Nashville Is A Very Nice City, However.... (Memphis, Nashville-Davidson: real estate, cheap house)

[kpellatiro]

Mr2007, I enjoyed your trip report. I probably take it as a Downtown Nashville trip report - but I admire that it was fair and objective. Something hard to come by on any city's local board.

Having come from southern California (as a number of us here have), its been disappointing to run into some of the stereotypical southern 'redneck' characters. Still, in the sitcom stereotype we loose the overwhelming majority. I have been lucky enough to spend time with folks from all over the city, outlying counties, West Tennessee and even a few from East Tennessee. Some of the most rewarding elements of our move have come from these friends. They loved taking me to my first fish fry, joking about my lack of any fishing or hunting knowledge, and sharing stories from our different backgrounds. We have an absolute blast together. They have accepted us with open arms and as near family. Its amazing to me how true "southern hospitality" really has proven itself to be on a day to day basis.

I love how 'proud to be country' my new friends are -- how confidently they hold on to their roots -- and how we get along laughing at the completely different perspectives. There are no hats, boots, or overalls and its too much 80’s guitar rock than anything else :-)

The rigid 'redneck' stereotype makes for better punch lines. The truth is much less Hee-Haw and much more southern gentlemen.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by mr2007

I'm not a fan of Jessie Jackson at all, so I really haven't followed what he has said. It doesn't surprise me to read that, however, given that he has a penchant for inflammatory rhetoric. Jackson has made similarly racially tinged comments about New York City and I would imagine any other city you could think of. But I will digress from that point because I don't want this thread to degenerate into racial topics.

I just wanted to offer my experiences in Nashville and how it differed from my initial perceptions -- but still in a very positive way.

I wonder -- Has anyone on this messageboard ever moved to Nashville from another large US city (job transfer, grad school, personal reasons) and have strong feelings one way or the other toward Nashville -- love or hate?

I would like to hear from some Nashville transplants before this thread ends.

I'm a Nashville Transplant, and I love it here and will never leave. My husband took a Job Transfer here from the NY office. We asked to be transfered here.
I went to college in Clarksville in the Early 70s and did not want to leave, but my family was in NY , so I did. I moved here from NJ, and it was the best thing I ever did in my life. Next year my daughter starts college here at MTSU. Nashville is a good place to raise a family. I live at the Brentwood border of Nashville.

[Optimum]

Mr2007,

I am glad you have posted this thread. I found it of great interest to hear an outsiders take on their brief experience of Nashville. I just came back from a 7 day trip to Nashville. I did not do the tourist thing but was involved in conferences, The Call and looking for a place to live. It was a great experience. All the people I have met and were around were extra special nice, hospitable and caring. I was blessed there and am looking forward to moving 'home' to Nashville and digging in my roots. Smiles!!

Keep writing..I think you got something there ;-)

Blessings to you,
Optimum

All other posters....it was good hearing your takes too. I get more educated from this forum each time I come here. God bless Ya'll!!

[UNT_Eagle]

Hey mr2007,
I also am a transplant from the Dallas area originally, so I can relate to the "smaller" feeling of Nashville. My first impressions of the city were somewhat favorable, but I hadn't explored much either during that time. Once my wife and I settled here in Murfreesboro (which is South of Nashville), we took advantage of some of the activities here and began to drive around more often. Since my wife is from Ohio, and I'm from Dallas, this is a GREAT middle ground for us. I love the Southern culture and Nashville still has that all over the place, but there are pockets of different cultures here as well.

There are things I miss about Dallas because there seems to be "everything" there, and that is mostly true, but Nashville is a more welcoming, laid back, take your time kind of city overall. Not as much of the hussle and bustle mentality. Sure, the roads here aren't as well planned out and numerous as Dallas, but the city doesn't have a metro pop. of over 3 million either.

We are blessed to be here and don't want to move unless the Lord leads..

Hope you find a good place to settle, wherever it may be.

[wiseroption]

I normally speed read through such lengthy posts, but found yours to be so well worded & written that I savored it in its entirety. Perhaps you should write reviews for a paper somewhere, if you do not already. Thank you for such honesty, too!

Most others, whom I presume to be locals responded as well & much in line with what I would say. However, I will add that I live in the outskirts of Nashville and DO IN FACT OWN A COWBOY HAT & no, I am not a wannabe of any music city persona, but find the freedom of the country life to nurture my fashion faux pas'. I do not like country music & if you pay close attention, Nashville's country music revenue is merely bleeding off of sad left-overs. The real stuff moved up to Branson, Missouri.

Eleven years ago, I moved here from a smaller extremely southern city full of urbanite aspirants (man, talk about your wannabes!!) & have found a 'just the right size" city full of people who truly are salt-of-the-earth & will accept you for whatever you are....a cultured northern black guy in a bar or a southern white woman with a cowboy hat & a PHD. But would you like to know what makes them particularly wonderful to live around? The honesty that they approach you with, like the guy in the bar & guess what? There are a lot more like him! Some cultures (particularly hard-core, true metropolitans), in their overly prudent impudence, have been known to assess these (us) southerners as uneducated or boorish in behavior, but on the contrary, the simplicity of our lifestyles is.....well,...you tell me, is that not refreshing to be around?

