HILLSBORO VILLAGE, (Davidson County – Area 2) the residential area located closest to the Vanderbilt University (21st Ave. and west and east of 21st Ave.) has many bungalows, Tudors, arts and crafts, and clapboard homes, most of which were built in the 1920-30s. Many have been remodeled and redecorated; many others are ready for renewal. This area has seen an increasing number of new houses replacing more modest, “tear-downs”, a phenomenon common in urban areas in cities around the country. The majority of these homes are on small lots, approximately ¼ acre. This area is within walking distance of Vanderbilt University and has several outstanding schools all known for academic excellence and the diversity of their student populations: Eakin School (a public K-4 school); St. Bernard Catholic School (a private K-8 school); and the University School of Nashville (a K-12 private day school). In this neighborhood you can also walk to a grocery store, a post office, Fannie Mae Dees Park (known locally as “Dragon Park”), an independent movie theater, bakeries, coffeehouses, sidewalk cafes, restaurants, banks and many unique shops.

BELMONT/12 SOUTH (Davidson County – Area 2) lies to the south and east of the Hillsboro Village area, between Belmont Blvd. and 12th Ave. S./Granny White Pike and Belmont University and Green Hills. Like Hillsboro Village, this area has many types of homes: bungalows, Tudors, arts and crafts, and clapboard homes. In addition, there are many large, beautifully designed homes from the early 20th century, a number of which have been restored to their former splendor. Some of this area is within walking distance of Vanderbilt University. This neighborhood has a grocery store, specialty shops, several coffeehouses, a variety of restaurants, an international market, a number of churches and a mosque. The bustling 12th Ave. South corridor is home to a well-established yoga studio and Las Paletas, a local favorite for Mexican-style popsicles. This neighborhood is becoming more popular, especially for people who are handy or are ready to trade convenience of location for some remodeling time and expense. Well-renovated homes sell quickly in this area.

WOODMONT ESTATES (Davidson County – Area 2) is south of Vanderbilt where 21st Ave. changes its name to Hillsboro Rd. This area is just north of the Green Hills area and has streets that include large homes on large lots. This neighborhood is a short commute to Vanderbilt University by car or bicycle. Since its development in the 1930s-50s, this neighborhood has been well-maintained, and the homes between Woodlawn Drive and Woodmont Blvd., to the west of Hillsboro Rd., are considered prime real estate. This area is close to Green Hills Mall with the conveniences of shopping for brand name clothing, top restaurants, and movies in a 16-screen theater. Organic foods are available at Whole Foods, and book shopping is a treat at Davis-Kidd Bookstore where authors often appear to autograph their latest editions.

GREEN HILLS (Davidson County – Area 2) covers a large area to the east and west of Hillsboro Rd., going south toward Forest Hills. This is a mixed area with many homes built in the 1940s-50s. They range from large and expensive to smaller yet still fairly high-priced with many ranch houses. Throughout the area there are many planned developments with small lots and medium to very large houses. There are few truly gated communities but many compact communities. This area has shopping, restaurants, professional offices, banks, grocery stores, an excellent public elementary school as well as a number of private schools. Although the convenience of this neighborhood is outstanding, some families with young children find the small lots in the newer developments insufficient. Some of the newer developments do have common areas, making them desirable for those with young children and those who do not want the bother of maintaining a larger lawn.

FOREST HILLS/OAK HILL (Davidson County – Area 2) are two incorporated neighborhoods south of Nashville. Both have small self-governing bodies that enforce strict zoning codes with regard to issues such as lot size and construction. No commercial enterprises are allowed in either of these areas. Forest Hills and Oak Hill are located to the south on Hillsboro Rd. and on Franklin Rd. respectively. These communities have a variety of types of homes, more traditional than contemporary in design, but a few contemporaries with a California or coastal flavor are visible in the hilly areas. Many older homes are in these areas, but there are several new developments with large homes in gated or planned communities. The per capita income in both of these areas is among the highest in Middle Tennessee, trailing only Brentwood in Williamson County and Belle Meade in Davidson County. This area has good public elementary schools and some private and parochial schools. Most parts of these neighborhoods do not have sidewalks, so walking and hiking are relegated to parks and the Radnor Lake area that ties these two communities together with hiking and nature trails. The Tennessee Governor’s Mansion is located in Oak Hill. The proximity to Vanderbilt, Green Hills, and Brentwood is a plus for these areas.

CRIEVE HALL (Davidson County – Area 2) lies east of I-65 and Oak Hill and north of Brentwood. It is a 1950s suburban neighborhood created by subdividing farms and large estates, and the neighborhood’s name was taken from one of those estates. Nolensville Pike, which runs along the eastern edge of the neighborhood, boasts Nashville’s greatest concentration of ethnic restaurants and grocery stores. In addition to all of the standard amenities available in a suburban area, Crieve Hall is home to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, the Travellers Rest Plantation and Museum and the Ellington Agricultural Center.

