Moving from California to Tennessee (Franklin, Hendersonville: crime rates, home, construction)

[CRACK CITY USA]

Sissy,
TN is a beautiful state but the crime is over whelming. Not sure if that is important to you and if so do not move here.

There is open drug dealing on our streets daily, prostitution, shootings, burglaries etc. Nashville was rated #7 for the worst state regarding violence of a city it's size in the U.S. The health care system and schools also rated the worst in the U.S.

I wished I had checked this out before moving to TN, had I done that, I would have NEVER moved here. You might want to check out Gruman Aircraft in St. Augustine, Florida for work before coming to Nashville area.

[MikeTurningPoint]

To all who are planning to move to TN. The areas you are all talking about...Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill...are all amazing communities. I wish you all luck in finding the perfect home that is just right for you and your families.

[LeeB]

Our house here in Northern California is in Escrow and will close on Sept 20th then we buy a house in Portland rent it out for 6 months retire here and move in April.......... Yay..... After our house closes here we will rent for 6 months............

[Pacificop]

Originally Posted by JosieM

Here's my anti-social opinion of Nashville Tennessee:

I left Nashville last May after living there since 1980, I moved to Nashville from West Hollywood, L.A.

Nashville has become Religious Tax Hog Heaven. Highest Sales Tax in the region if not the country, 9.25%, High property taxes which increase every two years to pay for the Auditorium Fiasco that they "sold" to the People of Nashville (Davidson County) with the old hit song "It will pay for Itself" , and which Taxpayers are now paying for, by way of some of the highest Real Estate Taxes in the state's history. No way, you will become dissapointed quickly. No night life, Demonbreum Street (where all the Country artists had their museums and outlets) is shut down, everybody gone to Branson, MO. Simply no tourism in Nashville. Wonder why? Because as someone told me: "Nashville does not fulfill its Promise". Agreedoe.

Very true, its all Hogwash from the Religious Tax Hogs in Tennessee government.. Stay in California where salaries are for real, people are real, there's more respect for Taxpayers. In Nashville you'll have to absorb a huge cut in salary and start living a life of hipocresy. "What Church Do You Go To?" People are such idiots. "Why Don't You Mind Your Own Business?" I ask the idiots back. "I don't Subscribe To Your Religion Mister", like Ringo Starr of The Beatles said in the movie HELP. He was sooooooo right!

Fortune magazine did a comparison of restaurant prices by city: Nashville was the 3rd highest in prices, what a ripoff.
As if it was such an "important" city that it merits such high prices. Grocery prices? you do the figuring.

Nashville was Boom Town USA in the 1980's, in the 1990's the economy started to go down the gutter, where it has remained thanks to total incompetents in government who are out legislating their constituents religion down everybody elses's throat instead of doing their duty and conducting Civil business! The state has been invaded and the Tennessee government infiltrated by religious fanatics.
The old Tennessee Evangelical Freaks.

So I am so sorry to pop your bubble sister, but unless you enjoy what I'm telling you, or you're one of them evangelical fanatics, you will not enjoy Nashville. It will get very old very fast on you.

In any case, move to Louisiana where people are REAL.

Good luck, it's your life and your future.
JosieM

Interesting take on Nashville versus Los Angeles. Being a cop in S/Cal for the past 17 years and growing up in LA County and San Bernardino Counties, there is nothing to compare in crime statistics to these two counties (when comparing Nashville to Los Angeles). Crime statistics are something of a myth when not viewed correctly. For those unfamiliar with LA, it isn't one city seperated from others like Nashville-Davidson and its suburbs.

There are no true suburbs to LA since it is one large block of concrete. City crime stats are tricky comparrisons, because since many cities are attached and intertwined from block to block, you truley have to add up the crimes from all the surrounding cities and then conduct a populus break down; the stats are then staggering.

But forget statistics, which can be like determining beauty or ugliness (interpretation) just take a physical look at the city itself. So. Cal and in particular Los Angeles is the most graffitti ridden, trash on the street, smelly (urine) place I've visited (next to France - a whole other topic). The culture of Los Angeles has changed to a Gotham like mentality from the great place it was in my parent's era of the 50's and 60's. Everything chages, but usually for the better. I don't know anyone who currently feels that LA is a safe and honorable place to raise children.

