Inner Loop - CBD, Downtown, East Bank, Germantown, Gulch, Rutledge

[Cadi40]

I’m in Downtown! The trip into the city was underwhelming from the eastern side taking I-40. As for Downtown, I’ve heard a lot about it. Some say it’s 20 years behind Charlotte and some say it’s not dense and more touristy then Buisness focused. As for my short time so far, I’d partially agree to both of those statements. Nashville isn’t sprawling, But it’s not dense by any means. It’s not with Charlotte, I mean that in the nicest way possible. Nashville has loads of potiential. My favorite building so far is the JW Marriot, As for the other buildings they seem to be par with other cities similarly sized. Broadway is interesting, Not as big and diverse as I imagined, But it’s nice for tourists. I will say it wasn’t lively when I arrived, But it must be due to the fact that it’s a Sunday. I will also add the amount of buildings Nashville has suprised me, It’s more then I thought. Nashville seems like a Lovley mid-sized city and in recent projections, It seems like the population boom is slowing. That’s good news, Wish I could say the same for Charlotte so I wouldn’t be paying the amount I am in rent. Look forward to updating and discussing again soon!

Edited July 1, 2018 by Cadi40

[titanhog]

^^Yes...arriving on a Sunday morning / midday, you won't get the full effect of downtown.  It will pick up as the day goes on...into evening.  Too bad you aren't here on a day the Preds / Titans are playing...concert at Bridgestone / Ascend Amp...CMA Music Festival etc.  

However...if you're staying through the 4th of July...you'll see an incredible event downtown that will features bands and over 100,000 people.

Downtown isn't quite what it will be in 3-5 years with the addition of 5th & Broadway (tons of retail and restaurants and the National Museum of African American Music) and Nashville Yards (AEG entertainment district, retail, movie theater, etc).

[MLBrumby]

1 hour ago, Cadi40 said:

I’m in Downtown! The trip into the city was underwhelming from the eastern side taking I-40. As for Downtown, I’ve heard a lot about it. Some say it’s 20 years behind Charlotte and some say it’s not dense and more touristy then Buisness focused. As for my short time so far, I’d partially agree to both of those statements. Nashville isn’t sprawling, But it’s not dense by any means. It’s not with Charlotte, I mean that in the nicest way possible. Nashville has loads of potiential. My favorite building so far is the JW Marriot, As for the other buildings they seem to be par with other cities similarly sized. Broadway is interesting, Not as big and diverse as I imagined, But it’s nice for tourists. I will say it wasn’t lively when I arrived, But it must be due to the fact that it’s a Sunday. I will also add the amount of buildings Nashville has suprised me, It’s more then I thought. Nashville seems like a Lovley mid-sized city and in recent projections, It seems like the population boom is slowing. That’s good news, Wish I could say the same for Charlotte so I wouldn’t be paying the amount I am in rent. Look forward to updating and discussing again soon!

Very different from Charlotte. Never felt like I wanted to spend much extra time in downtown Charlotte. Make sure you check out Nashville's restaurant scene... you'll find that to be second to none among peer cities. 

Re: the diversity of Nashville. It gets knocked sometimes as its African American population is little more than half of Charlotte's, but it does have a lot of Middle Easterners and South/Central Americans. Also, I have noticed the population booms in each city are being fed by vastly different sections of the country. Northeasterners are pouring into Charlotte, whereas Midwesterners & West Coasters are pouring into Nashville. 

The population boom itself is not slowing, but there was a pullback y-o-y from '16 to '17 in Davidson County b/c the housing supply was not keeping up with the growth. So rent rose just like in Charlotte; and lots of people (especially with kids) moved to the outer ring. That's where the boom is continuing.  There are a lot of infill residential buildings going up in Davidson County now and things are already picking back up. 

[Cadi40]

I agree! Charlotte is much more buisness oriented, Charlotte has a growing restaurant scene too! But Nashville’s is larger and more Tourist oriented, Charlotte gives you more of a local taste. Excited to see both cities transform and grow.

[nashmoney]

1 hour ago, Cadi40 said:

I’m in Downtown! The trip into the city was underwhelming from the eastern side taking I-40. As for Downtown, I’ve heard a lot about it. Some say it’s 20 years behind Charlotte and some say it’s not dense and more touristy then Buisness focused. As for my short time so far, I’d partially agree to both of those statements. Nashville isn’t sprawling, But it’s not dense by any means. It’s not with Charlotte, I mean that in the nicest way possible. Nashville has loads of potiential. My favorite building so far is the JW Marriot, As for the other buildings they seem to be par with other cities similarly sized. Broadway is interesting, Not as big and diverse as I imagined, But it’s nice for tourists. I will say it wasn’t lively when I arrived, But it must be due to the fact that it’s a Sunday. I will also add the amount of buildings Nashville has suprised me, It’s more then I thought. Nashville seems like a Lovley mid-sized city and in recent projections, It seems like the population boom is slowing. That’s good news, Wish I could say the same for Charlotte so I wouldn’t be paying the amount I am in rent. Look forward to updating and discussing again soon!

