When it comes to having it all, Middle Tennessee comes pretty dang close. Between the lower price of living, Music City entertainment and tourism, great weather, and endless employment opportunities, there are just countless reasons to pack up your bags and move here already! Keep reading this blog to find out our favorite reasons to live in Tennessee, as well as our top tips for moving safely and efficiently!

Why Middle Tennessee?

Tennessee is home to influential culture, fantastic weather, and beautiful nature. Seeing as Tennessee has no state income tax, there’s no reason why its residents can’t enjoy all three because Tennessee is also listed among the most affordable places to live in the United States. What’s more, Tennessee offers free community college and vocational school programs for residents without an Associate or Bachelor’s degree.

Speaking of, there are several colleges located in and around Middle Tennessee. Vanderbilt, Lipscomb, Belmont, Trevecca Nazarene, Union, Cumberland, and Middle Tennessee State Universities are within close proximity to Nashville, as well as Welch College, Volunteer State Community College, and the Lincoln College of Technology.

If you’re moving here in search of employment, you should know that luck is on your side. According to the US Census, the average Tennessee unemployment rate was just 5.1% in January of 2021. The average rate of unemployment was 6.3%.

Weather-wise, Middle Tennessee is rated 7.3 by BestPlaces.Net’s Comfort Index. We have what’s known as a humid, subtropical climate which means hot summers and mild to cool winters. We’ll call that a win!

As far as entertainment goes, we’re never without something to do here in Music City. Some of our favorite attractions include the Grand Ole Opry, Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, the Frist Art Museum, the National Museum of African-American Music, Lower Broadway, and Printer’s Alley.

Did you think we’d forget to mention the food? Nope! We saved the best for last! Famous Nashville cuisine includes hot chicken, hot fish, and some finger-licking good BBQ. There are numerous restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bars to choose from as well!

Why DeFatta?

Are you planning on building the home you’ll move into? When it comes to building in Middle Tennessee, there is no builder that delivers a better experience than DeFatta Custom Homes. We’re proud of the boundless community we live in which is why we go above and beyond to only add to its splendor. That means luxurious, modern homes, world-class attention to detail, and a home that appreciates and enhances Tennessee’s natural beauty.

Tips For Moving To Middle Tennessee

Choose a reputable moving company.

You should consider a moving service that’s been in business for many years because that means it’s survived more, is more likely to have a history of honoring its contracts and warranties, and should have plenty of references to choose from when you ask for references. If the moving service can’t provide you with references, look for one that can.

Your moving company should also provide you a reasonable and binding estimate so that you end up paying what you were told you’d pay. You should also get valuation coverage and a bill of lading, which is a document the law dictates that you should get prior to any move. Avoid movers who ask for upfront payments or tell you that you can’t reach their drivers during the move.

Confirm that the moving company has a TN DMV license before you make your decision. Don’t settle for anything less than professional Tennessee movers or top notch long distance movers. You want all your possessions making it to their new home in one piece after their ride on the moving truck!

Change your address.

You can easily do this online, but make sure you do so a week before your designated moving date. All you need is a debit or credit card.

Get a new Driver’s License.

You’ll need to do so within 30 days of moving to Tennessee to avoid getting a ticket.Change your Vehicle and Voter Registration.

You’ll need to find your vehicle registration information online, but you can register to vote in Tennessee by completing an in person, mail-in, or online voter registration form.

The Bottom Line

From the Great Smoky Mountains to Memphis, there’s a whole lot of Tennessee to see. In fact, we’ve only scratched the surface of all the great resources available to you in Tennessee with this blog post.

But with such a low cost of living, no state income tax, and free community college or vocational training for all residents, there’s no doubt that you’ll have no problem making the most of living in the Volunteer State.

When it’s done right, building a custom home is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That’s why at DeFatta Custom Homes, we believe that each and every step of the process should be a positive one from start to finish. Below, we’ve listed some of the things we hope our buyers keep in mind as they go, in order to make their custom home building experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. If you’ve already begun or completed the custom home building process, let us know if we missed any!

1. Create a budget…and stick to it.

When you’re considering building a custom home, the very first thing you should do is decide how much you are willing to spend on the adventure…from start to finish. That way, you and your builder have clear expectations of what’s to come. Be realistic and factor in things like monthly expenses, because your custom home will require upkeep and routine maintenance once it’s been built.

2. Decide what you want…ahead of time.

Do you have a Pinterest account? If not, it might be time to get one. Take time to plan out your style, layout, and must-have design elements before meeting with your builder. Then your builder will be able to direct his or her questions towards your preferences and provide useful recommendations.

3. Do your research…because every builder is DIFFERENT.

Make a list of questions to ask your Custom Home Builder before deciding he’s the one for the job. You might worry it’s an inconvenience, but the right builder will be happy to show you extensive examples of past work…it’s a pride thing.

4. Keep a flexible timeline… you ebb and allow for bumps in the road.

It’s a good idea to expect some ebb and flow in the coming months. Expecting curveballs ahead of time will allow you and yours a bit more peace in the custom home building process as a whole. Set your expectations to allow for hiccups like rain delays and product shortages. You’ll thank us later.

5. Make sure everything is in writing…and know you’re not being annoying to expect it.

This way, you AND your builder won’t encounter any surprises as far as your expectations of each other go. After all, your relationship with your builder should feel like a partnership…and you will work together to make sure the finished product is nothing short of the home you’ve always dreamed of living in.

6. Think through your design decisions…trends don’t last forever.

Start simple by brainstorming and sketching out your ideas. Make lists of features you’re looking for in each and every room. But make sure YOU leave room for designs and styles to change as you and your family grow. Consider function, flow, and fun when you’re designing your ideal floor plan and design aesthetic.

7. Understand your financing options…ALL of your financing options.

The right builder will help you determine the very best financing options for you and your needs. If you have questions, make sure you say them out loud…even if you’re worried the question isn’t valid. If your builder doesn’t have the answer, he or she can point you to a mortgage broker.

8. Most importantly…have fun!

Like we said above, building a custom home should feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re working with a builder you trust with your vision, you should feel free to soak in every step of the process. Remember that every day of the journey, you’re one step closer to delivered-on-dreams!