The Best Neighborhoods In Nashville To Buy A Home
Nashville, often referred to as "Music City," is home to a happening downtown area, famous fried chicken, and, of course, a vibrant music scene. Country music lies at the heart of this city, and there are numerous venues that have played a role in country music history (via The Tennessean). The city is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and also serves as the host of the Country Music Awards. That said, Nashville also boasts the Jack Daniel Distillery, several stunning golf courses, and more music than just country, ensuring that a multitude of interests and lifestyles can be catered to.
Though Nashville has fun and exciting nightlife and restaurants, the surrounding communities are also ideal for settling down and raising a family. Whether you're a young professional wanting to be in the heart of the city, or a family hoping to put down roots in the suburbs outside the hustle and bustle of downtown, Nashville is a wonderful and unique place to live. If you're looking to make a change or ponder a move to this southern city, we've rounded up the best neighborhoods in Nashville to buy a home.
The Gulch
Located in the heart of Nashville, The Gulch is a vibrant and rapidly growing LEED-certified community — in fact, the first LEED neighborhood in the South (via The Gulch). According to the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification is granted to "cities and communities with responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to the quality of life." Its prime location just two blocks from the Music City Center, combined with its environmental responsibility and young up-and-coming population, makes it a rapidly flourishing neighborhood. Although the area was sparsely populated until the early 2000s, it has quickly made a name for itself as one of Nashville's coolest scenes. Because the majority of businesses and homes in The Gulch are relatively recently constructed, the quality, design, and style are representative of the vibrant young community. The attention to aesthetic and environmental issues has led to slightly higher prices than in other Nashville neighborhoods, bringing the median home cost to around $730,000 (via Redfin).
Berry Hill
Located just south of Downtown Nashville, the city of Berry Hill offers residents the unique experience of small town charm amidst the boundaries of a major city. According to City of Berry Hill, Berry Hill is one of Nashville's six satellite cities, which means it's a proper city of its own, though it's still within Metro Nashville/Davidson County. Although the picturesque tree-lined streets give the illusion of what could be a sleepy residential neighborhood, those who reside in Berry Hill very quickly realize the wealth of funky independently-owned shops, restaurants, city parks, and over 40 recording studios and music publishers in this neighborhood alone. While many of the side streets in Berry Hill boast '40s cottage-style homes, new developments on the main streets of the neighborhood offer townhomes, condominiums, apartments, and houses available for those looking for a more modern space. The median home price comes in at around $420,000, which is a great value considering the charm and location of this unique community (via Realtor).
East Nashville
Known as a hub for those seeking a creative, bohemian lifestyle, East Nashville is a diverse neighborhood providing an interesting blend of artists, families, and business people with a shared love of this neighborhood's character and diversity. According to The Washington Post, East Nashville offers a notably upper-class, free-spirited energy, boasting a wide array of quirky independent businesses, record stores, pubs, vintage stores, bodegas, and restaurants. This neighborhood is something referred to as the "Portlandia" of the South.
East Nashville exemplifies both the historic charm and modern boom of the city of Nashville in general. While many of the homes in East Nashville were constructed in the early 1900s, the area was also home to what some call Nashville's culinary revolution in the early 2000s, bringing modern fine dining restaurants, cool and casual burger joints, and stylish cocktail bars to the neighborhood (via Visit Music City). While the home prices in this neighborhood can vary greatly, the median home price comes out to $575,000 across East Nashville (via Redfin).
Germantown
What was once a quaint, European immigrant neighborhood dating back to the late 1800s, has since become one of the most exciting urbanized neighborhoods in all of Nashville. According to StyleBlueprint, Germantown's unique combination of historic sites and constructions, with entirely modernized high-end establishments, has made this community one of the most visited and popular neighborhoods for homeowners and tourists alike. Germantown is home to some of the most renowned restaurants in the South, hosting multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs.
In addition to its bustling food scene, Germantown's brick-paved sidewalks, 19th century historic homes, and tree-lined streets mesh almost artistically with the rapidly growing modern constructions, giving the neighborhood a unique and attractive character. Rated the #3 best neighborhoods to buy a house in Nashville by Niche, Germantown is truly the ideal location to settle down and lay roots in Nashville. Plus, with a median home cost of only $367,000, purchasing a home in Germantown is markedly more affordable than in other neighboring communities.
Belmont/Hillsboro Village
Located southwest of Downtown Nashville, the Belmont/Hillsboro Village neighborhood is so much more than your average college town. Considering the fact that Vanderbilt University and Belmont University are located here, this area is home to a diverse community of professors, artists, families, students, and young professionals alike. This wide range of residents makes Belmont/Hillsboro Village one of the most dynamic and interesting areas in all of Nashville, and with the majority of residents between the ages of 19 and 40, there is a bustling, youthful energy streaming through the community at all times (via Movoto).
Although the rapid influx of younger residents in the last couple of decades has allowed this neighborhood to be one of the most exciting, vibrant places in Nashville in recent years, it has also come with rapidly rising home prices. What was once a quieter, less expensive, more suburban neighborhood, has quickly become a pricer place to live. With a median home cost of around $1.5 million, many long-time residents are able to sell their homes for a wildly increased margin from its original cost (via Realtor).
12 South
What was once considered an up-and-coming Nashville neighborhood, 12 South has solidified its place as one of the busiest, most popular destinations for homeowners, tourists, and locals alike. According to Nashville Guru, 12 South is located just ten minutes from downtown Nashville, allowing for easy transportation and access to the ultra-urban feel of Downtown from anywhere in the relatively small neighborhood. The area boasts some of the most aesthetically-pleasing shopping and dining in all of Nashville. From trendy coffee shops to unique vintage boutiques and Nashville-style guitar joints, the charm and style of 12 South make it an ultra-desirable location for those looking to settle down in one of the more urban feeling communities of the city.
