La Vergne (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Rutherford: low income, apartment, foreclosures)

[littlelou]

My company is looking to purchase a competitor who is in severe financial difficulties in La Vergne. During the brief informational discussion, we were told it is possible that several opportunities might be available to transfer there. I am mildly interested....but know nothing about the area. I am single, in my 40's and don't have to be entertained. I have several hobbies that keep me happy and occupied after working hours. I have spent 1 quick weekend in Nashville 10 years ago, and know a little about the area, know it would be a place to visit on my own and when friends come to visit.

In the beginning, I would rent, either apartment, condo or small house. My family consists of 2 large cats - Maine Coons, who adapt to moves relatively well.

Can anyone give me the Readers Digest version of the area, possible areas to live, shopping centers/malls. I know there's a large recreational lake in the area, is that an area to live? Any basic information is appreciated.

[Mike in TN]

LaVergne is kind of the armpit of Rutherford County. With a few exceptions, I wouldn't live there; although you could potentially get a steal there on a foreclosure. There are tons of them there.

I know there's a large recreational lake in the area, is that an area to live?

A lot of uppidty types would say no, but I would love to live near Percy Priest Lake. A former coworker of mine lived right by Hamilton Creek State Park and love it.

[Steve_TN]

You have tons of options open to you and I will agree with Mike that one place I would not live would be LaVergne. I'd love to live near Percy Priest Lake too. You also have the towns of Smyrna and Murfreesboro nearby. Please avoid most parts of Antioch. There are a few parts of Antioch that are okay, but most of it is deplorable.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

You have tons of options open to you and I will agree with Mike that one place I would not live would be LaVergne. I'd love to live near Percy Priest Lake too. You also have the towns of Smyrna and Murfreesboro nearby. Please avoid most parts of Antioch. There are a few parts of Antioch that are okay, but most of it is deplorable.

I agree with Steve and Mike. Never heard anything good about Laverne. Drove through there and didn't care for it. Smryna is growing. Lots of shopping going up there. Good home prices too.

I have a question for Mike, why so many foreclosures in Laverne? Houses are pretty cheap there.

[rossc]

We looked in LaVergne. Everything we looked at was in cookie cutter subdivisions with 1000+ homes virtually identical. There are a lot of foreclosures. From looking in the area I would guess it's because the area seems to cater to lower income brackets. Some of those subdivisions look a lot like government subsidized low income housing.

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by rossc

We looked in LaVergne. Everything we looked at was in cookie cutter subdivisions with 1000+ homes virtually identical. There are a lot of foreclosures. From looking in the area I would guess it's because the area seems to cater to lower income brackets. Some of those subdivisions look a lot like government subsidized low income housing.

Agreed. Just hang around many of the subdivisions in LaVergne and once you see the element of people that live there (and I DO NOT mean race) it will be easy to see why there are so many foreclosures. I am sure there are pockets in Lavergne that are very nice with responsible residents; however, those are the minority.

[Mike in TN]

Originally Posted by Kim918

I have a question for Mike, why so many foreclosures in Laverne? Houses are pretty cheap there.

People were getting loans they just couldn't afford. In "keepin' it real language," people that shouldn't be owning homes were moving into them.

What is very odd to me about LaVergne is the Lake Forest Estates subdivision. This is the largest subdivision in the entire state and it is still growing. The houses there would probably be in the $130-$150Ks in Murfreesboro and would be fairly desired. Yet, it's an area that has some shady happenings and crime is fairly prevalent. It's just really odd to look at the type of houses there and know what goes on there.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Mike in TN

People were getting loans they just couldn't afford. In "keepin' it real language," people that shouldn't be owning homes were moving into them.

What is very odd to me about LaVergne is the Lake Forest Estates subdivision. This is the largest subdivision in the entire state and it is still growing. The houses there would probably be in the $130-$150Ks in Murfreesboro and would be fairly desired. Yet, it's an area that has some shady happenings and crime is fairly prevalent. It's just really odd to look at the type of houses there and know what goes on there.

The mortgage crisis has hit some places really hard. I just wondered why it was so prevelent in Laverne and not middle TN in general. I have not noticed extreme amounts of foreclosures as I have in other states. The market here is pretty stable.

[Mike in TN]

Take a drive through LFE sometime. You'll see a foreclosure sign up in about 1 out of 5 houses.

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Mike in TN

Take a drive through LFE sometime. You'll see a foreclosure sign up in about 1 out of 5 houses.

WOW! That is a lot.