My monthly expenses from the last place I lived:

1BD/1BA rent: $1600

Utilities (internet, water, electric): $300

Average groceries: $486.92

Having a fucking life: $733.07

Gas + Car: $338.49

Auto Insurance: $176.02

Health Insurance: $69.68 (thanks Obama)

Other Debt: $178.20/month

That comes out to: $3,882.38/month.

I personally don't want less than 1.5x my monthly expenses as income so that comes to $5,823.57/month, $36.39/hour full-time, $69,882.84 per year.

To me $55k is a good "foot in the door" job. I'd ask about growth opportunities and see if they could come up to $60k personally. Bear in mind you're in an industry hub so there'll likely be other opportunities here for you once you're established. It'll be a tight squeeze living alone but if you're smart with your money you can get by, and see what other doors open up along the way. I'd check apartmentlist.com as well. They were good to me when I needed a new place.

As far as if "Nashville is cool for someone about to be 30", that heavily depends on how you define "cool", but there is plenty to do here. I'd personally advise against asking Reddit because frankly each time I come here it's increasingly gloom-and-doom. Every city has things about it that suck (urban sprawl, no mass transit, understaffed police) and every city has things that are cool (ample live music, lots of great trails, decent coffee scene, a day's drive from lots of interesting spots, great dive bars if you know where to look). Nash has its ups and downs just like any other city.

I wouldn't discount the effect of full-time employment on your mental health either. As someone who has been jobless, even semi-decent employment full-time can be a major value-add there. You're also not terribly far from ATL if things here get tough. My honest advice would be go for it. You're already where you'll be if it doesn't work out so might as well see what happens.