Choose a neighborhood
How do you want to live?
Every part of town feels different. Start with your pace.
- Walkable and urban
The Gulch, Germantown, Midtown
Apartments and condos close to restaurants, bars and downtown jobs. Less need for a car day to day.
- Creative and local
East Nashville, The Nations, Wedgewood-Houston
Older bungalows next to new builds, independent bars, galleries and breweries.
- Leafy and quieter
Sylvan Park, Green Hills, 12 South
Tree-lined streets, parks and good shopping, popular with families and long-time locals.
- More space
Donelson, Bellevue, Antioch
Established suburbs inside the county, with more house for the money and easier parking.
- Just outside Nashville
Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro
More space for the money in many areas, and in Williamson County, highly rated schools. Plan for a longer commute.
- Lake and suburbs
Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet
Suburban living near Old Hickory and Percy Priest lakes, with a drive into the city.
Money matters
Taxes and costs
No state income tax
Tennessee doesn’t tax your paycheck, and no longer taxes investment income either. The state relies more on sales tax.
Higher sales tax
Most purchases in Nashville carry 9.25% sales tax. Groceries are taxed at a lower state rate.
Property tax
Set by Metro Nashville and based on your home’s appraised value, which is reassessed every four years.
Housing varies a lot
Prices change block by block. Compare a few neighborhoods (and nearby counties) before you commit.
Car costs
Most people here drive. Budget for car insurance, registration and, in busy areas, paid parking.
Utilities
Summer air conditioning is the big bill. Ask landlords or sellers for typical NES electric bills.
Work
Jobs and the economy
Nashville’s economy is bigger than music.
Healthcare
The city’s biggest industry. HCA Healthcare is headquartered here, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of the region’s largest employers.
Music & entertainment
Labels, publishers, studios, live venues and the touring business all have a base here.
Corporate & tech
A growing list of company headquarters and offices, including AllianceBernstein and Amazon’s operations hub at Nashville Yards.
Universities
Vanderbilt, Belmont, Tennessee State, Lipscomb and Fisk bring jobs, events and plenty of students.
Getting around
Plan your commute
It’s a driving city
Most commutes are by car on I-24, I-40, I-65 and the I-440 loop. Rush hour backs up in every direction.
WeGo buses
Bus routes connect neighborhoods to downtown, with frequent service on the busiest corridors.
WeGo Star train
A weekday commuter train between Lebanon and downtown, with stops in Wilson County and Donelson.
Bikes & greenways
Greenways make some commutes bikeable, especially in East Nashville and along the river.
New-resident checklist
Your first 30 days
The official to-dos after you move into Davidson County.
Get a Tennessee driver’s license
New residents have 30 days. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of address and the other documents the state lists to a Driver Services center.
Register your car
Title and register your vehicle with the Davidson County Clerk.
Set up utilities
Electricity is Nashville Electric Service (NES), water is Metro Water Services and gas is mostly Piedmont Natural Gas.
Register to vote
Register online once you have your Tennessee license. The deadline is 30 days before an election.
Enroll the kids
Your address sets your zoned Metro school. Look up your zone and enrollment steps with MNPS.
Get your library card
Free for Davidson County residents. Bring proof of address to any branch.
Come see it first
Spend a weekend like a local
Our free guide and events calendar are the easiest way to test-drive Nashville before you sign a lease.
Healthcare
Find a doctor
Nashville is a healthcare city, with major hospital systems across the region.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
An academic medical center with specialists in nearly everything, plus Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.
Ascension Saint Thomas
Hospitals and clinics across Middle Tennessee, including Midtown and West.
HCA TriStar
A network of hospitals and ERs around the city and suburbs.
Schools
Know your options
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Serves all of Davidson County, with zoned schools plus magnet, charter and choice options you apply for.
Williamson County Schools
Serves Franklin, Brentwood and nearby towns. A big reason families look just south of Nashville.
Private schools
Nashville has a large number of private and faith-based schools. Applications often open a year ahead.
Tennessee Promise
Tennessee high school graduates can attend community or technical college tuition-free through the state’s scholarship program.
Weather
Four real seasons
- Spring
Green and stormy
Beautiful and blooming, but the main storm season. Set up weather alerts.
- Summer
Hot and humid
Long, steamy days and afternoon thunderstorms. Air conditioning is a must.
- Fall
The best season
Warm days, cool nights and great color in the parks.
- Winter
Mild, mostly
Cool and gray with the occasional snow or ice day that shuts things down.
From the blog
Keep reading
Moving to Nashville in 2026: what to know before you go
Taxes, housing, getting around and what’s being built: the honest version.
October 6, 2026
Nashville neighborhoods, explained
Twelve neighborhoods, what they’re like and who they suit, in one honest page.
October 1, 2026