Relocation guide · Greater Nashville
Moving to the Nashville area? Start here.
We're Lauren and Eric Garner, REALTORS® with the Be One Team at Compass. We both moved here from somewhere else (Lauren from Texas, Eric from Kentucky), so we remember staring at a map of Middle Tennessee wondering where on earth to start.
This guide walks you around Nashville by direction, with real drive times, the kinds of homes you'll find, and the places locals actually go. Grab a coffee. We'll show you around.
Get your bearings
Which direction fits you?
Nashville sits in the middle, and the towns around it each have their own personality. Most people we work with start by picking a direction, then a town. Tap one to jump to it.
Room to spread out
Historic town squares, two big lakes, newer neighborhoods and plenty of homes on acreage.
Nashville properWalk to coffee and live music
Older homes with character, sidewalks, and the shortest drive to downtown.
SouthMain Streets and rolling hills
Historic downtowns, big parks and farmland, with I-65 into the city.
SoutheastA college town and Percy Priest Lake
Murfreesboro's Square and MTSU, greenways, and lake access along I-24.
NorthLife on Old Hickory Lake
Lakeside parks, frontier history and the I-65 / Vietnam Veterans Blvd corridor.
West & northwestRivers and wooded hills
State parks, the Harpeth and Cumberland rivers, and a more rural pace.
Section 1
Moving to Tennessee: the basics
The three things everyone asks us first: taxes, more taxes, and "does it really snow?"
No state income tax on your paycheck
Tennessee doesn't tax wages or salaries. It used to tax some investment income through the Hall income tax, but that was fully repealed for tax years starting January 1, 2021. So your paycheck only answers to the federal government.
Property taxes: lower than most states
Tennessee's effective property tax rate on owner-occupied homes is 0.52%, according to the Tax Foundation's 2026 figures. That's a statewide average, though, and your actual bill depends on the county and whether a home is inside city limits.
Here's how it works: Tennessee taxes homes on 25% of their appraised value, then applies the local county (and sometimes city) rate. Because rates change with reappraisals and city lines, we pull the real tax history on any home you're serious about.
Sales tax is where the state makes it up
With no wage tax, Tennessee leans on sales tax. The state rate is 7%, and the average combined state and local rate is 9.61% (Tax Foundation, 2026). You'll notice it at the register.
Seasons: yes, all four of them
Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for Nashville, January averages highs around 48–49°F and lows around 30°F, and July averages highs around 90°F with lows near 71°F. The city gets about 50 inches of rain a year and around 5 inches of snow. Summers are humid, springs are green, and fall is the season everyone waits for.
Section 2
Area snapshots
Drive times below are from each town's center to downtown Nashville (the State Capitol) and to Nashville International Airport (BNA), checked on Google Maps on the evening of November 5, 2026. Think of them as best-case. Weekday rush hour on I-40, I-24 and I-65 can add a lot.
Scroll or swipe sideways in each area to see every town →
East · our home base
Wilson County, Old Hickory and Hermitage
This is our side of town. East of Nashville you'll find Old Hickory and Percy Priest lakes, two historic town squares, lots of new construction, and some of the easiest places in Middle Tennessee to find a home with land.
Lebanon
- Homes
- Older homes with character near the Square, newer subdivisions on the edges of town, and plenty of homes on acreage. We're on three acres here ourselves.
- Get outside
- Cedars of Lebanon State Park for hiking and camping, Don Fox Park, and both big lakes a short drive away. The Wilson County Fair is a summer tradition.
- Local favorites
- The historic Square, coffee at The Front Porch Cafe, and lunch at Basic Eatery. The WeGo Star commuter train starts here, too.
Mt. Juliet
- Homes
- Mostly established subdivisions and newer master-planned neighborhoods, with Old Hickory Lake to the north and Percy Priest Lake to the south.
- Get outside
- Boating and fishing on both lakes, Charlie Daniels Park, and Long Hunter State Park's Couchville Lake loop just south of town.
- Local favorites
- Providence Marketplace for shopping and restaurants without driving into the city. We lived here from 2017 to 2022.
Watertown & east Wilson County
- Homes
- A small historic town square surrounded by farmland, rural lots and homes on acreage.
- Get outside
- Country roads, open land and an easy drive back to Lebanon for everyday errands.
- Local favorites
- The Mile Long Yard Sale every spring and fall, with vendors fanning out from the Public Square, and the excursion trains that roll into the historic depot.
Old Hickory
- Homes
- The Old Hickory Village historic district, a planned DuPont company town from 1918 with cottages and bungalows, plus lake-area neighborhoods and newer builds.
- Get outside
- Old Hickory Lake is right there for boating, fishing and lake days.
