Whether you're an avid David Letterman watcher or you prefer to read about the best stocks to invest in, we all love those "Top 10" lists.  So why not write a fun little blog about my favorite things (in random order) about Nashville! 

1.  It's central.  Whether I feel like swiming in Florida, visiting the hustle of Chicago, taking in a spa retreat in Hot Springs, Arkansas, or learning a little history in D.C., it's all in a days drive.  Even taking a trip to Canada or the Bahamas is a relatively quick flight.

2.  Low Cost of Living. Property taxes are low, business taxes are low, and our gas prices are always some of the lowest in the country (it's all relative, isn't it?). The state of Tennessee does not have an income tax.  Of course we make up for it with an average 9.5% sales tax, but it sure makes doing my taxes less of a headache.

3.  Healthy Real Estate Market.  In this slower market, our inventory is very high, but homes in Nashville are still selling very close to the listing price.  Nashville can be compared to New York and Los Angeles for the influx of people moving here to follow musical pursuits or for business opportunities, but the biggest difference is that our values stay steady.  Buying a home here is a very safe investment.

4.  All Four Seasons!  I've been in Tennessee over 3 years, but I'm not a native southerner, and I still can't get used to August.  But the other summer months are deliciously warm, the cold winter months really help me get into the holiday spirit, and spring and autumn are heavenly.  Plus, we've got some of the coolest storms!

5.  Culture.  The south isn't what it used to be.  We've got people from all over the world coming here to do music or to follow their jobs with Nissan or Saturn (and soon Verizon headquarters will be here, too)... we are chock full of culture.  Although honky-tonk country dominates the downtown music scene, you can listen to live music in any genre if you know where to go.  Nashville hosts a variety of art exhibits, festivals, and events, from crawfish boils to marathons.  Historic plantations and museums of all kinds are not hard to find.

6.  Easy Infrastructure.  Nashville has four interstate systems with 65 running north/south, 24 running NE/SW, 40 running east/west, and 440 is the convenient by-pass.  There are several express ways joining the interstates, making commuting easy and getting lost difficult.  When I arrived in Nashville, it only took me a week of getting in my car and driving around before I felt comfortable traveling throughout the whole city.

7.  Southern Values and Small Town Feel.  Year after year Nashville ranks among the Friendlist City in the US by Travel and Leisure magazine.  Williamson County (just south of Nashville) is ranked among the top-performing school districts in the nation.  There's a church on just about every corner, and even the hardest of kids say, "Yes, Ma'am." 

8.  Education.  Vanderbilt, Fisk, Belmont, MTSU, Meharry Medical, and several other colleges and universities help to give Nashville the "college town" designation.  Opportunities are limitless when it comes to higher or vocational education, especially in the medical field.  Hospitals are everywhere, and many are renown for their technological equipment and innovative practices.

9.  Shopping and Dining.  Sure, this should probably go along with culture, but it really deserves a spot of its own.  We've got antique shops, high-end botiques, and Wal-Mart.  We've got beautiful malls and trendy specialty shops.  Our restaurant and bar choices are as eclectic as anywhere else, and whether you want to take in a symphony, hit the clubs, or do some karaoke, everyone will enjoy the nightlife.

10.  Our Neighborhoods.  East Nashville is where the younger, artsy crowd hangs out at the coffee houses and wine bars.  West Nashville is home to the beautiful and opulent Belle Meade, where the residents here boast old money.  Franklin (where DeAnne and I call home) is a quaint place to hang out with the family, and close to where the country stars live on their farms in historic Leiper's Fork.  Murfreesboro is THE college town.  Positioned on a lake, Hendersonville is the newest town, bustling with growth.  If you're looking for a place to buy, you can find a good pre-construction investment, a downtown loft to inspire your creativity, a historic cottage for introspection, or a solace on any amount of land you'd like. 

See, there really is something for everyone in the Nashville area!

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff