Considering a move. Is racism in Nashville a big issue? (Brentwood: apartments, rentals)

[fractalalchemy]

My husband and I are considering a move to Nashville (we currently live in NYC). In addition to some concerns about the pay cuts we'd have to take by making the move (I'm an attorney and my husband is a software engineer), I have a lot of misgivings about the ... racial harmony.

My husband is originally from Tunica, Mississippi, lived in Nashville previously and has family that currently lives in Nashville. Unfortunately, his family isn't a great resource for this topic. They are white and don't have any non-white friends so racism is pretty much not on the radar for them. Our situation is different because I'm black and we're concerned that our biracial children will be ostracized. "Mixed" couples are everywhere in New York and we've definitely noticed stares whenever we travel south.

So, how big of an issue will this be? Will we have trouble being embraced by our community? We're looking at buying a place in Belle Meade or Brentwood.

[Hey_Hey]

This issue seems to come up frequently from people in NYC and California. There seems to be a belief that outside of the enlightened coasts that the rest of the country is all backwards, racist, neanderthals. If you are looking for stares, you're going to find them, whether real or imagined. I promise you, the difference (in terms of racial harmony) you feel there is between NYC and Nashville is much smaller in reality than it is in your mind.

There are places in and around Nashville that have racial mixes similar to NYC, specifically SE Nashville where the black-white mix is 50/50 in many places. There are, obviously, places that are much more white than that. The two places you have picked to possibly live are, in general, some of the whitest neighborhoods/suburbs in Nashville.

[DaveM123]

I retired here from the Chicago area over 8 years ago. I believe I have seen more "mixed race" couples here than I ever saw up north. I don't think you'll have any issues here.

[fractalalchemy]

Originally Posted by Hey_Hey

This issue seems to come up frequently from people in NYC and California. There seems to be a belief that outside of the enlightened coasts that the rest of the country is all backwards, racist, neanderthals. If you are looking for stares, you're going to find them, whether real or imagined. I promise you, the difference (in terms of racial harmony) you feel there is between NYC and Nashville is much smaller in reality than it is in your mind.

There are places in and around Nashville that have racial mixes similar to NYC, specifically SE Nashville where the black-white mix is 50/50 in many places. There are, obviously, places that are much more white than that. The two places you have picked to possibly live are, in general, some of the whitest neighborhoods/suburbs in Nashville.

I actually grew up on the "enlightened" west coast in one of the most backward areas in Southern California. I'm not one of those people who believe racism only lives south of the Mason-Dixon line. My reticence about moving to Nashville stems from the fact that my husband failed to make any friends of color during his four years living in Nashville, the weird stares we've receive whenever we visit, and my experience from my childhood. I will never live in my hometown in California because of the racial disharmony I experienced growing up (and that still exists today). I simply asked about the current state in Nashville. I want to live somewhere where my kids will be accepted not grudgingly tolerated.

A 50/50 mix doesn't really give me much information about an area. My husband grew up in a predominately black area and everyone kept to themselves.

Belle Meade and Brentwood are areas we're considering because of the high quality of housing stock, schools, proximity to downtown and large lot sizes (> 1 acre). I've also been told commuting traffic isn't as bad.

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by DaveM123

I retired here from the Chicago area over 8 years ago. I believe I have seen more "mixed race" couples here than I ever saw up north. I don't think you'll have any issues here.

I would probably disagree, thinking about the likely circles that the original poster and her husband would fall into. And OPer - I would seriously find out what salary you would be making here because I think the salary differentials will unpleasantly surprise you.

[fractalalchemy]

Originally Posted by N.Cal

And OPer - I would seriously find out what salary you would be making here because I think the salary differentials will unpleasantly surprise you.

From what little salary data I've been able to scrape up, it looks pretty bad. As a third year associate in NY, my base salary is 210k. From what I've read, I'll be lucky to get 125k. If anyone has any knowledge of attorney salaries in the few large firms in Nashville, please send it my way.

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by fractalalchemy

From what little salary data I've been able to scrape up, it looks pretty bad. As a third year associate in NY, my base salary is 210k. From what I've read, I'll be lucky to get 125k. If anyone has any knowledge of attorney salaries in the few large firms in Nashville, please send it my way.

My friend who used to work at the largest firm here thinks $145 all in might be it (she left about 2 years ago). The other issue is actually finding a position. I know that a lot of people are on the temp/contract/doc review track here.


One other thing to consider - do you have rent control? Housing is much more expensive here than people realize.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by DaveM123

I retired here from the Chicago area over 8 years ago. I believe I have seen more "mixed race" couples here than I ever saw up north. I don't think you'll have any issues here.

Ditto.


Lived near Nashville 17 years. Tolerant region.

[Hey_Hey]

Originally Posted by fractalalchemy

From what little salary data I've been able to scrape up, it looks pretty bad. As a third year associate in NY, my base salary is 210k. From what I've read, I'll be lucky to get 125k. If anyone has any knowledge of attorney salaries in the few large firms in Nashville, please send it my way.

You'll save a ton of money on taxes, and quite a bit of money on housing. Of course, it's not all about money either. If you love NYC life then you will likely be unhappy here. Likewise, if you are sick of NYC life want to stretch out a little bit then you'll probably like it here even if you make less money.

In terms of taxes (ignoring any deductions):
NYC income of $210,000 ($17,500 per month) will result in a take home of $133,363 ($11,113/month).

Nashville income of $125,000 ($10,416 per month) will result in a take home of ~$90,898 ($7575/month)
Nashville income using N.Cal's $145,000 ($12,083 per month) will result in a take home of $105,008 ($8750/month).

You should be able to decrease your total tax burden in both places with 401k contributions and other deductions, but they should track fairly closely in either place. Comparing $11,113 per month in NYC vs $7575 or $8750 per month in Nashville seems a lot less significant than looking at gross incomes on a yearly or monthly basis. I'm sure you know NYC rents better than I do, but I think it is safe to say that you will be facing rents of $3500-$4000 in Manhattan for a 1BR. In Nashville the 1BR apartments downtown will run you ~$1750-2000/month and $1250-1750/month in desirable neighborhoods outside downtown/Gulch. I think it is safe to say that you will spend an additional $2000 per month in NYC as compared to Nashville for rentals.

[fractalalchemy]

Next year I'll be making over 235k + bonus > 50k

We're actually spending $2,300 on a large two bedroom apartment in Manhattan (rent stabilized) with a doorman and a beautiful rooftop a few blocks away from Central Park. We have an amazing deal on our apartment which is also making this decision difficult. I love living in NYC but my husband (really) hates not having any real sense of privacy. Nashville is on the table for his sanity and because we'd be within an hour from all of his family.

Money is definitely not everything but there is a point where the reduction of quality of life isn't worth it. From what I've determined, our monthly expenses will increase by moving to Nashville. There will be a car purchase(s) + related expenses, house purchase + related expenses, etc. There is also the possibility that we'd have to spring for private school. Our kids currently attend a public school for the academically gifted.

I appreciate everyone who commented. It's looking like buying a cabin upstate for my husband to get out of the city makes more sense than relocating to Nashville.