Thinking of moving to Nashville? Here's what you need to know.

Nashville has long been called Music City, and for good reason, it's one of the top places in the country for new and seasoned musicians to find inspiration, and for fans to hear great tunes. But Nashville, a metro area with almost 2 million residents, holds its own in other areas, too, including food, film and fashion.

Who's There?

The Nashville area boasts a number of universities, notably, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University, earning it the nickname "Athens of the South." Around Major employers include Vanderbilt University, Nissan, Saint Thomas Health and HCA Holdings, Inc. The cost of living in Nashville is reasonable, around 90.2 percent of the national average, and the state of Tennessee does not tax personal income.

What's Around Nashville?

A car is useful in Nashville, although the city is quite friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, thanks to organizations such as GreenBikes and Walk Bike Nashville. Public transportation is also available; the Music City Star commuter rail and the Metropolitan Transit Authority bus system help locals get around Nashville as well as greater Davidson County. Well-known neighborhoods include hip and artsy East Nashville, college-friendly Hillsboro Village, naturally beautiful Bellevue, and The Gulch, which is home to The Station Inn, Nashville's historic music venue.

What Do You Do In Nashville?

Music is, of course, a main attraction in the area, with live performances nightly at many venues along Broadway, and regular performances at the Grand Ole Opry and historic Ryman Auditorium. Art is also quite popular with residents. Galleries and museums, including the popular Frist Center for the Visual Arts, are plentiful. Nashville's culinary scene is gaining traction. Many restaurants serve the city's signature "hot chicken," which is a spicy fried chicken. If you're a sports buff, don't miss seeing Nashville's professional hockey team, the Predators. Football fans will want to score tickets to a Tennessee Titans game. Popular festivals and events throughout the year include the Tomato Festival, the Nashville Film Festival, Nashville Fashion Week and Taste of Music City.

Encore at Brentwood

Cortland Hickory Hollow

The Residence at Old Hickory Lake

Cortland at the Nations

Northerly

Prima at Paseo South Gulch

Emblem Park

Residences at Woodbine Park

Alta Lofts on the Levee

Albion Music Row

Avana Overlook

201 Residences

Camden West Nashville

Parc at Metro Center

10th & Park

The Warrick

Sentral SoBro

Bexley Donelson

Lyric on Bell Apartments

The Rowan

The Still I

River West Apartments

McCrory Flats

The Fountains at Belle Meade

Stacks on Main

Roberts Park Apartments

City Side Flats Apartments

Corban Farms at Cane Ridge

Bransford Apartments

Sojourn Nolensville

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