Nashville: the good, the bad, the ugly and the best?

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by groovamos

Look we all know that the culture of any place in the country is drastic compared to SF (or did I get it backwards). So then the question arises as to how many dozen times the above as quoted must be indicated to the nation, and really, is it even relevant to someone, say from Wisconsin.

You're missing the point. It's not California the state. It could be NYC, Wisconsin or anywhere actually. What the OPer needs to think about and decide how important it is to her is what all she would be giving up (family, friends, hobbies that may not be available where she's going and that are very very important, job prospects, etc.) Friends, many whom I consider family, and my avocation-which is extremely important to me, I had to leave. That, not "California" is what I had to give up and it is turning out to be far more important than I would have ever dreamed.

[mkuti624]

So, mostly I gathered that people either love it, or they don't. All of you seem to have the idea in common that we should make a trip down there to visit, and get a feel for the area. Check, and check. So, my new question is what are the best neighborhoods to visit/live. Crime wise, friendliness wise, how nice the homes (and buildings and streets) are. I come from La Crosse, Wisconsin which is considerably smaller than Nashville (only about 50,000 people) but we still have our areas that we know are safer than others, which are more residential and which are family areas, the college areas, the poor "ghetto" areas. So which areas are which in Nashville? Where are the "Must Go's" and where are the "Steer Clear's."

Thanks for all the answers so far, guys (:

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by mkuti624

So, mostly I gathered that people either love it, or they don't. All of you seem to have the idea in common that we should make a trip down there to visit, and get a feel for the area. Check, and check. So, my new question is what are the best neighborhoods to visit/live. Crime wise, friendliness wise, how nice the homes (and buildings and streets) are. I come from La Crosse, Wisconsin which is considerably smaller than Nashville (only about 50,000 people) but we still have our areas that we know are safer than others, which are more residential and which are family areas, the college areas, the poor "ghetto" areas. So which areas are which in Nashville? Where are the "Must Go's" and where are the "Steer Clear's."

Thanks for all the answers so far, guys (:

Oh boy...

You're going to get a pretty good variation on what are 'must go's and steer clear's'. Best neighborhoods depend on your opinion of what is the best. And your budget. The "best" areas tend to be the priciest, obviously.

What appeals to you more?:
-hip, trendy areas with local shops and restaurants mixed in with residences and lots of street activity, but usually more expensive and sometimes more crime 'in the area'
-places where residential and commercial areas are more separate and defined, lots of subdivisions have cul-de-sacs, most stores are chains, commercial areas are strip malls and/or office parks
-small town atmosphere with a mix of chains and local places, town square or small commercial center, more isolated/quieter

-What are you looking for?:
---buy or rent?
---house or apartment?
---large lot/small lot?
---budget?
---historic/mid century/60s-70s/80s-90s/new?
---good school district?
---access to shopping/amenities/parks/public transit/highways?
etc.

I don't really like the idea of just rattling off good/bad neighborhoods if I don't know what type of thing you are looking for.

[TVofM]

Most things here are good or great. Ryman Auditorium...Vanderbilt University...Pie-in-the-Sky Pizza...NHL and NFL games...most places are non-smoking...

The not-so-great? Several very bad parts of town. Still too many smokers (but less than in the past).