BRENTWOOD/FRANKLIN (Williamson County – Area 10) in Williamson County begins at Old Hickory Blvd., on Franklin Rd. and Hillsboro Rd. Brentwood is a large suburban community about 15 miles south of Nashville. Brentwood, with the highest per capita income in the state, has experienced tremendous growth since it was founded in the 1940s. New homes, schools, shopping, parks/green space, and the general quality of life have sent Brentwood’s population skyrocketing in the past twenty years. Many new developments along Concord Rd. and Wilson Pike are situated on former horse farms and estates and now offer all of the latest amenities. Franklin, a few miles south of Brentwood, combines the old South and antebellum homes with modern, trendy shopping and dining. While the town square could easily be mistaken for a movie set with quaint shops, the other side of Franklin offers gigantic Cool Springs Galleria, a shopping city in itself, surrounded by many new residential developments with a range of prices and all sizes and types of residences. Franklin has a special school district for grades K-8, but its students in grades 9-12 go to Williamson County Schools. Williamson County has a vast array of parks, walking trails, outstanding libraries, and many family amenities.

RICHLAND/WEST END HISTORIC AREA (Davidson County – Area 2) features large early 20th century houses, many of which have been renovated to 21st century standards. The sidewalks and community atmosphere allow for mingling of neighbors, street parties, and community events. Garden and home tours are conducted in this area which is home to Jewish synagogues, several Protestant churches, the Catholic campus with schools/college, St. Thomas Medical Center, strip mall shopping, bookstores, and other conveniences. Because of the limited number of urban homes with historic zoning in close proximity to Vanderbilt University, these homes usually sell quickly. Adjacent to this area is a development called Whitworth with brand new to a decade + old homes, apartments, condominiums, and senior living facilities. A swimming and tennis club also is part of Whitworth, just behind Elmington City Park. This entire area is very close to the 440 loop, which adds convenience.

SYLVAN PARK (Davidson County – Area 2) lies west and north of the Richland/West End Historic area. It features homes built mostly in the first half of the 20th century in a variety of styles, including frame, brick and stone bungalows and cottages. The commercial area along the Murphy Road corridor boasts a number of popular restaurants and bars as well as a produce market and a eco-friendly general store. Climb Nashville, the city’s popular indoor rock-climbing spot, and the Nashville Ballet’s practice facilities are both located in Sylvan Park. The neighborhood is known for its tight-knit community and progressive feel. It is home to a public K-4 Paideia school.

BELLE MEADE (Davidson County – Area 2), a separately incorporated area with its own government, consists of estates and large homes, as well as surrounding Belle Meade Highlands an adjacent neighborhood with smaller and more modest dwellings. Belle Meade is exclusively residential, bordered at one end of its central boulevard by the lush Percy Warner Park, a city park with public golf courses, walking trails, picnic and wading areas near and in the Harpeth River. Close by is Cheekwood, the former estate of the founders of Maxwell House Coffee. Cheekwood was built in 1929 as the Cheek family residence and was later donated to the state of Tennessee for an art gallery, botanical gardens, art education center, and a tea room serving daily lunches. The building restrictions in Belle Meade are maintained by the commissioners and ensure the integrity of the longstanding traditions of this area. Aside from churches, the Belle Meade country club and a very few “grandfathered” multi-unit dwellings, this area consists of large single-family estates and upscale homes.

WEST MEADE/HILLWOOD (Davidson County – Area 2) consists of many streets of ranch style homes on acre + lots, built for the most part in the 1950s. In the past decade a luxurious Hill Place gated community was developed near the entrance to these communities. These homes are on smaller lots with the median price hovering at one million dollars. In the other neighborhoods in this area the homes vary from renovated ranches that are now redesigned two-story dwellings to smaller homes in West Meade where many three-bedroom, two-bath houses are available for smaller families or for those willing to remodel on the large lots. This area is close to many churches, public and private schools, the Gordon Jewish Community Center, shops at Belle Meade Galleria, and the fork of Highway 70/100, restaurants, and the Edwin and Percy Warner parks.

HIGHWAY 100/70-BELLEVUE (Davidson County – Area 2) is an area between these highways beyond what is known as Nine Mile Hill on Highway 70. This area is like a town within itself with single-home residential developments, apartments, condominiums, several small shopping malls, churches, a Hindu Temple, schools, movie theaters, childcare facilities, several nursing homes/senior care facilities and medical satellite centers. The broad range of sizes and prices of homes results in a neighborhood with diversity of ages and income levels. A playground, annual picnics, and community spirit are all welcoming elements to this community.