Thinking about moving from Los Angeles to Nashville? Thanks to its growing job market, generally affordable cost of living, and diverse amenities, Nashville continues to be a popular choice for people looking to relocate, particularly from larger, more expensive metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York. If you're wondering whether or not it's time to make the move from Tinseltown to Music City, we've broken down several key factors you'll want to consider first such as differences in the cost of living between Los Angeles and Nashville, access to education and healthcare in Los Angeles and Nashville, and of course lifestyle and recreation opportunities in Los Angeles and Nashville.
OUTDOOR SPACES AND RECREATION
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Los Angeles
With its variety of beaches, lakes, mountains, and parks, Los Angeles has something to offer just about every type of outdoor enthusiast. There are dozens of beaches within an hour or two drive of the greater Los Angeles area that are great for sailing, surfing, kayaking, camping, deep-sea fishing, and more. Some of the more popular beaches in the greater Los Angeles area include:
- Dockweiler State Beach
- El Matador State Beach
- Huntington City Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Leo Carillo State Park
- Manhattan Beach
- Point Dume State Beach
- Santa Monica State Beach
- Venice Beach
- Will Rogers State Beach
If sand and salt water aren't really your speed, Los Angeles also has hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding meandering through its many canyons. Runyon Canyon is a perennial favorite for locals and Griffith Park — home to many family-friendly hiking trails including the best trail for snapping a selfie near the city's iconic Hollywood sign — is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Those wishing to get a little further outside of the city have several national forests and mountainous areas within an hour or two drive to choose from. Mount Baldy, the highest peak in Los Angeles, is only a 45-mile drive from the city. Popular camping and recreation spots like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake are also within a two-hour drive of Los Angeles.
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Nashville
Nashville may be landlocked, but it still has plenty to offer when it comes to Nashville real estate, outdoor spaces and recreation. In fact, Nashville's variety of outdoor activities is one of our favorite things about Music City! The prices of houses for sale in Nashville have increased since it is the Music City and its outdoor spaces and recreational activities. From miles of lush hiking trails to freshwater lakes and rivers, there are plenty of options to get outside around the greater Nashville area. Warner Parks, located just a few miles from downtown Nashville, offers more than 3,000 acres of open space with well-kept trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are also several athletic fields and a golf course all within easy access of central Nashville. Other popular outdoor recreation areas include:
- Centennial Park
- Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
- Old Hickory Lake
- Percy Priest Lake
- Radnor Lake State Park
- Sevier Park
- Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area
The Cumberland River, which runs through downtown Nashville, and the nearby Harpeth River also offer many opportunities for kayaking, boating, floating, and fishing. Those looking to venture out for a day trip or weekend getaway can also find numerous places to hike, fish, camp, or swim among Tennessee's 56 state parks, 500-plus waterfalls, or of course the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of the more popular hiking and outdoor recreation spots within a two-hour drive from Nashville include:
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Cummins Falls
- Fall Creek Falls
- Ozone Falls
- Rock Island State Park
- South Cumberland State Park
- Short Springs Natural Area
- Tims Ford State Park
GOLF COURSES AND RESORTS
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Los Angeles
According to GolfLink, there are approximately 19 golf courses in Los Angeles, eight of which are municipal courses, and another 65 golf courses within 20 miles of Los Angeles, including eight public courses, 37 municipal courses, and 20 private courses. Los Angeles is home to several ultra-exclusive private golf clubs including the Riviera Country Club, which is known as one of the best and toughest courses in the US and home to the PGA Tour's Northern Trust Open every year. Most people prefer to play on the city's municipal courses, such as Balboa at Sepulveda Golf Complex, Rancho Park, and the two courses at Griffith Park, but those seeking a more resort-like experience also have easy access to more coastal locations like the Trump National Los Angeles, Monarch Beach Golf Links, Pelican Hill and the Links at Terranea.
When it comes to accommodations, Los Angeles is well-known for its world-class luxury. The Top 15 City Hotels in Greater Los Angeles in 2020 according to Travel+Leisure include:
- Santa Monica Proper Hotel
- Kimpton La Peer Hotel, West Hollywood
- Viceroy L-Ermitage Beverly Hills
- Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
- The Garland, Los Angeles
- The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
- Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
- Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
- Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
- Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica
- Hotel Figueroa, Los Angeles
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica
- NoMad Los Angeles
- InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
- Beverly Hills Hotel
Nashville
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With its lush green turf and rolling hills, Nashville is home to several public and private golf courses that are both challenging and scenic. Both NBC's GolfPass and Forbes Travel Guide rank Gaylord Springs Golf Links near the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center as the best golf course in Nashville, with Harpeth Hills Golf Course and the private Belle Meade Country Club, also ranking high. Other popular public and private golf courses in the Nashville area include The Grove, Hermitage Golf Course, Highland Rim Golf Course, Nashboro Country Club, Richland Country Club, Temple Hills Golf Club, and the Ironhorse Course at Legends Club of Tennessee, a private club with two courses designed by renowned golf course architect Bob Cupp in collaboration with Hall of Fame golfer Tom Kite.
