A Nashville Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent

I’m Brandie, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Nashville, Tennessee. Full disclosure, I no longer call the Music City home, but when I lived in this beautiful city not too long ago, I became somewhat of a local expert when it comes to where to live and where to avoid. This is, thanks in part, to many of my dear friends relocating to the area and me helping them find the perfect place to call home. Nashville, as you likely already know, is considered the Country Music Capital of the world. Its downtown is known for honky-tonks, neon signs, and dive bars. This, along with the prestigious Grand Ole’ Opry, has given the city a bit of a reputation for being nothing more than a destination for those who dream the neon dreams of country stardom. However, it is much, much, more, as you will see in the following list of some of my top 10 favorite affordable neighborhoods and area to rent in the area.

Most Affordable Areas to Call Home in the Music City

Before getting into the heart of the list in earnest on what neighborhoods to consider when moving to Nashville, it’s helpful, I feel, to understand what else this unique city has going for it besides the obvious one of being “The Honky Tonk Capital.” First, you might not have heard it called this, but Nashville has another name as well, which has nothing to do with its musical heritage. This nickname is the “Athens of the South.” This is an earned moniker due to the substantial number of educational institutions that call it home. This, along with the fact that the city is also a major center for the technology, automotive, banking, publishing, and healthcare industries, means that it has a great appeal for many varieties of people groups, encompassing all ages, passions, and professions. Now, onto the topic at hand: where to live when relocating to my favorite city:

1. Spring Hill

Let’s start out of the gate fast with one of the most affordable suburbs of Nashville, Spring Hill. This happens to be the chosen location of one of my best friends. She relocated from Chattanooga and still calls Spring Hill home. She started out renting a condo and then later moved into a home. The average rent price for a Spring Hill apartments is favorable and there are plenty of great options in the area. Nearby attractions include a variety of interesting options in nearby areas, like Fischer Park, James K. Polk Museum, and Rippavilla. Spring Hill’s downtown is also lovely and includes several dining options that are perfect for family dining, like Music City Gyros and the Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery.

2. Cross Plains

If your goal is to get the benefits of a small southern town without having to live in the hustle and bustle of a big city, then Cross Plains might be just the place for you. Cross Plains is known for its laid-back, quiet lifestyle. Although the suburbs here are a bit higher priced than others on my list, it is still more affordable when compared to nationwide prices or those in the heart of the city itself.

3. Springfield

This unique Nashville suburb is located on the northern border of the state, with a media rental range that places it near a similar cost to rent a place in Cross Plains. Springfield has really grown in recent years, offering residents more shopping and restaurant opportunities while also remaining an affordable option outside just outside Nashville-proper. Springfield is also home to the Northcrest Medical Center, which is a renowned state-of-the-art hospital and medical arts campus.

4. White Bluff

There are plenty of great deals to be found for well-priced White Bluff apartments and homes, making it one of the most affordable suburbs to live within the Music City area. One of the fastest growing suburbs in Dickson County, White Bluff features rental home options all throughout the area with spacious yards and multiple stories, while also offering a variety of apartments to be had for those looking for 1, 2, 3 or even 4 bedroom rentals. There are also a variety of natural attractions for you to enjoy if you choose White Bluff, such as the Field of Dreams, a 17,000-square-foot community-built playground, and the Veterans Memorial Park.

5. La Vergne

If you want to live within “spitting distance,” as it were to downtown proper, you might want to consider La Vergne, which is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area. From here you only have to travel about 20 miles to reach downtown, so this is ideal if you have to work (or play) in the downtown Nashville area.  Because we all know the hassle a long commute can cause, and no one wants that every day. La Vergne is especially popular with the young professional crowd, likely due to its proximity to downtown and highly sought job opportunities. Top employers in the area include Bridgestone Incorporated, Amazon, and Ajax-Turner.

6. White House

For a place that hasn’t had a great deal of wear and tear and is brand new construction, you might want to consider White House. This suburb of the Music City is thriving, with new construction going up all the time. Therefore, there are usually apartments open if you need to find a place near Nashville. The average rent for this suburb is $1,497. Some of the best places to eat you must try, as recommended by myself, a previous “Nashvillian,” include the Southern Charm Bakery & Cupcakery (I have to insert that I LOVE the name of this bakery, almost as much as I love their treats), MoliPazzo and the Colorado Grill, just to name a few.

7. 12South/Sunnyside

Okay, I had to include the 12South area and Sunnyside neighborhood, not only for its cool name but for the fact that strolling down the sidewalks in this little neighborhood is like stepping into a Nashville-themed postcard. The average rent is a bit higher than others on our list, but the coolness factor of this suburb might be worth a bit extra. This suburb is quickly earning the reputation of being a hub for Nashville's fashion and culinary scenes. For example, Draper James is a local boutique founded by none other than the beautiful Reese Witherspoon and finds its home here. Frothy Monkey is also a local favorite as is the Five Daughters Bakery, where you can consume the 100-layer doughnuts that are a city-wide sensation.

8. Greenbrier

As the most affordable Nashville area on my list, Greenbrier boasts some excellent affordable options in rental homes and apartments – even under $1000 if you find one of the lucky deals! Greenbrier has more going for than affordability, though, as it also has some award-winning schools, such as Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier Middle School, and Greenbrier Elementary School, which are all top-rated. Greenbrier is also known for its rich history, natural beauty, and, of course, the annual Turning of the Pig Celebration; need I say more? This small town also offers a low crime rate with access to Nashville via the interstate U.S. Route 41.

9. Smyrna

The average rent in Smyrna is relative for the Nashville area, but this neighborhood serves as a great balance of location and price. It has all the benefits of a small-town vibe while being only 23ish miles to the southeast corner of the Nashville central district. It is a tight-knit community, even while being the largest town in Tennessee by population, which includes a significant number of retirees. In fact, it boasts over 55 retirement communities. While the town is made up of many retirees, Smyrna is also an ideal location for families of all ages. I always say that Smyrna is where you can move if you want to adopt some grandparents. So, if your kids are currently without a grandparent, or you just want to pick up an extra set perhaps, then Smyrna might be the place for you.

10. Shadow Glen

Last but certainly not least on my top 10 most affordable areas to live in Nashville is Shadow Glen. This stately suburb is located towards the south of Nashville. It plays host to some of Nashville’s oldest homes, but it is known today for its proximity to entertainment and dining options along with low-cost housing options.

Nashville Welcomes You

No matter which of these 10 options you choose to call home, Nashville is a great city, to be sure. Of course, I am a bit partial to the city thanks to the many memories it gave me and the ones I still get to make when I make the drive in. The city is thriving, offering a wide range of job opportunities, but it also is ideal if you want to get away, be quiet, and live the country life outside of the big city by joining one of these ten amazing communities.