Looking for a neighborhood for your Franklin Tennessee relocation? Or perhaps a move within the area? The Franklin TN neighborhood series will take you through a tour of many of the Franklin TN neighborhoods for you to explore.

McKay’s Mill is a mixed-use development located in Franklin TN in the Cool Springs area. Most of the nearly 1500 homes in the neighborhood were built between 2000 and 2010 by The Jones Company. It’s conveniently located with a Publix, a Walgreens, pre-school (The Academy of McKay’s Mill) and various other services (animal hospital, dentist, nail salon, video store, cleaners, and a couple of restaurants) within the McKays Mill neighborhood.

As you might expect in a community this size, it’s packed with community amenities. The clubhouse is a 5,000 square feet community center that also includes a health club. Families flock to the olympic-size pool that even has a mushroom spraying center for the little ones. Throughout the community you’ll find seating benches, picnic tables, gazebos, and plenty of walking trails to promote the community feel. Over 70 acres are devoted to open space and even more space that include creeks, small ponds, walking trails, hilltops, and trees. Children have play areas and playgrounds. You’ll also find tennis courts and a basketball area.

Access Information about the Homeowner’s Asssociation in McKay’s Mill. Check out the homeowner discussions on the Mckay’s Mill community forum.

Truly a price and size for many, properties in McKay’s Mill range from 1200 to nearly 5000 square feet and vary in price from just under $200,000 to the lower $600’s.

Find active listings from the MLS of McKay’s Mill homes for sale.

To find a Franklin TN home sale in this neighborhood or other neighborhoods or for new homes in Franklin TN, contact Dena Williams with Keller Williams at 615-739-2944 or 615-778-1818 or via email at denawilliams@me.com.

Looking for a neighborhood for your Franklin Tennessee relocation? Or perhaps a move within the area? The Franklin TN neighborhood series will take you through a tour of many of the Franklin TN neighborhoods for you to explore.

Garden Club Estates is located in Franklin TN just at the Cool Springs area next to McKay’s Mill subdivision. Most of the 140 homes in the neighborhood were built between 2006 and 2008. Pulte Homes was the builder. It’s conveniently located with immediate access to the Publix, a Walgreens and various other services (animal hospital, dentist, cleaners, and a couple of restaurants) within the McKay’s Mill neighborhood.

Homes in Garden Club Estates range from 3000 to 6000 square feet and vary in price from the low $400’s to the upper $600’s. Other common elements include 3-car garages, a few walkout basement home sites, sidewalks, several private lots, both sloped and flat lots, at least 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, open bonus rooms or basement bonus rooms, and many have separate offices.

See active listings from the MLS of Garden Club Estate homes for sale.

To find a Franklin TN home sale in this neighborhood or other neighborhoods or for new homes in Franklin TN, contact Dena Williams with Keller Williams at 615-739-2944 or 615-778-1818 or via email at denawilliams@me.com.

Brandon Park Downs is nestled beautifully among the rolling hills of Franklin, Tennessee. The exclusivity and privacy of Brandon Park Downs might make you forget you’re still only 10 minutes from Cool Springs and 2.8 miles from I 65. A gated equestrian community with horse boarding facilities, this neighborhood has tennis courts, riding trails, a pond and will also feature a pool with clubhouse.

With just 44 properties in this community and an average lot size of 4 acres, you’ll have plenty of space for the family to either build your dream home on one of the available lots or choose from any of the active resales.

For properties with homes, prices range from $750,000 to $2,000,000. Vacant lots are priced from $200,000 to $400,000 with each lot ranging from between 2 and 6 acres. Tour Brandon Park Downs via video and photos below or contact me to schedule a private showing of the most current listings.

denawilliams@realtracs.com
615-739-2944; 615-376-5123

View Brandon Park Downs in a larger map

Nashville real estate and lifestyles

Everyday, I hear people asking…”where is the best place to live and buy real estate in the Nashville area?” Despite the fact that “best” from one person to another can be radically different based on criteria, needs, lifestyle, priorities, standards, etc…you get the picture. So as a realtor, it’s a question I am not allowed to answer directly like that for Nashville real estate. What I do is learn as much about you, the buyer, I can to determine what’s most important to you and then show you homes in the area that it sounds like fits your described needs and requirements.

