Why Nashville locals are furious over the influx of wealthy residents as companies like Oracle rush to Tennessee

Furious Nashville locals say they are being driven out of their city as wealthy residents and major companies continue making the move to Tennessee from blue states.

Once known for its country music scene, Nashville has seen a population boom over the last few years, with major corporations like Oracle choosing to move their headquarters there.

Attracted by lower property costs and taxes, Amazon has also announced it would set up major operations in downtown Nashville, and New York money manager AllianceBernstein said it would be moving its headquarters to the city, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

In just 23 years, the metro Nashville region has gone from 1.3 million residents to 2.1million, per the US Census Bureau, increasing the value of property and the cost of living.

Still, while Nashville real estate has become more expensive, it is still relatively low when compared to other major US cities. The median home sale price at the end of February was $414,012, compared with the nationwide median of $327,667.

Furious Nashville locals say they are being driven out of their city as wealthy residents and major companies continue making the move to Tennessee

Earlier this month, Oracle founder Larry Ellison announced his plans to move the software giant's corporate headquarters from Kansas to Nashville

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kristen Gaffney is ditching California after LA's mayor launched a campaign asking the wealthy to help fund housing for homeless people

However, just five years ago the median Nashville house cost $290,983.

Remacia Smith, who grew up in Nashville, told the Wall Street Journal she recently was forced to move to the suburbs with her five children.

'It almost doesn’t look like Nashville anymore,' she said. 'Whew Lord, I wish people would stop moving here.'

Meanwhile lifelong resident John Michael Morgan, for his part, told the outlet he is concerned about Nashville keeping its essence. 

'Nashville’s always been a big town that felt like a small town,' said Morgan. 'Now we’re a big town that feels like a big town.'

Earlier this month, Oracle founder Larry Ellison announced his plans to move the software giant's corporate headquarters from Kansas to Nashville.

According to a report by The Tennessean in 2021, Oracle paid $254 million for just over 60 acres of riverfront property in Nashville

In just 23 years, the metro Nashville region has gone from 1.3 million residents to 2.1million, per the US Census Bureau

Real estate agent Jack Gaughan told the WSJ that he expects prices to go up over the increased demand from the arrive of Oracle workers.

Ellison said the decision was based on a push by the company to gain a bigger foothold in the healthcare industry.

According to the Nashville Health Care Council, Tennessee’s capital city has more than 900 companies with 550,000 employees working in the health care industry. HCA Healthcare and Change Healthcare are among the large companies based in the growing city. 

'It’s the center of the industry we’re most concerned about, which is the health-care industry,' the CEO said.

'It’s a great place to raise a family. It’s got a unique and vibrant culture. As we surveyed our employees, large numbers of employees, Nashville ticked all the boxes.

Lower Broadway, a renowned entertainment district for country music

Downtown Nashville seen above from behind the Nissan Stadium

'We want to be part of the community. Our people love it here. And we think it's the center of our future.'

According to a report by The Tennessean, in 2021, the company paid $254 million for just over 60 acres of riverfront property in Nashville.

The Tennessean reported that the move to Nashville is expected to create 8,500 new jobs by the end of 2031.

The project is also expected to bring almost 11,500 ancillary jobs and 10,000 temporary positions during construction.

Ellison said plans for the riverfront campus include a community clinic, a concert venue, a hotel and a restaurant. 

Meanwhile Sports illustrated swimsuit model Kristen Louelle Gaffney, who is married to NFL star Tyler Gaffney, is ditching Los Angeles for Nashville, citing progressive policies and high taxes.

The mother-of-three said she is fed up with shelling out tax dollars which do little to alleviate the housing crisis and has no intention of supporting Mayor Karen Bass' LA4LA program.

Construction cranes above high-rise condominium buildings in downtown Nashville

Gaffney, who is married to NFL star Tyler Gaffney (pictured) is relocating to Tennessee with her family amid the soaring homelessness in California

Bass asked the 'most fortunate' for help in funding 'affordable' long term housing for its 46,000 strong homeless population amid the spiraling epidemic. 

'I quite frankly feel a little bit taken advantage of when I, too, have had to struggle and to create my own opportunities through hard work and education,' San Diego resident Gaffney told Fox.

'Why should somebody have a piece of my hard work?'

Gaffney, who counts Olivia Culpo among her close friends, complained that California residents are already doing enough to help without seeing much progress.

'The more we claim, and I use the word claim very strongly, that we're helping these people, it seems like the situation is getting,' she added, laying the blame at the feet of Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as Joe Biden.

You've taken enough from us, and you're only showing me that it's getting worse.

'LA homelessness, there's nothing like it. I've been on the East Coast, I've been on the West Coast, I've been in the Bay Area. This is the dirtiest I've seen our cities.'

California's 2023-24 budget provided $3.3 billion for various housing and homelessness programs, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.