Young college graduates are flocking to Nashville (Midtown: best city, neighborhoods)

[k.rn.chandler]

IMO, which doesn't account for or mean much, I think someone living here needs to have a job making at least $30-32K/yr AT LEAST. Better to make $35K or higher.

While Nashville has several desirable traits, it is becoming more expensive, the traffic is getting worse, it is growing and getting bigger, it is in a state of development... etc.

There's lots of nice things to do here and some opportunities here, but do be aware that it is turning into an Austin or Atlanta because it's growing.

[MetropolitanTN]

That was a spot on post. I agree completely with the salary ranges.

[newdixiegirl]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

I wanted to move to Nashville last year, but was unable to find a job paying $40k+. I have a few years experience and graduated in 2010. I got interviews and two offers, but both were under $35k. Jobs seem to be available, but pay does not match the COL.

The cost of living in Nashville is increasing, with rents and property prices escalating substantially. It would be difficult to live a decent lifestyle in Nashville for under $40k as a single, even with little debt. I don't see the cost of living getting any better in the future there.

Of my high school class back in east TN, a lot of people have moved to job hubs like San Francisco, NYC, the Mountain West, and some have moved to Michigan. While I know a few people who were able to stay in the South, most can't if they want a good job.

Been in Nashville for 3.5 years and really like it. I'm so glad to have left Michigan.

But I have to agree with you here. The COL in Nashville is NOT cheap by any means. In some ways, I think it's more expensive than in Metro Detroit. And yet, salaries, with few exceptions, are lower. I currently earn less than I did in Michigan, but still more than similar jobs I've seen here (my job requires a master's degree). In fact, some salaries offered here would be laughable if they weren't downright insulting.

For the better climate, nice people, beautiful state, and a very attractive city with plenty to do, I'm willing to make less money. Everything in life is a tradeoff, and I've made peace with it. But one would have to be clueless to not notice that salaries here are generally not commensurate with COL.

[Tenn82]

Originally Posted by Drake744

Yeah I'm 29 and work downtown. People are thrown off when I tell them I grew up here and am content living cheaper in the suburbs. No one is from here anymore.

you can thank Vanderbilt for that

even though now there's a lot of other reasons, Vanderbilt ultimately started it all

Nashville is big when it comes to working in the health profession, I have known so many people here from up north, louisiana, texas, whatever you name it and even though a lot come here for other reasons now it all started with looking for jobs in the health profession or just simply waning to go to college here, mostly Vanderbilt but then some others like Belmont etc...

the thing is, its harder to get a job here in the health profession than it used to be, even Vanderbilt has been laying people off sporadically the last few years.

so a lot come here for a while then leave for other places with jobs but they have their residency here or schooling here etc... and I have noticed personally there are a lot of people, mainly from places like Ohio, Indiana, etc... coming here to be a social worker then taking that and going back to school here too to be either a therapist or psychiatrist etc... again goes back to Vanderbilt from long ago

and now you have chefs coming in, even some musicians etc...

a lot of people ion downtown nashville or places close to it like west end are just not from here at all and some are passing through whether they realize it or not then some do stay here, especially if they have relationships here etc....


I have to go to vanderbilt a lot for health problems and at least half the people that actually work there are not from Nashville at all. Just like with the patients, they come from all over the state but also a lot just come from outside the state and outside the south .

Baptist and St Thomas are not that much different but there are more locals in those hospitals.

Vanderbilt is famous through the nation and the world and since its a learning hospital for resident doctors and nurses and students those 2 things make a lot of people want to come just for that alone and that's not even including all of the other transplants who come for other reasons or other jobs outside health care.

Ive heard Nashville is alot like Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem NC for the same reasons.

and even though its not really seen as college town by most who live here or come from here and in the way most true college towns are, it is a college town in reality on some level.
That by itself attracts alot of people and besides that, Nashville ahs just got alot of northern transplants and others the last few years.
some of the younger ones leave but some of the older or more middle aged ones have been staying and having families more and more.

Especially if they end up having careers here after college etc...

others just come to look for jobs in general.

