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.
