Hendersonville (Franklin, Oak Ridge, Brentwood: homes, public schools, camp)

[bobtn]

blessed2bamom, Lake is pricey, but in most parts of it, that should be doable.

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by SouthernStar

AAAhhhh, you see there's the problem. You are ignoring all facts about most of Madison because it might hurt your pocketbook. What is good for your property values is not always good for someone looking for honest information. Neighborhoods do not exist in a bubble. Most of us want to get gas and shop near where we live. It isn't fair or accurate to say Madison just has a bad rap because you haven't had drive byes in your particular neighborhood. And I gave instances of specific things that have occured in Madison, most of them in the last year. Do you deny that they occured?

Parts of Madison aren't very safe. I've said that.

But I don't understand why it's unreasonable for me to say that _my_ neighborhood is safe, when, in fact, _my neighborhood is safe._

And why is it unreasonable for me to be concerned about my property values when others -- who don't even live here -- are bad-mouthing my safe neighborhood by saying it _isn't_ safe because _other parts_ of Madison have problems?

I'm just asking for fairness here, and to stop with overgeneralizing about neighborhoods. I'm sure the good people of Antioch would appreciate it, too.

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by SouthernStar

AAAhhhh, you see there's the problem. You are ignoring all facts about most of Madison because it might hurt your pocketbook. What is good for your property values is not always good for someone looking for honest information. Neighborhoods do not exist in a bubble. Most of us want to get gas and shop near where we live. It isn't fair or accurate to say Madison just has a bad rap because you haven't had drive byes in your particular neighborhood. And I gave instances of specific things that have occured in Madison, most of them in the last year. Do you deny that they occured?

Originally Posted by Pimpy

Sounds like an oxymoron. I have friends that bought in East Nashville because of its "personality" and "diversity". They all regret it. They cough up at least $50 per month on home security systems, their cars have been broken into repeatedly, they have to drive miles away to somewhere more safe if they want to take a walk or a jog at night, etc. I don't have any of those problems. In fact, I've never seen a police officer on my street and I've been here over a year.

I understand that Madison and East Nashville are two different places, but would venture to say that over 75% of Madison is unsafe for raising a family. What I've seen of "The Bend" is nice, but most of Madison is a dump that is infested with crime, drugs, gangs, and illegals. I'm sorry if publicizing that bit of information hurts your property values, but people who are new to the area deserve to be informed.

I feel bad for your friends.

But that hasn't been my experience. Madison and East Nashville _are_ two different places.

And 99% of statistics are made up on the spot.

But the readers here can decide who to believe: someone who actually lives here (I'm a college professor, and my partner is an attorney), or someone who doesn't, and who seems to have problems with "diversity."

[Pimpy]

Originally Posted by mad fiddler

I'm sure the good people of Antioch would appreciate it, too.

All three of them would move to a safer area if they had any sense.

Ba-dum-ching. I'll be here all week.

[Pimpy]

Originally Posted by mad fiddler

But the readers here can decide who to believe: someone who actually lives here (I'm a college professor, and my partner is an attorney), or someone who doesn't, and who seems to have problems with "diversity."

It isn't that I have problems with "diversity," it's just that most neighborhoods that pride themselves on this trait are crime havens.

Maybe I'm just weird, but safety is a much bigger priority for me. If I'm going to take a stroll down my street after dark, I'd much rather know that I'm completely safe than know that I might hear five different languages spoken by my neighbors.

When I want to sample another culture, I eat at an ethnic restaurant.

Before you call me a racist or a xenophobe, a lady down the street from me immigrated here from Rwanda ten years ago, and I consider her one of my best friends in the neighborhood. She lives here for the same reason I do - because it is a very nice, safe area. Not because of its "diversity" or "personality" or any other abstract reason people cite when making home purchases that they ultimately regret.

[mad fiddler]

Originally Posted by Pimpy

It isn't that I have problems with "diversity," it's just that most neighborhoods that pride themselves on this trait are crime havens.

Maybe I'm just weird, but safety is a much bigger priority for me. If I'm going to take a stroll down my street after dark, I'd much rather know that I'm completely safe than know that I might hear five different languages spoken by my neighbors.

When I want to sample another culture, I eat at an ethnic restaurant.

Before you call me a racist or a xenophobe, a lady down the street from me immigrated here from Rwanda ten years ago, and I consider her one of my best friends in the neighborhood. She lives here for the same reason I do - because it is a very nice, safe area. Not because of its "diversity" or "personality" or any other abstract reason people cite when making home purchases that they ultimately regret.

But your underlying assumption is that diversity = crime. And then you say, without irony, "one of my best friends is black."

Not to mention you've ignored my point that I live in a diverse, working-class, SAFE neighborhood.

