If you love fiber (and who doesn't?) the annual Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival is held in Dickson, Tennessee every Memorial Day weekend. Don't worry; there's free admission and plenty of parking.
Get your boots and slide guitars ready
If you love fiber (and who doesn't?) the annual Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival is held in Dickson, Tennessee every Memorial Day weekend. Don't worry; there's free admission and plenty of parking.
Get your boots and slide guitars ready. Dickson, located in the Nashville Metropolitan Area, has lots going for it, and not just sweet country music. Though it remains humble -- with just over 14,500 residents -- and youthful, Dickson has a surprising plenitude of quaint charm to fill the days and evenings of any well-meaning inhabitant, from trivia nights to live local music. Of course, if any dweller suddenly needs a taste of the big city blues, all he or she has to do is skip on over to Nashville proper and enjoy the best of city life. Dickson has lots of trees, a couple lakes and plenty of land on which to get comfy. If you're contemplating moving somewhere where life is easy, people are charming and amenities are diverse and abundant, look no further.
Dickson is a supremely livable area. It once was a bit sleepier with many families and retired folks, but now it's grown in leaps and strides and enjoys a fair sampling of entertainments. The first piece of advice for moving here is to understand the housing market. There's a pretty decent split between owners and renters, so finding apartments for rent in Dickson shouldn't be overly difficult. Plan a month or two in advance to find a 1 bedroom apartment that satisfies, studio apartments for rent with great views, or even a duplex for rent with great amenities. The sky's the limit. If you search high and low, you can even find a place with included utilities or month to month leases.
As for getting around, you'll need a car for major errands and work, but many neighborhoods are pretty easy to get around in, either on foot or by bike. The WalkScore for Dickson is 68, so it's not an ambler's paradise, but you can grab some grub or pick up a tube of toothpaste without busting out the car keys. There are some lean options for public transit, but don't rely too heavily upon them.
Dickson doesn't have traditional neighborhoods since it's a bit on the small side, but there are some differences in regard to one side and the other that may help you find a place that suits you.
North: The northerly branch of Dickson includes easy access to Route 70, making it a cinch to get to Montgomery Bell State Park, Kingston Springs and eventually Nashville, but you're farther away from the I-40. Dickson Lake is also close by, and the lots and land are bigger and less cultivated -- if you like the rugged life.
South: The bottom tip of Dickson crosses Interstate 40, making commutes a breeze into Music City and elsewhere, and there are plenty of markets, fast food joints and other convenience stores around.
East: Most homes, apartments and condos are located here, so it's a bit busier and slightly more crowded than north and south. There is also a good selection of amenities and access to Route 70. Plus, if you're into golfing, the Greystone Golf Club is, like, right there.
Skipping Stones or Plucking Strings
There's no point in pretending that music isn't serious business in these parts. Live bands, blues, country and big concerts make up a large portion of the recreational aspects of almost everyone's free time. You don't have to love country music, but it sure helps. Of course, music isn't the only pastime. With so much lush and verdant land, many folks enjoy spending weekends hiking, biking, fishing or taking advantage of the outdoors in some other fashion. The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum is a step into the past and a perfect option for history buffs. Nashville, of course, is bursting with botanical gardens, art galleries, museums and The Hermitage -- President Andrew Jackson's home.
With Nashville less than an hour away, it's pretty easy to jump ship and explore Music City, but there are some intriguing happenings in Dickson, as well. Tennessee has a southern frame of mind, and that means fantastic food. Sure, plenty of it is deep fried and dripping in butter, but that's what makes it great! More impressive than the hush puppies, though, is the barbecue. You're not a local until you have a favorite spot (choose Bart's, Fossie or Whitts.) There isn't a day that can't be improved by a rack of ribs.
All Play and No Work Makes Jack a Broke Boy
Dickson natives can't play in the band and nosh on pork sandwiches all day; they have to find time to squeeze in a little paid labor so they can afford concert tickets and cheap barbecue. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to earn a buck in Tennessee. Many people commute, often all the way to Nashville, so be prepared for the traffic that comes with that. There aren't many bumper-to-bumper situations in Dickson, but the closer to the city you get, the more congestion you'll find.
Just Click Your Heels
California has earthquakes, Florida has hurricanes and Tennessee has tornadoes. Every cool place to live has some weather drawbacks, and Dickson is no different. All this means is that you should keep an eye out for a rental home with a basement, or know in advance where your nearest shelter is in case an emergency happens. You won't fly to Oz if you go running after a twister toward Auntie Em's place.
Besides that, the weather is pretty sweet, with four full seasons that each offer something pleasant. Watch out for the humidity in summer, and keep a swatter handy for the bugs. It gets pretty rainy in spring and fall, but that just means you have an excuse to cozy up to a mug of hot chocolate and a Netflix marathon. Silver linings, indeed.
Dickson sure has a lot going for it, but it doesn't like to toot its own horn. Folks here come from all walks of life, so many shoot straight to Nashville for weekend fun, while others like to chill out with some Que and a frosty beverage on their front porch. Idling away time listening to country jams is good living, but no one's gonna stop you from shifting gears into overdrive when you're feeling antsy. Taking it easy or living the high life are both equally possible here. Try one of each, and repeat until happy.