20 years behind?? Seriously? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but come on. 

A city that is 20 years behind doesn't win 1k+ job relocations, MLS teams, international soccer games, and top 5 in every list dealing with places to live, eat, work, visit and play. 

It seems like a lot of people in Charlotte have nothing nice to say about any other city that's not Charlotte.

I was just in Charlotte last month and enjoyed my trip. Very nice city and is doing a lot of things right. But if you want density, I would say Nashville'midtown is pretty dense. Didn't see anything like that in Charlotte. 

Nashville has its own issues but I think it's a far fetch to say we are 20 years behind. 

I guess the 30+ cranes doesn't mean anything if it's not building a shiny tall corporate building. 

Enjoy your stay! 

[Cadi40]

I thought everything I had to say was decently nice, People from Nashville itself agree with that it’s 20 years behind in some spectrums. Just some criticism, Next time I’ll try to make it more constructive, Sorry! 

Edited July 1, 2018 by Cadi40

[MLBrumby]

Good point on Midtown. Charlotte also has nothing like Broadway, notwithstanding comments that it's "not diverse" nor East Nashville.  As I've been saying, two completely different cities. 

[Cadi40]

Sorry! I’ll just stay off this forum. 

Edited July 1, 2018 by Cadi40

[MLBrumby]

1 minute ago, Cadi40 said:

I thought everything I had to say was decently nice, People from Nashville itself agree with that it’s 20 years behind in some spectrums. Just some criticism, Next time I’ll try to make it more constructive, Sorry! 

I would disagree that it's "20 years behind".  In many ways, I'd even say it's ahead of both Charlotte and Austin. Especially when you understand its appeal to so-called Millennials. As for the creative professions, Nashville punches way above its class. As for the corporate bigs, you'll see it dispersed more in Nashville, as it's not all concentrated downtown. Yes, tourists bring a lot of life to downtown. That's why you'll see people there well past midnight on a Sunday.  

[Cadi40]

I’m not going to correct you, Instead I’ll enjoy my stay and leave this forum.

[fishsticks176]

I'm always taken aback by how often this forum turns into a pissing contest. Why such emotional responses to any critical observation of a city? These are not personal insults. While I don't agree with everything that visitors say about Nashville on this forum, I'd much rather a visitor leave thinking that Nashville needs more density/walkability/whatever than thinking that we're a city full of insecure and belligerent people.

That said, Cadi40, where are you staying? I'd recommend exploring The Gulch, Midtown, and Germantown while you're here. Hopefully you'll be in town for the fourth and will get to see the fireworks display and the massive crowds downtown. 

 

I think it may also be true that we Nashvillians--especially us on this forum, who are better informed than most about current and future developments--have grown accustomed to seeing what our city is becoming rather than what it is currently. I know that myself, on my drive around town yesterday, I didn't notice the dead space down 11th between The Gulch and "Gulch North" so much as I felt the weight of the future Tennessean site development and the imminent luxury hotel across the street. I can already see 5th & Broad and the Endeavor site and the wall of office towers that are all about to break ground along 40 between Demonbreun and Broadway. I don't see Lake Palmer or the surface lots and excavated lots of Midtown--I visualize Broadwest and Creed office tower and Kennect and the Virgin Hotel. Nashville in reality is a few years behind how I see it currently, so I can understand how an outsider--and one who isn't viewing the city through the lens of current and near-future developments--would see us as many more years behind. Things here are moving at a much faster pace than they are in most other places. We know how vastly different our skyline will be in just three short years. Most people wouldn't imagine that scale of change to happen that quickly, so it's fathomable that our two years becomes their twenty years. 

 

In summary: be nice, we're on the right track, everything's fine. 

Edited July 1, 2018 by fishsticks176

[Cadi40]

I might decide to visit the more local areas as opposed to areas like Broadway, Where most tourists flock to. I believe I can find an area alike to Midtown in Charlotte as we have one too, So i might save that for another visit. I can’t tell you where I’m staying as I don’t even know yet, still browsing for a room. If I can’t find one I might have to leave for home. Thanks for feedback, Ngetaive and Positive alike! It helps me learn from my mistakes!

[titanhog]

28 minutes ago, Cadi40 said:

I might decide to visit the more local areas as opposed to areas like Broadway, Where most tourists flock to. I believe I can find an area alike to Midtown in Charlotte as we have one too, So i might save that for another visit. I can’t tell you where I’m staying as I don’t even know yet, still browsing for a room. If I can’t find one I might have to leave for home. Thanks for feedback, Ngetaive and Positive alike! It helps me learn from my mistakes!

Good luck finding a room downtown (that's within a decent price range)...especially with the 4th celebrations coming up.

[Cadi40]

Many available rooms due to the vast amount of hotels, No prices I’m willing to pay. Wish me luck! If not I’ve already had a decent day so traveling home wouldn’t kill me! Thanks for advice!