This month, Nashville Lifestyles did a wonderful thing. They picked 9 of the most popular parts of town and their favorite areas or neighborhoods in the Nashville area to share more about the vibe, people, and some of the favorite places in the neighborhood. So this is a summary of their well written article.

Brentwood and Cool Springs

First on their list is the Brentwood and Cool Springs Area. (Cool Springs will not appear on any MLS searches you do…it’s more of an informal name to the area where Brentwood and Franklin collide.)

Vibe

They describe the Brentwood vibe as a suburban life at a rapid pace. Many residents have moved from out of state with the nearby businesses, creating a melting pot of sorts. Brentwood has a rich history, but the suburban sprawl effect overpowers the history much of the time. Although apartments and condos are available in the Brentwood area, high-end homes with amenities and large yards (either older or newer homes) are more characteristic of the area.

Some of the popular locally owned restaurants include: Wild Iris, Hanabi Japanese Restaurant, Jasmine and Basil Asian Bistro. Then you also have “Tennessee” chains like Noshville, Dan McGuinness, Tin Roof and Bosco’s. Some of the local boutiques include Stacey Rhodes Boutique and The Skinbar.

Family-centric is a word used to described Brentwood with tons of active communities, the greenway trail system connecting several great parks (like Crockett Park), quality schools, golf, and two YMCA’s (which are quite popular in the area for gym memberships plus family activities. It would not be the place to look for a nightclub.

While the area is packed full with chain locations, locally owned businesses are sprinkled throughout with the expectation for local business and more interest and preservation in Brentwood’s historic character to grow in the future.

Residents

Residents are described as SUV and mini-van drivers, but neighborhoods are full of people from all over the country, even the world. With Brentwood and Cool Spring’s large business parks, each new business brings more diversity.

Brentwood homes start at or just under $400,000 and extend upwards to several million.

Franklin

Second on their list was Franklin, which is just south of Brentwood. Again, these two cities meet where Cool Springs resides.

Vibe

Franklin is described as a charming, historic town with good energy. The Downtown area is filled with local businesses (restaurants, shops, antiques, art galleries) surrounded by a small section of tour-worthy Victorian and antebellum homes. Housing in Franklin hits every type: older homes, new condos, and plenty of traditional, 21st century suburban homes.

A few cultural staples of the area include the growing Saturday Farmer’s Market, the Factory at Franklin, theme festivals downtown, Boiler Room Theater, historic events and sites, spots for local music, and locally owned restaurants like: Boxwood Bistro, Red Pony and Saffire. O’More College of Art and Design adds artistic interest. Nearby Arrington Vineyards is a favorite hot spot for Franklin dwellers as well. Some of the local boutiques include What’s-In-Store, Emmaline, CharacterEyes, and Philanthropy, to name a few.

Their prediction is more condos near Downtown Franklin, more interest in high-end communities like Westhaven and an increased influence from the Farmer’s Market.

Residents

Suburban types moving from all over the Nashville area as well as other parts of the country call Franklin home. Combine those with people who have had family living there since before the Civil War. This, too, is another family-centric area with tons of active families in their neighborhoods and in Franklin as a whole.

Franklin residents will look to spend between $200,000 and $500,000 for most traditional suburban homes, with some suburban homes extending upward to several million. A new, location-specific condo might run around $450,000. Historic homes right around Downtown Franklin can also range from $300,000 to a fully restored Victorian at $1,000,000.

Green Hills and Forest Hills

When searching for Green Hills homes, you’ll look within Nashville real estate in Area 2, while Forest Hills is a small community on the outskirts of Green Hills connected by Hillsboro Rd.

Vibe

Green Hills is home to upscale businesses like Louis Vutton, Tiffany & Co, the Mall at Green Hills, King Jewelers, a number of local boutiques and spas, as well as everything the Hill Center has to offer of chain and local shopping. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are newer additions to the area that have made quite an impact on even other parts of Middle Tennessee. The Green Hills YMCA is quite popular. Local restaurants like F Scott’s, mix with chains and bars to give the area just about everything one would need. Let’s not forget the world famous songwriter showcase of Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills too.

