Hendersonville/Gallatin area...disappointed..many questions! (White House: to rent, good schools, living)

[ousmc]

I lived in Hendersonville for 20 years and then joined the Military in 1998. I have not lived in Hendersonville since. When we do come back, we will probably look south towards Brentwood and Franklin. Hendersonville has been in a state of decline for quite some time now. If you are looking for a nice place to live with shopping, places to eat, safe communities, updated town squares, ect. I would look at the Franklin and Brentwood areas. After all, there is a reason that a lot of Country Music stars left Hendersonville.

[LovnTN]

Originally Posted by ousmc

I lived in Hendersonville for 20 years and then joined the Military in 1998. I have not lived in Hendersonville since. When we do come back, we will probably look south towards Brentwood and Franklin. Hendersonville has been in a state of decline for quite some time now. If you are looking for a nice place to live with shopping, places to eat, safe communities, updated town squares, ect. I would look at the Franklin and Brentwood areas. After all, there is a reason that a lot of Country Music stars left Hendersonville.

Actually I would have to disagree with you on Hendersonville going downhill. There has been a lot of new development and the last time I went through Franklin & Brentwood there were a few areas that need updating themselves. The main street area is the main concern and if the city does it right (which I have already been in contact with the city about), Hendersonville could rival Franklin or Brentwood because we have the lake, and many beautiful parks. The historical buildings may not be there but since when does the money crowd really care about historical? They care more about the latest, greatest, flashiest and does it make them look good or stand out.

As for the country stars (which there are still plenty of in the area, I know of one that just bought a lakeside home .25 miles from my home and he is one of the new young ones and still very popular); the ones that have moved out are the ones that value money and glitz not ones that are smart enough to realize that their money will last longer than the designer clothing or cars others desire.

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by LovnTN

Actually I would have to disagree with you on Hendersonville going downhill. There has been a lot of new development and the last time I went through Franklin & Brentwood there were a few areas that need updating themselves. The main street area is the main concern and if the city does it right (which I have already been in contact with the city about), Hendersonville could rival Franklin or Brentwood because we have the lake, and many beautiful parks. The historical buildings may not be there but since when does the money crowd really care about historical? They care more about the latest, greatest, flashiest and does it make them look good or stand out.

As for the country stars (which there are still plenty of in the area, I know of one that just bought a lakeside home .25 miles from my home and he is one of the new young ones and still very popular); the ones that have moved out are the ones that value money and glitz not ones that are smart enough to realize that their money will last longer than the designer clothing or cars others desire.

I believe Hendersonville has already surpassed Franklin/Brentwood in terms of overall culture and atmosphere. Yes, I agree with you that the stars who have moved out there are ones that value material posessions and their money more than the things that really matter. I much prefer the true class and non-pretentious attitude of Hendersonville.

[jeromekillerbee]

Originally Posted by Decepticon

We moved to the Hendersonville/Gallatin area a few months ago and are becoming a little disappointed at our choice. I am having trouble finding anything about new development in the area. We are finding (a little late) that we have to drive to Madison for many restaurants such as Red Lobster or Outback. We also have to drive there to go to Sam's Club, Michael's, JoAnn Etc., Bed Bath & Beyond, JcPenny and many other places we can't find in our area. I know they are building a lot at Indian Lake and Glenbrook. We also heard about the Target across from Fairview and some new development at 386 and Big Station Camp where the college bought some land. Does anyone have a list of who has actually committed to building/leasing at any of these shopping centers? I was shocked to see that Marble Slab Creamery next to the new Publix off Gallatin Pike has gone out of business. I was also wondering if the McAllister's Deli in Gallatin is coming or going. We took some visiting friends there the other night and were embarrassed to see that it was not open. Yet they have a sign at the main entrance.
Also, can anyone suggest any good pizza places? We have driven to the NYPD in Mt. Juliet just to pick up a pizza and come home. (This is an insanely long drive to get an excellent pizza).
Lastly, does anyone know if the homes in these two areas are appreciating? A home down the street sold for quite a bit more than they paid less than two years ago. Typically how long does a home sit on the market here?
If anyone has any info/opinions on any of these topics, please respond!

