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Maybe. My job is moving but I'm not sure I am willing to move with it as lifestyle is a major part of my decision and not sure that any amount of money can make up for what I will have to give up.
What neighborhoods would be good for:
Walkable to restaurants/cafes (I'm assuming people don't drink and drive).
Apartment/condo/townhouse (rent)
Access to good food markets (Whole Foods for example)
Cycling from the front door (I ride 6 days per week and compete)
Currently it is unknown where the office location will be but I will be visiting in a few weeks so would like to have some areas to check out.
In my current neighborhood I have 4 restaurants within spitting distance, 3 cafes and 10 restaurants only 2 blocks away, plus probably 200 restaurants and cafes and bars a 15 minute walk away. I drive my car once a week.
But, I am well over the age of 30 and definitely NOT a hipster, will not be using the bike to commute (training only). So, might that change any of the responses?
Maybe. My job is moving but I'm not sure I am willing to move with it as lifestyle is a major part of my decision and not sure that any amount of money can make up for what I will have to give up.
What neighborhoods would be good for:
Walkable to restaurants/cafes (I'm assuming people don't drink and drive).
Apartment/condo/townhouse (rent)
Access to good food markets (Whole Foods for example)
Cycling from the front door (I ride 6 days per week and compete)
Currently it is unknown where the office location will be but I will be visiting in a few weeks so would like to have some areas to check out.
In my current neighborhood I have 4 restaurants within spitting distance, 3 cafes and 10 restaurants only 2 blocks away, plus probably 200 restaurants and cafes and bars a 15 minute walk away. I drive my car once a week.
TIA
Well, to be honest, there aren't a plethora of "walkable" neighborhoods in the metro that would fit what you are looking for...but they do exist. For the most part, these neighborhoods will be quite close to the city center (with very few exceptions in the suburbs).
What will work for you, however, depends on your preferences as well as your price range.
I'll go ahead and tell you that if you live in Nashville, you're not going to find anywhere that has 200 restaurants/cafes within a 15 minute walk. You will almost certainly use your car daily, rather than once a week. On top of that, the public transportation system isn't all that adequate. If you live in town, it shouldn't be a problem catching a bus...but almost all buses are routed through downtown...so even getting to adjacent parts of town can be very time consuming using the buses.
Access to food markets can be tricky depending on where you are. The larger stores, of course, tend to locate away from the center of town, but there are still some options in the closer in areas. You will probably need to use your car when you go grocery shopping. The only Whole Foods in the city is in Green Hills, which is semi walkable, and would provide you with a number of things you are looking for...but it is also one of the more expensive areas of town. Other neighborhood residents might be able to fill you in on where they tend to shop.
While there are plenty of options, safety can be an issue in inner city neighborhoods. Generally, more expensive properties tend to be in safer/more gentrified areas...but that can vary somewhat. You would be best served by asking a resident of a particular neighborhood how they feel about the area.
My suggestions on places to start your search would be:
-Sylvan Park (on the west side of town -- not as much in the way of commercial/retail as some other areas...some good restaurants, though...adjacent to a more ritzy area (West End -- Cherokee Park) which could positively affect home values in the future)
-Hillsboro Village (southwest side, near Vanderbilt -- somewhat of a younger crowd, though...generally more expensive)
-12th South/Melrose (south side, a gentrifying area that has seen a lot of renewed interest....a small, but cool commercial strip on 12th ave)
-East Nashville (includes several neighborhoods -- Edgefield, East End, Lockeland Springs, Inglewood -- probably the more artsy/eclectic side of town...lots of historic homes...more of a bargain compared to the west/southwest side of town...a number of good restaurants/cafes...still a perception of crime in the area (it has improved greatly in the past 20+ years)
-Green Hills (a little more suburban in feel, but quite built up...lots of retail and restaurants...but generally catering to a wealthier clientele)
-Germantown (very close and convenient to downtown...though probably not quite true walking distance...a much smaller area, so limited in restaurant/commercial aspects -- though they do exist...crime around the neighborhood, but not as much in the neighborhood...the area in general is on an upswing)
I do not live in these neighborhoods, so it would be helpful if you find a specific neighborhood that you like or are curious about, that you ask a specific question that someone who lives there can help you with. It would also be helpful if you include what your means in addition to the wants/needs you posted.
These neighborhoods vary in price...so an idea of what you can afford, as well as the size place you are looking for, and if there are any other issues (how important is the perception of safety where you live? Do you have a family/kids? Do you want a larger/smaller yard? Would you enjoy living in a historic/older house, or would you rather have newer construction? How important is proximity to nightlife (outside of just bars/restaurants) to you?
I hope you find what you are looking for, but the possibility remains that you might not find anything here that suits your wants or needs. I wouldn't want you to move here thinking you have to "settle" for something that you don't like. If you really, really like where you are, it may just be best to stay there and try to find another job. I would, however, encourage that you come here and take a visit and get a lay of the land and a feel for the place.
Good luck in your search, and let us know if there is anything else we can help you with!
Thanks very much for the information. I will check the areas mentioned when I am there.
Price: I pay well below market currently, so I don't want to pay more than $800. (As I mentioned, in my personal situation, COL will not be less.)
Walkable: I will drive to work, drive to the grocery store, etc. What I would prefer not to do is to have to drive to go out to dinner or get a coffee every single time I want to do so. And proximity to recreation is the main consideration (I have always preferred to live where I recreate).
