Search the Community

Hi folks. I know there are probably too many OT threads at the moment, but I did get nfreeman's blessing to start this one, as I didn't want to add to the forum clutter willy-nilly. Some might recall my mention of this last year after several trips to Nashville, but we have fallen in love with that area and have over the past half year come to the conclusion that is where we'd like to live out our years in this dimension. We have multiple reasons, most of which I'd be happy to share over the course of the thread, but to begin I'd like to try and keep it focused on a few important subjects: 1. Have you ever moved your entire family (in this case two adults, two kids, and two dogs, along with the with usual material assets) to a new state? If so, I would appreciate insights, anecdotes, and any general wisdom or advice one can give. We have already researched this subject, and my wife and I have moved before having kids several times, twice out of state. If we didn't have kids, of course, things would be easier, and, thankfully, after much discussion, our kids are behind the idea (they're 11 and 14 and quite smart). But, still, we don't have jobs waiting for us (yet, knock on wood), and other than a few colleagues-turned-long-distance-pals of my wife's, know no one there. Hopefully these details give you, dear participant in this thread, a starting point for your contribution. 2. The Nashville area; the economy, the schools, housing, the crime rate, and any other vitals other than the usual touristy stuff that we've already been through and isn't really relevant to the topic. Again, we have done our research. We know we want to settle in the Franklin area, probably more in the sticks of that area (I'd like a half-acre with at least one out-building to eventually convert into a studio, and my wife wants chickens). We have a relative idea of housing costs between Franklin and heading north to Nashville proper. We know which schools have an I.B. program, and what the rankings are. I see the jobs available that I "qualify" for based on job searches. But, research and data don't quite tell the entire story, the story that develops from actually being there. So, jump in and help total strangers make an epic mid-life move in the search of existential contentment. You'll get karma points if nothing else!