The "It" City
Nashville is one of the top cities to move to or visit in the United States. It was named National Geographic’s #1 travel destination in the world in June 2022.
As the hub for several booming industries, the home to a global community—including the nation’s largest Kurdish population—and “America’s friendliest city” according to Travel + Leisure magazine, Nashville combines history and hospitality with diverse culture and growth.
Tennessee’s capital also is an international destination for the arts, entrepreneurship and scientific research, thereby attracting world-renowned scholars to Vanderbilt and the broader community. In turn, it’s no surprise that many students choose to call Music City home, even after their time as Vanderbilt students comes to an end.
Major regional industries include music and entertainment, tourism, printing and publishing, technology, higher education, automobile production and health care management.
Industry
Major industries include tourism, printing and publishing, technology manufacturing, music production, higher education, finance, insurance, automobile production and health care management. Nashville has been named one of the 15 best U.S. cities for work and family by Fortune magazine, was ranked as the No. 1 most popular U.S. city for corporate relocations by Expansion Management magazine, and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the 25 cities most likely to have the country’s highest job growth over the coming five years.
History
Settled in 1779 along the banks of the Cumberland River, Nashville became Tennessee’s state capital in 1843. Just 30 years later, Vanderbilt University was founded—marking the start of an enduring relationship between a dynamic Southern city and a world-class research institution.
Climate
Nashville’s climate is often characterized as mild, with colder winter months and high temperatures in the summer. Most of the city’s rain occurs during the spring, and if a snowfall does occur, it’s seldom heavy. Campus life at Vanderbilt benefits tremendously from the city’s temperate weather, as outdoor activities can typically occur throughout the academic year.
Transportation
While several restaurants and cultural attractions are within easy walking distance of Vanderbilt’s campus, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft also are widely available throughout Nashville.
For getting into and out of the city, the award-winning Nashville International Airport provides nonstop flights to 75 markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, London, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Nashville is this big city, but it can have the college town feel. You can go from the heart of the city to main campus in a 5-minute walk.
Neighborhoods
Each of the city’s neighborhoods carries its own identity and benefits. The Vanderbilt campus is located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of downtown in the West End neighborhood of midtown Nashville. Among the closest neighboring areas are Music Row—often considered the heart and historic center of Nashville’s recording industry—and Hillsboro Village, a pedestrian-friendly area filled with shopping, restaurants and bars.