moving to Nashville area this summer, need help finding the right town/city for us

[Siamese Kitty]

There are a few areas of Smyrna zoned for decent schools that are in this price point. I agree with Rutherford. Or the more rural parts of Cheatham/Sumner.

ETA: For Smyrna MTSU would be an option, not sure about college options for the other areas. There are a lot of community/smaller college options around Nashville.

[titanspreds_04]

Originally Posted by Wmsn4Life

Well, I wasn't going in the meth direction, but more along the lines of "these aren't university towns."

Fairview is a nice community, but until the 1990s it was very much "the country."

"Walking to the library" there from a home under $200K means leaving your subdivision, traveling along a road with no sidewalks to the highway, past the Mapco station and across the street from the McDonalds.

You're right. The comparison to Meth/Unemployment doesnt equate well. I like your above example much better. They are your typical southern towns that really dont have a whole lot other than the very basics. The commute to some of those places would almost be like commuting from Kentucky.

[El Passeaux]

Originally Posted by Siamese Kitty

There are a few areas of Smyrna zoned for decent schools that are in this price point. I agree with Rutherford. Or the more rural parts of Cheatham/Sumner.

ETA: For Smyrna MTSU would be an option, not sure about college options for the other areas. There are a lot of community/smaller college options around Nashville.

These cities are not going to be a desirable option if you need to travel to Nashville everyday. The I-24 corridor is the worst for traffic in the city.

[Sunflower_gal]

When I read the OP's post, I immediately think of downtown Franklin, but no way can they get a 1/2 acre for max $200k there. The suggestion of Smyrna or Murfreesboro might work for 45 minute or less commute, if husband's work was in Franklin or some parts of Brentwood with good highway access.
If job is in downtown Nashville, West End, etc., the commute from Rutherford Co. is too far.

I lived in Northern Virginia, too 3 years ago. It's hard for me to imagine a place near Nashville that is 1/3 of the cost of Northern Virginia and also what I would consider a safe & desirable area. Nashville is very much an up & coming city and the land/housing prices already reflect it. As others have said, focus on finding a job and then determine the location from there since schools outside a community college aren't a factor.

[septimus]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maury County. If she doesn't need to worry about the schools, she can get a nice house in her price range within 45 min of Cool Springs/Franklin. Plus how much more conservative can you get than moving the Rep. Sheila Butt's district?

[54321amw]

Originally Posted by Sunflower_gal

When I read the OP's post, I immediately think of downtown Franklin, but no way can they get a 1/2 acre for max $200k there. The suggestion of Smyrna or Murfreesboro might work for 45 minute or less commute, if husband's work was in Franklin or some parts of Brentwood with good highway access.
If job is in downtown Nashville, West End, etc., the commute from Rutherford Co. is too far.

I lived in Northern Virginia, too 3 years ago. It's hard for me to imagine a place near Nashville that is 1/3 of the cost of Northern Virginia and also what I would consider a safe & desirable area. Nashville is very much an up & coming city and the land/housing prices already reflect it. As others have said, focus on finding a job and then determine the location from there since schools outside a community college aren't a factor.

My husband and I both love the look of downtown Franklin, but as you said, the housing prices are much more costly. Coming from Fairfax County, we are not strangers to high housing costs, but we are looking to downsize considerably and looking for a more rural life. (Maybe having a couple of chickens and a good size garden) My main concern, since I have never been to the Nashville area, is that I don't know where the good/safe areas are and where the places are that we should without a doubt stay away from. Thanks for the suggestions, we will put them on our list of places to visit when we come down

[54321amw]

Originally Posted by septimus

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maury County. If she doesn't need to worry about the schools, she can get a nice house in her price range within 45 min of Cool Springs/Franklin. Plus how much more conservative can you get than moving the Rep. Sheila Butt's district?

Any towns in particular that you would suggest in Maury County?

[titanspreds_04]

Originally Posted by septimus

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Maury County. If she doesn't need to worry about the schools, she can get a nice house in her price range within 45 min of Cool Springs/Franklin. Plus how much more conservative can you get than moving the Rep. Sheila Butt's district?

Yes. However if one of them starts working in Nashville ..they are screwed. That would be 30-40 miles plus traffic.

[HaleyinNashville]

I would definite consider Bellevue, Spring Hill, and Franklin might not be out of reach if you're flexible just a bit.

Bellevue would be my pick (I live kind of close so feel free to call me bias), but it's more of an established area and it's closer to downtown (and also not far from Franklin). Spring Hill is nice too, but it's newly developed so lots of subdivisions and new strip malls (not my cup of tea, but perfect for some).