It's time to end this discussion.

[mom2three]

Originally Posted by blessed2bamom

Love reading all the posts - good and bad - slanted or not. I need to get a broad overview of the area for our family's upcoming relocation to the area. I have been wondering about Hendersonville and how affordable it is for what we are looking for in a house. Also, a major concern is how the schools are. We have a 1st grader and an up and coming kindergarten in another year so this is a big factor for us. Thanks for all the info. I am gleaning on Hendersonville! The lakes sound LOVELY! Is it possible to get a home right on the lake with dock access for under 425K? We are looking for 2700+ sq. feet with 3-4 BR's. Brick would be ideal. Any input?

Hi blessed2beamom. You should check out Welcome to Creekside. Nice community in Hendersonville, all brick. We are actually having a house built in that community. I have 3 children (6, 4, & 3). We are relocating from Long Island NY. Where are you coming from?

[SouthernStar]

Originally Posted by mom2three

My family and I are looking to relocate to Hendersonville in June of 2008. We have visited only once and absolutely loved it. We live on Long Island right now, and it is just getting worse and worse here (affordable housing, taxes, crime, ect.) Does anyone have any input on how the market has been in Hendersonville? Also I would love to hear any input from anyone else who has recently relocated to this area or anything anyone has to share about Hendersonville..good or bad.
Thanks

The market is good. There was never really a bubble here, so prices are still increasing at a very sustainable rate every year. For example, you can get a 4 bedroom/3 bathroom fairly new home in a very good area for under 250K. Or you can get a bit of a smaller home, but still very nice and in a nice area, for around 180k.

It is a wonderful place to raise kids. There are many great churches with lots of opportunities to get involved. There are several MOPS and other moms groups, so it is very easy to meet new people. Activities for the kids are very affordable. If you want them in mothers day out it is 120-130 per month per child for 9-2or3 two days per week. Pretty good deal! There is soccer, baseball, basketball, dance/gymnastics, horseback riding...Awesome parks, including Moss Wright Park (which might actually be right over the Goodlettsville line), Drakes Creek, and I can't remember the name of the wood park but my kids LOVE it. Great people, beautiful area, good schools... There are still some great mom and pop places. The people at my grocery store go out of their way to be helpful, the folks at a local breakfast place have cheap prices and GREAT customer service , and I've had great experiences with local nurseries (for plants, not kids) with people just going above and beyond. Support our local small business owners, they are what give a town it's charm and character! If you tell me the price range you are looking at I can give you a better idea of taxes. My home is valued at around 250k and the taxes were 1600 this past year. You can look up both the Hendersonville city tax and the Sumner county tax and calculate. I did that before we moved and it was spot on.

Also, if you need any suggestions on pediatricians, dentists, restaurants or whatever, let me know!

[SouthernStar]

Oh yeah, there is nothing like seeing a country music singer at Kroger I've seen Deanna Carter, the Oak Ridge Boys, Taylor Swift, Ricky Skaggs--all in Hendersonville! I've also seen Bucky Covington at the Wendy's by Vanderbilt

[mom2three]

Originally Posted by SouthernStar

The market is good. There was never really a bubble here, so prices are still increasing at a very sustainable rate every year. For example, you can get a 4 bedroom/3 bathroom fairly new home in a very good area for under 250K. Or you can get a bit of a smaller home, but still very nice and in a nice area, for around 180k.

It is a wonderful place to raise kids. There are many great churches with lots of opportunities to get involved. There are several MOPS and other moms groups, so it is very easy to meet new people. Activities for the kids are very affordable. If you want them in mothers day out it is 120-130 per month per child for 9-2or3 two days per week. Pretty good deal! There is soccer, baseball, basketball, dance/gymnastics, horseback riding...Awesome parks, including Moss Wright Park (which might actually be right over the Goodlettsville line), Drakes Creek, and I can't remember the name of the wood park but my kids LOVE it. Great people, beautiful area, good schools... There are still some great mom and pop places. The people at my grocery store go out of their way to be helpful, the folks at a local breakfast place have cheap prices and GREAT customer service , and I've had great experiences with local nurseries (for plants, not kids) with people just going above and beyond. Support our local small business owners, they are what give a town it's charm and character! If you tell me the price range you are looking at I can give you a better idea of taxes. My home is valued at around 250k and the taxes were 1600 this past year. You can look up both the Hendersonville city tax and the Sumner county tax and calculate. I did that before we moved and it was spot on.

Also, if you need any suggestions on pediatricians, dentists, restaurants or whatever, let me know!

Thanks so much for your info We are actually having a house built in a development called Creekside. It should be ready sometime in Sept./Oct. Once we are down there I may take you up on those suggestions