The Best Nashville Neighborhoods for Freelancers
With the rise of a healthy freelance economy and the emerging ability to work from home in many sectors comes the phenomenon of the coworking space. From corporate giants like WeWork to smaller mom and pop organizations, freelancers and small business owners have seen their coworking options boom in recent years.
According to a Forbes article published earlier this year, there are currently 6,000 “flexible workspace providers” in the United States, and that number is expected to grow to 10,000 in the next three years. While coworking spaces comprise only 2% of the total market for office space, the industry’s rapid growth is what sets it apart.
The good news for Nashville’s freelance writers, photographers, designers, and start-up founders to-be is that the supply of coworking spaces is beginning to outpace demand. This means lower costs for the customer and projected expansion into suburban markets like Bellevue.
Not every self-employed or remotely-employed person needs an office environment to thrive though, so the following guide includes options like coffee shops and a historic library for the more free-form among this new workforce. Here are the best Nashville neighborhoods to be a freelancer.
Downtown Nashville
As the city’s center of commerce, it comes as no surprise that Downtown has much to offer in the way of workspace. From the massive, historic Downtown Nashville Public Library, to buildings emblazoned with major brands like WeWork stretching into the skyline, and every coffee shop in between, Downtown has it covered.
Spots to Check Out:
- Nashville Public Library: A stunning Modern Classical structure in the heart of the city, the library is an inspiring place to work.
- Industrious: Located in a Downtown high rise, this national powerhouse offers premium amenities, like the on-site staff and a wellness room.
- Novel Coworking: With seven floors of space, Novel goes beyond the individual to facilitate teams.
- CREMA: CREMA is where baristas go to get the best cup of coffee in town.
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Germantown
It’s no surprise that a neighborhood known for its coffee culture and appreciation of the visual arts is a haven for creatives and freelancers. Our guide to Germantown made reference to the area’s coworking offerings and its culture of collaboration among creatives of every stripe. Germantown is a place for entrepreneurs, plain and simple.
From high-end dining to mural painting collectives, this neighborhood is where many creatives and entrepreneurs have decided to put down roots.
Spots to Check Out:
- Three One Three: A local network of coworking spaces for creatives and business minds alike.
- Allform Studio: A small, exclusive event space and studio in a historic Germantown home.
- The Lab: A classic coworking space with a focus on networking and collaboration.
- Steadfast Coffee: Perhaps the most stylish coffee shop in town, the sleek design and quality coffee can fuel deep work for hours.
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Wedgewood-Houston
There is a reason this South Nashville neighborhood comes to mind first when one considers Nashville’s maker culture. Wedgewood-Houston was once a largely abandoned industrial park and rail yard dating back to the 1800s, but in recent decades this area has seen a revival similar to the one that transformed The Gulch.
Locals flock to this neighborhood for its unparalleled art scene and the freewheeling spirit that comes along with that. If another neighborhood’s coworking scene holds commerce or profit as their core values, Wedgewood-Houston is all about the love of the craft.
Spots to Check Out:
- Fort Houston: An art gallery, woodshop, metal shop, and screen printing shop—Fort Houston is the place for makers.
- Deavor: One of the city’s first coworking spaces is independently owned and operated.
- Collaborate: Focused on the infrastructure of a small business, Collaborate offers office space as well as services like marketing and bookkeeping.
- Humphrey’s Street: This coffee shop is located in a former church with vaulted ceilings and a charitable mission.
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East Nashville
The beauty of East Nashville is not only its rich creative culture but also the mere fact that it is truly residential. Sure, there are businesses throughout the area’s sub-neighborhoods and along major thoroughfares, but unlike other areas—Downtown for example—many creatives actually live in East. This brings the energy of collaborative coworking spaces to another level—there’s nothing like working with neighbors.
Spots to Check Out:
- Center 615: This campus of private office and coworking space is open to members 24/7.
- Launch Pad: This startup seeks to create a nationwide network for entrepreneurs.
- WeWork: The industry giant has a home on the east side.
- Citizen Kitchen: A coworking space for chefs and “food-based businesses.”