The prime location and consistent popularity also come with an increased cost of living. While purchasing a home for under $500,000 is achievable in many Nashville neighborhoods, the median home cost comes in at just over $1.1 million (via Redfin). Although this is more expensive than many of its neighboring communities, for those with a bigger budget, 12 South truly has it all.
Green Hills
Located on the southern edge of the Downtown Nashville area, Green Hills is one of the city's largest and most carefully-curated communities. According to The Matt Ward Group, Green Hills provides suburban-style living, yet its proximity to Downtown makes commuting to work a breeze. It's also quite close to Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities. Although many of the streets across the Green Hills neighborhood are reminiscent of the most picturesque, Southern-style tree-lined small town, the area is also well known for its high-end shopping, delicious fine dining options, and an array of exciting entertainment venues (via Nashville Guru). Green Hills also boasts some of the most highly-ranked public and private schools across all of Nashville, making the neighborhood ideal for those looking to settle down and start a family. While Green Hills does offer homes at a wide variety of costs, the median home cost falls around $425,000 (via Zillow).
North Nashville
In a city chock-full of history, North Nashville stands out as one of the most culturally diverse, impressive historical neighborhoods in all of Nashville. According to Visit Music City, North Nashville is home to three renowned historically Black universities and has been recognized as a Black cultural hub. A wealth of BIPOC-owned businesses, venues, and music studios on Jefferson Street have allowed North Nashville to produce some of the most prolific works of Nashville's thriving jazz and R&B scenes. A stroll down the neighborhood's other main drag, Buchanan Street, allows residents and tourists alike to enjoy a wide variety of delicious restaurants, stylish boutiques, coffee shops, and lively bars (via The CityLiving Group). North Nashville is one of the city's most rapidly up-and-coming neighborhoods, and while many homes or condominiums in the area remain affordable, the median home cost has risen dramatically over the last decade and currently comes in at just over $504,000 (via Rocket Homes).
Sylvan Park
Looking for a family-friendly neighborhood to purchase a home? Situated just over 4 miles southwest of Downtown Nashville, Sylvan Park offers a quiet community feeling just a stone's throw away from the hustle and bustle of a more urban district (via Visit Music City). Sylvan Park is a historic neighborhood boasting old homes that have undergone modern renovations, giving residents the best of both worlds (via Ashton Real Estate Group). Sylvan Park can be characterized by its quaint charm, and for upholding a sense of Southern hospitality and tradition in the rapidly developing city of Nashville. It's home to multiple parks, McCabe Golf Course, playgrounds, community centers, restaurants, and shops, making it the perfect location for families of all ages and interests. The median home cost in Sylvan Park falls just above $417,000, a fairly standard price for a renovated historical home across the greater Nashville area (via Living TN).
Donelson
Located just east of Downtown, Donelson is one of the most competitive neighborhoods for those looking to purchase a home in Nashville. According to The Tennessean, this once quiet, suburban area has rapidly grown into one of the most sought-after neighborhoods, and for good reason. It's situated near Nashville's main interstate I-40 and equipped with impressive public transportation, including commuter rail lines making commuting into the center of the city a breeze. Donelson also attracts many visitors and potential residents with its flourishing community pride and activities. Among a variety of events, Donelson is home to the region's largest community farmer's market, which attracts over 60,000 visitors annually. Most of the houses on the market in Donelson are family move-in-ready ranch-style homes, allowing the community to maintain its suburban visual appeal despite its rapid growth.
The median home cost in Donelson is $371,000 (via Rocket Homes). With lower prices than other similarly valued neighborhoods comes a strong seller's market, as many potential buyers find themselves putting in offers on a handful of homes before being accepted. However, for those patient and lucky enough to purchase a home in this charming neighborhood, Donelson is the ideal place to buy a home.
Downtown Nashville
Looking for a true sense of urban living? As Nashville is rapidly becoming one of the most popular cities in the South, Downtown Nashville has developed into a prime location for young professionals to purchase their first homes or condominiums in what has proven to be a truly buzzing city atmosphere. According to Niche, living in Downtown Nashville offers residents a front-row seat to the bustling music scene this city is so well known for. With block after block of music venues, acclaimed restaurants, and endless shopping options, there is never a dull moment for the residents of this city's vibrant Downtown district. Living in Downtown Nashville — a high-density area — of course does mean sacrificing square footage and yard space for location and ample activities. With a median home cost of around $665,000, owning doesn't come cheap, but if you're looking for city living, it'll be well worth it (via Redfin).
Capitol View
Last, but certainly not least, we have the incredible Capitol View district. Technically part of Downtown, this master-planned and mixed-use construction includes offices, retail shops, restaurants, multi-family residential units, hotels, and an urban activity park. Considering it backs onto the Nashville Greenway, it affords residents easy access to nature despite the city-center location (via Capitol View Nashville). Because of its conception and execution as an urban zone, the homes available for purchase in this area are newly constructed condominium-style homes with state-of-the-art appliances and a lot of modern conveniences. The residential amenities are plentiful, and include a rooftop saltwater pool, fitness club, resistance pool, sauna, and more. The median home price across Capitol View lands around $395,000 (via Realtor.com). With its prime, walkable location and up-to-date construction of every building in the neighborhood, this price proves to be a worthy investment for many young Nashville residents — especially those who want to feel like they're living in a 5-star hotel.