The 7 Nashville Neighborhoods You’ll Actually Move To (and Why You’ll Love Living There)
We here at Nashville Real Estate Rockstars love research - which is a good thing because we do a lot of it! We take a snapshot of East Nashville’s housing market weekly, analyze city-wide housing data on a monthly basis, and have dug into the particularities of historic overlays and their regulations for clients looking to add an accessory dwelling unit to their future home. During our searching, we’ve discovered an information gap: up-to-date, realistic information on the Nashville neighborhoods people are actually moving to - and we want to change that.
So many “Moving to Nashville” guides list expensive, tourist-friendly neighborhoods like The Gulch, 12 South, and - most unrealistically - Downtown as top areas to move to. Don’t get us wrong, these neighborhoods have their merits (we love a good Maki Sake Monday drink special at Virago in the Gulch) but even if these areas are in your budget, they don’t have much housing inventory to choose from.
So where do folks moving to Nashville actually go? Using real housing data, client experiences, and our own knowledge as residents; we’ve compiled a list of the seven neighborhoods you’re statistically most likely to move to - and want to stay in.
Antioch
Why You’ll Move Here
For at least the last four years, more people have purchased homes in Antioch than any other zip code in Davidson County. This neighborhood’s affordability (the average home prices is $162,000 lower than the citywide average) and variety of housing options are a big draw for first-time home buyers and young families. The winding suburban streets are just far enough away from the city to feel like a quiet retreat while still being an easy commute. It also happens to be adjacent to Glencliff, a neighborhood known for having some of the best international food in the Nashville. Antioch itself has a great selection of international grocery stores and restaurants from across the globe.
While many of the homes in Antioch date to the 1970’s (and a few to the town’s founding in the 1800’s), there is a ton of new development happening. Our first-time buyer clients chose to purchase a to-be-built house in a new housing development in Antioch and enjoyed being part of the design and construction process. Several years down the road, they still love their custom home and are even encouraging their friends to move to Antioch.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
Antioch was its own independent town until 1968. This is more than just an interesting historical footnote; it still has all of the resources you might find in an independent town like its own mall, multiple grocery stores, and several parks. You can run most of your errands, sample cuisine from across the globe, go for a jog on one of the local greenways, and even join a yacht club without leaving the neighborhood. You’ll love the convenience of having everything you need right in your own backyard.
Glencliff
Why You’ll Move Here
In 2021, Glencliff was the second most popular neighborhood for homebuyers. Though not too far from Antioch, it has a less suburban feel with fewer winding streets and a denser grid of housing close to the main thoroughfares.
The most notable thing about Glencliff is the food. Nolensville Pike, which runs along the western edge of the neighborhood, is known throughout Nashville for having some of the best international restaurants in the city. Osh, an Uzbek restaurant located in Glencliff, recently landed at #9 on Yelp’s list of top 100 restaurants in the country (yes, it is really is that good). Homes in the neighborhood sell for an average $115,000 less than the citywide average, making it one of the more affordable parts of the city.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
The food. You’re going to stay for the food and, if you leave, you’ll be coming back to eat here. It seems like arguing over the best Thai restaurant is a local pass-time and two of the top contenders are located in Glencliff. Whether you’re looking for Salvadorian cuisine, pupusas, talk-of-the-town Japanese food, or great local barbecue; it will all be right outside your door in this charming suburb.
West Nashville
Why You’ll Move Here
Last year, West Nashville had the third most home sales of any neighborhood in Nashville. Although the average home price is $40,000 higher than the citywide average, it’s still more budget friendly than other similarly trendy neighborhoods. The neighborhood is an easy commute to downtown and has a mix of housing from early 1900’s bungalows to modern townhome communities. There’s plenty to do in this neighborhood, with some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and shops dotting Charlotte Pike in the Sylvan Park area of West Nashville. Restauranteurs have recognized how hip the area is, with many local eateries choosing to open their second locations in the neighborhood.
Our clients chose the area for it’s proximity to Vanderbilt University and the number of well maintained townhomes. The latter is one of our favorite things about the area; many buyers like the low-maintenance convenience of condos and townhomes and West Nashville has plenty of options alongside gorgeous single-family homes.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
It’s hard to beat a neighborhood that’s this convenient to the city center while still having so much to do within its own borders. Charlotte Pike serves as the artery that runs down the center of West Nashville from Downtown to Bellevue and has a concentration of trendy restaurants, local chains, big box stores, and small businesses. You can shop at a superstore or one of the city’s favorite Asian grocers, sample Indian street food or grab a slice of pizza from a local chain, all without leaving the neighborhood.
Bellevue
Why You’ll Move Here
Just west of West Nashville, Bellevue is another formerly independent town that offers a wooded retreat for young professionals and families. Although it’s on the very western edge of the city, it’s a straight shot to downtown on the highway. The area has a mix of midcentury ranches and newer construction on spacious lots, including a number of new townhome communities. The bang for your buck is hard to match, with homes selling for an average of $63,000 less than the citywide standard.
While there are plenty of shopping and dining options, Bellevue’s true claim to fame is its access to nature areas. Over 60% of the neighborhood’s land area is protected by the Nashville Metro Parks Conservation Department. Residents from across the city trek to Percy Warner Park and Edwin Warner Park, both of which have entrances in Bellevue. Harpeth River State Park, which offers access to its namesake Harpeth River that meanders through the neighborhood, provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Natchez Chase Parkway, a nationally recognized scenic byway, also runs through Bellevue on its route from Nashville to Natchez, MS.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or are looking for a quiet retreat from city life, Bellevue offers the peace and greenery of a semi-rural community without sacrificing access to urban amenities. The parks are some of the best in Nashville, with miles of hiking trails to explore and river access for fishing and boating enthusiasts. If you enjoy feeling worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown without actually being more than a few miles away, you might just make Bellevue your forever home.