[Tenn82]

Originally Posted by k.rn.chandler

IMO, which doesn't account for or mean much, I think someone living here needs to have a job making at least $30-32K/yr AT LEAST. Better to make $35K or higher.

While Nashville has several desirable traits, it is becoming more expensive, the traffic is getting worse, it is growing and getting bigger, it is in a state of development... etc.

There's lots of nice things to do here and some opportunities here, but do be aware that it is turning into an Austin or Atlanta because it's growing.

I know, I wish all of (you??) damn northern transplants and damn yanks would quit ruining it and making things worse, and bigger and more expensive, taking jobs etc....

(Im Joking)

[trraines]

Tenn82,


Thanks for sharing your info. on healthcare jobs in Nashville. I'm planning a move to TN and was weighing Knoxville and Nashville. As one in this field your post has steered me in the right direction and answered many other questions as well.

Much appreciation!
Trraines

[mcredux]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

Of my high school class back in east TN, a lot of people have moved to job hubs like San Francisco, NYC, the Mountain West, and some have moved to Michigan. While I know a few people who were able to stay in the South, most can't if they want a good job.

Yep...

Compared to other "hot" job markets, it's always striking how many well-spoken, college graduates have low-wage, non-professional jobs in Nashville, like hotel hospitality specialist, car rental specialist, data entry specialist, etc.

In other job markets like Dallas, RDU, or SF these recent grads would be taking on-ramp jobs that provide actual professional growth. It speaks volumes about the sustainability of the "cost-of-living" sales pitch. Much more interesting would be an employer survey about where to find the best business environments for r&d and talent-intensive industries, as this is likely indicative of companies who can efficiently allocate recent college grads, as opposed to cynically dangle carrots in front of them about one-dollar raises and promotions to "Senior Specialist."

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by mcredux

Yep...

Compared to other "hot" job markets, it's always striking how many well-spoken, college graduates have low-wage, non-professional jobs in Nashville, like hotel hospitality specialist, car rental specialist, data entry specialist, etc.

In other job markets like Dallas, RDU, or SF these recent grads would be taking on-ramp jobs that provide actual professional growth. It speaks volumes about the sustainability of the "cost-of-living" sales pitch. Much more interesting would be an employer survey about where to find the best business environments for r&d and talent-intensive industries, as this is likely indicative of companies who can efficiently allocate recent college grads, as opposed to cynically dangle carrots in front of them about one-dollar raises and promotions to "Senior Specialist."

While I can't attest to this specifically, I don't think you can compared Nashville to Dallas or SF. Both are booming beyond belief and are far, far larger. I have enjoyed the admittedly limited time I've been in Nashville, but can't go down to fifteen bucks an hour to live there.

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by mcredux

Yep...

Compared to other "hot" job markets, it's always striking how many well-spoken, college graduates have low-wage, non-professional jobs in Nashville, like hotel hospitality specialist, car rental specialist, data entry specialist, etc.

In other job markets like Dallas, RDU, or SF these recent grads would be taking on-ramp jobs that provide actual professional growth. It speaks volumes about the sustainability of the "cost-of-living" sales pitch. Much more interesting would be an employer survey about where to find the best business environments for r&d and talent-intensive industries, as this is likely indicative of companies who can efficiently allocate recent college grads, as opposed to cynically dangle carrots in front of them about one-dollar raises and promotions to "Senior Specialist."

I would rep you for every single post but I can't.

Why do you think that companies are moving people here - they know they can pay people way way less than other places and people will take it. Of course, you do get what you pay for.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by N.Cal

I would rep you for every single post but I can't.

Why do you think that companies are moving people here - they know they can pay people way way less than other places and people will take it. Of course, you do get what you pay for.

This is part of the problem with a "hot" region. People move to the hot region, oftentimes with little regard for their own personal situation, and they think they can figure it out when they get there. Unless something major were to change in my own situation, there would be no reason for me to move back South, as there is no way I can make what I make working for my current company in Nashville. If I move to HQ near Boston, I'd be pushing six figures. I couldn't make $40k in Nashville. Even after you consider COL, the Boston salary, in my case, is still far superior.