Most people start with Nashville.

That’s the name they know.

The idea they’ve built in their head.

Music City. Energy. Opportunity. Culture.

And for some, that’s exactly where they land. If your moving from Los Angeles or Chicago metropolitan features are the main draw in the rapidly evolving city of Nashville.

But not everyone relocating is moving for more city life, in fact it's often just the opposite. 

If you’re early in figuring that out, a broader look at how the move tends to unfold is here:
California to Tennessee Relocation Overview

Nashville today is a real city.

It’s not just country music and a few downtown streets anymore. It’s grown into a place with density, traffic patterns, neighborhoods, and a pace that feels much closer to other major cities than people expect. This is one of the reasons someone moving from Los Angeles to Tennessee likely starts by looking at the city of Nashville. 

You’ll find:

• Downtown high-rises and condo living 
• 12 South with restaurants, boutiques, and steady foot traffic 
• The Nations and Wedgewood Houston turn former industrial and commercial neighborhoods into modern semi urban spaces filled with new construction townhomes and condominiums.
• East Nashville—creative, active, and constantly evolving 
• Germantown—walkable, polished, and close to downtown 
• Forrest Hills, Green Hills and Belle Meade-  established city suburbs with southern charm spread across a variety of large classic estates and upscale new construction estates.

And beyond neighborhoods, Nashville offers:

• Professional sports (NFL, NHL, MLS) 
• Major events and entertainment 
• World-class music venues—from small listening rooms to arenas 

For people who want city life, Nashville delivers.

Walkability. Restaurants. Nightlife. Events. Energy.

But a lot of people moving here—especially from larger metro areas—realize pretty quickly that what they actually want is something a little different.

A pattern shows up over and over.

People say they’re moving to Nashville.

But what they’re picturing often isn’t truly urban.

It’s:

• More space 
• A quieter environment 
• Some distance from the pace of the city 
• Still close enough to go in when they want to 

And very often, there’s another layer to it.

What they really have in mind is something that feels more like country living.

• Open land 
• Horses 
• Space to spread out 
• A slower, more rural pace 

The interesting part is that many people start with that vision—
but adjust once they understand how things actually line up.

That’s usually where price, location, and space start to intersect:
Home Price Comparison (LA vs Nashville)

Once that shift happens, two areas come up almost immediately:

• Franklin, Tennessee 
• Brentwood, Tennessee 

And there’s a reason for that.

Both sit within Williamson County, and that tends to drive a lot of the decision—whether people realize it at first or not.

• Well-regarded public schools 
• Long-term stability 
• Consistent demand across different price points 

For many families, that combination quietly moves these two areas to the top of the list.

Just as importantly, this area isn’t only residential—it’s supported by one of the largest commercial and lifestyle hubs in Middle Tennessee:

• Cool Springs and the surrounding area 

This includes:

• Major employers and office parks 
• Restaurants and retail 
• Medical and daily services 
• Mixed-use communities 

It’s part of what makes living here practical—not just appealing.

Before anything else, people experience Downtown Franklin.

And it changes the conversation.

The square, anchored by the historic courthouse, feels like something out of another time—but it’s fully active.

Main Street isn’t just for show.

It’s used. Daily.

Coffee in the morning.

Restaurants that actually fill up at night.

Local stores, not just chains.

And then there are the events:

• Seasonal festivals that shut down the streets 
• Art crawls and live music 
• Holiday celebrations that feel like the whole town shows up 

It’s not manufactured.

It’s not trying to be something.

It’s real, everyday living.

For a lot of people moving from out of state, this is where things shift.

They came looking for Nashville.
But this feels closer to what they had in mind.

Structured, walkable suburban:
Communities like Westhaven offer a connected neighborhood feel—sidewalks, a town center, restaurants, and everyday convenience built right into the design.

It’s not just layout—it’s lifestyle.

Westhaven includes:

• Multiple pools 
• A golf club 
• Senior living options 
• Parks, trails, and community gathering spaces 

It’s a more complete version of suburban living—where a lot of what people want is already built into the neighborhood.

Franklin, though, isn’t defined by any one community.

It includes dozens of established neighborhoods and a wide range of newer developments—each with its own feel, layout, and approach to space, design, and lifestyle.

For some, that structure and convenience is exactly the appeal.

For others, it’s just one end of the spectrum.

Suburban that starts to feel more open:

Move a little further out and things shift—homes sit on larger lots, there’s more space between neighbors, and the pace slows down a bit.

Fully rural lifestyle tied to Franklin:

Areas like Leipers Fork move fully into acreage, farms, and open land. It’s quieter, more private, and less about neighborhood living.

What most people don’t realize at the beginning is that all of these exist within the same general area.

And the decision usually isn’t “Franklin or not”—
it’s which version of it actually fits the way you want to live.

Brentwood sits just north of Franklin and closest to Nashville.

It’s known for being:

• Established 
• Quiet 
• Consistent in character 

The neighborhoods are mature, well-kept, and tend to follow a similar standard throughout the area.

There’s a level of continuity to Brentwood that people notice once they spend time there—it feels steady and intentionally maintained. 

Someone moving from an upscale suburb in Los Angeles or New Jersey might enjoy the consistency that Brentwood neighborhoods provide.

Homes are generally larger, lots are well-sized, and the overall environment leans toward privacy and space while still being part of a suburban setting.

Brentwood also offers:

• Quick access to Nashville 
• Close proximity to Cool Springs for daily life 
• Country clubs and private amenities 
• A refined, residential feel that stays consistent throughout the area 

For those who want something established and consistent, Brentwood tends to fit naturally.

Franklin and Brentwood are often the goal.

But as people look at pricing, available homes, and how much space or land they want, the search expands outward.

• Spring Hill, Tennessee 
• Thompson’s Station, Tennessee 

These areas offer:

Spring Hill:

• Newer homes 
• More inventory 
• Strong suburban infrastructure 

Thompson’s Station:

• Quieter 
• Larger lots mixed into neighborhoods 
• A blend of suburban living with rural edges 

For many buyers, this is where suburban living starts to include more breathing room.

• Columbia, Tennessee 
• Maury County, Tennessee 

About 45 minutes south of Nashville.

This area offers more than just land.

Yes, you’ll find:

• Larger parcels 
• Farms 
• Open space 

But Columbia also offers something familiar—just at a different pace.

A historic downtown square with:

• Local shops and restaurants 
• A growing food and retail scene 
• A setting that feels authentic and lived-in 

For many, it carries a similar kind of charm to Franklin—just:

• Slower 
• Less crowded 
• More accessible 

And for many, this is where cost and lifestyle start to align:
Cost of Living (CA vs TN)

Most people don’t choose a place right away.

They start broad.

Then narrow based on how they actually want to live.

• City vs. space 
• Proximity vs. privacy 
• Schools vs. flexibility 
• Neighborhood vs. acreage 

Different areas solve those in different ways.

People aim for Nashville.

But where they end up usually reflects how they balance:

• Urban access 
• Suburban convenience 
• Space 
• Lifestyle 

Franklin often becomes the reference point.

Not always the final answer—but where most comparisons begin.

LA To Nashville moves can mean a lot of different things to different people.

Most people don’t start with a perfect answer.

They start with a general idea—and refine it once they see what’s actually available.

If you’re working through that process: 

California to Tennessee Relocation Overview

CA → TN Relocation Brief

Real estate referral partners can learn more about how we handle out of state Nashville moves through our agent referral page.