Just got offer from Vanderbilt--Need info on cost-of-living, where to live, etc... (Murfreesboro: fit in, apartments)

[Pipermackie]

I just found out that I was accepted to Vanderbilt's MFA program. Though all my tuition will be waived and I have a scholarship and stipend, I know that will not be enough money to live off of all year. So, my questions are:

1. For a one bedroom apt. w/in a reasonable distance to Vandy, what should I expect for rent? I do have a 20lb. Terrier who will come with me. Are some utilities generally included?
2. Quality and size-wise what would I expect in the $700-$750 (no utilities included) price range for a one bedroom or *really* big studio--again I have a dog.
3. What is the public transit like? Will I have to drive to campus or can I bus it?
4. Are there any highly walkable neighborhoods that aren't super expensive?
5. I'm originally from Kansas City (now live in Austin, Texas), and am not averse to living close to urban "grit" so long as I know what neighborhoods to stay out of. Where should I steer clear of completely? (i.e a place where my car will most definitely be stolen and I will most definitely be held up taking my dog out to do his business after dark). Mind you, I don't consider graffitti, dirt, or anything less than pristine suburbs inherently dangerous.
6. Anything else I need to know! :-)

Thanks!

[ben52284]

This was recently discussed in the context of purchasing in a cheap area near vanderbilt:
//www.city-data.com/forum/nashv...t-commute.html

It would certainly seem to me that you are also looking in either east nashville or north nashville depending on your price/grittiness preference...but you can certainly get a little bit of a feel for what you want from other threads on this site.

[BoroMom09]

I live in Murfreesboro and from what I hear, East Nashville is where you DO NOT want to live! My sister in law worked at Vanderbilt, at first she commuted from here. Then she moved to Bellvue. I would try to look at places other than East Nashville.

[yank283]

Originally Posted by BoroMom09

I live in Murfreesboro and from what I hear, East Nashville is where you DO NOT want to live! My sister in law worked at Vanderbilt, at first she commuted from here. Then she moved to Bellvue. I would try to look at places other than East Nashville.

That's funny I lived in Bellevue and then East Nashville and would never move back. My mortgage payment is half of what it was in Bellevue and my equity in my house is 50% of my buying cost (even now). Have you ever been here besides driving down Gallatin Road? Please don't comment on things you have no idea about. Just read about the Publix getting robbed in Brentwood, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THAT PLACE!!!

[bluesky42day]

LOL about being a broken record but it really is the same old story a different day on city-data...

BoroMom have you ever even been to East Nashville?

I think it's funny that from what you "hear, East Nashville is where you DO NOT want to live". Key word jumping out at me is "hear".

I question, as Yank questioned, how much time have you actually spent there & what bad experiences did you have in East Nashville that make you dismiss an entire area (in all caps) to a person that from all the criteria he provided would probably fit in quite well?

[kimsk112]

I agree. East Nashville is not that bad.

[multics]

I would recommend the Belmont or Hillsboro Village areas. They're both right next to Vandy, safe, highly walkable, and a pretty interesting place to live overall. You should be able to find an apartment, condo, or duplex in that area, but given the demand in those areas don't expect a ton of amenities or extremely new facilities (not saying they're bad; just that, as someone else on here pointed out a while back, the landlords don't really have the incentive to go nuts decking their properties out to attract tenants).

Other options would be 12South (just east of Belmont/Hillsboro) and Sylvan Park (further west), which are a little further out but still pretty walkable and close to Vandy.

East Nashville is a sensitive and subjective topic on here, so to head off any potential flamewars in your thread I would suggest just reading the many existing threads about that area (unless of course you are interested in living out there).

[mad fiddler]

I haven't lived there in a very long time, but a lot of houses around Fannie May Dees Park had been broken up in to apartments. I had an attic apartment in a house on Natchez Trace when I did grad school at Vandy. Cheap, clean, and convenient. Tiny and no amenities, but I loved the place anyway. One of my downstairs neighbors was a musician, the other worked at the medical center.

This was before the building boom -- when Fido's was still a pet store -- so I'm not sure if all the development has meant those houses are now back to single family or if rents have skyrocketed.

[bluesky42day]

I LOVE Hillsboro Village & Fannie Dees park, I just am not optimistic about him being able to find a pet-friendly apartment in his price range without having a roommate.$700-$750 is low for that area unless he expands the search to renting a room in someone's house or above their garage.

[BoroMom09]

Originally Posted by yank283

That's funny I lived in Bellevue and then East Nashville and would never move back. My mortgage payment is half of what it was in Bellevue and my equity in my house is 50% of my buying cost (even now). Have you ever been here besides driving down Gallatin Road? Please don't comment on things you have no idea about. Just read about the Publix getting robbed in Brentwood, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THAT PLACE!!!

WOW!! When I moved to Tennessee I took every opinion that was given. I never stated that "I personally know" about the area. I stated it was hear say. Congratualtions on your house, Im sure everyone who has read your comment is very happy for you.