- Local favorites
- A walk through the historic Village streets, then down to the water.
Hermitage
- Homes
- Established suburban subdivisions, with some homes near Percy Priest Lake. One of the closest spots to the airport.
- Get outside
- Long Hunter State Park on Percy Priest Lake, with hiking trails and the paved loop around Couchville Lake.
- Local favorites
- Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, the historic home that gave the area its name.
Nashville proper
In-town neighborhoods
Shorter drives, smaller lots and more sidewalks. These neighborhoods are where you trade a big backyard for coffee, music and restaurants within a few blocks. All are in Davidson County, served by Metro Nashville.
East Nashville
- Homes
- Victorian-era homes and cottages on tree-lined streets, mixed with newer infill.
- Get outside
- Shelby Park and the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, with miles of paved and natural trails along the river.
- Local favorites
- The Five Points area for restaurants and music, Five Points Pizza, and Mas Tacos Por Favor.
The Nations
- Homes
- Older cottages alongside a lot of newer construction and townhomes. Still changing fast.
- Get outside
- West Park and England Park, which connect to the Richland Creek Greenway.
- Local favorites
- Shops and coffee along 51st Avenue North, and the giant silo mural of longtime resident Lee Estes.
12South
- Homes
- Arts-and-Crafts bungalows on pretty side streets, plus newer builds, around a walkable stretch of 12th Avenue South.
- Get outside
- Sevier Park, home of the historic Sunnyside mansion and a seasonal farmers market.
- Local favorites
- Coffee at the original Frothy Monkey, then a stroll past the boutiques on 12th.
Belmont-Hillsboro
- Homes
- Older homes on established streets, close to two university campuses.
- Get outside
- Neighborhood parks and campus grounds, with Belmont Mansion's history just up the road.
- Local favorites
- Hillsboro Village: a film at the nonprofit Belcourt Theatre, breakfast at Pancake Pantry (open since 1961), and Fido.
Germantown
- Homes
- Historic homes alongside condos and townhomes, right next to downtown.
- Get outside
- Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, with its 200-foot granite map of Tennessee.
- Local favorites
- The Nashville Farmers' Market, a Nashville Sounds game at First Horizon Park, and dinner at Rolf and Daughters.
Sylvan Park
- Homes
- Cottages and Craftsman-style homes on compact lots, with some townhomes near Charlotte Avenue.
- Get outside
- McCabe Park and its 27-hole public golf course, circled by the Richland Creek Greenway.
- Local favorites
- The little cluster of spots by McCabe, including McCabe Pub and Edley's Bar-B-Que.
South
Williamson County and Spring Hill
South of the city along I-65, you'll find historic Main Streets, large parks, and rolling farmland between newer neighborhoods. Spring Hill straddles Williamson and Maury counties.
Franklin
- Homes
- Historic homes near downtown, plus a wide range of subdivisions and larger lots farther out.
- Get outside
- The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, a former horse farm turned 200-acre park on the Harpeth River.
- Local favorites
- The 16-block historic downtown and Main Street, The Factory at Franklin, and Civil War history at Carnton.
Brentwood
- Homes
- Established neighborhoods with larger suburban lots, close to the Maryland Farms business district.
- Get outside
- Marcella Vivrette Smith Park's trails and Crockett Park, with Radnor Lake just north.
- Local favorites
- Summer concerts at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater in Crockett Park, and the 1825 Ravenswood Mansion.
Nolensville
- Homes
- Newer subdivisions surrounding a small, walkable historic district.
- Get outside
- Nolensville Park, the trails along Mill Creek, and the county recreation complex.
- Local favorites
- The historic Nolensville Feed Mill, now an Amish country market, and Mill Creek Brewing Co.
Spring Hill
- Homes
- Mostly newer subdivisions, with countryside on the edges of town.
- Get outside
- Fischer Park at Port Royal, Harvey Park and Evans Park.
- Local favorites
- Rippa Villa and the Spring Hill battlefield, and Early's Honey Stand, Williamson County's oldest retailer.
Thompson's Station
- Homes
- Newer neighborhoods set among open land and farms between Franklin and Spring Hill.
- Get outside
- Preservation Park, about 200 acres of trails on a former Civil War site, plus Sarah Benson Park.
- Local favorites
- Homestead Manor, a historic 1819 home with a coffee shop and events.
Southeast
Rutherford County
Down I-24 toward Murfreesboro, you'll find a college town with a historic Square, a long greenway system, and Percy Priest Lake along the northern edge.
Murfreesboro
- Homes
- Everything from historic homes near the courthouse Square to new subdivisions.
- Get outside
- The Stones River Greenway and Stones River National Battlefield, right inside the city.
