Hello Everyone!!! (Chattanooga, Franklin, Brentwood: apartments, trip , rental)

[whttigr]

I am trying to get some information before we decide where we are going to move. I have been researching the Tri-Cities area. I have also looked at Dickson County area.

Here are my questions: First, what is close to Nashville without being in the city? I'm looking for somewhere that is family oriented, 4 seasons (doesn't have to have snow although that would be nice once in a while), things for the kids (sports and some other activities), good schools, a place where (if you wanted to) you could leave your doors unlocked (meaning that you feel that safe there).

I also have 2 children with special needs so they need to be within 1 1/2 hours or less of their specialists (neurologist, orthopedic, ect). How is the medical field there?

As far as jobs, my husband loves computer work. Some IT, customer service, tech support, sales, ect. I run an in-home daycare at this time. I would love to continue if it is the right area for it. Thanks!!!

Jennifer

[alleycat]

As for Nashville, there are smaller towns and communites all around Nashville/Davidson County. There are also the areas within Metro Nashville itself that are not so "city-like".

Any place in Tennessee will have four seasons; although there is considerable difference between West Tennessee and East Tennessee (West Tennessee tends to be warmer, East Tennessee cooler). Any town or community of any significant size has sports for kids. Generally, the bigger the town, the more other activities will be available. There are natural areas, parks, rivers, and lakes all around Tennessee. I believe the state park folks say that there's a state park within 50 miles of every person in Tennessee.

Advanced medical care is readily available in Nashville. Any of the surrounding counties, and most of those even further out, are within an 1 1/2 hour of Nashville.

While Nashville is not a "high tech" center, it's big enough and has enough corporate offices that there are a variety of IT and customer supports jobs available.

That's a basic rundown on Nashville. I'll let the Tri-City folks tell you about their area. I'm not suggesting that one is better for you than the other. The only real significant thing that might make you consider Nashville over TC is the medical care available here. With Vanderbilt Hospital, Vanderbilt Medical School, Meharry Medical School, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Baptist, St. Thomas, and several other hospitals, it's a leader in healthcare for a large region.

[whttigr]

Originally Posted by alleycat

As for Nashville, there are smaller towns and communites all around Nashville/Davidson County. There are also the areas within Metro Nashville itself that are not so "city-like".

Any place in Tennessee will have four seasons; although there is considerable difference between West Tennessee and East Tennessee (West Tennessee tends to be warmer, East Tennessee cooler). Any town or community of any significant size has sports for kids. Generally, the bigger the town, the more other activities will be available. There are natural areas, parks, rivers, and lakes all around Tennessee. I believe the state park folks say that there's a state park within 50 miles of every person in Tennessee.

Advanced medical care is readily available in Nashville. Any of the surrounding counties, and most of those even further out, are within an 1 1/2 hour of Nashville.

While Nashville is not a "high tech" center, it's big enough and has enough corporate offices that there are a variety of IT and customer supports jobs available.

That's a basic rundown on Nashville. I'll let the Tri-City folks tell you about their area. I'm not suggesting that one is better for you than the other. The only real significant thing that might make you consider Nashville over TC is the medical care available here. With Vanderbilt Hospital, Vanderbilt Medical School, Meharry Medical School, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Baptist, St. Thomas, and several other hospitals, it's a leader in healthcare for a large region.

Thank you Allycat for your response. I have another post in the main area of Tennessee where I have been learning about the Tri-City area. It sounds like a great area, but I get the feeling that the area is huge (so to speak). We are coming from Phoenix, AZ and would really like somewhere that isn't so big to live but close enough to drive. Can you tell me more about the surrounding areas? Also, how far is Dickson County from Nashville? How big is it approx? I think the medical would be great there from the way it looks. Thanks!!!

Jennifer

[linda.hall]

You can't beat Vanderbilt childrens hospital, which is located in the heart of Nashville. Sumner county, Williamson Count, Wilson County are some surrounding areas around Nashville. Usually within 30 min to get to downtown Nashville. Lots of activities for the kids, and still close enough to downtown if you want to go to see a play or museum.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by whttigr

Thank you Allycat for your response. I have another post in the main area of Tennessee where I have been learning about the Tri-City area. It sounds like a great area, but I get the feeling that the area is huge (so to speak). We are coming from Phoenix, AZ and would really like somewhere that isn't so big to live but close enough to drive. Can you tell me more about the surrounding areas? Also, how far is Dickson County from Nashville? How big is it approx? I think the medical would be great there from the way it looks. Thanks!!!

