Hillsboro Village (Germantown, Brentwood, Green Hill: apartments, rent, lofts)

[cdward]

Hi folks. My wife and I are thinking of moving to the Hillsboro village area due to its proximity to our new jobs (which are both near Vandy). There are a couple of other areas we've been looking at as well but we've heard a lot of good things about this area in particular. I was wondering if anyone living there (or anyone who has lived there) could give me some additional insight specifically when it comes to things like crime, noise, etc. Thanks!

[gochberg]

I also work at Vanderbilt, and I used to live in Hillsboro Village. It is a great place, but expensive. Houses go for $250-$300/sq foot. My wife and I bought a turn of the century house in nearby Edgehill. It is just as close to Vanderbilt and much cheaper (purchase + renovation ~$150-$250/sq foot). It is a poorer neighborhood and there is public housing, but it still may be a neighborhood worth considering.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by cdward

Hi folks. My wife and I are thinking of moving to the Hillsboro village area due to its proximity to our new jobs (which are both near Vandy). There are a couple of other areas we've been looking at as well but we've heard a lot of good things about this area in particular. I was wondering if anyone living there (or anyone who has lived there) could give me some additional insight specifically when it comes to things like crime, noise, etc. Thanks!

I lived in Hillsboro Village for a few months one summer, and my brother lived there for a few years while at Vandy. I love love love Hillsboro Village. Besides the convenience to Vandy, you can walk to the grocery store, post office, banks, Nashville's arthouse movie theater, an excellent French bakery, a variety of restaurants, and Dragon Park.

My brother experienced no crime at all while living there. His wife and kids routinely walked by themselves to run errands or visit friends in the neighborhood and never felt unsafe.

People who live there are very proud of their urban neighborhood and for good reason. As gochberg said, however, it ain't cheap. But for many people it's worth it.

[HouseWhisperer]

It is a bit expensive but many would say well worth it. To live and work in the same area in my opinion is the best of both worlds. There is every type of home that you could want there, single family, town home, condo, etc. if you are on the edge of the neighborhood working east from 12 ave the prices get a little better (you will hear people talk of "12th South" and "Waverly" neighborhoods. I lived in the area for over 10 years and LOVED it. I am now in East Nashville, worth a look if the prices are too high near Vandy. We like to call it "hip and urban". You make the call! Welcome to Nashville.

[alleycat]

Hillsboro Village is an interesting area. I think you'll like it there.

[nellie_nashville]

Hillsboro Village is a great location because you can walk/bike to Vanderbilt, Belcourt Theatre, post office, banks, Harris Teeter grocery store, shopping and restaurants on Hillsboro Pike/21st Avenue South. Whoever said there is no crime, of course, was wrong, but it is very limited compared to other areas (see Vanderbilt Police crime log).

Rent is expensive for shoddy older buildings. There is no incentive for landlords to fix apartments because it is such a popular area, especially with Vanderbilt grad/med/law students and employees without cars. I have been living in Hillsboro Village for 6 years and every summer I check out vacant places, the rent is up $50-100. If you are buying, check out the new buildings on Wedgewood near 21st.

If you have a car, there are many other neighborhoods, which are hip and more bang for your buck whether you are renting or buying.

(1) Germantown - historic area, adjacent to the Farmer's Market, adjacent to a a green walkway/bikepath, close to downtown (actually considered downtown) with new fabulous lofts and townhouses. Also consider Row8.9 and Ireland28 across from the Farmers Market. Some of the best restaurants in Nashville are located in Germantown. They are a cohesive neighborhood (check out their blog) and fun, with an annual Oktoberfest and other events. I live here now and it is better than Hillsboro Village. Hillsboro Village was great when I was a grad student, but now I'd rather be around adults. 4 miles from Vanderbilt and Hillsboro Village.

(2) 12th South - Hip shops and restaurants. Pricey.

(3) East Nashville - around 5 Points is very hip (restaurants, bars, etc). Good housing prices. A commute that takes longer than it should (bottlenecks crossing the river).

(4) Gulch - This is the most happening area in Nashville with restaurants, bars, music, condo highrises going up. Less than 3 miles from Vanderbilt.

(5) Downtown - New condos, arts district. The downtown cubs are cheesey, but you would be close to the symphony, Broadway shows at TPAC, the Y (gym), and the stadium. New downtown grocery store.

(6) Belmont - Very close to Vanderbilt. Charming houses. Close to Hillsboro Village and 12th South depending on which side of the neighborhood you live on. Rent isn't expensive, but buying is.

(7) Green Hills - Short commute to Vanderbilt mileage-wise, but not by your watch. Near the shopping mall, a Y (gym), grocery shopping. More for those who like traditional-looking housing. Whole Foods opened in Green Hills. Reasonable prices (compared to Hillsboro Village).

(8) Belle Meade/Forrest Hills - One of the areas with the highest per capita incomes in this entire nation.

(9) Midtown - Close to Vanderbilt/walking-biking distance. A lot of students live around here. Generally considere to encompass Elliston Place, Church Street, Division St., as well as across from Vanderbilt (I guess Edgehill St. would be a dividing line).


Avoid Avoid Avoid Antioch, Brentioch, Brentwood, airport, Opryland, MetroCenter - congested commute, low brow.