- Local favorites
- The downtown Square and Cannonsburgh Village, a re-created pioneer village.
Smyrna
- Homes
- Suburban subdivisions, with access to Percy Priest Lake.
- Get outside
- Lee Victory Recreation Park, a trailhead for the Smyrna greenway system.
- Local favorites
- The historic Sam Davis Home, built in 1810 on 160 acres of farmland.
La Vergne
- Homes
- Suburban neighborhoods along the shoreline of Percy Priest Lake.
- Get outside
- Poole Knobs Recreation Area on the lake, and Veterans Memorial Park, the city's largest park.
- Local favorites
- Lake days on Percy Priest, with the Sam Davis Home about 10 minutes away.
North
Sumner County and Goodlettsville
North of the city, life leans toward Old Hickory Lake, with lakeside parks, frontier history and historic downtowns.
Hendersonville
- Homes
- Suburban subdivisions and lakefront homes on the north shore of Old Hickory Lake.
- Get outside
- Drakes Creek Park and Sanders Ferry Park on the lake.
- Local favorites
- Historic Rock Castle, completed in 1796, and shopping at The Streets of Indian Lake.
Gallatin
- Homes
- Historic homes near the downtown square, newer subdivisions, and lake access.
- Get outside
- Bledsoe Creek State Park on Old Hickory Lake, with hiking trails and camping.
- Local favorites
- The historic downtown square and the Palace Theater, a movie house dating to 1913.
Goodlettsville
- Homes
- Established neighborhoods with mature trees, close to I-65.
- Get outside
- Moss-Wright Park, the city's largest, with trails, fields and a dog park.
- Local favorites
- Historic Mansker's Station, a re-created frontier fort, and the Main Street antique district.
West & northwest
Cheatham County and Clarksville
Head west and the land gets hillier and greener. This side of town is all rivers, state parks and more rural lots, with Clarksville anchoring the northwest.
Kingston Springs
- Homes
- Homes tucked into wooded hills, with larger lots and acreage common.
- Get outside
- Harpeth River State Park, including the Narrows of the Harpeth and its 1818 hand-cut tunnel.
- Local favorites
- Paddling the Harpeth, and ranger-led hikes to the Mound Bottom archaeological site.
Ashland City
- Homes
- A small river town with rural lots and homes on acreage nearby.
- Get outside
- The Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail, a rail-trail over old trestle bridges.
- Local favorites
- Riverbluff Park on the water, with a boat ramp and observation deck.
Pleasant View
- Homes
- Rural countryside and newer neighborhoods just off I-24.
- Get outside
- Pleasant View Community Park's walking trails and Balthrop Park.
- Local favorites
- Pleasant View Village, a traditional neighborhood built around a village square with shops and restaurants.
Clarksville
- Homes
- A wide mix, from historic homes downtown to newer subdivisions, near Austin Peay State University and Fort Campbell.
- Get outside
- Dunbar Cave State Park, where seasonal guided tours show 14th-century cave art.
- Local favorites
- The McGregor Park RiverWalk along the Cumberland, and the Customs House Museum downtown.
Section 3
How an out-of-state house hunt works with us
You don't have to live here to buy here. Here's how we make it work from wherever you are.
- Start with a call. We'll talk through your commute, how much space you want and your must-haves, then narrow this whole guide down to a few towns.
- Get pre-approved. We can introduce you to local lenders we trust, so you know your numbers before you fall in love with a house.
- Tour from wherever you are. Live video walkthroughs, recorded tours and virtual tours let you see a home in real time and ask us anything while we're standing in it.
- Let us check what photos don't show. The street, the neighbors' view, the drive at rush hour, the property tax history and the school zone (we confirm it with the district).
- Offer, inspect and close. Most of the paperwork can be signed electronically. Lauren spent 12+ years in real estate operations and supported more than 4,000 closings, so we keep every deadline on track from across the country.
Section 4
Let's chat.
Wherever you're moving from, we'd love to help you figure out where you'll feel at home here. No pressure and no timeline. Even if you're just starting to look, one quick call can save you a lot of guesswork.
We're Lauren and Eric Garner, a husband-and-wife duo and local real estate experts with the Be One Team at Compass. We moved here ourselves, we've lived in the city and the suburbs, and now we call Lebanon home. We'd love to show you around.
Sources: income, property and sales tax figures from the Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026 (property tax rates use 2024 data); Hall income tax repeal from the Tennessee Department of Revenue; 25% residential assessment from the City of Lebanon; climate from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020, Nashville International Airport station; drive times and distances from Google Maps, checked November 5, 2026 (evening, light traffic); places and attractions from official city, state park and visitor bureau sites. Figures change over time. Verify taxes and school zoning for any specific property.