Most of the neighborhoods in Green Hills are older and more established with a variety of homes for Nashville real estate. Look for these to have large, treed lots. You will also have a number of new developments and homes as well as apartments and condos.

Forest Hills is more of a small suburban area with mostly post-World War II homes. Look for beautiful and steep rolling hills and  heavily treed large lots here that is so peaceful it seems world’s away from the hustle and bustle. Yet, this quiet community is just minutes from Green Hills and Brentwood for every need.

Residents

Residents will be a complete blend of everything from single professionals to families to empty-nesters. You’ll find every range here from moderatly priced apartments to very upscale homes in Green Hills. Forest Hills will be comprised of mostly upscale-living homes. Even though some residential areas are within walking distance in Green Hills to the center of town, the area is not conducive to walking. Car dependency is still a must here.

Forrest Hills home prices start at or around $400,000 and extend up to several million. Green Hills offers moderately priced apartments for rent, moderate and pricey older homes to buy, and exclusive new construction. Home prices in Green Hills usually start at or around $300,000 and extend upward to a couple million.

Belle Meade & West Meade

Belle Meade is just West of Downtown and West End Nashville. West Meade is just a little further north. Both will be Nashville real estate searches, even though Belle Meade is its own small incorporated city.

Vibe

Belle Meade is lush and beautiful with history galore and upscale restaurants and shopping. Belle Meade is considered Nashville’s most prestigious neighborhood and is a desirable location for people to reside from all over the country. Here too, you have rolling hills, lush trees and beautiful landscaping. People have passed down homes and estates in this area for many generations. Well-respected and recognized last names are common here as well as a deep sense of pride for that history.

Sperry’s is a popular spot for drinks and dinner. Phillips Toy Mart is a staple for a child’s gift. A favorite breakfast spot is Le Peep. Wine dinners at Spaces, furniture at John Richard and facials at Reiko are other favorites in the area. At the end of the prestigious Belle Meade Blvd, you’ll find a treasure in Percy Warner Park with both wooded trails through the hills and open spaces. Nearby you also have the historic Belle Meade Plantation and beautiful Cheekwood botanical gardens. For such a small area, it is one of the most well-protected areas in all of Nashville. (Note: Do not speed here!)

West Meade also is full of beautifully treed lots and rolling hills with more moderatly priced homes than Belle Meade.

These two areas are in close proximity to some of the desirable private schools, and they are within a short drive of Downtown. Future predictions include more residential developments like Belle Meade Court for buyers to move into this desirable section of town and more renovation and renewal of existing homes, as well as buying homes for the lots to tear down and rebuild.

Residents

Well-established and even, historic family names fill much of Belle Meade as well as newcomers with an appreciation for the rich heritage and neighborhoods there. Belle Meade home prices are more common in the million+ dollar range, but options begin to pop up slowly just under $500,000.

West Meade attracts young professionals and newcomers to mix with more established families or empty nesters. Many of these ranch homes are prime targets for renovation on these beautiful hilly lots to offer quiet serenity. West Meade area homes begin around $200,000 and extend upward to a couple million also. However, there are probably more options under $500,000 than above it.

Bellevue

Vibe

Much like some of the areas already described here, Bellevue, too is full of trees and beautiful hills, but it’s extremely spread out. Drives are necessary but scenic and uncluttered of traffic.The neighborhoods, however, are more suburban than the others mentioned here (except Brentwood and Franklin) and will not offer quite the large, lush, treed lot options that areas like West Meade, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, and Green Hills do.

Benefits of Bellevue include Edwin Warner Park, which is quite an impresive, beautiful park and green space. Like many other areas, the Bellevue Y, is one of the best. Families enjoy Red Caboose Park. One can not forget the famous, Loveless Cafe’s country breakfasts (amazing biscuits & jams) and lunches.

The Sri Ganesha Temple, with rich architecture, is located on the top of a hill and is a center for the Hindu community. Upscale restaurants and shopping are lacking in the area, but one exception is a favorite for Italian, Antonio’s.

