Best Neighborhoods in Nashville, TN

Thinking of moving to Nashville, Tennessee? As a growing metro, moving to Nashville is a popular choice among families and individuals. In fact, U-Haul data trends indicate Tennessee as the fifth highest growth state as recently as 2023.

So, what makes this region so popular? It turns out Tennessee – and Nashville in particular – has a lot to offer. But before you pack your bags, you need to find the right place to live. We're here to help. This guide highlights the best neighborhoods in Nashville, so you can confidently do your research and find the best place to live in the Music City.

Living in Nashville: A Quick Overview

  • The Music City – Nashville is known as the birthplace of country music, and overall, as a historic place for the music industry. It's home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and Ryman Auditorium.
  • Population – Nashville is growing. Since 2020, the population has grown by about 100,000 and is expected to continue expanding. Culture – Nashville is a diverse city. In addition to the musical roots, you’ll find a major dose of southern hospitality, a diverse food scene, and an arts scene all influenced by the melting pot of Nashville’s population.
  • Cost of Living – Overall, Nashville is a bit lower than the national average in terms of overall cost of living, yet 10 percent higher than the state average. Things like housing and utilities are higher than the national average while healthcare, transportation, and goods and services are lower.
  • Employment – Employment opportunities are strong in Nashville and are expected to stay that way. According to the National Area Chamber of Commerce, leisure and hospitality, information, wholesale trading, and mining/construction industries have seen the largest growth in recent years.
  • Weather – Nashville’s weather is a mix of warm, humid summers and mild winters. Expect temperatures as high as 90 in the summer and 50 in the winter – great for people who enjoy being outdoors year-round.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Nashville

The Gulch

Discover The Gulch, Nashville’s upscale neighborhood known for its high rises, trendy condos, and LEED Certified walkability. With an array of fashion boutiques and stylish hotels just a few minutes from downtown, it’s a trendy hotspot full of things to do and places to see. Although it may not be ideal for families, the Gulch offers a full urban experience for those looking to join in Nashville’s dynamic lifestyle.

Downtown Nashville

Located in the heart of Nashville, Downtown is the perfect place for vibrant nightlife and cultural living. Just steps from the famous Broadway Street, this area offers easy access to a variety of entertainment options, from honky-tonks to trendy dining spots. Downtown Nashville is designed for convenience and walkability, allowing easy exploration and daily commuting to your destination.

Hillsboro Village

Hillsboro Village is a community that has grown a lot in recent years. It's family friendly with most of the housing being single-family homes. It has a collection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants found throughout the neighborhood. Like some of the other neighborhoods on this list, Hillsboro Village is walkable. It’s also near Belmont and Vanderbilt Universities, so naturally it’s a great place for college students.

Melrose

Just south of downtown is Melrose. This small neighborhood offers a friendly urban lifestyle, with a lot of antique shops, cafes, eateries, and bars, many of which are found along Franklin Pike. The area is walkable, near downtown, and still growing. Despite the proximity to downtown, this neighborhood has less of a big city feel than some of the others due to the lack of high rises and overall lack of development.

West End

West End is known for its excellent nightlife, atmosphere, and upscale dining. It's great for young professionals and university students particularly, due to its energetic bar scene. It’s walkable, much like downtown and other nearby neighborhoods. West End is also home to Elliston Place, which is a small part of the area featuring local music venues, upscale apartments, and a youthful population.

Germantown

A historic area named after the German immigrant influx in the 19th century, Germantown is a great place to raise a family, with lots of things to do, but the quiet comfort of a small neighborhood. You’ll find single family homes, townhouses, and many other types of housing in Germantown, making it suitable for a variety of individuals. This neighborhood is also home to several community staples, like Oktoberfest, the Nashville Farmers’ Market, and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall.

Belmont Blvd

Home to Belmont University, this neighborhood is an extremely peaceful and family friendly neighborhood, with plenty of lush green spaces amid a central location in Nashville. Although the housing price is on the more expensive side, it comes with great schools, great dining and shopping, and a familiar atmosphere. With wide sidewalks and bike lanes, expect to see plenty of walking, biking, and jogging.

Sylvan Park and Sylvan Heights

Sylvan Park is a great mix of old and new Nashville. It's highly desired due to the unique homes and friendly atmosphere. It's generally a family-friendly, residential area, boasting great walkability, locally owned restaurants and business, and shopping. This neighborhood is walking distance from West End, but you’ll need to drive to many other parts of Nashville. You’ll find a good mix of single-family homes as well as newer apartment complexes nearby.

Demonbreun

Demonbreun is known for its vibrant nightlife that's popular with young adults and college students. It's a popular neighborhood for young people because of how accessible it is to downtown, the Gulch, and other neighborhoods around there, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants along the main road. Most people rent here, with commercial buildings making up most of the buildings in Demonbreun. You’ll find apartments and condos, but not many to choose from. If you’re looking for a fun place to live above all else, strongly consider Demonbreun.

12 South

A quirky Nashville neighborhood with a bit of everything is 12 South. Family friendly, artsy, walkable, and fun, 12 South – named for its location along 12th Avenue, just south of downtown – is home to coffee shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants, and other suitable places to indulge. Don’t miss your change to take a picture near the famed “I Believe in Nashville” mural. This neighborhood features mostly single-family homes. You’ll need to drive to get downtown and travel to many other Nashville neighborhoods.

Move to Nashville, TN with Help from U-Box® by U-Haul

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