As Nashville has exploded in popularity as both a tourist and business destination in recent years, the number of hotels and luxury accommodations in Music City has also continued to increase by leaps and bounds. Nashville's real estate market for both residential and commercial has taken off. There are many people looking for houses for sale in Nashville. World-class brands attracted to Nashville's growth, diversity Nashville real estate businesses and local charm are setting up shop in and around downtown Nashville in increasing numbers, including the ultra-exclusive Four Seasons, which recently brought its Four Seasons Private Residences to downtown Nashville. Some of the best luxury accommodations in Nashville right now according to CultureTrip include:
- The Hermitage Hotel
- The Westin Nashville
- Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection
- Omni Nashville Hotel
- JW Marriott Nashville
- Thompson Nashville
- Bobby Hotel
- Holston House Nashville, Unbound Collection by Hyatt
DINING AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles has one of the largest and most diverse dining scenes in the world, offering just about every type of cuisine one can imagine and attracting some of the best chefs and restaurateurs from around the globe. Whether it's street tacos or a multi-course fine dining menu, there is something for everyone when it comes to dining out in Los Angeles. According to Conde Nast Traveler, these are some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles right now:
- Bavel
- Rossoblu
- Gjusta
- Republique
- Aburiya Raku
- Felix
- Little Sister
- Pizzana
- Cassia
- Destroyer
- Jon & Vinny's
- Sushi Tsujita
Los Angeles is also home to many celebrity chefs — and/or their restaurant concepts — including Rick Bayless, Josiah Citrin, Tom Colicchio, Timothy Hollingsworth, Matthew Kenney, Phillip Frankland Lee, Antonia Lofaso, Niki Nakayama, Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Silverton, Curtis Stone, Marcel Vigneron, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson and more.
When it comes to entertainment, Los Angeles draws the best of the best. Although it is best known as the epicenter of the film and TV industry, Los Angeles also boasts some of the world's most iconic comedy clubs, concert venues, and rock clubs. The Comedy Store, Groundlings Theatre, and Laugh Factory have seen the likes of Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Will Ferrell, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Adam Sandler, Kristen Wiig, Robin Williams, and more perform on their hallowed stages. Some of the most revered and storied music venues in the world are also in Los Angeles, including The Forum, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, The Mint, The Roxy, Shrine Auditorium, Troubadour, The Viper Room, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Wiltern, to name a few.
Nashville
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Known as the original home of "Hot Chicken," Nashville prides itself on serving up traditional Southern fare as well as world-class international cuisine. Several renowned and celebrity chefs have opened restaurants in Nashville over the last several years, citing the city's booming tourist economy and affordable Nashville real estate real estate among many reasons Music City appeals to restaurateurs. Sean Brock, Richard Blais, Maneet Chauhan, Guy Fieri, Dale Levitski, Donald Link, and Jonathan Waxman (Adele's) all have well-loved culinary "homes" in Nashville, but the city's historic "meat-and-three's" offer plenty of competition when it comes to popular eating spots around town. Here are some of the top restaurants in Nashville right now according to Conde Nast Traveler:
- Butcher & Bee
- Hathorne
- Mas Tacos Por Favor
- Henrietta Red
- City House
- The Catbird Seat
- Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
- Arnold's Country Kitchen
- Etch
- Big Al's Deli
- Kayne Prime
- Husk
When it comes to live entertainment — and particularly live music — Nashville lives up to its reputation as "Music City." Although it is also known as the "Country Music Capital of the World," Nashville is home to some of the world's best musicians, songwriters, artists, and producers of many genres. You can hear live music just about anywhere in the city (and usually for free!), from buskers outside of a fast-food restaurant to international virtuosos at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Nashville's two most historic venues — the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry — have welcomed numerous iconic and up-and-coming performers to their stages over the years, including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and many more. The Ryman Auditorium is also credited with being the birthplace of Bluegrass music, having been the stage where Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe performed together for the first time in December 1945. Nashville's historic honkytonk district is also a reliable resource for live music any day of the week, whether you're looking for country classics or modern rock. Outside of the downtown honky-tonks, some of the city's most popular live music venues include 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill, Ascend Amphitheater, The Basement East, The Bluebird Café, Cannery Ballroom, Exit/In, and The Station Inn, among many others.
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As you can see, both Los Angeles and Nashville have a lot to offer when it comes to lifestyle and entertainment. Deciding whether or not you should move from Los Angeles to Nashville may come down to a combination of factors, from cost of living and educational opportunities to where you want to live, play and work. Nashville is one of the top cities people are moving to, helping to keep the Nashville real estate market moving forward.
You can find suitable deals on houses for sale in Nashville. If you're looking for your next home in Nashville, check out our current listings and contact us today so we can find the right place for you in Music City!