Nashville Is A Very Nice City, However.... (Memphis, Nashville-Davidson: appointed, transplants)

[mr2007]

I just spent the weekend in Nashville. I stayed at a very nice downtown hotel, hung out on 2nd Ave, visited The Hermitage, ate at Demo's and some other restaurants, caught a lot of live music - you name it, I tried to experience it.

I think that based on what I saw, the Nashville-Davidson Metro area is a very nice region and a perfectly acceptable area for anyone seeking a good quality of life in the United States. I would say that Nashville is probably a Top 15 or Top 20 American city in my view.

However...... for anyone relocating to Nashville, please understand this (especially if you don't currently live in the South):

Given that I was born in New York State and raised near Detroit, Michigan, I found Nashville to be a somewhat typical southern city. I am sure it is no surprise to anyone that the culture in Nashville is very much "country music" focused. So, if you don't have at least some appreciation of country music or perhaps even southern blues music, I think you would have a hard time being fulfilled by the social activities available in Nashville. I am pretty open-minded and although I really don't prefer to listen to country music, I am willing to step outside the box and try new things. For example, I took some line dancing lessons at Wild Horse saturday night. But to me, that scene is quintescentially Nashville. I'm sure there is Indie Rock and R&B and other scenes in other pockets of Nashville, but the primary scene in Nashville is country -- bottom line. To not understand that fact about Nashville is to do so at your own peril -- if you don't like the country scene.

Although I personally enjoyed my weekend in Nashville, I did make the mistake of comparing it to the Atlanta area. Nashville is not Atlanta and that may very well be a fact that Nashvillians are very proud of! However, if your intent in considering a move to Nashville is that it's similar to Atlanta, you would be mistaken. The Atlanta area is a much more socially and culturally diverse, more cosmopolitan and more of an international or what some call a "world class" city than Nashville is in my view. The designation of "world class" doesn't mean that Atlanta is better than Nashville -- "better" is such a subjective word anyway. But if you are expecting "another Atlanta" by moving to Nashville, again you would be mistaken. To me Nashville is very similar to many other mid sized regional hub cities such as Columbus OH, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, St. Louis or Kansas City -- although I think Nashville is slightly better than all of those cities. However, Nashville is not at what I would call a mega-diverse, international, & world class level city like Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco or Miami.

Overall, Nashville is a great, uniquely American and uniquely southern city. It's not quite ready for world class status, but it might be next on the list to get upgraded. It's hard not to enjoy Nashville if you have an open mind, but just understand what the true character of the city is before you move.

Last note: On my last night in Nashville, a guy in a bar called Larry's came up to me and said in a southern drawl "I wanna buy you a drink, homeboy. You being a black guy and all and comin' up in here to hang out with us in a place like this, I gotta lot of respect for you, brother!" I actually didn't take offense to this comment because A) I am not quick to take offense like some, and B) we were all drinking so you have to put things in context. However, I am sure he wasn't the only one thinking that -- he was the only one to say it. That was the first time anyone has ever said anything like that to me at a bar or club.... and I am in my mid-30's. No one in any of the other cities I've visited have ever come out and said something like that to me. That comment -- rightly or wrongly -- led me to believe that Nashville may still have to issues with "diversity" in certain entertainment venues (not all, just some). I don't want to turn an isolated incident into a blanket indictment of Nashville (and I won't do that), but it was just a very unique experience for me and something that will probably always come to mind whenever I think of Nashville.

BTW - I do like the fact that country music is moving into some new territory with the whole Big & Rich, Muzik Mafia and Cowboy Troy / Hick Hop phenomenon. I can't tell you how many times I heard the "Hick Chicks" song this weekend. I had never heard it before this weekend, but I liked it!

[alleycat]

I would probably disagree with you slightly about a couple of points, mr2007, but overall I don't have any big argument with your take on Nashville. Just a sidebar, there probably is more variety in music than you experienced going to the areas you went.

