Can I live comfortably on 43k in Nashville? (Murfreesboro, Franklin: apartment complex, for rent)

[bluedeviljono]

I have a job offer in Brentwood and it pays 43k. Some overtime and bonuses are expected, which may just about cancel out the federal income tax on that number (I'm single with no dependents other than myself), so I'm looking at probably 43k in take-home pay, or about $3500 a month.

I am concerned about the high rent prices in the area. I'd be moving from Raleigh, NC where they are not nearly as high. I've never paid more than $750 a month in rent and it looks like in order to live in a decent part of town, you have to choke up at least 1k a month. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to buy a house right now.

My co-workers have recommended their apartment complex in Brentwood, which looks nice and is cheap with only $800-900/mo. rent, but they both have live-in girlfriends and are already well-connected with the area. Myself, I'm single and don't know anyone, and I was kind of hoping to live in a more vibrant part of town. I am thinking that over $1000 rent would be pushing it financially. I've found lower rents within the city limits, but honestly all of the places looked like dumps.

As far as overall cost of living, it definitely helps that I will be traveling with all expenses paid for work about half of the time. Less spent on groceries that way, and I probably won't bother with a DVR cable package or anything like that.

I'm also looking to live comfortably and grow my bank account- I don't want to live paycheck to paycheck.

What do you all think? Is it worth it to move to Nashville on that salary? Any neighborhoods that I may have overlooked?

[BirdieBelle]

Which apartments do they live in? Are they splitting the rent with their GFs?

[minister]

You use the word "comfortably" - and with that in mind, I would answer "no" you could not.

Could you make it? Yes.

You will not be living in Brentwood. You can't move north to parts of Nashville like Green Hills, Berry Hill, Oak Hill - that will make the $1000 a month rent payment look like a dream!

Doable, yes. Comfortably? I guess that really depends on what you want in life.

[Beat02]

I make around 44k, and I wouldn't mind making a little more money... As far as affordable rent, you won't be able to be too picky. That's the unfortunate part. I don't get to live where I want to.

[bluedeviljono]

Minister- I have actually found rents in my range in Berry Hill and that was one of the main areas I am considering. It's a great location in terms of being accessible to Brentwood and not far from the West End/Midtown scene. Bransford House is quite cheap. Not the nicest-looking apartment complex out there, but actually pretty spacious. Village South condos aren't bad and are possibly in my range as well. They don't have many units though and may not be any available.

[septimus]

When I was single, I was making more (but also had a large student loan payment). I always had roommates. It was worth it for the cheaper rent and social aspects.

A 1 bedroom apartment may be $800 but a 2 bedroom is usually not double a 1 bed. Usually just about $150-200 more.

[Litefoot]

A quick search and I found the following for $880.

https://nashville.craigslist.org/apa/4682309550.html

Best of luck with your new job.

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by bluedeviljono

I have a job offer in Brentwood and it pays 43k. Some overtime and bonuses are expected, which may just about cancel out the federal income tax on that number (I'm single with no dependents other than myself), so I'm looking at probably 43k in take-home pay, or about $3500 a month.

I am concerned about the high rent prices in the area. I'd be moving from Raleigh, NC where they are not nearly as high. I've never paid more than $750 a month in rent and it looks like in order to live in a decent part of town, you have to choke up at least 1k a month. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to buy a house right now.

My co-workers have recommended their apartment complex in Brentwood, which looks nice and is cheap with only $800-900/mo. rent, but they both have live-in girlfriends and are already well-connected with the area. Myself, I'm single and don't know anyone, and I was kind of hoping to live in a more vibrant part of town. I am thinking that over $1000 rent would be pushing it financially. I've found lower rents within the city limits, but honestly all of the places looked like dumps.

As far as overall cost of living, it definitely helps that I will be traveling with all expenses paid for work about half of the time. Less spent on groceries that way, and I probably won't bother with a DVR cable package or anything like that.

I'm also looking to live comfortably and grow my bank account- I don't want to live paycheck to paycheck.

What do you all think? Is it worth it to move to Nashville on that salary? Any neighborhoods that I may have overlooked?

Yes. But not in Brentwood on that salary. $750 is awfully low for Nashville, however, there are more suburban areas that fit your budget where you can live comfortably and in newer complexes. Smyrna and Murfreesboro are farther than Brentwood or Franklin but offer much more options in your price range. Several new apartment complexes are under construction in these areas. To give you perspective, Smyrna is about 20 minutes to Brentwood and Murfreesboro is about 30-35 minutes. It is well worth living in a safe area that you can afford rather than trying to be like your friends. Here are some links to the newer apartments.

Smyrna Exit 66/ I-24:

Ashton Creek Farms: Ashton Creek Farms | Home | Luxury Apartment Community in Smyrna, TN

Grand Oak at Town Park: Pet Friendly apartments in Smyrna TN | Grand Oak | Amenities

The Park at Leigh Springs: The Park at Leigh Springs Smyrna, TN Home

Smyrna Exit 70/ I-24:

Ridgemont Park: Ridgemont Park-Smyrna

Almaville Farms at Seven Oaks: Apartments for Rent Smyrna, TN | Almaville Farms at Seven Oaks

Murfreesboro:

Bell Murfreesboro: Bell Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN

Integra Creek: Murfreesboro TN Apartments | Apartments in Murfreesboro TN

Richland Falls: Richland Falls - Luxury Apartments in Murfreesboro, TN

Carrington Park: Carrington Park Apartments

Stone Ridge Farms: Murfreesboro Apartments | Stoneridge Farms at Hillwood in Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Murfreesboro Urban Apartments and Condos:

Gateway Village: Home - The Gateway Village - Executive Condos in Murfreesboro, TN

Henley Station: https://lifestylecommunities.com/com...n/details.html

Aspen Heights: MTSU Student Housing in Murfreesboro, TN | Aspen Heights

3343 Memorial: 3343 Memorial | Elevated Living | Murfreesboro, Tennessee

[bluedeviljono]

Thanks for all the replies. I never said that I needed $750 rent. Just that I hadn't needed to exceed that in the past. Of course I'm willing to go higher- $1000 or a little above- since it's a different city and climate.

[UKWildcat1981]

You will be fine man. My gf is from Nashville and is originally from Brentwood but lives in Franklin TN. Some say Brentwood and Franklin are some of the richest towns in the Nashville area but its not like you have to be super rich to live in either town. They have middle class people in Brentwood. As long as you budget your money well you should be fine. You should be able to find a one to two bedroom even in Brentwood for around 1100-1200 maybe 1400 the most if you can stretch it that much but if not you can find a good apartment in a nice part of Nashville for around 900. Good Luck man. Nashville is a great city, maybe I am bias because my gf is from the area but its a super nice city to live in.