Residents

Prior to about 15 years ago, this area was also an area where certain families started and stayed. Now it’s filled with a mix of many ages as well as more ethnic and racial diversity than in the past.

With an entry point just at $200,000, many of your real estate options will still be obtainable for less than $300,000, unlike many of the areas already discussed that have plenty of options in just about every price range. It is one of the more affordable suburban areas in Nashville and is about 9 or so miles from the center of everything in Nashville. Although there are a few higher priced homes in Bellevue home prices will not extend nearly as high as some of other areas already discussed.

Most of the houses and apartments in Bellevue date from the 80s and 90s, even though there is a handful of new construction as well as a handful of pre-1950’s homes.

The Bellevue Center will get a much needed re-development to include a Kohl’s, a branch of the Nashville Public Library, and an open-air lifestyle center.

Whitland, Richland & Sylvan Park

Five minutes to the Interstate and West End and 10 minutes from Downtown, these neighborhoods are also popular in Nashville.

Vibe

Appealing to all ages, this area offers short commutes, architecturally appealing buildings and homes, restaurants and shopping, Elmington Park, McCabe Golf Course and greenway. It offers charm, history and distinctive character homes. You’ll find home tours and street festivals and bustling White Bridge Road retail center nearby. The churches, libraries and schools on West End are architectural eye catchers.

A new Publix, Harris Teeter, The Wine Chap adds where residents previously had to go outside the community. More apartment buildings or larger homes on West End may be converted to additional luxury condos.

Some of the favorites include McCabe’s Pub, Star Bagel Cafe, and Park Cafe and Cafe Nonna for dinners. Shoppers enjoy Jamie. Naturalists enjoy Produce Place and Import Flowers.

Residents

You’ll find a good number of educated people here who may work at a nearby university or hospital. Sylvan Park, for example, is popular for young professionals and families due to the more affordable prices for these charming homes within minutes to everything. Whitland is a wide enough street for families to consider safety (with style) for their children.

While you can find a few options under $300,000 in Sylvan Park, expect to do a little bit of work on a home under $300,000 to bring up to move-in ready condition. Most Sylvan Park homes are priced between $300,000 and $500,000. Or look into a luxury condo for around $400,000 in Richland or in one of the many condo options along West End. Homes in Whitland and Richland start around $400,000 and go up from there.

Downtown Nashville and Midtown

Condo living is key in Downtown and Midtown.

Vibe

This area changes quickly and is cosmopolitan. Nestled between civic icons (Country Music Hall of Fame, Bicentennial Mall/Farmer’s Market, LP Field, Frist Center for Visual Arts, Ryman Auditorium, Main Library, Sommet Center, State Capitol and Schermerhorn Symphony Center the Downtown area includes the Gulch, SoBro, Central Business District, Germantown and North Capitol.

The Shelby Avenue Pedestrian Bridge lit at night over the Cumberland River offers great views. The Central Business District is a popular tourist and local area among the government agencies, law offices, banks and the Arcade. Midtown has a small skyline and the medical district. The Pinnacle at Symphony Place is scheduled for 2010 finish in SoBro. The Gulch is still developing to the urban chic style. Germantown is a small, more residential area with some walkability and vintage buildings.

The area’s most untapped potential resides in the North Capitol Area where talks of new buildings and museums are beginning. The Gulch will continue to build out and SoBro will soon have a Music City Center Convention facility.

Residents

Nearly every one of these areas will be primarily condo-dwellers, free from yard maintenance. The exception is Germantown where single-family homes are present. Very few children will reside in most of the areas. Students and white-collar singles tend to buy these condos. Nashville condo prices can range from $200,000 and the sky’s the limit. Most people live in either small apartments or small condos in the Downtown and Midtown areas.

For those that favor older apartment types, favorites include the Americana, Barbizon Apartments, Capitol Towers, Metro Manor, and Riverfront Condominiums. The newer-low rise buildings include: The District, Bristol on Broadway, Harrison Square, Summer Street Lofts, Station Lofts. Newer towers include: Encore, Icon, Rhythm, Terrazzo, and Viridian.

