My husband and I moved 16 times in 20 years for his career, and I learned early that the first questions about a new city are rarely about the house. They are about the commute, the schools, where to get groceries and how long it takes to feel at home. If you are moving to Brentwood, Tennessee, this guide answers those questions the way I answer them for my own relocation clients, from what living in Brentwood is like to the practical steps of getting settled.
Where Brentwood Is and How It Connects
Brentwood sits in Williamson County, about 20 minutes south of downtown Nashville along I-65. Maryland Farms, home to several major corporate campuses, is 5 to 10 minutes from most central Brentwood addresses, and the Cool Springs and Franklin business corridor is 10 to 15 minutes away. Nashville International Airport is about 20 to 25 minutes from most of the city.
Before you settle on an address, drive your commute at rush hour. The I-65 corridor at 8 a.m. is a different experience than a Saturday morning, and I would rather you learn that on a test drive than after closing.
What Living in Brentwood Is Like
Brentwood has a mature tree canopy, a mostly single-family residential character and a city government that has been deliberate about managing commercial growth. It feels settled, and my clients notice that the first time we drive through it together. For more about the city and its community resources, visit my Brentwood TN realtor page.
Parks and Outdoor Life
Crockett Park is the center of Brentwood’s outdoor life, with 164 acres of athletic fields and walking trails and the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, home to the Summer Concert Series and the city’s 4th of July celebration, per the City of Brentwood Parks Department. Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, Owl Creek Park and the Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Area add more green space, and greenways connect many neighborhoods to them.
Shopping and Everyday Errands
Cool Springs Galleria and the shops and restaurants around it are a short drive from much of Brentwood, and downtown Franklin is close enough for an evening out. Nashville’s restaurants, music venues and sports are about 20 minutes north.
Schools in Brentwood
Brentwood’s public schools are part of Williamson County Schools, which holds a 10/10 district rating from GreatSchools. Brentwood High School holds a 9/10 GreatSchools rating, and Ravenwood High School also serves parts of the city. Zoning can differ between sections of the same neighborhood, so I verify the assigned schools by address for every home my clients consider.
Taxes and the Cost of Living in Brentwood
Tennessee does not tax personal income from wages, and the Hall income tax on interest and dividends was repealed for tax periods beginning January 1, 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. For many of my clients relocating from higher-tax states, that changes the math on a move.
Housing is the biggest cost of living in Brentwood, and prices vary widely by community. My guide to Brentwood TN neighborhoods lays out price ranges community by community, from condos and townhomes to gated estates.
Where to Live in Brentwood
Brentwood offers established neighborhoods like Brenthaven with mature landscaping, amenity communities like Taramore with pools, trails and a clubhouse, gated estate enclaves like Annandale and Governors Club, and active new construction in communities like Rosebrooke. When you are ready to look at homes, start with current Brentwood homes for sale.
Getting Settled: Utilities, Licenses and Registration
Water, Sewer and Electric
The City of Brentwood provides water and sewer service to most of the city, and you can sign up for city water service online. Some addresses are served by neighboring utilities instead, and the city does not provide sewer service to most areas east of Edmondson Pike and Sunset Road, per Brentwood Water Services. Electric service also depends on the address, so I confirm the providers for any home my clients are considering.
Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration
New residents with an out-of-state license must get a Tennessee driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. Drivers coming from some states also need a motor vehicle record from their former state, so check the current list before your appointment. Plan to register your vehicles within 30 days of your move as well, per the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Buying a Home in Brentwood From Out of State
Most of my relocation clients are buying from another state, often on a deadline set by a new job. My guide to buying a home in Brentwood walks through budgeting, financing, offers and closing. When you cannot be here in person, we can tour homes by video so you see a home in real time before you fly in.
Before real estate, I worked in corporate recruiting and relocation, managing moves for companies like Amazon, Google, State Farm and Tractor Supply. I understand the relocation package and the timeline from the company’s side as well as the family’s. You can read more about how I work as your Brentwood buyer’s agent.
In 2022, at the height of the seller’s market, one family relocating from Ohio described working with me this way:
Paula and her team are exceptional! Our family relocated to Nashville from Ohio. From our first conversation it was clear that Paula was a great realtor and that she would be a pleasure to work with. And, she did not disappoint! She helped us understand the Franklin/Brentwood real estate market, narrow down our search to specific neighborhoods, and understand what our money would buy us in the crazy hot Nashville market (it was sobering but Paula gently helped us realize we were not in Ohio anymore!). We wound up purchasing a market home and Paula was instrumental in helping us secure it quickly. She has great contacts and a wonderful reputation so people take her seriously. She went above and beyond for us in many ways and we are truly grateful to her. She was wonderful during the home buying process and beyond. As newbies to Nashville, we are grateful for her offer to provide referrals and her offer to use her network to put our daughter in touch with kids her age before school starts! We cannot recommend Paula enough and if anyone asks us for the name of an amazing realtor, we will be putting them in touch with Paula!
Karen M.
The market is different now, and buyers have more room to negotiate. I wrote about what today’s buyer’s market means for anyone moving to the Nashville area.
Next Steps for Your Move to Brentwood
My relocation services cover video tours, planned visits, school and commute guidance and coordination of your move, and my concierge network of movers, contractors and designers helps you settle in after closing. If you are also selling a home in Brentwood as part of your move, start with my Brentwood listing agent page.
Whenever you are ready, reach out directly and we will start with a conversation about your timing and what you need from your next home.