I do not know your rank at retirement but from your posting I presume you are from commissioned status, Currently in Gallatin there is the following, Cracker Barrell, Logan's Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, O'harley's, Chili's, Greatian "Greek and Italian", Dos Marguritos Mexican, As far as Pizza is concerned NYPD Pizza is not worth driving five miles for. Try Painturos in the Publix area. As far as the Ice Cream Slab was concerned it should have never opened. I ate there and their product was no where near worth the price. I have tried both Pizza Hut and Dominos in Gallatin and find them to be worth there price. I do not wish to pay twenty to thirty dollars for a pizza. We also have Little Ceasars, Poppa Johns, Ci Ci's, and Gattis Pizza. The Current Kroger store in Gllatin is currently undering an expansion and a New Kroger is Nearing ground breaking on Nashville Pike near the Big Station Camp Blvd. I am an alumnus of Gallatin High, and moved back to Gallatin in 1994 and wish that expansion could happen over night but that is not reasonable. I have lived in places such as Virginia Beach, Va. and San Diego, Ca and have had to drive as much a 50 miles to go to good specality resturants. I am aware of some of the false advertising that has been made concerning the Fairvue Plantion being on Nashville's North Shore, I hope you were not taken in by that advertising. This is a great community and you could be in a much worse area, Tax, Crime, and Eat outs and Take Outs considered.

[DonCorleone]

Originally Posted by LovnTN

We are also recent transplants to the Hendersonville area (which we absolutely love) and the only thing we are disappointed in is the Main St/31E in Hendersonville. Does anyone know if there are any plans to revitalize this area? It seems a lot of stores are headed out and that usually means the lower level stores (pawn shops, liquor, adult type) are headed in. I definitely don't want to drive through a copycat of downtown Madison with it's old abandoned buildings, ratty banners flying and pawn shops. It is depressing to look at. If the city doesn't do something fast (building codes/neighborhood enforcement codes) it will be exactly that.

From what I've heard, they are definitely cracking down on new signage/construction on main street. The best example is probably the KFC on Main St. They underwent a pretty major facelift a year or 2 ago and the city required them to make the building all brick and to make their sign low to the ground. I think the city is hoping that as these buildings age and need renovation, they can make them conform to the standards found further north and in the Indian Lake area.

I feel pretty confident that the city will prevent pawnshops/liquor stores/etc from taking over Main St. They have been very proactive so far.

[ousmc]

Originally Posted by LovnTN

Actually I would have to disagree with you on Hendersonville going downhill. There has been a lot of new development and the last time I went through Franklin & Brentwood there were a few areas that need updating themselves. The main street area is the main concern and if the city does it right (which I have already been in contact with the city about), Hendersonville could rival Franklin or Brentwood because we have the lake, and many beautiful parks. The historical buildings may not be there but since when does the money crowd really care about historical? They care more about the latest, greatest, flashiest and does it make them look good or stand out.

As for the country stars (which there are still plenty of in the area, I know of one that just bought a lakeside home .25 miles from my home and he is one of the new young ones and still very popular); the ones that have moved out are the ones that value money and glitz not ones that are smart enough to realize that their money will last longer than the designer clothing or cars others desire.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Yes, Hendersonville is building new things but they are not taking care of what they already have. The New Shackle and Old Shackle areas are horrid, the old Knox Doss area (behind the hospital) is terrible, not to mention Main Street. The Wessington Place area is falling apart. They do not seem to be doing anything about these areas. Not to mention the crime has gone up steadily since I left at least. Hendersonville is not a bad place to live or raise a family. It's just that I have seen it decline since the 80's and can hardly imagine what it will be like in another 20 years. I would just much rather live in Brentwood or Franklin.

If you must live in Hendersonville, I would definately look towards the Indian Lake area or the Long Hollow area over by Beech High School.

