Yet another "where should I live?" -- Older homes, larger lots, private schools (Clarksville: real estate, how much)

[batsinthebelfry]

Considering a move to Nashvegas...can you help me zero in on the areas we should look?

- $300k or less. 3+ bedrooms.
- Have young children, and I'd like to be reasonably close to Christian private elementary schools (Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, it's all good).
- An hour or less to the airport. And I'll need to occasionally commute to the downtown/Ryman auditorium area.
- Prefer older/historic to new/subdivision.
- Love walkable, urban, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods BUT...
- Would like a reasonably sized lot with a garage (.3 acre to heck, 3 acres). I'd like to be able to let the kids run and yell in the backyard. This is more important than being able to walk to shops and restaurants.
- Ideally, I'd like to live in-town, but if the backyard/garage isn't possible at the price range, what neighboring towns should I consider? In outlying areas, I'd prefer rural to suburban.

Many thanks for any advice you can provide.

[El Passeaux]

Hendersonville has a lot of older homes with huge yards.

[batsinthebelfry]

Thanks, El Passeaux. I just took a look, and Hendersonville does look quite reasonable.
I am probably dreaming, but I think I'm looking for the feel of Germantown without the price tag. And I'll take it outside of Nashville, so long as it's within an hour of BNA.

[nashvols]

First thing that came to mind was Oak Hill...but I think that's a bit out of your price range. Still, you might look at some of the areas on the fringe (Melrose, Duncanwood, Crieve Hall, Belmont, etc).

[Edgefield D]

I live in East Nashville and you could get a lot of what you want here...especially if the kids are going to private school. But, I get the impression you are leaning more towards rural. My first thought was Springfield. There's a really nice district of historical houses and it's fairly inexpensive. Franklin would be great...but you wouldn't be able to buy anything close to downtown for that amount of money. Murfreesboro might also be a good choice....maybe even Clarksville? As far as a garage with a historic home...it just depends. A lot of people have already built them...but a lot haven't. We bought a house that doesn't even have a driveway, we have alley access and will be building a garage at some point. I think you could actually find what you're looking for, for 300k, in East Nashville though, if it's of any interest to you.

[yank283]

I think the nicer areas of Inglewood (Winding Way Road area) would be a great place to look. Lots of big mature trees (at least the ones that didn't get blown down this spring, ha), very country feel and the lot sizes are bigger than other areas of East Nashville, but it's not quite as walkable as neighborhoods like Lockeland Springs and Eastwood Neighbors. Saint Josephs (A small private Catholic School) is right across Briley Parkway in Madison. I sent a reply to your message but didn't see this post first. Yeah, 300k should be able to find a nice place near the city. Good luck.

[batsinthebelfry]

Man, you guys are fantastic!
If it were up to only me, East Nashville looks like my kind of place. However, my long-suffering husband would dearly love a garage and some outside space. We have not that nor the tiniest bit of privacy I so desperately want in our current house, though it is delightfully historic and in a walkable neighborhood.

Once upon a time we lived in Decatur, GA, which nicely combined much of the urban community, with the space and feel of a more rural area.

So...Springfield. What's it like? Welcoming to eccentric, bookish, musical types?

[Edgefield D]

Don't rule out East Nashville. You can still get some nice large lots. Like Yank said....some of those homes up near the river around Brush Hill and Winding Way have huge lots...and lots of trees.

Let me say this....I have no idea what your political leanings or anything like that are...but the farther you get from Nashville...the less progressive and more conservative it's going to be. I'm sure that Springfield will have some of the eccentric, bookish, musical types...but not sure how much. I think the population is maybe around 20k ? It's small and it's going to feel small. They do have a neat downtown and some really cool older homes. I just didn't want you to get too excited about the idyllic small town. There are some nice towns around...but they are what they are...and if that's what you're looking for you should check it out. Another thing about the historical houses in Springfield....I doubt that the lots are going to really be any bigger...maybe a little. Most historical houses around here are close to said city and have smaller lots.

[brentwoodgirl]

I would also look at West Meade. It has lots of older houses on 1+ acre lots. I think you would find plenty of eccentric, bookish, musical types in West Meade. It's right next to the most expensive area of Nashville, Belle Meade. There are great grocery stores and cute little shops in that area. Plus a Target and Costco.

I searched the 37205 zip up to $325,000 and got 53 results:
RealTracs Real Estate Mid-South Search Results

There may also be another zip code for parts of West Meade, but I am not sure.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Wow, those are some really nice houses! Love the yards! When my little yard gets filled up with Cicadas I might have to move there myself . . . .