Do You Need A Car To Live In Nashville?

The U.S. census shows that about 92% of American households have at least one car. But as the economy shifts and many people look toward more environmentally-friendly options, some are choosing to give up their vehicles. Do you need a car to live in Nashville, or can you make do without?

If you’re curious about moving to Nashville, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about Nashville life without a vehicle. We’ll also look into some of the ways you can get around without a car while living in Nashville.

How Big Is Nashville?

To start, how large is Nashville? While it’s not quite a walkable city, Nashville isn’t the sprawling metropolis that cities like New York and Chicago are.

Nashville has a square mileage of about 527.9. 23.9 of this size is water. Downtown is more compact, and with a population of about 670,000, it’s the 21st most populated city in the United States.

How to Get Around Nashville

For its residents, there are many ways to get around the city.

Nashville has a robust transport system consisting primarily of buses. If you’re within downtown, the city isn’t so large that it isn’t walkable.

There are also many cabs and ridesharing organizations. However, if you’re on one end of Nashville and need to get to the other, navigating all of these transport systems can feel overwhelming.

Unfortunately, the United States doesn’t put a deep emphasis on public transport. As such, while Nashville has one that excels by U.S. standards, living in Tennessee without a vehicle can prove difficult.

Do You Need a Car to Live in Nashville?

Depending on where you live in Nashville, you may or may not need a vehicle.

If you’re moving to downtown Nashville and intend to spend your Nashville life there, you can make it without a car. The city is mostly walkable and many districts are made to emphasize this way of life.

If you’re moving to Tennessee and have a lengthy commute or need to travel often, you will need a car to live in Nashville.

Difficulties Living in Tennessee

What are the hazards or downsides of living in Nashville without a car?

There are many things you won’t need a car for. For example, while moving to Nashville, a company for moving services can handle transporting your goods.

But when it comes to anything that may cause you to leave the downtown area, a car is necessary. Tennessee is also rich with cultural hotspots that are dispersed around the large city.

Finally, the cold winters or sweltering summers may be uncomfortable to navigate without a vehicle.

Living in Nashville

Do you need a car to live in Nashville? Depending on your lifestyle, you may not.

If you’re living in downtown Nashville and don’t intend to travel, you won’t need a car. The city is walkable and there is a robust public transportation network. Should your time living in Tennessee involve travel or commuting, you should have a vehicle.