I've been visiting and conducting business with police officers in the Middle Tennesse area for a couple of years now. I have talked with dozens and dozens of real cops in unfettered and unfiltered situations. There IS NO comparrision to the type of crime we experience in So. Cal - hence my ability to make an extra living teaching law enforcement classes and why I fly out there to provide training. As soon as I retire, I'm gone from S. Cal. I'll be packed so that the Saturday after retirment, I'm on the next plane...

By the way those religious freaks..thats what is keeping the morals in the area from decaying like they have in the non-religious, liberal, don't hurt the self esteem, don't cause waves metality that has corrupted and driven the greater Los Angeles area into the cesspool of helplessness, entitlement mentality and gangs-rule place that it is. (I'm not very religious and honestly can't tell you the last time I was in church-shame on me.) But, I'll take being hit up about going to church on a regular basis than feeling fear that me and my family are about to be robbed just trying to get gas. I'd rather be invited to church than to buy drugs or hit up for "spare change" on every corner while shopping. I dunno, maybe I'm weird that way.

I enjoy what TN has to offer from its people, school system, moral foundation, community living and oh yeah, DAMN it's pretty there!!!

[countrybabe]

I would not recommend moving to TN personally. We moved here and have NOT gotten the warmest of receptions. We are looking to move back to TX in the next year (once we wait out this tax penalty thing). It seems if you were not born and bread here then you are not accepted so much. Maybe closer to Nashville would be BEST but we moved 45 min out because we couldn't find a house closer that we liked. It is VERY hard to make friends here just to warn you!!!! I have talked to friends that have lived here and moved and they say the same thing!!!

[goodbyehollywood]

TN isn't right for every person. But most people find it very easy to make friends in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and the other TN cities. Moving far outside the city puts you in a different, more rural environment. It's always best to visit, shop around to find a place that fits your needs, then rent if you're unsure. Bring the right attitude and making friends is seldom a problem. If it is a problem, then those people leave, which is best all around.

[countrybabe]

I agree with you goodbye for the most part...Your bigger cities like Nashville and Chattanooga would be easier to make friends because they are more "updated" in their thinking, life styles etc!!! But to find any land you have to move further out and then you contend with what we have experienced which is unfortunate. DO shop around because the area we wanted there were NO houses at the time available and I WISH we had rented and we would not be STUCK here for the next year!!! I don't think attitude has anything to do with it since most people are excited for the change and welcome "new beginnings" of moving to a new town. But when you are treated the way we have experienced then it really puts a bad taste in your mouth. Moving is the only thing that gives hope at that point!!!

[blueyes721]

right on PacCop....
I grew up in LA.. Culver City... and still in my mind think its a wonderful place to live...but fully knowing that is just not true...
We sold my moms house a few years ago after her death...we did not even have keys to the doors...had to get the lock re-keyed...just to get keys for new owners...it was a wonderful place to live for me growing up in the 1960-70's.
I have been gone and had lived in San Diego for the last 25 years....and in Franklin, TN now for 7 months....while SD is very nice..but has many issues being so close to the mexico border and CA real estate...well it is just crazy..I fear that my kids in college will NEVER be able to buy a home...and honestly I am hoping they will build their futures somewhere else.................I now have a a new frame of reference...I am experiencing a who new way of living in Tennessee...and am liking it very much...thank you.
I am staying....and very grateful to be here.

[LeeB]

We visited and enjoyed the small towns north of Nashville and got nothing welcomes from EVERYONE we met. We were both amazed at the fact that we saw no gang bangers and tagging I am sure it's there but to us it was a very pleasant experience. I am sure we will run into a few people that will not like the fact that we are from California but I have this feeling it will be few and far in between. The scenery is green and not that California brown. We are both very friendly people and plan on joining a church and getting part time jobs to meet people that have similar interest. We have a 33ft Class 'A' Motor Home and love to travel. We hope to find a group of fellow RV'ers and do some group camping.

We are looking forward to starting our new life in Tennessee and hope to bring something with us that will benefit Tennessee and make it just a little bit better place to live...

[akm4]

Okay, just to muddy the waters....

I just got back to Nashville from 6 days in the LA area. (CUlver City, Hollywood, etc.) I have to tell you, people were as friendly and welcoming as ever. I have been a Tennessean for over 6 years now, and was expecting a chillier atmosphere in SoCal. Sure didn't happen! Warm and helpful all around.

That said, I sure don't want to leave TN! This is my home. Just wanted to give CA credit for a great trip