[Mrs. Magoo]

You know Ive lived in Gallatin for over thirty years and seen our town go from beautiful country side, to concrete! People moved here for the small town qualities, and then gripped to change it for more stores,roads,.......Maybe some people need to think and move to a bigger place,with more traffic,stores,and concrete. You cant have it all ,and alot of us dont!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan653]

Originally Posted by ousmc

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Yes, Hendersonville is building new things but they are not taking care of what they already have. The New Shackle and Old Shackle areas are horrid, the old Knox Doss area (behind the hospital) is terrible, not to mention Main Street. The Wessington Place area is falling apart. They do not seem to be doing anything about these areas. Not to mention the crime has gone up steadily since I left at least. Hendersonville is not a bad place to live or raise a family. It's just that I have seen it decline since the 80's and can hardly imagine what it will be like in another 20 years. I would just much rather live in Brentwood or Franklin.

If you must live in Hendersonville, I would definately look towards the Indian Lake area or the Long Hollow area over by Beech High School.

I will be another to agree to disagree with you...I have lived in Hendersonville my entire life, just moved to the Douglas Bend area in 2006. I was raised off of Walton Ferry Road and then moved to Shute Lane area until I moved out as a young man. I have seen Hendersonville go from a tiny town with just a few places of business and only Gallatin Rd. going from one end to the other to large suburban complex with the bypass and too many restaurants and things to do, to even count...It wont be long before Gallatin and Hendersonville will meet somewhere out near Cages Bend, I have been watching this sprawl for 30 years. I lived in Franklin for 3 years in the early 90's...I moved back to Hendersonville...The traffic up here is nothing compared to the nightmare they deal with twice a day...the roads are more logically laid out and the businesses are easier to access...I do miss Cool Springs mall though, we still use this as our major Mall when we need to (Rivergate is quickly becoming another 100 Oaks...)
I don't think there is any concern at all about Hendersonville turning into an area like Madison, the income levels are too high for this to happen...there won't be adult bookstores or liquor stores on every corner...but there is definately and old and a new part of town, no arguement there, but I like to go and look at how things have changed...I went to Jr. High at Hawkins, it's gone now, but anyone who has lived there for a while knows where it was...Knox Doss was a rival, now it the Health Dept. and my oldest son attends the new KDMS...ironic...the Big Station Camp Creek area was hay fields we used to ride dirt bikes in, I rememeber being chased by a Ford Bronco driving Hendersonville cop down the unpaved bypass (the old part) we were just kids playing on dirt bikes, we got away easily...HeHe...
Someone made a comment about the Country Music stars all moving to Brentwood...It has nothing to do with any problems in Hendersonville...it's just the next generation of stars...The ones back then in Hendersonville were Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrell (I went to private school in Gallatin with her son Matt), Roy Orbison and others...folks like Alan Jackson, Martina, Carrie and others just chose a place off of Concord Rd. because it was the new "hip" place to live...nothing more.
I love the area we live in Hendersonville and Gallatin are both great towns with plenty to offer, but I can still go into Waffle House on Saturday morning and see a bunch of the guys I've known for 20 years eating breakfast...

[Crakaveli]

sounds like you didn't do enough research. did you even visit before moving? if you did, those problems should have been noticed easily.

[drdaco]

I just visited Hendersonville/Gallatin area and loved it. We purchased a home this weekend over at creekside because it was out in the boonies. I'm 30 min away from Nashville and if I really really want Red Lobster I can drive out, otherwise, I ate at some great lake restaurants and the new restaurants at Anderson Rd are good enough for me. I would prefer to pause the development at this stage for I love the horse pastures and station camp area.

The parks there are gorgeous and the lake even more beautiful. I'll take any mom/pop restaurant over chains. I hope the lower side of main street gets a little more cleaned up but that's just a matter of cleaning up the older electrical grid there and updating the facade of some of the shops. I personally fell in love with the town and I was only there 4 days.