And you're right, most people in Nashville do not want it to turn into another Atlanta. Atlanta is fine the way it is (and my brother and SIL like it there), most of us here would probably prefer that Nashville go its own way. I lived in Atlanta for a couple of months once when I was sent there on business; I personally wouldn't want to live there permanently (and I'm not trying to knock Atlanta; just my own personal opinion). American cities have already become so homogenized in many ways that I kind of like it when cities keep their own special flavor. I don't want Boston to be like Nashville; I don't want Nashville to be like Boston.

And I'd certainly agree that Nashville isn't in the same league with some of the cities you mentioned (and Nashville is a lot smaller than those cities too). But, there's also something to be said for living in a city where you can find most things you need, while not having all of the problems that some bigger cities have (although gangs are becoming a problem even here). I'm not sure we're even aiming for "world-class status" in the way you mean it. I would rather Nashville become a better city overall, than for it to just to become a bigger, more diverse city.

In any event, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit for the most part. I hope you come back sometime. And I hope wherever you call home is a great place to live too.

ac

[JMT]

That was a very interesting and very well-written commentary on Nashville, mr2007. I enjoyed reading it.

I would, however, like to caution you that spending one weekend in a city, particularly in a touristy part of the city, does not make one an expert on that city.

While it's true that Nashville has a lot of country music, it also has an excellent symphony, one of America's most beautiful symphony halls, and Nashville is one of the most popular stops on the rock & pop concert circuit. Many rock and pop stars own homes in Nashville. But you're right, Nashville's bread and butter is country music. Just as someone who hates jazz might not like New Orleans, or someone who hates the blues wouldn't enjoy Beale Street, anyone who visits Nashville should recognize that it is the world capital of the genre. I mean, the Country Music Hall of Fame isn't in Seattle.

When it comes to comparing Nashville to Atlanta, I don't think anyone in Nashville really WANTS the city to become another Atlanta. In fact, the rallying cry in Nashville seems to be "let's make sure Nashville doesn't become another Atlanta." I can definitely see the wisdom in that (although I love visiting Atlanta).

As for the white guy who bought you a drink at a honky tonk, I think that's admirable, too. I think there's a lot less anti-black racism in country music than anti-white racism in gansta rap.

At any rate, I'm glad you had a good time in our state's capital city, and I hope you'll be able to come back and enjoy some of the other fun things the city has to offer.

[goodbyehollywood]

I don't understand-- at all-- why people come to the South expecting the great diversity found in "world class" cities and then being disappointed when they don't find it. I, personally, have lived in three of these world class cities and I can attest firsthand that all that diversity comes from transplants flocking there in droves. 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.

The South is not a melting pot and never has been. Why does anyone think that it is? People have roots in the South, roots that go long and strong and deep. Their relatives have lived there for multiple centuries and dozens of generations. Southerners will ask you right off about "your people," because they think you might have forebears or friends in common... and you more than likely do. Southerners stay in the South. If they want change, they'll leave and go somewhere more to their liking. They know that they're out of step with the Southern way of life.

The South is slooooow to change. Things move at a much more leisurely clip in the South; that's presumably why people are coming here by the busload, right? To slooooow down, smell the roses and experience simpler, slower-paced living?

Personally, I like diversity. I seek it out and I find that it enriches life immeasurably. But I am one person, and I have been a transplanted Southerner living elsewhere for decades. TN doesn't claim to be a hotbed of diversity, so why, why do people come here expecting to find that it is? Why do they expect TN to be in step with them, when they're the newcomers?

Diversity does, indeed, sweeten the pot, but not everyone wants their pot sweetened... or sweetened by the same amount. To each his own. Isn't that what makes America America? I would hope it's what makes Tennessee Tennessee.

[mr2007]

Again, no major negatives about Nashville. I had a nice time and I would return in a heartbeat. The people I met were very friendly and hospitable. I am definitely not beating up on the city. I liked it, I really liked it (this will be my only Sally Field reference on this board - ever)

Admittedly, I can't totally get the feel of an entire region by just staying near downtown. I did get out to the Hermitage, the Gibson Guitar Factory and of course the airport, but that isn't all of Nashville. For example, I would have like to visit the campuses of Vanderbilt, Tennessee State and Fisk but did not have time to do so. Maybe next time......