[grilled_cheese]

Google Map aint lie

https://i.imgur.com/6Mqie93.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/y4oIPSW.jpg

[Cadi40]

Can we not get into a fight? Charlotte is more dense than Nashville if that’s what you’re trying to prove. 

Nashville - 1,300 Per square mile

Charlotte -  2,457 per square mile

 

Edited July 1, 2018 by Cadi40

[Flatrock]

2 hours ago, Cadi40 said:

Can we not get into a fight? Charlotte is more dense than Nashville if that’s what you’re trying to prove. 

Nashville - 1,300 Per square mile

Charlotte -  2,457 per square mile

 

I believe you were trolling, but that's no reason for me to be rude. I'm sorry.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Flatrock
I was rude

[Cadi40]

Sorry, It’s hard to stop when I’m having a debate. Thanks for calling me a troll, really made me feel the Southern hospitality!

Edited July 1, 2018 by Cadi40

[satalac]

33 minutes ago, Cadi40 said:

Can we not get into a fight? Charlotte is more dense than Nashville if that’s what you’re trying to prove. 

Nashville - 1,300 Per square mile

Charlotte -  2,457 per square mile

 

While technically correct, Nashville is also consolidated with the county, so the square miles that Nashville covers is 526 sq miles and Charlotte is 297 sq miles, so it's not the best comparison. Not attacking, just putting the numbers into perspective. 

[Cadi40]

Actually, That would help Charlotte’s case. Nashville is a larger area with a lower population, and Charlotte is a smaller area with a higher population. Therefore, Nashville being a larger area with lower density, Contributes to it being sprawling, Which there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. Now if I don’t have a reason to respond again I won’t. Sorry! 

[MLBrumby]

Dude... that's county-wide. Most of the northern half of the county is forested.  I know there are some folks here who make comments about 'behind Charlotte' in reference to certain things about Nashville. But no one thinks Nashville is 20 years behind Charlotte. That's just crap. 

Now, you came onto this forum with backhanded compliments and first used words like "underwhelming" "20 years behind" and "not on par with Charlotte".  And what's the silly 'diversity' that you were looking for on Broadway?  It's an entertainment district consisting heavily of Honky Tonks! Did you not know that before you got in your car and headed there?  Admit it... you came in trolling for a fight. That's why it seems you're jealous of the favorable press Nashville has received of late. And your grammar sucks. 

Charlotte is a nice city, but it's not 'all that'. It has no world-class research university or state capitol or fashion week or the medical industry and healthcare technology or music industry or the unique history that lives in Nashville. 

So a bit of advice... stop being so critical, or feeling so smugly superior, and enjoy what Nashville has to offer. 

[satalac]

1 minute ago, Cadi40 said:

Actually, That would help Charlotte’s case. Nashville is a larger area with a lower population, and Charlotte is a smaller area with a higher population. Therefore, Nashville being a larger area with lower density, Contributes to it being sprawling, Which there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. Now if I don’t have a reason to respond again I won’t. Sorry! 

That's not really how that works, but ok. Enjoy your visit.

[ruraljuror]

10 minutes ago, Cadi40 said:

Actually, That would help Charlotte’s case. Nashville is a larger area with a lower population, and Charlotte is a smaller area with a higher population. Therefore, Nashville being a larger area with lower density, Contributes to it being sprawling, Which there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. Now if I don’t have a reason to respond again I won’t. Sorry! 

You're right, there's no reason to fight here and it's not entirely your fault.  Lately, for some reason, we keep getting Charlotte-based UP posters coming onto our pages and making a bunch of passive aggressive pro-Charlotte comparisons.   None of us have responded negatively toward any of them until you, and it may be more a cumulative effect than anything.

But honestly, Charlotte is great: It's bigger than Nashville, has a larger population and economy, and bigger/fancier skyscrapers.   The Panthers>Titans and we don't even have and NBA team.  You've got Carowinds, the speedway, and the white water center is incredible.  Charlotte has tons going for it.

And saying that Nashville is 15 to 20 years behind Charlotte is true in some senses, but it's equally true that Charlotte is 15 to 20 years behind Nashville in other ways (downtown nightlife scene, for example).  Charlotte is 50 to 100 years behind Nashville when it comes to cultural identity and entertainment industry, but that's not the kind of thing I'm going to casually drop on the Charlotte UP message board because it's not a very nice or constructive thing to say.   

There are plenty of things that Charlotte has going for it that many of us here are jealous of and would want for Nashville.  Would I personally trade?  No, because I think it'll be easier for us to build taller buildings than it will for Charlotte to develop the kind of culture and opportunities that would be more appealing to me.  But that's just me.  I have no doubt that many/most Charlotteans feel the same.   

Hope you have a good time while you're here either way.

[Nathan_in_DC]

Holy crap, Cadi40 has made what appear to be thoughtful observations that aren't necessarily inaccurate and got jumped on. I'd not say he's being smug or a troll, but rather attempted to engage in polite conversation that was met with insults.

Jeez, everyone just needs to calm down with the pissing contest. 

[smeagolsfree]

COME ON GUYS. BE CIVIL AND NO CITY BASHING.