What's it like to live in Nashville?

RN4Research · Feb 27, 2008

I've read on here about col, pay etc..but what's the city like? Nice place to live? I know a lot of music stuff, is it safe? Clean? Bad traffic? Friendly people?
Vida

Hello Vida:

I have lived in TN for almost 2 years now and I love it, but I don't live in Nashville. I live about 25 min north west. The traffic is not great if you live south of Nashville, but I rarely have a problem. I love it here. As far as I am concerned, Vanderbilt is the only place that I would work. It is a magnet hospital, I feel the pay is good, and it is a fantastic place to learn. The people in Nashville are friendly, there is a lot to do and see, and the weather isn't too bad (not much snow!). There is crime here, just like everywhere else, and there are some not so great sections of the city that I would avoid, but overall, I love it here! Hope that helps. :nurse:

Vida · Feb 29, 2008

It does help - thanks for writing!

We are considering a move to the area..not sure we can afford a home in the city, most likely 15-30 or so miles out, like you. We'd love to be close to a large city, and within a days drive of both of our families.

Glad to hear you like it there, I am getting the same idea from everyone I have talked to - lots to do, moderate weather, low cost of living, friendly people. Sounds nice! Now I read somewhere on here that there's no shortage of nurses there. Think that's true? I'll be arriving as a new grad RN and still feel I'm at the bottom of the foodchain..

:) Vida

VS28 · Feb 29, 2008

Hi,

I am also in the same boat. planning to relocate to nashville from houston. I am a new grad with 7 months exp. I am also a canadian working here. how are you going about your job search. any input would help.

thanks.

Vida · Feb 29, 2008

Hey where in Canada are you from?!

I am Canadian also, I grew up about an hour north of toronto in Peterborough, and got my green card about a year ago!

Busy day today - I'll be back to this thread later..

Vida

:redbeathe

RN4Research · Feb 29, 2008

If anyone is looking for a job at Vanderbilt (and there are lots of RN jobs available), go to the vandy website. It is www.mc.vanderbilt.edu. Look under human resources and you will find a long list. When I was looking for a job before moving from FL, I applied online at midnight on a Friday and received a phone call at 10am on Monday from a recruiter. I was hired over the telephone. It was a very smooth transition for me. (I wish getting my TN had been so easy!) I cannot emphasize enough:yeah: how much I love working here. I have actually had 3 different positions since I have been here, not because I have been unhappy--something better just keeps coming along! :twocents:

VS28 · Feb 29, 2008

Hey,

I'am from Toronto, lived 6 yrs over there. keep in touch.

bye...

Vida · Mar 2, 2008

Right on! That's crazy. Ever go back? My family is still in Peterborough and I have friends I visit regularly in TO. I love it up there.

Anyway, great to hear that about Vanderbilt - I have read a lot of great stuff about them on here, and will definitely look at their site.

Anything anyone doesn't like about Nashville?

LeslieMarie · Mar 13, 2008

Right on! That's crazy. Ever go back? My family is still in Peterborough and I have friends I visit regularly in TO. I love it up there.
Anyway, great to hear that about Vanderbilt - I have read a lot of great stuff about them on here, and will definitely look at their site.
Anything anyone doesn't like about Nashville?

I lived there for about five years (college and grad school), and the traffic is appalling most of the time. Other than that, it was a great place to live with lots to do, good places to eat, family friendly, and of course all the music you can stand (and not just country, either). Good luck! :)

Becky8 · Feb 13, 2010

So where would you recommend to rent an apt /house to live while newly working at Vanderbilt? Thanks

EmilyPeruana · Feb 15, 2010

the closer you are to vandy, the more expensive it is...but be careful, b/c you dont want to be in certain areas where prices are nice but crime isn't...there are some apartments in bellevue that are nicely priced and in decent areas...royal arms apartments in green hills is older and ok but in nice area and about 10 min away...the landings in brentwood are decently priced and about 20-25 min away (near shopping and restaurants but quiet)...you have your pick!

oftimeandspace · Mar 12, 2010

I just stumbled across this thread, so sorry for the late reply.

I can't give you any advice about different hospitals as I lived in Nashville right after college graduation and didn't have a nursing degree, but I can tell you some about the Vandy/Hillsboro area. I lived right off of the exit for 21st Ave (the street Vanderbilt is on), in an older neighborhood. I was maybe 1 mile from Vanderbilt and close to the shopping district around the hospital (21st Ave. and West End Ave.). There were alot of coffeeshops, little local stores, bars (it's got three universities in that area, so there's alot of college kids.) That area is also close to downtown--it's astraight shot down 21st Ave/Broadway, and there was Centennial park (with the Parthenon you could visit), and once on West End you could go out to Baptist Hospital and other places pretty easily.

I loved the area (and Nashville in general because there was so much to do), though I rented (a walkup in a nicer historic home), so I can't say anything about the home market--though I know there were some crazy expensive houses for sale in the area (I saw one going for $880,000). Becky8, you can find some good deals for house/apts for rent in the Sylvan Park/Belmont/12th south area, but it's not nearly as nice as the Hillsboro side of Belmont University (basically Belmont's campus is sort of a divider for the nicer area close to Vandy and the 12th south area which isa bit....rough at times.) I'd say look at apartmentguide.com, Craigslist, and google for local rental places in Nashville. And if you want an estimate of rental ranges, a friend of mine paid $550 a month for a walkup one bedroom near Vandy and I paid $1300 for a 2bd walkup in the same neighborhood with all utilities included. IDK what your price range is, but there's an idea.

Oh, and if you're going to be driving from I-440 to Vanderbilt, you'll probably get off at the 21st Ave exit and go down that street through Hillsboro Village and the traffic in that area suuuucks. I could easily walk faster than alot of cars down near the medical campus because traffic was so slow.

Sorry I don't know much else about other parts of Nashville- I pretty stayed in that area. But if anyone has anymore questions about that area feel free to ask.