Thinking of living in Nashville? Music City is one of the best places to live in the Southeast, offering affordable housing options, low crime rates, great schools, and tons of family-friendly activities. If you’re settling down in Nashville with your family, here are five neighborhoods to consider!
Belmont-Hillsboro
Photo via @homesinnashville
- Home Price: $471,614 median purchase price; $1,177 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Tennessee cities
Historic Belmont-Hillsboro is a great neighborhood in Nashville for families! Residents have access to shops, restaurants, and a variety of fun things to do along 12South, and they can find homes in a wide range of options from cozy brick cottages to well-maintained Tudor-style homes, especially along charming Belmont Blvd. Parents looking for private schools in Nashville can send their children to nearby Linden Waldorf or to public schools like Waverly-Belmont Elementary School. Belmont-Hillsboro is also home to Belmont University, so it’s the perfect option for college students wanting to stay close to home!
Things to Do in Belmont-Hillsboro
Take the family on a tour of Belmont Mansion and see fully restored rooms with original furniture and artwork. Connect with your mind, soul, and body by taking a hot yoga class at Fahrenheit Yoga. Watch the kids swing from monkey bars, sign up for an aerobics class, or challenge yourself with a bootcamp course at Sevier Park Community Center. Watch the latest documentary, a classic movie, or an independent film at The Belcourt Theatre. Stop by the 12 South Farmers Market to stock up on locally grown fruits and vegetables. Visit Proper Bagel in the morning for an Iced Latte and Pumpernickel Bagel with Fresh Strawberry Butter. Enjoy seafood dishes like Wood-Fired Oysters or Shrimp & Grits at Urban Grub. Try authentic Lebanese foods like Grape Leaves, a Falafel Sandwich, or Kafta Burger at Epice. Or fill up on a Chili Queso Burger or Double Up Burger paired with fries at Burger Up.
Buena Vista
Photo via @madlandscapes
- Home Price: $326,300 median purchase price; $225 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Tennessee cities
Families looking to live close to all of the action in Downtown Nashville should check out Buena Vista! This safe, affordable Nashville neighborhood offers budget-friendly housing options for growing families, including newly constructed townhomes and Craftsman-style bungalows. Parents will also appreciate being close to schools like Hull-Jackson Montessori School and Jones Paideia Elementary Magnet School. In addition, Buena Vista has access to public transit services like Nashville MTA or Nashville B-Cycle!
Things to Do in Buena Vista
Go for a family walk at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where you can attend events like tree planting and sign your kids up for the Junior Ranger Program. Learn about the Civil War and the history of Tennessee at Tennessee State Museum. Swing by Nashville Public Library North Branch with the kids to check out some books. Rent a bike and go on a guided bike tour of Music City with Green Fleet Bicycle Shop. Grab Southern comfort dishes like Baked Chicken or Salmon Croquettes paired with Mac & Cheese at Silver Sands Cafe. Try Catfish Nuggets & Fries while sipping on a Cumberland Cooler at Germantown Pub. Gather with the family and feast on Sweet & Spicy or Strawberry Kick Wings at Rocky’s Wing Shack. Savor some of Nashville’s best BBQ at Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que with dishes like Short Ribs or a BBQ Pork Shoulder Sandwich. Or give in to your sweet tooth with a Sweet Potato Pie or Cherry Pie from Sweet Creations Pie Bakery.
Green Hills
Photo via @haurysmith
- Home Price: $491,215 median purchase price; $1,154 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Tennessee cities
Families seeking a quieter, more suburban lifestyle will enjoy living in Green Hills! This neighborhood is considered one of the most desirable areas to live in Nashville, as it’s home to trendy eateries, shopping hot spots, and good schools like Julia Green Elementary, JT Moore Middle School, and Lipscomb University. In addition to its beautiful, tree-lined streets, this Nashville neighborhood offers everything from affordable townhomes and cozy bungalows to large Colonial and Tudor-style homes.
