JBJ

My husband is very close to making a decision on a new job in Nashville. We have visited the area and love what we have seen so far. We currently live in Houston, so the climate and beautiful scenery would be a welcome change. I was hoping to get a little more specific relocation info. before we start talking to realtors (and more than previous posts here). First, location, location, location! What part of town (or suburb) should we focus on if we are looking for a neighborhood with young families, good schools and between 350K-500K? Are there any good Christian schools in the area? We don't want to be in town or near Vandy---definitely looking for more suburbia. Shopping and restaurants are good but not in the top 3 of our reasons to buy. Mainly, we just want a family friendly neighborhood (with lots of kids) near good schools. I would greatly appreciate any advice given!
Thanks!

virginiatraveler

We lived there for 4 years and loved it. Look into the northern section of Williamson County, which borders Davidson County (city of Nashville). Williamson County has great public schools, and many very good private ones as well...loads of young families! Our neighborhood was Horseshoe Bend, which will probably be along the prices your looking for (may be a little more by now).

AustinTraveler

Check out this relocation forum:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/nashville/

jent103

Definitely sounds like you're looking for Franklin or Brentwood. Franklin is in Williamson County; Brentwood is mostly in Williamson County but straddles the Davidson County (metro Nashville) border a bit. The south Nashville area has many private schools, the majority of which are Christian, although the Williamson County public schools are excellent. $350-500K would buy you a large, nice house, possibly with some land if you'd like that.

Both Franklin and Brentwood are definitely suburbia and will be close to the Cool Springs area, which has just about every chain you can think of - loads of stores and restaurants, movie theater, mall, etc. If it were me, and commute was not really an issue, I'd go with Franklin over Brentwood. However, depending on where your husband's job is, Brentwood might be an easier commute.

RandyK

JBJ-
I'm entirely too jealous. We moved to the Nashville area in 2000 due to work and have had to relocate to Virginia since then. We miss middle TN immensely. I would guess that cost of living will give you a good pick up in the Nashville area, property taxes are low in TN, no income tax although sales tax is a bit of a hit at 9.5% Franklin and Brentwood are nice locations but don't write off all areas around Vanderbilt. Nashville is a great city that many assume is just about country music. While that influence is huge, there are more studio musicians than anywhere in the U.S. and good music of every kind is every where. When you get settled, check out TPAC (TN Peforming Arts Center), the Nashville Symphony's new home, the Schemmerhorn and the Frist Museum. Good luck!

landrover

I am the rare Nashville native and have lived at some time or another in most areas. It does sound like what you are looking for might be Bretwood /Franklin area - excellent schools, both public and private, and lots of choices. It is a booming area with lots of families and very upscale - getting somewhat very developed and traffic is getting more congested. Housing prices are pretty high and second only to Nsshville West End area. Locals often choose to move to Hendersonville, Gallatin, and Hermitage since you get much more housing for your money and is a plus if you do water activities since they have two large lakes in the area - Old Hickory and Percy Priest. And for 500k you can have a very luxorious home in those areas. Many realtors steer newcomers to the Williamson county area where house pricing is much higher, especially if you come from cities where average homes are much more expensive - but home values in the area have proven to be a great investment although the market will determine if so in the future. All areas around Nashville have lots of private school options. There are two large Catholic high schools - one in Nashville convenient to Williamson County and a newer one in Hendersonville. The public schools in Nashville are like public schools in most larger urban areas and those that can afford to do private often do. The public schools in Williamson county and Sumner county are very good and many move there to avoid the private school expense (and buy better housing). Most all interstate systems have been are in the middle of being renovated and expanded and by large city standards, commuting is very easy (although all of us locals complain that it is not). Hopefully this helps, all transplants here profess to know the area but usually are not aware of the areas outside the area in which they live. I would take a trip and plan to scout out all areas. I now have chosen Hermitage to be close to the lake and greenways and convenent to I40 for those weekend trips to UT football games or the mountains and within 10 minutes of downtown and Titans games (we just got the first commuter rail in NAshville). My non-native friends usually do not know the area even exisited until they first visit. A house here at 300k would go for 700k in the heart of Brentwood.

KatieL

Where will your husband's job be? I would put a lot of weight on that. There are nice suburb areas in all directions outside of Nashville. I live west of town now, and I think the commute is the best. Traffic on I-40 is much better than trying to get south or north of town. I'm not sure about the commute East. I work downtown. I live at least twice as far as all of my coworks, but it takes me the same amount of time to get home during heavy traffic periods.

The co-worker who lives in Brentwood has by far the worst time getting home at 5:00.

Brentwood and Franklin are great areas, don't get me wrong. You can buy nice houses for your budget an either of those locations. I just wouldn't pick them, unless they are close to your husband's job.

There are Christian schools all over the city and suburbs. There are also many home schoolers everywhere.

I think I would suggest renting for about six months. It may be a pain, but you can interview different schools, visit some churches, and decide which area and commute fits your lifestyle the best.

I love Nashville! I hope you will also.