Nashville personality (Savannah, Charleston: insurance, condo, house)

[Xtreme]

I guess this question is directed at those who have lived in other cities.

What characteristics or personality traits would you say set Nashville apart from other cities, both good and bad.

Just looking for a few bullet points to get an idea of what Nashville is all about.

Thanks!

[BP300]

1. Church.
2. Church.
3. Church.
4. Diverse mix of redneck, hick, ghetto, old money, and new money.
5. Suburban sprawl
6. Upscale growth and gentrification
7. Numerous colleges/universities
8. Hub of healthcare and music. Auto and logistics also to an extent.
9. Nice public park system; greenways
10. Lack of Southern hospitality.

[soulful]

BP300. Do you really feel Nashville lacks Southern hospitality? Compared to what other city the same size?

[BP300]

Originally Posted by soulful

BP300. Do you really feel Nashville lacks Southern hospitality? Compared to what other city the same size?

Yes, I do. I actually think that Nashville locals tend to be quite rude. Maybe, not directly to your face, but they'll talk behind your back. People are also very sensitive here.

For Southern hospitality, I think of cities like Savannah and Charleston. I realize that Nashville is bigger though. And, perhaps, it's because of the large amount of people relocating here from other parts of the country.

[soulful]

Interesting. I will have to check out Savannah and Charleston. I wonder why people there don't talk behind one's back?

And they are less sensitive too... wow. Maybe the proximity to the ocean pacifies them..

[DonCorleone]

We talk behind people's back? I don't think that's just a "Nashville" thing. I'm pretty sure that's a common human trait.

I'm a local, you didn't ask me, but I'd say the overwhelming majority of people who visit here find it to be a friendly town. Take it for what it's worth.

And if you don't like it, I'll talk bad about you behind your back.

[nbourbaki]

Most mid sized to large cities in this country are now pretty similar. Most will offer you many choices on how to live your life, and a bigger decision than which city is how you plan to live in each city. Burbs are burbs most of this country over. if you like that, Nashville's got em. Or you can live like a hipster, or a high-society socialite, or whatever floats your boat (and we have two nice lakes for that).

Choosing between a downtown condo and an exurban mcmansion will give you far more variability than comparing two different mid-sized US cities.

[RS-1080]

Originally Posted by BP300

Yes, I do. I actually think that Nashville locals tend to be quite rude. Maybe, not directly to your face, but they'll talk behind your back. People are also very sensitive here.

For Southern hospitality, I think of cities like Savannah and Charleston. I realize that Nashville is bigger though. And, perhaps, it's because of the large amount of people relocating here from other parts of the country.

Your last sentence is dead on. Pretty much sums it up.

[skinem]

Having moved to Nashville as a young man from the Pacific Northwest a couple of things struck me...
Church. Unlike a lot of people I read on the board, I like and appreciate the attitude.
I disagree on the rudeness thing. I found Nashville to be very friendly, very helpful, very open. If some find Nashville to be otherwise, IMO they need to expand their circle of acquaintances, or alter where they go and end up meeting these type of people--who you can find any where in any city.
The architecture of the city is interesting to me, the parks, the older neighborhoods.
Of course, coming from the PNW, the city seemed full of history.
I find many of the newer suburbs to be, well, sterile. I have been in quite a few at different times of the day, and have yet to see an actual live human being outside. I suspect they are inhabited by androids of the Stepford variety.
As mentioned, there's much more to Nashville than just country music. It's a mecca for music of all varieties, a center for the arts, and a publishing and insurance center.
LOTS of money in Nashville. LOTS of poverty. Sometimes seemingly side by side.
Hate the weather. Ok, to be more specific, hate the summer. Hot and humid.
Traffic, for a city it's size is almost tolerable. Not as bad as many other cities I've seen of it's size.

[Xtreme]

Damn, this site never fails to deliver. So many responses, so many questions, ... here we go!

Originally Posted by BP300

1. Church.
2. Church.
3. Church.

Hmmmm. My family isn't very religious. I'm especially not. Should I expect personality clash? I can sometimes be overly sarcastic, which I'm sure wouldn't help. I've read in different threads that, while religious, Nashvillians (Nashvillers? Nashers?) don't preach, and respect differing opinions. Is this an accurate statement?

Originally Posted by DonCorleone

And if you don't like it, I'll talk bad about you behind your back.

I lol'd.

Originally Posted by BP300

And, perhaps, it's because of the large amount of people relocating here from other parts of the country.

I'm sure there's a lot of truth to this statement, but it's amazing how many times I've heard it in many different cities. Are others worse, or just different? Meh, getting to philosophical... onward...

Originally Posted by skinem

...the older neighborhoods...newer suburbs...

I'm interested in more details if you have them. I started a thread here for neighborhood discusion. Would really appreciate any additional info you could offer. Thanks!
http://www.city-data.com/forum/nashv...nashville.html

Originally Posted by skinem

LOTS of money in Nashville.

I'm curious what this means. Is everybody driving Range Rovers around Nashville? Can't find a house for less than 500k? Is it safe to generalize about the mentality of a people who have a plethora of cash?