Single, no family, no kids. Do not care about a yard. Do not care about nightlife (bars/clubs). Prefer a condo or townhouse, not a big apt. complex. Current living situation is a flat and I have the entire floor.
Safety: What do you consider "unsafe"? Every city has crime. I live in one of the nicest areas around and there was a murder in the area in the past year. But I walk around late at night with no concerns.
I know that if I do move, I will have to settle on most of the things extremely important to me. But I also know that if I do move, it will only be a temporary settle (1-2 years). What I am looking for is to make the best of the situation for the time involved, but to be honest, I am looking very hard at staying in California. But perhaps the site visit will change my mind.
Thanks very much for the information. I will check the areas mentioned when I am there.
Price: I pay well below market currently, so I don't want to pay more than $800. (As I mentioned, in my personal situation, COL will not be less.)
Walkable: I will drive to work, drive to the grocery store, etc. What I would prefer not to do is to have to drive to go out to dinner or get a coffee every single time I want to do so. And proximity to good bike training is the #1 consideration.
Single female, no family, no kids. Do not care about a yard. Do not care about nightlife (bars/clubs). Prefer a condo or townhouse, not a big apt. complex. I live in a flat and have the entire floor of a house.
Safety: What do you consider "unsafe"? Every city has crime. I live in one of the nicest areas around and there has been a murder in the area in the past year. But I walk around late at night with no concerns.
I know that if I do move, I will have to settle on most of the things extremely important to me. But I also know that if I do move, it will only be a temporary settle (1-2 years). What I am looking for is to make the best of the situation for the time involved, but to be honest, I am looking very hard at how to stay in California.
Thanks again for the information.
I don't know what the going rate is for apartments/condos in the East Nashville area, but I think that might be the best fit for you. We have a number of East Nashville posters, so perhaps one of them will chime in and give you a little more background and details about the area.
I don't know how far $800 will go in East Nashville...but it's not as expensive as areas like Hillsboro Village/Green Hills. As far as cost of living, you will find yourself spending more money on gas, so that's something to consider. Sales tax is pretty high...9.25% is the local rate, except for groceries, which is 7.75%. However, there is no general income tax (except on interest from dividends and bonds). Overall, the cost of living is lower here than it is in most larger cities.
East Nashville is known for having a rather large stock of historic houses, but it is possible to find some newer construction and apartments/condos. I would caution you to investigate individual apartments, though, because some of the lower rent apartments in that area are on the run down side and/or might have a crime element involved. Consult a neighborhood local for specifics. Renting a house with a small yard might be a better bet.
As far as safety...it's hard to say specifically...it has a lot to do with your own perception. You are right to say every city has crime. Nashville is no different. We have our fair share of high crime areas...but most are neighborhood specific (i.e., around the projects or low income areas). There are some of these areas in East Nashville...especially on the Western side, where there is a large concentration of projects, and along Dickerson Rd. I think most East Nashville residents will say they feel safe in the majority of the area...especially around the restaurants/cafes/coffee shops that you would probably frequent.
In the end, you should decide what is best for you. Again, come here and visit...see how it feels. It might be a good move for you, or it might not. Only you can decide that.
Well, my work is finally about ready to sign an office lease downtown. I'm thinking about doing a 6-month lease at the brand new Eleven North complex in I guess, The Gulch. Eleven North Apartments in Nashville, TN
One of my co-workers and his partner will also be living there. It's close to work, close to the downtown YMcA, and more urban, which we like, coming from San Francisco. Since we are the trailblazers at work, we figured the same would be fun in living situation. And I think I will like having a washer/dryer in the unit! Very rare in SF.
Anyone here live in The Gulch and have any comments on living there?
I don't live in the Gulch, but it's one of the upswing areas. I have a friend who lives just over Urban Flatbread and she loves it. You can walk to restaurants, ice cream, clothing stores, bars, and a gym. The downtown Y is very nice. I would definitely grab an apartment there for the first 6 months and then explore Nashville to see where you may fit.
Well, my work is finally about ready to sign an office lease downtown. I'm thinking about doing a 6-month lease at the brand new Eleven North complex in I guess, The Gulch. Eleven North Apartments in Nashville, TN
One of my co-workers and his partner will also be living there. It's close to work, close to the downtown YMcA, and more urban, which we like, coming from San Francisco. Since we are the trailblazers at work, we figured the same would be fun in living situation. And I think I will like having a washer/dryer in the unit! Very rare in SF.
Anyone here live in The Gulch and have any comments on living there?
Don't live in the Gulch...the only thing I'll say about 11 North is it's going to be a little bit isolated when it opens. It's a good 3-4 blocks from anything happening in the current Gulch area (it's a little closer to 12th and Porter and Roosters...but not the main Gulch area).
Within the next decade, I would expect various developments to come through and sort of link the "North Gulch" to the main development...but 11 North really is the very beginning for that area. If you're not afraid to stick it out a few years, you might find yourself in a great spot. But I wouldn't expect it to be from day 1.
If you don't mind walking or biking, you'll probably be fine.
If you don't mind walking or biking, you'll probably be fine.
Walk, bike, taxi is what we do now, so that's fine. For the first 6 months we'll likely be working long hours, so convenient is key. And urban is much preferred since it's what I know. I'm definitely not a suburbia kind of gal. A friend who lives in West Meade said I'd be much happier there (11No) v. Green Hills (where I was also looking).
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