East Nashville

Just on the other side of the Cumberland River from Downtown is East Nashville.

Vibe

Creative people and vintage architechture are some of the staples of the area. Five-Points is the quirky center with restaurants, services, bars, a library, church, school, speciality businesses, and a post office. Neighborhoods surrounding it are packed with dog walkers, porch parties, people walking with strollers, motorcylists, and even those on bikes.

Some favorites include Bongo Java, Edgefield Restaurant, Shelby Park with the Shelby Bottom Greenway, as well as the many places within Five Points.

Martin Corner is a re-development still adding interest in the Five Points area. There is talk of a mixed-use building with retail and residential as well as more restaurants. Culinary diversity will remain a trend for newer restaurants.

Residents

Popular neighborhoods in the area include: Lockeland Springs, Historic Edgefield, East End, Eastwood Neighbors, Greenwood Neighbors, Maxwell Neighbors, and Rolling Acres. East Nashville is home to quite a diverse group of people including white collar workers, blue collar workers, whites, African Americans, hispanics, wealthy and poor, musicians, writers, artists, restaurant workers, young and single, families, mainstream folks and the city’s largest gay population.

East Nashville real estate seekers can expect to find historic homes built from the 20s to 50s from under $200,000 up to about $550,000, with just a few extending above.

Hillsboro Village, West End, Belmont

Also in Nashville, this area is near Vanderbilt, and is close to Green Hills to the South and Richland/Whitland area and Belle Meade also.

Vibe

Another hipster area is here with lots of energy and bustle. Residential areas that fall within the border are Hillsboro Village, Belmont, Waverly, 12 South, and West End. You have Belmont University, Vanderbilt, Music Row, Centennial Park, The Parthenon and several walkable neighborhoods and villages with small, local business districts for restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

Two well-regarded universities are here within walking distance of each other. Love Circle towers above the city for great views. Elliston Soda Shop, Brown’s Diner, and Rotier’s are legendary. Retail is more eclectic and locally owned. Bars and cofee shops like Bongo Java, Frothy Monkey, Portland Brew and Provence add to the area’s feel. This entire area is quite popular for shopping, eating and drinking not only to the local residents but also to people who come from all other parts of Nashville.

More retail and restaurants will continue to move in existing buildings.

Residents

Residents of Hillsboro Village/West End/Belmont tend to be socially progressive and well-educated. It is one of the best and few options for walkability within Middle Tenenssee, so this Nashville neighborhood is quite popular for those seeking walkability. You’ll have students renting apartments and homeowners in vintage homes including bungalows, tudors, cottages and American four squares. Belmont Blvd is one of the most prestigious and historic streets.

Home prices in Hillsboro Village, West End or Belmont begin around $250,000 for a very small home or one that needs some TLC all the way up to the million dollar mark.

We’ve heard about Green homes for quite sometime, but we’ve yet to see too many of them in the Nashville area. Granted, several of the condo projects in and around the Downtown Nashville area have incorporated green building and have been awarded green certifications, which is a definite step in that direction. Some of those buildings include: Terrazzo, the Acropolis, 5th and Main, and Morgan Park Place East.

As far as actual green residential neighborhoods, it appears that Nashville’s first will be Cambridge Park. Located between Davidson and Williamson County off Barnes Road, it will be the first LEED-certified single family home neighborhood in the Nashville area. Homes will be priced in the $200,000’s, low and high with most of them between 1300 and 1800 sf. A village of 77 homes will provide low-maintenance living with professional yard-care, two parks, and tree-lined streets with sidewalks. All homes will have front porches as well as outdoor rooms. For now, part of the street is paved on one side and the bulldozers are doing their thing on the other side of Barnes, so it will be awhile before the community emerges. Green building features for the homes built by Parkside Homes will include energy and water saving features, increased air quality features and other enviro-friendly features as shown here:

