Walkability/bikeability? (Cleveland, Waverly: sales, rent, how much)

[jltidwell]

I'd like to move, and I'm looking for areas that are very walkable and bikeable. I like living in older neighborhoods, and as an example I have lived in downtown Huntington, WV. I loved that I could walk anywhere I wanted to go (including work) and have any sort of food delivered right to my door. There were things about it I didn't like and wouldn't consider a move back there.

I'm considering the Nashville area, but if the public transportation and pedestrian friendliness are anything like where I'm currently living, forget it.

Thanks!

[ben52284]

Public transportation is nearly nonexistent in Nashville compared to other cities its size. We have one light train route and sporadic bus routes. If necessary, you can get where you need to go by public transportation, but it's an unholy pain compared to Cleveland for example.
One of former Mayor Purcell's initiatives was the construction of more sidewalks for a more 'neighborhood-like' feel throughout Nashville. Bike-lanes are still pretty minimal though, so I would call Nashville as a whole still pretty average on the walkability/bicycling front. However, there are certainly plenty of older neighborhoods with character within the city that would leave you close to everything and in excellent shape to walk or ride to work. There have been several other posts recently on these topics, so just skim some of the recent posts for ideas.

[septimus]

public transport is a joke, as is walkability. We moved here from a major city and I was used to going weeks without having to drive but now we have to drive everywhere. There are huge swaths of Nashville proper that don't even have sidewalks--no wonder Tennessee is one of the fattest states.

[jltidwell]

Another criteria I have (which I should have mentioned) is good public schools. I have a middle schooler who will be in Jr. High by the time we can relocate.

Thanks for the responses so far!

[UNT_Eagle]

I can't comment much on schools here, although they take a very long time to get back to people who are looking for teaching jobs. The state is EXTREMEMLY slow in responding. I think it says alot about the city itself, but that's my own opinion.

Regarding walkability/bikeability, I would say that overall, Nashville and the surrounding areas rank very low in this category. I'm originally from another large metro area, and most of the city streets, and suburbs had sidewalks and large bike/running lanes.

[denawilliams]

As everyone has mentioned, walkability and bikability is very rare here. To get walkability or be able to bike to several areas you would need to be in one of the following subdivisions: Hillsboro Village, West End, Belmont/Vandy/Waverly, 12 South, or Music Row on the West side. There is a portion of East Nashville that is walkable as well. Because this neighborhood is so large, it may not all be walkable to you, but Lockeland Springs is right near 5 points in East Nashville. That area is also near Shelby Park as well.

[htmlfamily]

Originally Posted by septimus

public transport is a joke, as is walkability. We moved here from a major city and I was used to going weeks without having to drive but now we have to drive everywhere. There are huge swaths of Nashville proper that don't even have sidewalks--no wonder Tennessee is one of the fattest states.

Ya gotta love those BBW's...

[bsdsys]

I lived on the corner of 5th & Gay St. in Downtown Nashville and was very unsatisfied with the overall quality of life there.

1. No shopping downtown (Unless you want cowboy hats/boots or a Nashville shirt - which you wouldn't catch me dead in something like that)

2. No restaurants. The only good restaurant downtown in my opinion is Mortons - which doesn't get that busy so it isn't a "Hot spot" for locals.

3. HILLS, HILLS, HILLS! This city is a joke. You can't go anywhere without going up or down a hill.

4. Sidewalks - way too small and the City doesn't do a great job at removing tree branches when it hangs down right over sidewalks. The good thing is they clean the streets almost every day

5. Very few bike lanes.

6. Everyone wants to shop at Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, or some other big box store.

7. Public transit is a joke. These people have no clue how to run a Public Transit system. I think it goes with they everyone says in that weird city - "We don't want to be another Atlanta!" Atleast they have trains! I wouldn't move to Atlanta but it would be better than Nashville.

8. The prices there are too high to support the quality of life there. I paid 600.00 a month for a studio and had to pay for my electric - which isn't bad but there isn't anything to do there. What, go to Oprymills or hang out on 2nd. Ave N? Haha... no! I have a studio here in Chicago, 739.00 a month with ALL utilities included, 1 block from the lake, 1 block from the El (thats the train btw) , and I will not even get started on what we have here. There is no comparison. Comparing Chicago to Nashville is like comparing Chicago to any suburban area. It just isn't the same.

9. The weather is absolutely terrible. I cannot stand southern weather and I am very happy with my weather up here in Chicago. I cannot wait for winter to come. Don't get me wrong, I love summer, but I hate southern weather.


10. The people are just fake. They smile in your face, pretend to be your friend and then talk behind your back and do not get me started on how much they sugar coat things. They will go to great lengths to make sure someone doesn't believe what they are telling me is worse than what they are saying it is. Too damn reserved, they will not just come right out with things, it's almost like you have to hold their hands for them and when you bring out that other side they just act like you did something inhumane or something. They do not know how to deal with directness very well, but they will be rude about the most stupid things you can come up with.

Conclusion: I am glad I moved away and will never return to the south ever again. My opinion, which btw - that's all it is so make your own choice. Look into another city. I think you would find what you are looking for elsewhere. Enjoy!

Oh, I know some will not enjoy what I wrote, but guess what, I do not care. I gave Nashville an opportunity, disliked the entire city for everything it had, didn't enjoy anything, was very open to things - expect the country scene which I blame myself for that one, and my feelings are what they are. I moved on and will not look back.

[supernerdgirl]

Originally Posted by bsdsys

8. The prices there are too high to support the quality of life there. I paid 600.00 a month for a studio and had to pay for my electric - which isn't bad but there isn't anything to do there.

Seriously? $600? My studio here in Chicago (which is probably like two feet from yours ) would be $660 if I rented it today - all utilities included (my rent is less cuz i've lived here a year). Yours is probably bigger though.

Add in the fact that you HAVE TO have a car in Nashville, and you will pay 8.75-9.25% sales tax on groceries down there (on GROCERIES it's 2% here), it's not much cheaper down there is it?

[Watertown Gal]

Nope, Tennessee is not for everyone, especially if you come down here with a condescending, superiority mindset and expect the locals to like and accept you. We don't and we won't, and most of us will be glad to direct you to I-65 North.