Living in Nashville is a dream come true for a country music fan or a wannabe future star, but there are plenty of other reasons this southern city is a great place to settle down. The capital city of Tennessee offers good schools, housing prices below the national average and numerous employment opportunities, particularly in the areas of banking, insurance and, of course, music. Additionally, Nashville is home to many healthcare organization headquarters. People looking to find the music for which Nashville is so famous move further out toward the area of Music Row, located on Demonbreun Street and South 16th Avenue. Recording studios, music publishers and agents are located along Music Row in turn-of-the-century homes that have been converted into offices. Nashville is also home to The Ryman - the site of the Grand Ole Opry. Tourists who want to see attractions with a country music flavor will appreciate the east side of Nashville, across the Cumberland River from the downtown area. The world-famous Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and its next-door neighbors, the Grand Ole Opry House and the Opry Mills shopping center, are back bigger and better than ever after the massive floods of May 2010. True fans can see their favorite stars’ Nashville residences on a Homes of the Stars tour. Potential residents and tourists who aren’t quite as enamored of country music will appreciate the history and culture that this charming southern city offers. The Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee Center of the Performing Arts in downtown Nashville as well as the Parthenon, a replica of the original Greek temple located in Centennial Park, are all worthwhile sites to visit. The Hermitage in East Nashville, the home of our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, offers daily tours. For the sports lovers, Nashville is home of the Titans and the Predators. The West End of Nashville, just west of downtown, is home to Vanderbilt University and Belmont University. Vanderbilt is the largest employer in the city. This area of the city, which also goes by the name of Hillsboro Village, caters to university students with late-night entertainment and eateries. Further west, expensive restaurants and upscale homes, many owned by country music stars, are part of the Belle Meade neighborhood. Outlying suburbs such as Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro and similar smaller towns provide the more rural space that the communities closer to the city can no longer offer. The entire area is growing by leaps and bounds and is expected to maintain that pace through the next two decades, according to statistics. Nashville offers a number of excellent public and private schools in its downtown area as well as its numerous suburbs. In fact, two of the city’s schools, the Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School and the Martin Luther King Academic Magnet School are ranked consistently among the top high schools in the country. Glendale Elementary School and Julia Green Elementary, both located in the southern suburbs of Nashville, also get high ratings. Nashville also boasts the title of having more parkland than any other city in the country. The parks here are gorgeous. You're sure to spend time at Edwin and Percy Warner Parks at some point as a resident of Nashville. Living in Nashville can be a most enjoyable experience. Whether a prospective resident loves country music or just enjoys being part of a charming Southern city, he’ll feel most welcome in Nashville. With its affordable home prices, bevy of amenities and attractions and high livability overall, Nashville is one of the top spots for real estate in Tennessee. Homebuyers and real estate investors looking for great deals will find plenty to love about this charming Southern city. Here are the basics that every prospective Nashville homebuyer should know about the city and its history, attractions and culture. Take a moment to check out some of Nashville's favorite communities. History Nashville boasts a long and rich history. Its heritage adds to its charm and makes living there even better. The city of Nashville was founded in 1779 along the banks of the Cumberland River. In its early years, the city enjoyed exceptional growth and prosperity thanks to its strategic location as a river port and later railroad hub. In 1843, the city was named the named of Tennessee. Nashville played a critical role in the Civil War as its strategic location and status as a major river port made it a prime target for the Union. The city bore witness to the Battle of Nashville and ultimately fell into Union hands. Fortunately, the city recovered quickly from the Civil War and reestablished itself as a major center of trade and industry. In the 20th century, Nashville enjoyed even more population and economic growth and became known as a center for country music and Southern culture. Today, it is the second-largest city in Tennessee and enjoys a robust economy and steady population growth. Parks and Recreation Nashville offers an extensive network of urban parks and public spaces as well as plentiful recreation and leisure options just outside of its city limits. In fact, Nashville and Davidson County boast more than 10,000 acres of parkland spread amongst 99 beautiful parks and public areas. Warner Parks offers more than 2,600 lush acres of greenery to explore, including a vast network of hiking trails, numerous historical sites, two golf courses and much more. Centennial Park features a full-scale replication of the Ancient Greek Parthenon and is a fantastic place for rest, leisure and enjoying the city’s mild climate. Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake, meanwhile, offer recreational opportunities like boating, fishing and various water sports. Other top parks and public spaces in Nashville include Shelby Park, the Radnor Lake State Natural Area and the idyllic Cumberland Park. Attractions and Activities The city boasts a wide array of attractions, historical landmarks and other points of interest for residents to enjoy. From world-class museums and cultural institutions to celebrated music venues, Nashville has something great for everyone. Nashville plays host to a famed music scene and has been hailed as the “Country Music Capital of the World.” The iconic Grand Ole Opry is a prime destination for country and western music fans while other top venues include the Ryman Auditorium and the renowned Nashville Symphony. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is another great attraction for music lovers and one of the city’s most respected cultural landmarks. The city also boasts a renowned collection of museums and cultural institutions to explore. These include the Tennessee State Museum, the Nashville Zoo, the Adventure Science Center and The Hermitage, the former home of President Andrew Jackson and one of Tennessee’s top cultural and historical landmarks. Other top cultural and historical sites of interest include the Belle Meade Plantation, the beautiful Belmont Mansion and Fort Negley, a historic Civil War-era fortress. There are a few beautifully maintained historic homes in this long-settled part of the country that reflect the American experience on many levels. Belle Meade Plantation is an authentic, well-preserved example on Harding Pike in Nashville. Contact Belle Meade at 800-270-3991. The concert series at Dyer Observatory, Vanderbilt University, is in Brentwood at 1,000 Oman Drive, off of Granny White Pike. The schedule can be found at brentwood.thefuntimesguide.com. Events The city of Nashville plays host to a multitude of cultural and community events. These include the Country Music Awards, the Nashville Film Festival, the Veterans Day Parade, the CMA Music Festival, the Tennessee State Fair and the Country Music Marathon, an annual marathon and half-marathon that occurs every April. These events help to create a strong sense of community spirit and enrich the city and its people. Nashville: A Great Place to Live With its rich history, wealth of cultural and historic attractions and high quality of life, Nashville represents one of the top real estate opportunities in Tennessee. Prospective homebuyers and real estate investors will find a treasure trove of great homes all across the city, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos and much more. Truly one of the finest cities in the South, Nashville is simply too good to pass up. | ![]()
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