For a more artistic experience, come take a seat at a parlor table on the front sidewalk of Starbuck's or Ben & Jerry's in the Franklin area. You will see an entirely different facade. You may or may not like what you experience.

Y'all come back though, ya hear.

[wiseroption]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

I don't understand-- at all-- why people come to the South expecting ..............And once they flock there, they generally don't assimilate, but seek out, and socialize with, other transplants who came from the same place they did.

As does everyone. True assimilation is accomplished only through force & then it is not true. It is merely forced. e.g.; (1) Plymouth Rock, 1620....England, Holland & Netherland brought pilgrims here, but they never did try to "assimilate" with the Native Americans. They wanted to change the land to accomodate themselves. Hence, bloodshed. e.g. (2) South of the Mason/Dixon. 1960-1970's. Racial Desegregation. Blacks were forced into white schools by busing, but they never did try to fully assimilate. The black heritage & culture was every bit as strong & powerful as the whites, but so very different that it clashed. So, there was & still is no true assimilation. There has even been blood shed.

Now the Mexican Immigrants are doing the same thing. Integrating by force, but not to assimilate, they are requesting cultural change to accomodate their own ethinicity and rightfully so according to American history. Now, I see blood shed as a strong possibility.

Really now, is there actually a genuine Melting Pot of diversely assimilated cultures in this country? The South does have roots that go long & strong & deep & yes, Southerners do tend to stay in the South & are very slooooow to change, but I don't think the only reason people are coming here by the busload is to slooooow down, smell the roses and experience simpler, slower-paced living. I think it may be because we continue to maintain a lower cost of living, are more tolerant & easier to get over on, and last but not least, we are closer to the border! Heck, we'll even offer 'em a glass of iced tea when they step off the bus!

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I actually like Chicago too, except for the wind and cold. Gee, that wind around some of the downtown buildings is a bit . . . brisk.

Just a tad bit chilly, I'd say.

I went to Chicago for a conference last year. Loved it there, for the culture, sights and amenities, as well as for the Edgar Rice Burroughs connection. But, I have no desire to move there.

My preferences for places to move to are:

1. Tennessee
2. Texas
3. Western Pennsylvania (in other words, same general area as I am at now - altho, I would like to move further out in the country, so Mercer, Venango or Elk Counties would be good.)

blessings, Shen

[goodbyehollywood]

Originally Posted by wiseroption

The South does have roots that go long & strong & deep & yes, Southerners do tend to stay in the South & are very slooooow to change, but I don't think the only reason people are coming here by the busload is to slooooow down, smell the roses and experience simpler, slower-paced living. I think it may be because we continue to maintain a lower cost of living, are more tolerant & easier to get over on, and last but not least, we are closer to the border! Heck, we'll even offer 'em a glass of iced tea when they step off the bus!

Now, I realize that you were much too busy making fun of me to remember the finer points of geography, but we are more tolerant and closer to the border??? You do realize that you're in a Tennessee forum, right? A middle state? And the border is... where? Virginia? Or did the last Floridian leaving finally take the flag?

And just what are you offering in that tea? Being condescending only works if you actually have something to condescend about.

[mr2007]

Thanks to all who responded to my comments regarding Nashville.

After traveling across the US extensively on both business and pleasure over the past decade, there are a number of major American cities that I have never been to. They are:

- Philadelphia PA
- Pittsburgh PA
- Boston MA
- Washington DC
- Charlotte NC
- Tampa FL
- Austin TX
- Kansas City MO
- Denver CO
- Seattle WA

I think I can now say that of the major cities I have visited (and I would prefer to live in a major city), my favorites are - in no particular order:

- Chicago IL

- San Diego CA

- South Florida (anywhere from Fort Lauderdale down to Key West will do. Anyone who hasn't done so should take a drive down The Keys at least once in their life. I did that drive last year (from Ft Lauderdale to Key West and back) and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Stopping at all the little towns in The Keys, taking your time and being in no hurry to get where you're going, all the blue/green water on both sides of you, laid back attitudes -- an outstanding American road trip experience. I hope to do old Route 66 one day as well.) Now back to the list....

- Atlanta GA

- San Francisco CA

- Baltimore MD (I know it has its rough parts like all cities, but I stayed at an awesome hotel in the Inner Harbor, ate at some great restaurants and bistros. Baltimore reminded me a bit of "San Diego East" in certain parts. An underrated city in my view...)

- New York City (Greenwich Village is my favorite hangout)

- Las Vegas (I know its somewhat cheesy and commercial these days, but its still a good time. Although I wasn't alive back then, I wax nostalgic for the Rat Pack era. Classic American cool!)

- Albuquerque NM (There's was something about the Native American themes and the sandy landscapes that has always stuck with me.)

I actually work in Legal for a large financial company, but I think my true calling is to be a Travel Journalist on one of those Discovery Network shows!

[goodbyehollywood]

Originally Posted by mr2007

After traveling across the US extensively on both business and pleasure over the past decade, there are a number of major American cities that I have never been to.

There are some great cities on that yet-to-visit list that you would probably enjoy!

Sounds like you're having fun-- and you're open-minded-- so maybe you've found a new career. Good luck!