• Nortiz gas tankless water heater
• Insulated hot water lines
• Parkside Level I — High efficiency 13 SEER air conditioning with high efficient heat pump (gives 14 SEER Rating)
  Parkside Level II — a 14 SEER HVAC system with variable speed fans (gives 15 SEER Rating)
  Upgrade Option — geo-thermal systems
• Ductwork with sealed mastic systems are zoned for peak efficiency and comfort
• Low-E windows and doors (if glass)
• Parkside Level II — Grade II batt insulation with enhanced air-sealing package
  Parkside Level II — open cell soy spray foam for all exterior walls and roof deck for additional sealant and temperature control properties
• Advanced framing techniques for increased insulation
• LP Techshield roof decking
• Pre-fitted for future use of solar power
  Upgrade Option — solar panels
• Energy Star dishwashers
• “Jumper ducts” for proper return airflow
• R-13 insulation in walls
• R-38 insulation in ceilings
• 2″ rigid foundation insulation
• Energy Star ceiling fans
• Exterior lighting off photo cells
• EPA WaterSense certified faucets < 1.5 gpm
• Efficient irrigation design — drip irrigation in beds, all spray heads with high efficiency nozzles with check valves
• Shower heads rated at < 1.75 gpm
• Drought resistant sod and indigenous plants
• MERV 10 air filters
• Direct vent fireplace
• Low VOC paints and adhesives
• Construction waste recycling program
• Siding contains more than 30% recycled or slag material
• Eco-friendly hardwoods and carpet

See active listings in Cambridge Park in Nashville here.

Click on the highlighted links to find a listing of homes currently for sale in Cambridge Park subdivision. You’ll have access to the photos and details of the properties. To see properties in these areas or put your home on the market, or for general questions/discussion call me at 615-739-2944 or email at denawilliams@kw.com.

Nolensville’s Geographical Neighborhoods

As you try to determine if Nolensville is the place for you, it will be helpful for you to see where the Nolensville neighborhoods are physically located with the ability also to see some general information about that neighborhood (general price range, # homes, community amenities, years built, etc.). You can see how far neighborhoods are from the Interstate (I24 and I65), and other major areas. You’ll notice Nolensville is not as built up as some of the other areas nearby. It still has a more rural feel with about 13 newer subdivisions sprinkled in and around farm land and properties with acreage. Check the county for each subdivision, if that’s important to you, because it might be Davidson or Williamson. Some of the neighborhoods I hear more and more questions about are Silver Stream and Carothers Crossing. You can read more about them here on this site. Use the hand to grab and move the areas, scroll around and zoom in and out as you need

You can always get the full screen version here if needed.

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Franklin’s Geographical Neighborhoods

As you try to determine where you want to live within Franklin, it will be helpful for you to see where the Franklin neighborhoods are physically located with the ability also to see some general information about that neighborhood (general price range, # homes, community amenities, years built, etc.). You can see how far neighborhoods are from the Interstate, the hot spots in Franklin (Cool Springs, and Downtown Franklin) and other major areas. Use the hand to grab and move the areas, scroll around and zoom in and out as you need.

You can look at a full screen version of this map with subdivision legend here.

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Brentwood’s Geographical Neighborhoods

It always helps to see an area geographically. I know you’re obsessed with maps because of how many times people search for satellite views of homes and how often they use Goggle Street View, Google Earth, regular Google maps and map-based home searches. So I created a Google map for you to see where the Brentwood neighborhoods are physically located with the ability also to see some general information about that neighborhood (general price range, # homes, community amenities, years built, etc.). So add one more map to your list! Use the hand to grab and move the areas, scroll around and zoom in and out as you need.

View Larger Map

You can also see a full screen of the map with a subdivision legend here.

Where are the walkable neighborhoods in Nashville?

Great question! But I don’t know that you’ll really like the answer. We have so little housing stock that allows for walkability that most of the prices of these few and far between are at a hefty premium in move-in ready condition. There are a few gems described later that offer the convenience that many people can enjoy at both a premium and at moderate prices.

