Chicago(land) to Nashville (Murfreesboro, Franklin: houses, landscaping, established neighborhood)

[Big TR]

We need to know more about your likes/dislikes before we can even begin to suggest which city to choose from.

I went to DePaul for college, lived downtown, moved to the suburbs for 9 years, then moved to Nashville. I'd say I'm fairly qualified to give you an opinion, but you've got to give us some idea what you are looking for. Chicago and Nashville are pretty divergent on the "City" spectrum.

[kk1969]

I'm 42 African American woman looking to leave Kansas City, Mo, I have two daughters that are going to Colloge, would like to look at schools in Chicago & Nashville, I'm a hair stylist, in Chicago, I can double my income I don't know if Nashville is the same. Is it easy to meet people and make friends? I l like movies, restaurant, theaters etc....

[mjtinmemphis]

The advantage Nashville has is going to be cost of living, weather and scenery. Entrepreneurship, networking in almost any field is going to be better in Chicago due to resources and demographics.

[Beat02]

I'd try to visit each and then make your decision.

[MantaRay]

I have family in both places, I grew up in Nashville, and have visited Chicago multiple times over the years. I've got family who moved from Tennessee to Chicago and vice versa.

What Nashville gives over Chicago is much better weather (and you wouldn't think it, but Chicago easily gets as hot during the summer as Nashville) and a much lower cost of living with a decent enough restaurant and activities offering, even if it has nowhere near the diversity of such offerings as Chicago.

IMO, THE biggest factor to consider in moving to Chicago is where you're going to live- because housing costs are generally high, and the Southside of Chicago is generally more affordable but is the worst when it comes to criminal activity. IMO if a person can only afford to live in the Southside, and especially if they have kids- move to Nashville instead. Putting your kids in that environment is not worth all the extra restaurants and nightlife in the world. I've got family there right now who grew up in Chicago (so are well familiar with all its amenities) and want to move to Nashville anyway, and it's for that reason. I've also got family who grew up there and did move to Nashville and couldn't stand the thought of moving back because of the winter cold. So bottom line, if you can afford to live somewhere other than Chicago's Southside and you don't mind cold winters (with fierce Lake Michigan wind, ie. The Windy City), Chicago is the place to be. Otherwise you'd be much happier in Nashville, of course assuming you would have a decent paying job. Can't say anything about the hairdresser job market in either place.

[Big TR]

You could make either city work. Nashville is going to be much closer to your current day to day life in Kansas City than Chicago. You will just have to visit both and see what you like better.

[bpuofi1]

Hello - My family will be relocating to the Nashville area this year and we are wondering how many square feet we need to be equivalent to our current home with a full basement. If we currently have a 2600-2800 sqft 4 bedroom home with a full basement in Chicago, how many square feet will we need without a basement in Nashville to have the same room for a family of 5 with storage? We are worried that a home with the same square footage in Nashville will be cramped without the extra play room and storage the basement provides. Thanks in advance!

[JJAF]

Well......if it were me, I would take the 2600-2800 sq ft of non-basement living space (sounds like you do not know the square foot of your house?) then measure your basement, and add the 2 together.

[bpuofi1]

Our current home is smaller than 2600-2800 sqft but that is probably what we would be looking to buy in Chicago for our growing family.

[DubbleT]

You might want to take your question to the real estate forum. I might be mistaken but I think how a footage is listed depends on the area of the country, as in is that usable basement space considered a part of the 2600 ft or not? My 'listed' 1000 ft of space in east TN did not include any basement space, even though I have another 600 ft of livable space there.