A Guide to Moving to Tennessee

A Relocation Guide From The Shackelford Group

Moving to Tennessee

Real guidance from a family who made the exact same move. From California to Middle Tennessee, and now helping others do the same.

See What You Could Save Read Our Story

Every year, thousands of families leave high-cost, high-tax states for Middle Tennessee. We were one of them. This is the guide we wish we had when we made the move ourselves, built from real experience helping other families do exactly the same thing.

The Case For Tennessee

Why Families Are Choosing Tennessee

No State Income Tax

Tennessee is one of only nine states with no state income tax, so what you earn is what you keep.

Lower Cost of Living

Housing, groceries, and everyday expenses generally cost less here than in most major coastal metros.

Four True Seasons

Real spring, summer, fall, and winter, without the extremes of a desert climate or a Midwest deep freeze.

A Booming Job Market

Nashville anchors one of the fastest-growing economies in the Southeast, across healthcare, technology, and entertainment.

Southern Hospitality

A genuine, welcoming culture that makes newcomers feel like neighbors quickly, not strangers indefinitely.

Room to Grow

From urban condos to sprawling acreage, there is space here that many coastal markets no longer offer.

The Move Meter

See What Staying Costs You

Curious what moving to Tennessee could mean for your bottom line? Select where you are moving from and enter your household income to see an estimated state income tax savings.

Moving From

Annual Household Income

This is a simplified estimate based on 2026 top marginal state income tax rates and is provided for illustration only. It does not account for deductions, credits, or your specific filing situation. Consult a tax professional for an exact calculation.

Our Story

We did not just help families move to Tennessee. We made the move ourselves.

In [year], we left [city], California behind and relocated to Middle Tennessee, the same move so many of our clients are considering today. We understood the excitement of a fresh start, and the very real anxiety of leaving behind everything familiar: friends, routines, a favorite coffee shop, a sense of knowing exactly where everything is.

We also understood the practical side. Selling a home in one state and buying in another, coordinating a cross-country move, learning a new area from scratch, all while trying to keep work and family life running. We made mistakes along the way. We also learned exactly what makes this kind of move go smoothly, and what to avoid.

That firsthand experience is why we approach this work differently. When we sit down with a family relocating to Tennessee, we are not guessing at what that transition feels like. We have lived it, and we built our entire approach around making it easier for the families who come after us.

Our Experience

Helping Other Families Make the Same Move

Since making our own move, we have guided families from across the country through the same transition: understanding a new market from a distance, coordinating home searches around out-of-state schedules, and helping people feel confident making one of the biggest decisions of their lives without ever having set foot in the neighborhood they are about to call home.

Every relocating family's situation looks a little different. Some are moving for a new job with a tight timeline. Others are retiring and taking their time to find the right fit. Some have never set foot in Tennessee before their first visit with us. What stays consistent is our approach: clear communication, honest guidance, and a level of hands-on support that reflects exactly what we wished we had during our own move.

Our Network

Relationships That Make Your Move Easier

A successful relocation depends on more than finding the right house. Over years of living and working in Middle Tennessee, we have built relationships with trusted local professionals across every part of the process.

Mortgage Lenders & Loan OfficersExperienced with out-of-state and relocation financing.
Moving & Logistics CompaniesFamiliar with the specific challenges of long-distance and cross-country moves.
Home Inspectors & ContractorsThorough, responsive, and well known throughout Middle Tennessee.
Insurance AgentsWho understand Tennessee-specific coverage needs, from flood zones to storm risk.
School Liaisons & Enrollment ContactsTo help families navigate new district enrollment ahead of the school year.
Local GuidesNeighbors, business owners, and community contacts who help new arrivals feel at home fast.

How It Works

The Relocation Process

Initial Conversation

We start with a phone or video call to understand your timeline, goals, and what is pulling you to Tennessee.

Explore From Anywhere

Virtual tours, neighborhood breakdowns, and honest comparisons help you narrow down where to focus before you ever book a flight.

Financing & Pre-Approval

We connect you with lenders experienced in relocation and out-of-state financing, so you know your numbers early.

In-Person Home Search

When you are ready to visit, we build a focused, efficient itinerary so a single trip can accomplish what might otherwise take several.

Offer, Inspection & Closing

We guide you through negotiation, inspection, and closing, including anything unique to buying from out of state.

Moving Day & Settling In

Our support does not end at closing. We help connect you with the local resources and community contacts that make the first few months feel like home.

A Look at Life Here

Tennessee, In Pictures

From the Nashville skyline to rolling countryside, Tennessee's landscape is part of the reason so many families fall in love with it before they even move.

Free Download

Get Our Free Tennessee Relocation Guide

Our relocation guide walks through everything on this page in more detail: cost of living comparisons, a closer look at Middle Tennessee's communities, and a full breakdown of the home buying process from out of state. Request your copy and we will send it directly to your inbox.

Request the Guide

Ready to Start Your Move to Tennessee?

Whether you are three years out or three weeks from your move date, we are here to help you plan the transition with confidence. We have made this exact move, and we know exactly what it takes to get it right.

Call (615) 707-9404 Email Us

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury

John & Rhonda Shackelford

Realtor® | Luxury Property Specialists

C. (615) 707-9404

E. john@coldwellbankernashville.com

The Shackelford Group | Coldwell Banker Global Luxury