I want to first introduce you to one of my favorite tools for consumers out there that I’ve been using for the past year, Walkscore. In the box below, you can enter an address, and it will spit out a walkscore. That’s not the best part. It will give you an indication of how far you are from some of the closest
establishments (by name), even if it’s not an ideal walk, like:

• restaurants
• coffee shops
• schools
• grocery stores
• fitness
• parks
• libraries
• bookstores
• bars
• movie theaters
• drug stores
• hardware stores
• clothing and music

Try it now…scroll around on this map or go directly to the site to enter as many addresses as you want to know their walkability and what is nearby. It may not list everything or be 100% accurate, but it definitely gives you a good idea of whether the area is walkable or not.

Let me help take some of the guesswork out for you. In the Nashville area, the following neighborhoods are ones that offer homeowners some walkable convenience near the things you need. For Nashville condo seekers, refer to other parts of this site to get an understanding of what buildings are in these areas and how walkable they are.

Traditional Neighborhoods

• West Nashville (Hillsboro Village, Belmont, Vandy, West End, 12 South, Lipscomb, Waverly, Music Row, and Edgehill) - While most of these are separate communities, they are all land linked together and may be listed alone or sometimes listed in combination with others on the Nashville MLS. Some of these areas are commonly referred to as “Midtown”, but that will not appear in your search engines for homes. These areas are generally West and/or a little South of Downtown, but still in very close proximity to Downtown Nashville. Another way you’ll see this area referred in real estate is “Area 2″. Now, there is much more to Area 2 than what is listed above, so do not be mistaken when you search Area 2 and the neighborhood is not one of the above. As in any neighborhood, you’ll need to check each address to see its proximity to the establishments you seek because even in these neighborhoods, some homes are a lot more walkable than others. Homes in these areas range from about $150,000 to $2 million. It’s a wide range, but there’s only a handful under $200,000 and another handful under $300,000. At the lower end of the spectrum, the home might be small (the smallest is around 850 sf or in need of repairs.) The range between $300,000 - $400,000 is full of options, another nice sized group is between $400,000 - $600,000, and a sizable chunk of the listings exceed $750,000. In these areas you also have 3 universities and quite a few hot spot pockets, but don’t let being near the schools deter you. These areas are highly desirable of non-college students alike.
• East Nashville (Lockeland Springs, East End & Edgefield) - These neighborhoods are a few of the most walkable neighborhoods in East Nashville, also still within very close proximity of Downtown….just on the other side. East Nashville has a sad history, but it has been fighting hard to revive with some definite success. These neighborhoods are most notably walkable to the “Five Points” area, which is a small town center. Shelby Bottoms Park is not far away either. The creative, multi-cultural buzz coming out of East Nashville is energizing. These neighborhoods are located in Area 6. The range of these three neighborhoods is between $100,000 and $500,000. You will find less walkable housing stock in East Nashville than on the West side, but there are plenty of options if you feel the East Nashville vibe more. Again, on the lower end of the spectrum, the home might be in need of renovation or repairs. You’ll occasionally see one above $500,000. Some of the other neighborhoods in East Nashville that might be considered walkable or somewhat walkable include Eastwood Neighbors, Greenwood Neighbors, and Shelby Village.
• Downtown Franklin - This is a charming and historic area deep in the suburbs, south of Nashville. You’ll find historic houses in Franklin Tennessee, some built as early as the early 1800s, which surround this little Downtown area. You’ll see a few new homes sprinkled in there too. These homes can be found in Area 10 in Williamson County under the: Historic or Downtown Franklin subdivisions. Historic houses in Franklin Tennessee will range between $250,000 - $2 million. However, you won’t have a ton of options in any general price point. An interesting part of being in Downtown Franklin is that you also have the Cool Springs area 3.5 miles away where you have every major convenience you’d need. You have both the old and the new in Franklin

