Thinking about living in Nashville? Tennessee’s capital city continues to be a popular destination for young people, thanks to its 2.7% unemployment rate, an expanding healthcare industry, more than 20 colleges and universities, and some of the best live music venues in the country. If you’re looking for the best places to live in Nashville for singles and young professionals, check out these trendy, affordable neighborhoods!
Downtown
Photo via @lifestylecommunities
Home Price: $304,786 median purchase price; $1,392 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of cities in Tennessee
As the heart of Music City, Downtown is one of the best areas in Nashville for young professionals and singles. With modern apartments and condos right in the center of the action, residents can easily commute to work and visit the many top-rated restaurants, bars, and live music venues along Lower Broadway (also called “Honky Tonk Highway“). The neighborhood is also home to some of the city’s top attractions, including the Tennessee State Capitol, Music City Walk of Fame, and the Johnny Cash Museum, so there’s never a shortage of things to do in Downtown Nashville!
Things to Do in Downtown
Visit the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum and Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum to see exhibits dedicated to your favorite award-winning artists and bands. Attend concerts, comedy shows, and more at Ryman Auditorium. Head to Bridgestone Arena to cheer on the Nashville Predators (NHL), or venture across the river into East Bank to catch the Tennessee Titans (NFL) at Nissan Stadium. Enjoy a Fried Alligator Po Boy and a Big Easy Hurricane with live music at Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar. Savor Dry-Aged Strip Steak or Smoked Baby Back Ribs at The Southern Steak & Oyster. Order a handcrafted cocktail and settle in for live jazz, standup comedy, or a burlesque show at Skull’s Rainbow Room. Or throw back some beers and show off your mechanical bull-riding skills at Wild Beaver Saloon.
Germantown
Photo via @hollyvioletragsdale
Home Price: $332,500 median purchase price; $1,502 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of cities in Tennessee
Despite being a more suburban area, Germantown is one of the best places to live in Nashville for young adults, thanks to its walkability, renovated Victorian apartments and Antebellum-style houses, outdoor recreation at Morgan Recreation Center, and proximity to the year-round Nashville Farmers Market in North Capitol. Because the neighborhood was originally founded by German immigrants, it has a uniquely European vibe, which makes it the perfect home for singles and young professionals who love strolling down brick streets and sitting on patios with a cup of coffee or a beer when the weather is nice.
Things to Do in Germantown
Learn more about the history of The Volunteer State at the Tennessee State Museum. Sign up for six-week jazz classes with some of the finest musicians in Music City at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Find new pieces for your wardrobe at ABEDNEGO boutique, or pick out unique furniture and home decor at Wilder. Order bottle service at clubbing hot spot The Back Corner, where you’ll find all kinds of live music. Catch a Tennessee Titans game on TV, join Wednesday night trivia, or stop by for happy hour drinks at Germantown Pub. Make a reservation at 5th & Taylor for a sophisticated take on southern dishes like fried chicken. Or sample a variety of naked oysters and clams at Henrietta Red‘s Raw Bar.
The Gulch
Photo via @thegulchnashville
Home Price: $313,057 median purchase price; $1,625 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of cities in Tennessee
Located in a small corner of Downtown Nashville, The Gulch is an artsy urban neighborhood within walking distance of some of Music City’s best amenities, including Riverfront Park and The District. Though the area doesn’t offer as much in terms of homeownership, The Gulch has plenty of modern condos, apartments, and studio lofts available for rent. This is one of the best places to live in Nashville for singles and young professionals who want to be close to job opportunities with major employers, excellent dining spots, and some of Nashville’s best cultural attractions!
Things to Do in The Gulch
Discover some of the best live music in Nashville at bluegrass venue The Station Inn. Wander through Gulch Night Market from May through December to sample bites from local food trucks and find handcrafted goods from area artisans. Explore Frist Art Museum, where you can check out everything from Impressionist paintings to the museum’s Art Deco architecture. Get the perfect Instagram photo at one of six murals through The Gulch. Visit the taproom at Yazoo Brewing Company to try craft brews like Hop Perfect IPA and Sly Rye Porter. Order the Carne Frita or Ropa Vieja at Nashville hidden gem Salsa Puerto Rican and Latin Cuisine. Or catch the big game on TV while chowing down on hot chicken and throwing back a Bourbon Bushwacker slushie at Party Fowl.
Midtown
Photo via @ms.alberto_styling
Home Price: $111,622 median purchase price; $1,187 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of cities in Tennessee
If you’re looking for cool neighborhoods in Nashville, it’s hard to find a better area than Midtown. With trendy apartments and lofts for rent, outdoor recreation within walking distance, career opportunities at TriStar Centennial Medical Center and Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital, and some of the city’s hottest nightlife spots, Midtown is one of the best neighborhoods for singles and professionals. Because this Nashville neighborhood is so big, you can even find a smaller community within the area that fits your lifestyle—Vanderbilt (which houses Vanderbilt University) is obviously great for college students and university staff; Elliston Place is ideal for those who want to be at the center of Midtown’s nightlife; and West End is perfect for anyone looking for the blend of suburban living with urban amenities.
Things to Do in Midtown
Spend the afternoon at the 132-acre Centennial Park, where you can see Nashville’s famous Parthenon, walk around Lake Watauga, or stroll through the Centennial Art Center gallery. Head to intimate music venue Exit/In for concerts featuring your favorite indie bands. Settle in for amazing drag performances, strong drinks, and a long night of dancing at Play Dance Bar. Get in some retail therapy at local women’s clothing shops like Boutique Bella, The French Shoppe, and Scarlett Begonia. Dig into southern fried comfort with a plate of “hot chicken” from Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. Get two-for-one mimosas and avocado toast during brunch at tapas restaurant Americano. Or visit Elliston Place Soda Shop—one of Nashville’s oldest operating restaurants—for burgers, fries, and classic milkshakes.
Music Row
Photo via @thesamanthakelly
Home Price: $403,932 median purchase price; $1,092 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of cities in Tennessee
As its name suggests, Music Row is the heart of Music City’s recording industry and home to some of the best live music in Nashville. With famous studios and labels like Historic RCA Studio B, Warner Music Nashville, and BMI in the area, Music Row is one of the best places to live in Nashville for musicians, songwriters, producers, and radio personalities. Because of its prime location between Midtown and Downtown, this Nashville neighborhood is also popular among singles and professionals who want quick commutes into the city for work and college students attending Belmont University or Vanderbilt University. While the neighborhood does have newly-constructed condos, single-family houses, and townhomes for purchase, residences in the area are primarily lofts and apartments for rent.
Things to Do in Music Row
Tour the Belmont Mansion to see its beautiful Italian-influenced architecture and gardens. Stroll along the guided Music Row Walking Tour to learn more about Nashville’s past and present role in the music industry. Watch Titans games, join in for trivia, and enjoy live music on the weekends at Tin Roof. Head over to Bobby’s Idle Hour for cold beer and live music featuring country music veterans and emerging artists. Find The Patterson House speakeasy and settle in for an intimate evening with craft cocktails like the Groundhog Day or the Bee’s Knees. Grab a fresh-brewed coffee and breakfast burrito at Just Love Coffee Cafe. Try the Baja Fish or Caribbean Jerk tacos with an El Camino Margarita at Taco Mamacita. Or dig into a Beer Battered Fish Sandwich or Brisket Dip Sandwich at gastropub Five Odd Fellows.
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Home prices from Niche. Crime rates from AreaVibes.
