Words of Advice
Nashville is a fantastic city. It's hard to appreciate it when you're stuck in the Vanderbilt-bubble, so get excited about exploring a completely different city from what you thought. Nashville has much to offer its community members with lots of variety. Go on an adventure and get to know the city that we adore.
Where to Live
Clusters of Vandy grads live in Melrose/Wedgewood-Houston, Green Hills/12 South, and Sylvan Park/the Nations. Midtown, East Nashville, and Germantown are also very popular among recent grads. '20
Nashville is becoming an expensive place. A lot of young people out of college have several roommates in Nashville to offset the costs. Don't be afraid to get a good group together and rent a nice house. You'll save more money than you would living on your own. '17
There's so much out there; try putting a short-term moratorium on your college hangouts to go see the rest. '16
Now, as a true local not living on campus, I've spent a lot more time exploring more of the East Nashville and Wedgewood-Houston neighborhoods. There are hidden gems in every neighborhood! '18
It's Nashville. Go to student events and bring Tupperware. Wear a hat and sunglasses to avoid detection. Profit and have food for days. '17
Nashville is continuing to grow, add new venues, and expand its offerings. Plus no state income tax.’21
I along with all of my friends used a Facebook group called "Nashville Rooms for Rent" to find roommates. Most major cities will have a group like this and it's a great way to verify you're meeting with someone who you could see yourself living with. '15
- Green Hills - You will most likely find duplexes or homes converted into multiple living quarters. Prices can run somewhat expensive, but you are paying for the neighborhood, and it is worth it.
- East Nashville - This is a great up and coming neighborhood that is well on its way. It currently doesn't have the high prices of other areas in town but the neighborhood and community feel are there. This is the new "young professional" place to live and has many trendy/eccentric bars and cafes. Brunch on Sundays is the "thing to do."
- Melrose (near 8th Avenue) - Very popular for younger people and grads. Lots of local neighborhood places. Mostly condos and houses for rent.
- Downtown/the Gulch - Wonderful to live downtown if you work there, so you can be central to everything. Many Vanderbilt grads live in the area. Central to music and sport venues, and there are plenty of places to live. Prices tend to be higher, but you have the benefit of having everything you could want within a short drive.
- Franklin/Brentwood/Cool Springs - Great areas to find nice, family-style housing, but you most likely won't be able to walk to a local establishment. These are more established neighborhoods with larger living spaces and located 15-20 miles outside the city, but are great if you work near this area.
- 12th South/Belmont - This is a fun neighborhood that attracts young professionals and graduate students due to its proximity to the great restaurants, bars, boutiques and coffee shops in 12 South, Belmont Boulevard and Hillsboro Village.
Things to Do
Some of my favorite neighborhoods are also popular with current Vanderbilt students (who doesn't love 12 South?). Now that I live downtown, however, I have found some new favorites as well. There are a lot of fun places to explore in East Nashville and Germantown, and the Downtown Art Crawl, which occurs on the first Saturday of the month, is always a blast. Nashville also has a great trivia scene. I particularly enjoy Trivia Time at Jackalope Brewery on Thursdays and Nerdy Talk Trivia at Tailgate Brewery on Tuesdays. '18
There are so many neighborhoods in Nashville you probably haven't explored and many new things to do. Try exploring the surrounding cities of Franklin, Brentwood, Lebanon, Hendersonville, Gallatin, etc. You will find adventures there as well. '17
Go to ALL of the free Lightening 100 events. You may just discover your new favorite band! '16
The best advice I can give for learning about what to do in Nashville is to subscribe to Randall Tarkington's weekly newsletter, wherein he lists everything going on in the city on a weekly basis, including free events. His email is r.tarkington@vanderbilt.edu. '18
- Frist Fridays - Concert series held the last Friday of the month during May, June and July at the Frist Center.
- Professional Sports - Nashville Predators (hockey), Tennessee Titans (football) and Nashville Sounds (baseball).
- Spring/summer local festivals, wine tasting events and outdoor concerts/shows.
- Music - Full Moon Pickin' Parties at Warner Parks in the summer and fall, Bluebird on the Mountain at Dyer Observatory, bluegrass at Station Inn, writers in-the-round at Bluebird Café, and other clubs which include 3rd and Lindsley, Exit/In, Mercy Lounge, Cannery Ballroom and The Basement.
- Centennial Park - Free summer movies, music and craft festivals throughout the year.
- Hiking - Radnor Lake and Percy/Edwin Warner Parks are great for hiking.
Where to Exercise
In Nashville, you can always run into someone doing something outside.
- Centennial Park - Great for running, walking, playing with your dog or people watching.
- Centennial Sportsplex - Has an indoor ice skating rink.
- Shelby Bottoms Park (East Nashville) - Many biking and walking trails and sports fields.
- Percy Warner and Edwin Warner Parks - Many well-maintained hiking and jogging trails.
- Fall Creek Falls, Percy Priest Lake, Center Hill Lake (outside the city) - Within an hour or so from town and offer amazing scenic views, trails and recreation areas.
- Climb Nashville (in Sylvan Park) - For those rainy or cold days you still want to do something outside of the box.
- Sevier Park, in 12 South - Excellent for walking, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and located within walking distance to the famous Las Paletas (gourmet popsicle shop).
- Running clubs - There are also plenty of running clubs to join! If you're into group runs, check out one of the many running clubs in the area. It's also a great way to meet others in your community. Running helps you see and explore the city in a very different way.
