Bellevue questions (Franklin, Brentwood, Green Hill: mcmansion, condos, work)

[MTbound]

I have lived in and around Nashville off and on since 1986. Most recently in the 12th South District which was a great location. However, due to several things (like my landlord selling the house I live in) we have moved out on Highway 70 right on the edge of West Meade/Bellevue. It is still a hop, skip, and jump to town and I love that I have seen deer while I drive. I am curious if anyone knows why this area doesn't seem to be expanding as quickly as 24 E into Rutherford and 65 S into Williamson. West Nashville is beautiful and lush (Okay maybe not right now with the drought). I am also curious to know what restaurants Bellvue folks would recommend.
Thanks!

[Pimpy]

Bellevue is a nice area. I think it isn't expanding as fast as some of the surrounding counties because people who 1) can afford to live there, and 2) are willing to make a commute into town to work, would rather go somewhere like Franklin or Rutherford County where the schools are better.

Look at the areas of Nashville that are growing. Downtown, East Nashville, Antioch. Not exactly the most family-friendly areas. It's hard to grow a "suburb" that is still in Davidson County because one of the reasons people move to the suburbs is to get OUT of Davidson County.

That said, Bellevue is a great area, safe, lots of stuff for families to do, no projects that I can think of... it's a shame that Metro schools are in the shape they're in.

[MTbound]

I have heard things about the schools as well but we were able to keep our child in the Hillsboro Cluster (Julia Green) as long as we transport him.

[alleycat]

I live in Bellevue. As far as I'm concerned, it's grown plenty in the past twenty-five years. Where the mall is now was a hay field in 1985. There used to be cows across the road from where I live . . . now there's condos and houses. I certainly hope it doesn't get as crowded and congested as the I-65/I-24 corridors. One factor is the availability of suitable land for building on. In the past it was too expensive to make the hillsides buildable; sadly, they're doing it now, such as at the new construction on Old Hickory (where they had to dynamite part of the hillside away).

As for restaurant, there's not that many in Bellevue itself, but, as you mentioned, it's a short drive into the West End, Green Hills, 21st Avenue areas. Antonio's is about the only really special restaurant in Bellevue. Then there's the Loveless and Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre just down the road. There are a few other restaurants in Bellevue such as Appleby's and Jonathon's; I consider them just a step up from fast-food restaurants.

Enjoy watching the deer (I've seen just about everything in Bellevue since I live near the Harpeth River); of course, you don't want to see the deer up too close . . . such as on the bumper of your car when you're doing 75 on Highway 70S. I almost ran into a wild turkey as I was driving through Cheatham Country one time . . . believe me, when you see a huge wild turkey about to come flying through your windshield, it will look larger than an elephant.

[MTbound]

Originally Posted by alleycat

believe me, when you see a huge wild turkey about to come flying through your windshield, it will look larger than an elephant.

That was a great laugh. Thanks ... I needed that this morning. I lived off HWY 100 in the summer of '86 in a neighborhood right across from Chaffin DInner Barn and I can't even figure out where the road is now. Of course I was right out of high school then and spent most my time at the then BRAND new Starwood Ampitheatre. I am not a big fan of Williamson County (I spend lots of time in Brentwood, where my sister lives, listening to the teenage girls one up each other with the kind of horses they own) so we knew we wanted to stay in Davidson (gasp for all those who think this is some crime ridden place) and so far I think moving out to Bellevue is GREAT. We did get spoiled with the Green Hills Kroger and Wild Oats. What grocery store do you use in Bellevue?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by MTbound

That was a great laugh. Thanks ... I needed that this morning. I lived off HWY 100 in the summer of '86 in a neighborhood right across from Chaffin DInner Barn and I can't even figure out where the road is now. Of course I was right out of high school then and spent most my time at the then BRAND new Starwood Ampitheatre. I am not a big fan of Williamson County (I spend lots of time in Brentwood, where my sister lives, listening to the teenage girls one up each other with the kind of horses they own) so we knew we wanted to stay in Davidson (gasp for all those who think this is some crime ridden place) and so far I think moving out to Bellevue is GREAT. We did get spoiled with the Green Hills Kroger and Wild Oats. What grocery store do you use in Bellevue?

I go to Publix now because those Kroger store are too large (it takes me forever to go up and down all the aisles . . . and, of course, they've planned it so you do have to go down every blasted aisle even if you just need ten items). The employees at Publix are pretty friendly and polite too. For years and years the store that many native Nashvillian went to was Hills; I used to go to the one in Belle Meade. There's not too many Hills left now. Publix is probably a little more expensive, but worth it to me. I've never shopped at Teeter, but some people really like it because it supposedly carries some uncommon items that are hard to find here in Nashville.

