Have you decided to take the leap and move to Nashville? Good for you—you’re making an intelligent decision! We’re here to help make your transition a little easier by providing tips and things you need to know about moving in.

Nashville is a city full of southern hospitality, friendly people, and world-class attractions. The city also has a rich musical tradition celebrated through live music venues, songwriter circles, and themed tours. If you’re relocating from another city, you will experience things that are familiar and things that are a bit different.

To help you settle in your new home, we’ve compiled a list of tips and info to help you make the most of your Nashville experience. Our first tip is always to keep an open mind. Nashville is a unique city, and it’s not for everybody. We moved here from other cities and states and met people who did not like Nashville. But we loved it! Just be open-minded about the town; you may be surprised at how much you enjoy it. Are you currently living in Nashville? Check out this guide.

Nashville is a great place to explore all types of music (bluegrass, rock, country, pop) and arts (painting workshops and museums). So let’s get started with our list of tips:

1) Do Your Research About Relocating to Nashville

Nashville has made many top 10 or 100 lists over the past several years. It is known as a great place to live and a great place to visit. Visitors have told us that our music scene, restaurants, museums, and farmers’ markets are some of the best in the country. Is Nashville perfect? No, but there are many reasons why you’ll enjoy it here. Thanks to our friendly people, southern cuisine that includes BBQ and sweet tea, and music scene, you’ll feel like you’re in the south (even though we are actually located in Middle Tennessee).

2) Don’t Rush Moving Day

Moving is never easy! There is much to do when moving in, including finding an apartment or home to rent or buy. Our housing market is very competitive, and apartments can be hard to find, so you should start looking as soon as your lease is up and you know you’re relocating to Nashville.

3) Research Places to Live

Many neighborhoods in Nashville offer a wide variety of amenities and access to transportation. Some neighborhoods have a more city feel, while others have a more suburban feel. Visit the City of Nashville website for information on communities and neighborhoods. We recommend staying close to Downtown (especially if you are new to the city), where there is so much activity and entertainment! If you want a neighborhood with character, we recommend checking out 12South or The Nations for homes or apartments.

4) Know What to Look for When Renting or Buying an Apartment

You don’t have to find an apartment the same day you decide to move here. Taking the time and figuring out what is important to you is okay. Check out apartment websites such as ApartmentList.com, ApartmentHomeLiving.com, and RentalsNow.com for listings of apartments in Nashville, with photos and floor plans, plus contact information for each property.

As far as buying a home, there are many neighborhoods in Nashville. Before you start searching for your dream home, know that it’s a significant investment, and you need to consider where you want to live and how you want to live.