East Nashville
Why You’ll Move Here
Although it’s one of the more expensive neighborhoods on this list ($65,000 above the citywide average), East Nashville was one of the top selling zip codes in Nashville - and for good reason. This former streetcar suburb is one of the most walkable parts of the city, with new townhouses and beautiful antique homes interspersed with neighborhood bars, local coffee roasters, boutique shops, and new restaurant concepts - all just moments away from downtown. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of East Nashville’s commercial district, Shelby Park offers more than 10 miles of greenway trails that offer pedestrians, cyclists, and skaters a verdant escape along the Cumberland River.
Unlike many of the suburban-sprawl neighborhoods around Nashville, East Nashville has a defined, walkable core with a high concentration of shops, restaurants, and bars. This contributes to the neighborhood’s strong sense of community identity and quirky, artistic bent. The annual Tomato Arts Festival brings locals and tourists out in their finest, tomato-themed garb to sample local food trucks, browse local art and artisan goods, and participate in events ranging from pet photo contests to ugliest tomato competitions.
Despite the higher price point, there are still affordable homes to be found in up-and-coming parts of the neighborhood. Our buyers found a beautiful, investor-renovated home near Trinity Lane within their $400,000 budget that still offered the quick access to downtown Nashville they needed.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
East Nashville’s convenience in both it’s proximity to downtown and walkability is a rare find in Nashville. Couple that with the strong sense of identity and community, and it’s easy to see how many folks become emotionally invested in their neighborhood. With new boutiques and eateries popping up alongside local favorites, there’s almost always something new to do without ever leaving the zip code.
Madison
Why You’ll Move Here
Madison is east and north of the city, delineated from East Nashville and Inglewood by Briley Parkway. Madison is the most affordable neighborhood on our list, with average home prices nearly $200,000 below the citywide average; but there’s far more to love about this historic settlement than low-cost housing.
Winding suburban streets branch off from the main artery, Gallatin Pike, where you’ll find supermarkets, a mall, and restaurants ranging from standard fast food chains to family-owned culinary gems. Music lovers can catch a show at local haunt, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, and avid keglers can head over to Eastside Bowl for a few rounds of bowling. The quiet residential roads have large, wooded lots that feel removed from the busy streets and city lights of Nashville, despite being moments from the bustling commercial core of the neighborhood. This makes it a great option for young families or those seeking a home with room to grow who don’t want to sacrifice convenient access to shopping or downtown.
On the southern end of the neighborhood is the historic heart of Madison, Amqui Station. Once owned by Johnny and June Carter Cash, the train station was moved out of the county until after Cash’s death, when it was returned to its original location and reopened as a museum and visitor’s center. It now hosts a weekly neighborhood farmer’s market every Sunday from May through September.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
The proximity to East Nashville and downtown allows residents to enjoy the trendy restaurants and boutiques without paying East Nashville home prices. At the same time Madison is a neighborhood on the rise, with new music venues and housing developments currently under construction. With the upward trajectory and hip status Madison has garnered, it’s a great neighborhood for those looking to grow their family and their investment.
Hermitage
Why You’ll Move Here
Hermitage hugs the eastern edge of Davidson County and has some of the same pastoral charm as Bellevue with the addition of a notable historical namesake, President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage estate. This budget-friendly neighborhood ($120,000 below the citywide average) is another great location for outdoor adventurers, especially boating enthusiasts. Percy Priest Lake, which serves as Hermitage’s southern boundary, is arguably the most popular spot in Nashville for water sports with marinas, boat launches and rentals, and Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort waterpark. If you don’t have your sea legs, there are multiple parks that offer hiking trails and a robust commercial district around the intersection of the neighborhood’s two main thoroughfares, Lebanon Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard.
Much of Hermitage’s residential areas are planned communities with meandering roads and brick housing dating from the 1960’s through today. Not unlike Antioch, this neighborhood is experiencing a great deal of new building, making it an excellent choice for buyers looking for a brand new home that won’t break the bank. In fact, at the time this article was written 70% of the homes for sale in the area were built within the last year. Two of our Hermitage buyers went for newly built homes that met their differing needs; one seeking a low-maintenance home to share with a roommate, the others seeking an affordable home with no hidden problems for their young family. Both found exactly what they needed in their brand new homes and love their new neighbors.
Why You’ll Want to Stay
Like Madison, Hermitage is a great neighborhood for young families and first-time homebuyers who want to see their investment grow. The natural beauty and historic charm of the area coupled with the access to Nashville’s favorite lake make it an ideal spot for buyers looking for a peaceful retreat from the city with plenty of nearby family-friendly activities. If you like the idea of spending weekends on the lake before returning to your brand new home, you’ll love Hermitage.
Ready to Move to Nashville? Get In Touch!
We hope these snapshots of Nashville’s under-sung neighborhoods help you on your home buying journey. Ironically, we find we spend more time in these areas, enjoying Uzbek somsas in Glencliff and hiking in Bellevue, than we do in the oft highlighted Gulch or West End. Even if you do find your dream home in one of Nashville’s more famous neighborhoods, we hope this list inspires you to explore and find something new to love about your city. If you’re ready to buy (or sell) your Nashville home-sweet-home, reach out to Zelda Sheldon with Nashville Real Estate Rockstars at Benchmark Realty LLC: (615) 720-7192 or office: (615) 432-2919