Help! Neighborhood suggestions (Franklin, Hendersonville, Brentwood: houses, neighborhoods, elementary school)

[Elanc]

Hi, I know similar questions have been asked a thousand times over, but would love any input. My family is planning a move to Nashville in the next few months and aren't sure exactly where we want to look for houses. We have an infant and a daughter who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, so a good public elementary school is a must. We are hoping to keep the price below $225,000. We are basically looking for something with a minimum of 1 acre (but prefer at least 3), 3 bed 2 bath. Prefer older (pre-1970s). We don't want to be too far from downtown (maybe 30 miles max), but don't have jobs yet, so we can job hunt based on where we end up. We are looking for something with a nice, young (age wise) community feel (we liked the Franklin and 12 South areas). Does anything like this even exist?
Thanks!

[DonCorleone]

Possible, but slim pickings. You definitely won't find it in 12South and my guess is Brentwood is going to price you way beyond your comfort zone without making major concessions on the acreage.

Check www.realtracs.com for listings. Doing a quick search I found 6 properties in Williamson County (Franklin, Fairview, Nolensville), 1 in Hendersonville (several in Gallatin, but that's pushing your 30 mi from downtown requirement), and 4 in Mt. Juliet. All looking for homes in the 125-225k range, 3 br/2 ba, 1+acre.

If schools remain the priority, I'd stick with Williamson, Sumner, or Wilson Counties or maybe cherry pick a few areas of Davidson. In doing so, my guess is you'll have to prioritize the rest...land vs. commute vs. home age and go from there.

Hope that helps and let us know if you have questions.

[CountryGirl2b=]

You could get a small house in Franklin (Fieldstone Farms has 3 at the moment) for your budget but not the acreage. Why do you want 3 acres, may I ask? Franklin is in Williamson County, good schools.

In Davidson County, you might want to check out Crieve Hall. Older homes on decent sized lots (not an acre but maybe enough space for what you need).

Someone else will have to suggest small towns where you could find that much land. But you wouldn't find 3 acre lots in either Franklin or 12South so I think you need to really consider what is more important, the land or the community feel, which is harder to get (i think) with spread out neighbors.

[Elanc]

Thanks!
I think I should have been more clear- we really liked the feel of Franklin and 12South, but know that Franklin both are probably out of budget and 12South would not have the lot size we're looking for.
My husband is really pushing the acerage. We are coming from a very urban area (think East Nashville 5 years ago) and want to put a little space between us and our neighbors. We are currently on a .10 acre lot, so I think even 1/2 an acre would be great, but he wants bigger. He builds hot rods as a hobby and is hoping to have a good size garage/shop.
I have been looking at Mt. Juliet and Hendersonville, and will check out the rest.

[artemis]

Check out Donelson, especially the area around Opryland. The lots are big over there, you're not that close to your next door neighbor.

[budgiegirl]

spring hill? Fairview?

[CountryGirl2b=]

Working on cars MIGHT fall under a zoning law of some sort? But if you had 3 acres it would probably be the type of area that allowed it. Just something to check on. There are some things not allowed inside the Franklin City limits that are allowed outside but still in Franklin, if that makes sense???

[yank283]

I agree with Crieve Hall and Donelson areas. Also check out Rosebank or Inglewood...obviously not 3 acre lots but there are some houses on big lots...great community in East Nashville and right by Shelby Park/Greenway. People are saying that Rosebank Elementary is the next great elementary school in East Nashville. Dan Mills in Inglewood has a great reputation and Lockeland Design Center in Lockeland Springs is already considered one of the best. There's also a really active Mom's Club in East Nashville.

[Hey_Hey]

If you want to live in Nashville you would have to look at transitional neighborhoods. 12South and Crieve Hall are probably both out for your price range. A 3/2 in 12South is going to be $500,000+ and Crieve Hall will generally be $250,000+ but there are some options for less than that if you're wiling to update and have less square footage. There are some 3/2s in your price range in The Nations and at the periphery of trendy East Nashville neighborhoods. The good things about these neighborhoods is that you will likely see your investment grow quite nicely because the amount of gentrification going on in Nashville is amazing. I could easily see a $200,000 house in The Nations sell for $300,000 in 5 years as that area is rapidly redeveloping.

[Elanc]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!
Does anyone have any info on the "Historic Mount Juliet" area of Mt. Juliet?