the Frist Art Museum, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Schermerhorn Symphony Center host traveling exhibits and performances.

4. Connected From Day One

What do you get when you combine the warmth of Southern hospitality with a youthful and career-oriented population? A social and professional network that’s well-connected and easy to tap into. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s young professional group, YP Nashville, welcomes members ages 21 to 40 and is a great place to start building your network of business contacts, mentors and friends.

5. Did Someone Say Free?

Nashville’s legendary honky-tonks may offer world-class music with no cover charge, but the city’s no-cost perks go far beyond Broadway. From Centennial Park’s Musicians Corner and East Nashville’s quirky Tomato Art Fest to community programs at local libraries, there is always something cool happening around town for free. That fiscal breathing room extends statewide: with no state income tax, Tennessee puts more money right back into your pocket – a difference that transplants from high-tax states notice immediately.

6. Urban Energy, Nature’s Escape

Visitors get some exercise on the greenway along Sevier Lake at Shelby Bottoms Park and Greeway in East Nashville, Tennessee.
©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

If you’re looking for a balance of big-city life and beautiful rural areas to explore and recharge, Nashville has you covered. Enjoy downtown’s walkability, fine dining, pro sports and cultural attractions – and when you need some fresh air and wide-open spaces, hop in the car for less than an hour in any direction. It doesn’t take long for the city’s glimmering skyline to make way for rolling hills, farmland, waterfalls, hiking trails and state parks.

7. From Here to Anywhere

Concourse D Extension, Grand Opening Tuesday July 1, 2025, in Nashville, TN.
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority

Middle Tennessee isn’t just a beautiful natural landscape; its central location also means easy access to other places. Nashville’s recently renovated international airport, BNA, is constantly adding to its already impressive list of direct destinations. If you’re a road tripper, it would be tough to find a more perfect home base for exploring the country. Atlanta, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Asheville and Birmingham are all within a five-hour drive, with countless historic sites, natural areas and charming small towns to discover along the way. No matter how you travel, adventure is nearby.

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