Things to Do in Green Hills
Spend the day shopping at The Mall at Green Hills in popular stores like American Eagle, Nordstrom, and The North Face. See where country artists like LeAnn Rimes and Maren Morris have performed or attend open mic night to listen to up-and-coming talent at the legendary Bluebird Cafe. Find new books in genres ranging from commercial fiction to local interest books at Parnassus Books. Become a member at the Green Hills Family YMCA, where you can take a fitness class or sign the kids up for swim lessons. Enjoy New York deli sandwiches like the Corned Beef Sandwich at Noshville. Stop in for brunch at Green Hills Grille, where you can try Steak & Eggs or the Benedict Florentine while sipping on a Bellini. Savor Greek delicacies like Gyros or Mousaka at Greek Cafe. Or head to Etc. for date night and try entrees like Grilled Pork Loin or Filet Bruschetta.
Lockeland Springs
Photo via @tagrealestate
- Home Price: $335,680 median purchase price; $1,016 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 34% of Tennessee cities
A favorite Nashville neighborhood among families is Lockeland Springs! Located in East Nashville, this area offers walkable streets and bike-friendly areas, as well as plenty of green spaces like Lockeland Springs Park and the expansive Shelby Park. Lockeland Springs attracts families, thanks to its excellent schools like Lockeland Elementary School and its many housing options ranging from remodeled cottages to large new construction. And if you need to commute into Downtown Nashville, it’s a quick drive via US-41!
Things to Do in Lockeland Springs
Shop for unique gifts and goods at locally owned stores like The Goodbuy Girls, Fairytales Bookstore, or Raven & Whale Gallery within Five Points Alley Shops. Book an early tee time at Shelby Golf Course. Have a picnic with the family while enjoying views of the Cumberland River or let your furry friend run loose at the dog park at Shelby Park. Enroll your kiddos in a recreational youth team and practice your rock climbing skills at Climb Nashville East. Grab dinner at Lockeland Table, where you can find specials like Empanadas of the Day or a wood-fired Margherita Pizza. Eat vegetarian meals like the Veggie Burger, Portabella Tacos, or Stir-Fry Bowl at The Wild Cow. Head to Two Ten Jack for delicious ramen dishes like Spicy Crab Noodles or Garlic Noodles. Feast on Italian favorites like Bolognese Lasagna, Cheese Stuffed Ravioli, or Chicken Parmesan at Pomodoro East. Or order a Chocolate Raspberry Cake for the whole family from Sweet 16th Bakery!
Oak Hill
Photo via @richardfbryan
- Home Price: $546,000 median purchase price; $1,607 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Tennessee cities
About 15 minutes south of Downtown Nashville is Oak Hill! This Nashville suburb is generally calm and quiet, and most of its properties include large lots, expansive yards, and plenty of trees. Growing families can find sprawling ranches with contemporary touches, classic Colonial two-stories, and more for housing options in Oak Hill. Not to mention, families don’t have to look very far for good schools, as Oak Hills is home to Franklin Road Academy, John Overton High School, and Oak Hill School.
Things to Do in Oak Hill
Spend the day hiking one of the many trails and exploring the aviary at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Visit Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, which was once the home of Judge John Overton, close friend and advisor to President Andrew Jackson. Take your family on a self-guided 1.4-mile hike along the Nature Trail or visit the Education Garden and Honeybee Sanctuary at Glen Leven Farm. Tour the historic governor’s home, garden, and arboretum while learning about Tennessee’s history at Tennessee Governor’s Residence. Start your morning with a hearty brunch of Stuffed French Toast or PB&J Chicken Biscuits at The Nashville Jam Co. Dig into pizzas like Meat Lovers and Hawaiian at Yogi’s Pizzeria. Or order up a Hawaiian-inspired meal with dishes like the Classic King Tuna or Smoki Poki bowls at The Poki.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
