Tennessee has the best of both worlds: a small-town feel but lots of things to do and the nicest people our au pairs have every met! Our au pairs love TN for these and so many other reasons.
Images (clockwise from top left): German au pair Adriane Knoblauch enjoying the Smoky Mountains with friends; Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is called Music City; Colombian au pair Natalia Navarro Restrepo hanging out with Elvis; Adriane again before a hike in the Smoky Mountains National Park; Nashville, TN skyline.
I love Tennessee not only because of the most beautiful nature I have ever seen, but because of the nicest people I have ever met. I live near Nashville, and I never dreamed about loving this city so much. I love walking through downtown with my Cowboy boots on my feet, listening to country music, laughing with friends and enjoying the great weather. I love driving down the roads, listening to the radio and watching the sunset. I love talking to people, the Southern lifestyle, and sweet tea! I would not wish to live anywhere else. This place with its people are a part of my life. Things cannot be perfect, but Tennessee is pretty close.
—Annika Forschle, au pair from Germany
I love the pace of life that is so laid back and chill, it makes you feel like you’re on vacation every day. From the beautiful farms and meadows to the mountains, cliffs and woods—Tennessee is simply stunning. I love how everything feels like small little villages, just short drive to where the fun is happening. I love the hot, humid climate that gives you beautiful, long fall- and spring-times but still allows room for winter and snow. I love the wildlife that surrounds you everywhere. It makes me happy when the deer bring their babies to our front yard and when hummingbirds visit our porch. I love sitting outside, toasting marshmallows and listening to the coyotes howling in the back country like you are in a Western movie. I love the unusually beautiful sunsets that make a late trip to the grocery store into a relaxing experience after a long work day. I love the local accent that takes a bit getting used to but is actually very charming. I love line-dancing, and I love how no one cares how you look or how you dance. I have been home for two years now and whenever we get a beautiful day that is still warm and humid in the evening, I always get homesick for Nashville. I cannot wait to visit and hope everyone can appreciate this wonderful, interesting place to live.
—Nicole Sagel, au pair from Germany
People in Tennessee have that southern warmth that makes you feel comfortable. They are always trying to help you and make you feel home. Memphis is known for BBQ, it is really, really good. (Also, Elvis’ house is here!) In the summer there are great parties on the rooftop of the Peabody Hotel downtown and the sunsets on the Mississippi river are amazing. It is a great place to live the American experience. I can’t wait to go back to Memphis and visit them. Tennessee is where my second home is.
—Natalia Navarro Restrepo, au pair from Colombia
Cowboy hat and boots are standard and the kindness of the people in TN will sweep you off your feet. The people in Tennessee are the nicest people I’ve ever met. They always greet you, apologize and call you cute names like “sweetheart” or “honey”.
—Adriane Knoblauch, au pair from Germany
Before I came here I knew basically nothing about this country. [Now] I can say that this country is SO beautiful, amazing, loving and friendly. I’ve never seen in my life such friendly and kind people like here.
—Kristyna Autratova, Czech Republic
Tennessee is gorgeous! I’ve lived here for 15 years, and I hope I am here for the rest of my life. The winter is mild, the springtime and fall are absolutely gorgeous, and the summer is hot but lots of fun! There are tons of outdoor festivals, fairs, cultural events, outdoors activities (hiking, canoeing, biking, kayaking, etc.) and beautiful landscapes. Plus, it’s called “Music City” for a reason—there are SO many awesome concerts and music events, from hearing musicians at your local park, to concert arenas that seat 20,000 people! There’s also a great sports scene—the Nashville Predators hockey team, the Nashville Sounds baseball team, and Tennessee Titans football, and more. I love Tennessee!
—Amy Donovan, Local Childcare Consultant in TN
Most beautiful sights to see in Tennessee:
Hands down the Smoky Mountains—AMAZING, peaceful, wonderful place; the view from the skyscrapers downtown; the state parks; downtown Nashville; Centennial Park where the Parthenon is
Best places to get coffee or a meal in Tennessee:
Old Town; Cracker Barrel (typically Southern Kitchen), Loveless Café, Huey’s (Burgers, Memphis), Jacks Barbecue on Broadway, The Pancake Pantry
Great events in Tennessee you won’t want to miss:
Line Dancing Lesson in Downtown Nashville; Loolapalooza; Fullmoon Pickin’ Party; BBQ Fest, New Years Eve on Broadway downtown; the color run; outdoor movies; ice-hockey games (year-round); concerts (Paul McCartney, Michael Bublé, Mayday Parade and many more); the Wild Horse Saloon
Perfect way to spend a day in Tennessee:
Going hiking in one of the many beautiful state parks, grabbing lunch at Cracker Barrel, saying “Hey!” to our friends at Starbucks, strolling through downtown with my friends, enjoying my car ride home while watching the skyline of Nashville in my rear mirror and hoping that moments of satisfaction like this would never end.
—Annika Forschle, au pair from Germany
Hiking in the Smoky Mountains, lunch at Loveless Cafe, linedancing at the Wildhorse Saloon and toasting marshmallows in the humid heat.
—Nicole Sagel, au pair from Germany
Wake up, go for a walk with Janie (the dog) in our neighborhood, and then have lunch with my friends (at Huey’s) or go to the park for a picnic. Then go shopping 🙂 Finally go to downtown Memphis to see the sunset on the Mississippi river. A coffee at Starbucks is never a bad idea. Quality time either with friends or my host family.
—Natalia Navarro Restrepo, au pair from Colombia
I would prefer to spend all day with my host family and start out with a nice lunch at Dos Margaritas. This is a Mexican restaurant in Hendersonville, TN. After our enjoyable lunch I would recommend a nice walk (or just lay in the sun) in one of many parks around the city. Later in the day we could go to the music hall of fame in downtown Nashville. It’s a great museum and quite interesting. (But for everybody who doesn’t like museum or history there are great malls around.) After that we would walk up to broadway and eat some good old fashioned barbecue. If the day is not too far gone I would end it with a nice game of golf or tennis.
—Adriane Knoblauch, au pair from Germany
Au pairs in Tennessee can’t imagine living anywhere else in the USA for a year. What do you love about TN? Or the state you are currently living in? Click here to share your state love with us.