Relocating for Nonprofit Job (Jackson, Franklin: apartment complexes, rentals, house)

[AmbitiousTN]

Hello Everyone!(this is my first post so bear with me )

I'll be graduating in May with a degree in Nonprofit Administration/Social Welfare from a state school in Kentucky. Since Nashville has the most developed nonprofit community in the state, I plan on moving to the area soon after graduation. According to the research that I've done, many of the nonprofit agencies are located in the metro area. I do not mind a short commute, and have $800-850 budget for living expenses. Any recommendations? Ideally I would like to live in an area that's safe, affordable and a short distance from many of the cities amenities. I'm 24, African-American, and gay if that demographic information would be useful.

Thanks so much!

[mad fiddler]

It will be very difficult -- if not impossible -- to find anything in that price range that will be safe and affordable and a short distance from Nashville's amenities. Between the market crash that pushed a lot of people out of homeownership and into rentals and the recent popularity of Nashville as an "it" city, rents near downtown have increased dramatically.

Something will have to give unless you're willing to have a roommate or two.

Nashville isn't the bargain it used to be.

[ariesjow]

You may want to wait until you know where you'll be working before zeroing in on a specific location if at all feasible. It'll be pretty difficult to gauge your commute times without knowing where you'll be working in the metro. That said, I would check out areas like Bellevue, Nippers Corner, Hermitage or Antioch if want to live alone and prefer the large apartment complexes with amenities. These are all essentially suburbs within the city (Nashville is consolidated with Davidson County), but they are a reasonable drive into the popular spots closer to the core. They all have tons of apartment complexes and should have some reasonably safe ones in your budget.

If you're not opposed to a unit in a house or a smaller, older apartment building, then you may be able to find something in a decent neighborhood closer to the core if you're extremely diligent about your search. As mad fiddler implied, the housing market here is very competitive at the moment regardless of whether you're renting or buying. I also agree that you should consider a roommate especially if you want to be in or near one of the trendier areas like Midtown where many of the popular gay bars & clubs are located.

[CountryGirl2b=]

When you say $800 - $850 for "living expenses" - do you mean RENT only? Or are you including utilities (cable, internet, electricity) and gas for the car and food in that $850? If so, then yes, you'll definitely need a roommate or two. And yes, good idea to find out where you'll be working before looking for housing. The city is kinda spread out . . . best of luck!

[artemis]

Originally Posted by AmbitiousTN

Hello Everyone!(this is my first post so bear with me )

I'll be graduating in May with a degree in Nonprofit Administration/Social Welfare from a state school in Kentucky. Since Nashville has the most developed nonprofit community in the state, I plan on moving to the area soon after graduation. According to the research that I've done, many of the nonprofit agencies are located in the metro area. I do not mind a short commute, and have $800-850 budget for living expenses. Any recommendations? Ideally I would like to live in an area that's safe, affordable and a short distance from many of the cities amenities. I'm 24, African-American, and gay if that demographic information would be useful.

Thanks so much!

I would recommend the East Nashville area.

[AmbitiousTN]

Originally Posted by mad fiddler

It will be very difficult -- if not impossible -- to find anything in that price range that will be safe and affordable and a short distance from Nashville's amenities. Between the market crash that pushed a lot of people out of homeownership and into rentals and the recent popularity of Nashville as an "it" city, rents near downtown have increased dramatically.

Something will have to give unless you're willing to have a roommate or two.

Nashville isn't the bargain it used to be.

I actually wouldn't mind living in an area like Antioch or Franklin. I spent my life before college living in Jackson Tennessee so I'm familiar with more of the area but not really the rental/housing market per se.

[AmbitiousTN]

Originally Posted by ariesjow

You may want to wait until you know where you'll be working before zeroing in on a specific location if at all feasible. It'll be pretty difficult to gauge your commute times without knowing where you'll be working in the metro. That said, I would check out areas like Bellevue, Nippers Corner, Hermitage or Antioch if want to live alone and prefer the large apartment complexes with amenities. These are all essentially suburbs within the city (Nashville is consolidated with Davidson County), but they are a reasonable drive into the popular spots closer to the core. They all have tons of apartment complexes and should have some reasonably safe ones in your budget.

If you're not opposed to a unit in a house or a smaller, older apartment building, then you may be able to find something in a decent neighborhood closer to the core if you're extremely diligent about your search. As mad fiddler implied, the housing market here is very competitive at the moment regardless of whether you're renting or buying. I also agree that you should consider a roommate especially if you want to be in or near one of the trendier areas like Midtown where many of the popular gay bars & clubs are located.

I was actually looking at apartments in all of the areas you mentioned. In undergrad I spent some time in a large apartment style community and it was enjoyable for the most part. I didn't really plan on living very close to downtown. I know that the public transit system in Nashville is kind of spotty so I don't mind a short commute.

I'm not really a drinker so visiting bars is more so for the atmosphere and fellowshipping. It sucks moving to a new city and not knowing a single person.

[AmbitiousTN]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

When you say $800 - $850 for "living expenses" - do you mean RENT only? Or are you including utilities (cable, internet, electricity) and gas for the car and food in that $850? If so, then yes, you'll definitely need a roommate or two. And yes, good idea to find out where you'll be working before looking for housing. The city is kinda spread out . . . best of luck!

Hey! The $850 is just for rent. I have a job that will transfer me to Nashville after graduation until I find something in my chosen career field. I apologize if I should have been more clear!

[CountryGirl2b=]

The place I usually recommend in Franklin is up to $950 a month now . . . you might try Padmapper. It has apartments by location:

Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Rent.com, Kijiji, and Craigslist Apartments