Jennifer

Dickson is both a county and a city. From downtown Dickson to downtown Nashville is about 40 miles; making for something like an hours commute. Of course, if you lived in eastern Dickson County and/or worked on the west side of Nashville, the commute would be less. Also, there are a variety of customer service and general IT type jobs in the Brentwood, Cool Springs and Franklin area; which are within driving distance, although a bit far. There is a variety of detailed information about population, crime, weather, etc. for every town in Tennessee here on the City-Data website. Dickson is relatively small, but I'd have to look up the exact population.

You might also want to look at White Bluff or Burns in Dickson County, or Kingston Springs in Cheatham County (all of those are between Nashville and the town of Dickson).

Some of the surrounding towns or areas ARE small towns, others are basically suburbs of Nashville, even though they're in another county. You can find places within a reasonable drive (one hour or less) to and from Nashville that will not feel like you're living in the city.

Let me also throw out one of the areas surrounding Chattanooga as a possibility. Chattanooga isn't as big as Nashville, but it would also have the things you're looking for I believe, unless you really do need the highest level of advanced medical care.

[whttigr]

Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for the help you have given us. I think we are going to look in the Dickson County area. My husband doesn't mind the drive in if needed. Now, does anyone know how to find rentals for that area? Thanks so much for all your help!!!

Jennifer

[alleycat]

I can't really help with rental information in Dickson County. Here's one idea for you if you can't readily find something in Dickson or Cheatham County: rent something on the west side of Metro Nashville for six months. I might suggest Bellevue where I live. It won't feel like you're living in a "big city". Then you can use that time to look around the area and find what you're looking for. There are sports and activities for kids, although the leagues may have already formed. There's a community center in Bellevue, a soccer complex, a huge park nearby, etc.

The main reason I suggest this is that it would probably be much easier finding an apartment rental in Bellevue (or other area closer in to Nashville) than in Dickson. There probably is something that would work in Dickson, but it might take you a little while to find it (or it might not, I'm not sure).

[whttigr]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I can't really help with rental information in Dickson County. Here's one idea for you if you can't readily find something in Dickson or Cheatham County: rent something on the west side of Metro Nashville for six months. I might suggest Bellevue where I live. It won't feel like you're living in a "big city". Then you can use that time to look around the area and find what you're looking for. There are sports and activities for kids, although the leagues may have already formed. There's a community center in Bellevue, a soccer complex, a huge park nearby, etc.

The main reason I suggest this is that it would probably be much easier finding an apartment rental in Bellevue (or other area closer in to Nashville) than in Dickson. There probably is something that would work in Dickson, but it might take you a little while to find it (or it might not, I'm not sure).

What about house rentals? We have a larger family and pets. Can you give me some more info on the Bellevue area? How are the schools? I honestly don't know anything about Tennessee except what I have learned from others here and the research I have done. we are planning a trip out before we move, but we would like to have a good idea of the area we would like to be in. Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

Jennifer

[alleycat]

House rentals would probably be easier to find in Dickson than apartments (remember, I'm guessing a bit).

You might want to do a little searching on the 'net and see if you can find anything.

If you then still want information on Bellevue, just let me know. Bellevue is a nice area; low crime; everything you need is relatively convenient; it has something of a neighborhood feel; the commute into town is good (for Nashville); the elementary and middle schools are good, the high school would take another post to discuss. Still, you might enjoy being further out in the country eventually.

And again, I'm not trying to talk you into Dickson or Bellevue or Nashville or any other area. I work for an engineering firm, so I'm not trying to drum up business of any kind (unless you're planning on building a hospital or high-rise office tower ;-).

[whttigr]

Thank you Allycat.... I didn't take it as trying to sell me on a location ) I will take all the info I can about any locations. At least with having the information I can use that when I visit to make the best decision possible for our family.

In case this will help you or others with information I have 5 children. They are 12 yrs (boy), 9 yrs (boy), 8 yrs (girl), 6 yrs (girl), and 4 yrs (boy).

Thank you again for the information...

Jennifer