Is there an urban middle class African American Area in Nashville? (Cleveland: apartment, rentals)

[BayAreaDave]

I am considering Nashville, 18 year old black male lol. I have family somewhere in Nashville, not sure what part of town. I like the city atmosphere and vibe, I am thinking of moving. My budget is going to be around 700 dollars for an apartment/room. I need a YOUNG place. Don't want to be the only young guy in my neighborhood. I am not too picky, as long as its a funky young area. (Think Berkeley, CA, sorry thats my best reference). I don't think I will be bringing my car should I happen to move, my bike has always been there for me. Thanks in advance.

[nashvols]

$700 is below average for rent, especially in urban areas. Simply put, you're not going to get a nice place for that.

Seeing that you're from the Bay Area, you may want to consider that getting around there without a car is likely far easier than getting around here without a car. I want to stress that it would be very difficult, unless you manage to live very close to a bus line, and you don't work across town. It is possible, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Have you considered what you will be doing for work?

[BirdieBelle]

You should come visit your family here first for a week and see what it's really like.

[CountryGirl2b=]

I love Berkeley! But it's not predominantly African American is it? Not sure if there is "Young & Middle Class African American" area in Nashville. I don't even know if there is a middle class area that is predominantly African American. There are African Americans living in my neighborhood but I think they are outnumbered by Caucasians.

As has been mentioned, $700 is a bit low for the area. It's kinda booming here right now and rents have gone up.

If you ARE coming from the Bay Area, be aware that pay is probably less here than you are used to. How did you pick Nashville? Visiting your family here is a really good idea.

Atlanta has quite a large African American population - not sure where the cool fun young areas of ATL are but am sure there are some? Maybe try posting in the Atlanta forum? It's a 4.5 hour drive from Nashville.

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

I don't even know if there is a middle class area that is predominantly African American.

I'd call my neighborhood (Historic Buena Vista) that (but gentrifying). Also Hope Gardens and Salemtowm. Salemtowne is further along the gentrification path. And there really are no apartment rentals unless they are attached to a house.

[nashvols]

Historically, Bordeaux is the black middle class neighborhood in Nashville.

[Crakaveli]

whites creek but i don't know the apartment scene for that area. i think it's all houses.

[Crakaveli]

retreat at dry creek farms on dickerson road in goodlettsville might be an option

[BayAreaDave]

Originally Posted by nashvols

$700 is below average for rent, especially in urban areas. Simply put, you're not going to get a nice place for that.

Seeing that you're from the Bay Area, you may want to consider that getting around there without a car is likely far easier than getting around here without a car. I want to stress that it would be very difficult, unless you manage to live very close to a bus line, and you don't work across town. It is possible, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Have you considered what you will be doing for work?

Don't know where I will be working, my family is going to support me until I get on my feet. And that is too bad I don't even need a car here in the Bay Area lol.

Originally Posted by Wmsn4Life

You should come visit your family here first for a week and see what it's really like.

I already know I like it as far as atmosphere & vibe, but I don't know much about the city.

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

I love Berkeley! But it's not predominantly African American is it? Not sure if there is "Young & Middle Class African American" area in Nashville. I don't even know if there is a middle class area that is predominantly African American. There are African Americans living in my neighborhood but I think they are outnumbered by Caucasians.

As has been mentioned, $700 is a bit low for the area. It's kinda booming here right now and rents have gone up.

If you ARE coming from the Bay Area, be aware that pay is probably less here than you are used to. How did you pick Nashville? Visiting your family here is a really good idea.

Atlanta has quite a large African American population - not sure where the cool fun young areas of ATL are but am sure there are some? Maybe try posting in the Atlanta forum? It's a 4.5 hour drive from Nashville.

Atlanta seems almost ideal but I don't know anybody there. And South Berkeley/West Oakland where I live is mostly black. I understand it will be less pay but its also cheaper to live in Nashville from my understanding. Where is your neighborhood? I don't even mind a 50/50 as long as I feel there is some black culture present.

Originally Posted by N.Cal

I'd call my neighborhood (Historic Buena Vista) that (but gentrifying). Also Hope Gardens and Salemtowm. Salemtowne is further along the gentrification path. And there really are no apartment rentals unless they are attached to a house.

Will look into Hope Gardens and Salemtown.

Originally Posted by nashvols

Historically, Bordeaux is the black middle class neighborhood in Nashville.

Tell me about Bordeaux.

Originally Posted by Crakaveli

whites creek but i don't know the apartment scene for that area. i think it's all houses.

Looking on a map I don't want to be too far from the city center.

Originally Posted by Crakaveli

retreat at dry creek farms on dickerson road in goodlettsville might be an option

Looking on a map it seems kind of far.


So far I got Buena Vista, Hope Gardens, Salemtown. And I contacted my family, they said they live in Cleveland Park, and they told me to look into Mcferrin park and East Nashville. Anyone know anything about said places?

[ariesjow]

McFerrin Park is up and coming. Ditto for Cleveland Park. They were primarily Black neighborhoods a decade or so ago, but you're going to see more ethnic and racial diversity there now as they become more gentrified. They are still affordable compared to the trendiest East Nashville neighborhoods east of Ellington Parkway so perhaps you can find a unit in an older home or a duplex in your range.

The crime has improved in both areas, but you still need to be on more alert than in some of the other up and coming urban neighborhoods. I know that the lead singer of the Alabama Shakes was unfortunately robbed at gunpoint earlier this year while hanging out on a friend's front porch in Cleveland Park. Still, these are generally much better areas than they were a decade or more ago.

I would probably skip Bordeaux unless you want something more suburban-feeling.