We all think it. We all know it. We’re afraid to mention it. Real estate agents wouldn’t dare hit the subject straight on because it’s easier to avoid the truth anyway.
Nashville has some of the ugliest major thoroughfares and secondary routes anywhere. If you’re going to judge a city on its controlled sign ordinances, its underground utilities and its lack of less than pretty businesses on the main roads, then Nashville fails on many levels.
Now that this confession is out the way, let’s get to the true facts. If you’re going to buy real estate in the urban area of Nashville, you have to get over the fact that some of the roads like Gallatin Road, Nolensville Pike, Charlotte Pike, Murfreesboro Road, Dickerson Pike and Lebanon Pike are simply ugly. Once you accept that fact, you’ll discover the hidden beauties of Nashville neighborhoods.
Once you turn off the sign laden Gallatin Road, you’ll discover gorgeous foursquares, Tudors, Victorians and bungalows along the streets of Calvin, Stratton, Douglas, Ordway, Sharpe, Petway, Sumner, Franklin and Eastland. You’ll find sidewalks lined with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. You’ll find 200+ year old trees encroaching the streets’ airway. You’ll see red wagons being pulled by iPod joggers and some of the best people anywhere calling you neighbor.
Take a left off billboard heavy (yes, the one we all hate) Charlotte Pike, the secrets of Sylvan Park, Brookside and Charlotte Park are evident. Historic homes in all shapes, forms and colors line up along streets named after states and numbers. At night, you’ll find stunning accent lighting, home-cooked meals served in high-ceiling dining rooms and streets lined with residents getting home from a long day of work at Vanderbilt, HCA and the like.
Take a left or right off power line-lined Nolensville Pike, Woodbine, Historic Chestnut Hilland Glenrose are simply precious. With its rolling geography, you’ll find some of the most diverse landscaping, trees and natural sites on the south side of Nashville. Retro ranch home heaven winds through Haywood Hills and Murray Hills. Named one of the nation’s tastiest streets by Good Magazine, you’ll find residents from all over the Middle Tennessee area retreating to the area for a tasty meal.
Meander off of Dickerson Pike long enough and you’ll find some of the richest, historic neighborhoods on the eastside. Cleveland and McFerrin Parks have so many untouched, grand historic homes, you’ll find yourself driving through Potential City. Head west off Dickerson and find some of the most breath-taking views of the downtown Nashville skyline. Now, to be fair, Dickerson has recently received some special treatment that has morphed this thoroughfare south of Douglas into an impressive little drive.
Murfreesboro Road and Lebanon Pike connect central to east and south and share a few neighborhoods. The housing stock is as diverse as you can find. With the area’s varied history, homes were built, are currently being built and will be built in this still growing and developing area.
Finally, no area seems to exempt for the street impairments. Even the two highest dollar real estate areas in Nashville (Green Hills and Belle Meade) have their eye sores along Hillsboro Road and Harding. Ultimately, take a deep breath, get over the ick, get involved in Nashville’s green initiatives, contact your Metro councilperson about improvements and enjoy the amazing life in Nashville.
[...] The Ugly Truth About Nashville [...]