Thinking of moving to 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 the capital of Tennessee, check out these five best neighborhoods in Nashville for families!
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12 South
- Home Price: $ 564,625 median purchase price; $1,379 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Tennessee cities
Historic 12 South is a great area for families! As one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Nashville, families can access shops, and restaurants, and look at the murals lining buildings along the famous 12th Ave South. Parents can find Bungalows, American Foursquare, and Tudor Revival homes along tree-lined streets—and kids can attend private schools in Nashville like the nearby Linden Waldorf, or public schools like Waverly-Belmont Elementary School. Plus, if your kids are college-aged, they can stay close to home while attending Belmont University. 12 South is also a great place for families to get involved in the community by joining the 12 South Neighborhood Association or attending the 12 South Farmers Market from May to October.
Things to Do in 12 South
See impactful performances like Legally Blonde: The Musical, Our Planet Live in Concert, and Beauty and the Beast at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Watch the kids swing from monkey bars, sign up for an aerobics class, or challenge yourself with Pilates at Sevier Park Community Center. Connect with your mind, soul, and body by taking a hot yoga class at Fahrenheit Yoga. Dress up for date night with the latest fashion trends from stores like Imogene + Willie or Emerson Grace. Make your own bowl of cereal, try The Elvis milkshake, or Cereal Milk Latte from Nashville’s first cereal bar, Wanna Spoon Cereal Bar! Enjoy seafood dishes like Wood-Fired Oysters, Pork Fries, or Shrimp & Grits at Urban Grub. Try authentic Lebanese foods like Grape Leaves, a Falafel Sandwich, or a Lamb Shank at Epice. Or fill up on a French Onion Burger, Double Up Burger, or the Mr. Lewis Patty Melt at Burger Up.
Brentwood
- Home Price: $682,100 median purchase price; $2,033 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Tennessee cities
If you’re looking to live outside of the city, consider living in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood! Residents can find Tudor and Federal-style homes with large yards, making this area perfect for growing families. Brentwood also offers scenic green spaces and opportunities for outdoor recreation at the nearby Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary and Radnor Lake State Park. This area doesn’t skimp on education, either—since parents can send their kids to top-rated schools like Brentwood High School or Ravenwood High in Williamson County Schools. Need to commute to Nashville for work? Brentwood is only a quick 30-minute drive away!
Things to Do in Brentwood
Let your kids go down the slides at the playground, attend the Summer Concert Series at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater, or play a game of frisbee golf at Crockett Park. Admire the landscape and native wildlife while walking among the 27 acres at Deerwood Arboretum. Drop your teen off for Friday skate night, or go roller skating on Saturdays with the family at Brentwood Skate Center. Become a member to play a game of golf on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature course, go swimming, or dine at The Governors Club. Looking for BBQ in Brentwood? Devour a Pulled Pork Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, or BBQ Plates paired with Fried Okra or Turnip Greens from Judge Bean’s BBQ. Order Korean-inspired entrees like Bibimbap, Yaki Udon Noodles, or Gochujang Chicken from Soy Bistro. Try the Chicken Tandoori, Lamb Biryani, or Chicken Pepper Fry from Amaravati Indian Cuisine. Or enjoy Mexican staples like Fajitas Locas, Carne Asada, and Enchiladas Rancheras from Fabian Mexican Restaurant.
East Nashville
- Home Price: $479,033 median purchase price; $1,586 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Tennessee cities
Located along the Cumberland River is the large Nashville neighborhood of East Nashville. Close to downtown—and one of the most walkable areas in the city—East Nashville offers families convenient access to shops and restaurants located in the Fatherland District. Known for its quirky, eclectic vibe, Nashville residents can find housing options among Bungalows and family homes dating back to the 1900s. Plus, parents won’t have to look far for great schools because East Nash is home to many schools like Lockeland Elementary School, Hattie Cotton Elementary, and Nashville Classical Charter School.
Things to Do in East Nashville
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. Learn about Nashville’s natural and urban landscape at The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, and explore 960 acres at the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area. Go behind the scenes with the Backstage Tour, or attend “the show that made country music famous” at the Grand Ole Opry. Listen to in-store performances while you shop for records and CDs at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music. For French-inspired dishes with a Southern twist, try the Steamed Mussels or Grilled Sirloin from Margot Cafe & Bar. Order the Fried Chicken Sandwich or CrustBurger paired with a Waffle Hashbrown at Joyland. Try the Nicoletto’s Spinach Fettuccine & Mushroom Cream Sauce, Margherita Pizza, or Joyce Farms Roasted Harissa Chicken at Lockeland Table. Or for delicious ramen dishes like Spicy Crab Noodles, Tonkotsu, or Garlic Noodles, head to Two Ten Jack.
Franklin
- Home Price: $438,800 median purchase price; $1,553 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Tennessee cities
Located about 30 minutes from Nashville proper, the city of Franklin is one of the best places to live in the South! Named after Benjamin Franklin in 1799, this Nashville suburb is most well-known for being the historic site of the Civil War Battle of Franklin. Housing styles reflect the historical richness of the neighborhood including options like Tudors, Neocolonial, and Federals, among Contemporary homes. Though rich in history, the city also has plenty of modern appeal to offer in the Downtown Franklin area, which is full of restaurants, shops, bars, and more. And families can send their children to Franklin schools like Franklin Elementary School, Popular Grove Elementary School, and Franklin Classical School. For those working in the medical field, Franklin is home to Williamson Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt.
Things to Do in Franklin
Tour the Carter House, the Lotz House, and Carnton, all important sites of the Battle of Franklin. Spend time in the fields feeding, petting, and taking pictures with alpacas at Mistletoe Farm Alpacas. Attend concerts, theater productions, movies, and more at the historic Franklin Theatre. Play a game of doubles, watch the kids go down the slide, or play a game of basketball at Jim Warren Park. Try the Deviled Eggs, Chicken, Shrimp, & Sausage Gumbo, or Fried Green & Pimento BLT at 55 South. Grab a Tuna Melt, 4th Ave Club, or Mable’s Pecan Chicken Salad at Franklin Mercantile. Enjoy Bacon Wrapped Figs, Shrimp & Popcorn Cheddar Grits, or Heritage Buttermilk Fried Chicken while listening to live music at Gray’s on Main. Or savor Italian favorites like Nonna’s Lentil Soup, Verdure Miste Sandwich, or Campanele—and save room for Cannoli from Culacinno Italian Restaurant + Bar.
Green Hills
- Home Price: $491,215 median purchase price; $1,154 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Tennessee cities
Families seeking a quieter, suburban lifestyle in Nahsville will enjoy living in the safe, affordable neighborhood of Green Hills! This family-friendly area is home to trendy eateries and shopping hot spots. Plus, there are fantastic Nashville Public Schools nearby like Julia Green Elementary, JT Moore Middle School, or Hillsboro High School—while college students looking to stay close to home can attend 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 in Nashville at popular stores like Fabletics, Marc Jacobs, or Nordstrom at The Mall at Green Hills. 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 fiction to local interest books at Parnassus Books. Attend the Green Hills Park Festival, or play with the kids on the playground at Green Hills Park. Enjoy New York deli sandwiches like the Monte Cristo, Corned Beef Sandwich, or Tennessee Club Sandwich at Noshville. For dinner, try the Sweet Potato Salad, Salmon BLT, or Lemon Artichoke Chicken when dining at Green Hills Grille. Devour Fried Pickles, a Philly Cheese Steak, or a Smash Burger at Crow’s Nest. Or for date night, try entrees like Grilled Pork Ribeye, Cornmeal Catfish, or Baked Feta at Etc.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