I just think I misread Nashville. Now when I found out what Nashville was -- or at least was in my opinion -- I still liked the city very much. But, I had heard that Nashville in recent years had become somewhat "de-southernized" (my word)... few people had southern accents any more, the cowboy boots and hats were disappearing, etc. But I found that Nashville is actually still very country, there are still heavy southern accents everywhere and there are still cowboy boots and hats abounding. But honestly, Nashville residents should be proud of what it is and as someone else mentioned, a city staying connected to it's roots is a good thing overall.

I guess I'm just not a Southerner, so I might not have the requisite appreciation of southern things to enjoy Nashville to the fullest. I took line dancing lessons, but it wasn't the most fun thing I've ever done. I might do it again once or twice, but I didn't return to Michigan looking for the nearest country bar.

Nashville has every modern convenience one would ever need to live in the 21st Century. I did not identify the city as being particularly deficient in any one area. I just think others may like it more than I would on a long-term basis if they were relocating. Nashville may be one of the Top 5 cities in the US to have a fun weekend. In my opinion, it would be (for me and my tastes) a Top 15 or Top 20 city for living in Nashville full-time. I would like to come back for a Titans game and see what Nashville is like in the Fall during football season.

I was in Chicago two weekends ago on a similar weekend getaway. I came home from there trying to figure out how to get my employer to transfer me there. Chicago, in my opinion, is an OUTSTANDING American city. Nashville is too, but I may have been better visiting Nashville not immediately on the heels of a great weekend in Chicago. I like Nashville's weather better though!

I appreciate Nashville for what it is - a great city. And by the way -- some of those "hick chicks" were drop-dead gorgeous, so that made for a fun weekend!

[goodbyehollywood]

Chicago IS an outstanding city! If you can handle snow in May-- and root for the Bears-- it's practically perfect.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

Chicago IS an outstanding city! If you can handle snow in May-- and root for the Bears-- it's practically perfect.

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

[alleycat]

I didn't take your original post as beating up on Nashville; you wrote what your experience was like and you did it politely . No problem.

Originally Posted by mr2007

I just think I misread Nashville. Now when I found out what Nashville was -- or at least was in my opinion -- I still liked the city very much. But, I had heard that Nashville in recent years had become somewhat "de-southernized" (my word)... few people had southern accents any more, the cowboy boots and hats were disappearing, etc. But I found that Nashville is actually still very country, there are still heavy southern accents everywhere and there are still cowboy boots and hats abounding.

Here's a bit of where the "problem" comes in (not that there's really a problem). You went to the touristy parts of town for the most part. 98% of the people in Nashville don't even own a cowboy hat, and if they wear one it's just a costume when they go to someplace like the Wild Horse, or they're a wannabe country music star over on Music Row. I live in Bellevue and work at MetroCenter and go around here and there . . . since I won't be going down to lower Broad or Music Row, I'd be willing to bet I won't see a cowboy hat all week.

A side note. Jefferson Street used to be quite a scene for jazz, blues, and rock back in the thirties, forties and fifties (think of a southern Harlem). Big names played there and some of them got their start there. Lot of clubs, and even some studios. However, when they ran the Interstate highways through in the sixties and seventies it just cut Jefferson to pieces. It's just now starting to recover, although it will probably never be what it once was.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by mr2007

I was in Chicago two weekends ago on a similar weekend getaway. I came home from there trying to figure out how to get my employer to transfer me there. Chicago, in my opinion, is an OUTSTANDING American city. Nashville is too, but I may have been better visiting Nashville not immediately on the heels of a great weekend in Chicago. I like Nashville's weather better though!

I appreciate Nashville for what it is - a great city. And by the way -- some of those "hick chicks" were drop-dead gorgeous, so that made for a fun weekend!

Jesse Jackson said that Chicago is the most racist city in America...

[mr2007]

Originally Posted by JMT

Jesse Jackson said that Chicago is the most racist city in America...

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.