I have nothing against Brentwood, but I don't want to live there either. Funny, the "old money" in Williamson County pokes a little good-natured fun at the new arrivals in Brentwood. The newcomers will sell thier house in someplace like California and buy one of those huge houses in Brentwood for the same amount of money . . . but then they move their old furntiure in. There will be a huge, elegant Georgian home . . . with furniture from Rooms To Go. Or else, they won't have enough furniture to fill the house. (No offense meant to anyone in Brentwood).

Did you live in Pasqua (sp?), or further down Highway 100?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by alleycat

I live in Bellevue. As far as I'm concerned, it's grown plenty in the past twenty-five years. Where the mall is now was a hay field in 1985. There used to be cows across the road from where I live . . . now there's condos and houses. I certainly hope it doesn't get as crowded and congested as the I-65/I-24 corridors. One factor is the availability of suitable land for building on. In the past it was too expensive to make the hillsides buildable; sadly, they're doing it now, such as at the new construction on Old Hickory (where they had to dynamite part of the hillside away).

As for restaurant, there's not that many in Bellevue itself, but, as you mentioned, it's a short drive into the West End, Green Hills, 21st Avenue areas. Antonio's is about the only really special restaurant in Bellevue. Then there's the Loveless and Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre just down the road. There are a few other restaurants in Bellevue such as Appleby's and Jonathon's; I consider them just a step up from fast-food restaurants.

Enjoy watching the deer (I've seen just about everything in Bellevue since I live near the Harpeth River); of course, you don't want to see the deer up too close . . . such as on the bumper of your car when you're doing 75 on Highway 70S. I almost ran into a wild turkey as I was driving through Cheatham Country one time . . . believe me, when you see a huge wild turkey about to come flying through your windshield, it will look larger than an elephant.

Hey alleycat, what's happening with the mall in Bellevue? I read that Dillard's is closing their store, leaving only sears and Macy's. The last time I was there, the inside of the mall was almost empty. It's so sad. Since you have connections in Nashville, have you heard what they plan on doing with the mall? I mean, surely they (the owners) aren't going to just let it die.

I think Bellevue is a really nice part of Davidson County. I just wish the mall would do well and not become a blight on the suburban landscape.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by JMT

Hey alleycat, what's happening with the mall in Bellevue? I read that Dillard's is closing their store, leaving only sears and Macy's. The last time I was there, the inside of the mall was almost empty. It's so sad. Since you have connections in Nashville, have you heard what they plan on doing with the mall? I mean, surely they (the owners) aren't going to just let it die.

I think Bellevue is a really nice part of Davidson County. I just wish the mall would do well and not become a blight on the suburban landscape.

It's still up the air as far as I know. The mall owners have been meeting with residents of the area, but they've also been pretty close-mouthed about their plans. I think I've heard something mentioned about putting some smaller stores along the perimeter to draw more traffic.

I rarely went to the mall myself. To me, it was just a "clothing" mall. Even the Sears didn't have a home department. I went looking for curtain rods there one time and was told they didn't carry those at that store. Well. I certainly wasn't going to go to Sears to buy my wardrobe. If the owners don't change their focus, it might very well die. Malls don't have the draw they used to with all the "big box" stores around . . . as well as a nearby Super Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buys, Sam's Club, Target, and others. I wish they had put a Target in the mall, but Target seems to prefer their own locations.

[MTbound]

It was Pasqua (sp). I was just out of high school and moved down here for the summer to live with my sister (now in Brentwood) and have some fun. I have tried to leave Tennessee multiple times (I don't like the summers) but I find that I keep coming back (I love the area).

[KathyNashville]

I'm a West Meader and LOVE the west side of Nashville. My husband works in Brentwood so he has an easy commute down 100 to OHB. I work in the airport area and since the Briley mess finally seems to be done and over with my commute isn't bad either. We honestly don't think we will ever leave the west side. Our friends in Brentwood don't "get" our 40 year old ranch house on 2 acres, but we wouldn't trade it for a McMansion on 1/4 acre anywhere.

As far as restaurants, our regulars in the area are Sportsman's Grille and Finezza right at the 100/70 split, Bread & Company on 100 across from Harris Teeter (my second favorite grocery after Publix in Bellevue), City Limits Bakery and Pizza Perfect (both on Crofton off Old Harding Road in Bellevue), Dalton's in the Kroger shopping center on 70 in Bellevue, Jim and Nick's BBQ on Charlotte by Wal-Mart, Loveless Cafe, and in the White Bridge Road area Jersey Mikes for sandwiches, Kebab Gyro for Greek, Ceasar's for old school Italian and the sushi place that used to be called Ben Kay.

We are really excited about the Nashville West shopping center and have been regulars at Costco since it opened over there (another great reason not to drive to Cool Springs anymore!). Can't wait for the center to finish.

We regularly see turkeys, deer, raccoon, skunks, possums, hawks and have had a nesting family of great horned owls in the oak tree in our yard for the last few years. We love the west side too!