Newer subdivision developments with walkability

• Westhaven - Located within Franklin city limits of Williamson County (Area 10), Westhaven is practically self-sustaining. It needs to be based on its location, which is deep into Franklin, almost to where the Leipers Fork area begins. The homes are built on very small lots. If large lots and privacy are a big deal to you, this might not be the place for you. It’s laid out to promote community from the sidewalks, walking trails, pools with water slides, ponds where you can fish, the outdoor area for concerts, the playgrounds, the golf course, the enormous resident’s club (which has a movie theater), school, the full-time activities director, and small town center that provides some basic needs (bank, dentist, medical clinic, food, etc.) You can find zero lot lines connected to one another for under $350,000 but the rest of the homes usually begin around $400,000 and go all the way up to $1.5 million. Occasionally, you’ll see a home dip below $400,000 or above $1.5 million.
• Lenox Village - Located in Southeast Davidson County off Nolensville Pike in Area 1, Lenox Village is one of the most affordable options in the Nashville area for walkable neighborhoods. The community contains single family homes, condominiums, retail and work space. It’s a large, active community with plenty of activities throughout the year. While you may not have a neighborhood pool like many do, you will feel a definite sense of community in Lenox Village. Single family homes range between $200,000 - $400,000.
• Carothers Crossing - This neighborhood is still in the early development stage but it, too, will be a lifestyle community. It will be 55% open green space and natural areas with walking/biking/hiking trails, ponds, rolling hills and more. However, it will also contain about 230,000 sf of commercial space. It’s located in the Nolensville/Smyrna area, about 20 minutes from Nashville. While it’s in Area 1, which is Davidson County, the city for most of the homes will be Nolensville, even though it is very close to Lavergne. Townhomes run around $250,000, Village homes are going to be around $350,000, and Estate homes start at $450,000+ and go up.
• Providence in Mount Juliet - It is comprised of several neighborhoods nearby to the new Providence MarketPlace in Mount Juliet. Within Wilson County, Area 11, these are located in Mount Juliet (Mt Juliet) city limits. Providence MarketPlace is about 830,000 sf of retail, in an outdoor mall fashion, which does include a movie theater. While the homes are not surrounding the retail center like most of the other neighborhoods mentioned, it is connected. Some consider it a walkable community because of the close proximity to Providence MarketPlace, and some leave it off the walkable community list. You decide for yourself. The Providence neighborhoods are also tops on the affordable list ranging from around $200,000 (or slightly below) to $400,000. You also have a Del Webb active adults 55+ community within the Providence area where homes range from around $150,000 all the way up to near $600,000.

Areas worth mentioning

These areas do not truly make the walkable neighborhoods list, but they are worth mentioning if you want some walkability and be near enough to get where you need in a couple of minutes by car.

• Germantown/Salemtown - This area is right on the edge of Downtown Nashville. You could take a long walk and get to many places downtown. However, Germantown, itself, offers some walkability to restaurants, shopping and the wonderful and well-known Farmer’s Market. It’s an area sometimes referred to as Area 3 in Nashville’s Davidson County. It has gone under some redevelopment in recent years and has homes that range between $150,000 and $500,000.
• Sylvan Park - While this area might not be within comfortable walking distance to the West End and Midtown area, it sure is a quick car ride over there. However, Sylvan Park does offer some limited walkability to a few nearby establishments. This area is located in Area 2 and within Nashville city limits in Davidson County. Homes range from $150,000 all the way to $700,000.
• Green Hills - Some homes in Green Hills may technically be within walking distance to the main retail center on Hillsboro Rd. Others are not. Sadly, Green Hills is not walk-friendly area though. Everything is set up to promote driving, and there are a ton of cars in a compact area creating traffic issues in Green Hills. It is a place filled with hustle and bustle and is very close to the areas in West Nashville first mentioned in this article. Green Hills is more of an urban/suburban area. If you live in Green Hills, you may have a tree-filled, 1 acre property, but you’ll be within minutes of everything you’d ever need plus more: a great mall, shopping, the Hill Center, BlueBird Cafe, and the widely anticipated, Trader Joe’s…oh, and there’s a Whole Foods too. You will also be within minutes to the heart of Nashville too.

One last neighborhood that I would classify on the third tier of walkability is McKay’s Mill in Franklin, TN. McKay’s Mill a giant subdivision in the burbs, but in its core is a small commercial section, that if you lived close enough, you could walk to the Publix and the Walgreens. A few more stores & restaurants are sprinkled in there, but you do have the convenience of some of your basic needs in the neighborhood itself.

Take a look at these neighborhoods on a map below. Or access it full screen with the neighborhood legend here.

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