Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. At 1.27 million people, it's also Tennessee's most populous city. Known as Music City, it's the home of country music and revered for its nightlife, particularly in downtown Nashville where honky-tonks line the streets, offering food, alcohol, and live music.

Nashville is one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. In addition to music and nightlife, the city appeals to residents due to a favorable tax system, a moderate climate, and healthy industries, including healthcare, tech, and manufacturing. The greatest number of jobs are in the hospitality sector, thanks to the music industry.

Thinking about moving to this exciting city? Here's a guide to the most popular neighborhoods in Nashville to keep in mind while you're house-hunting.

The Gulch

Once an abandoned industrial area, the Gulch is now considered an upscale urban neighborhood, known for its huge array of boutique hotels, chic fashion shops, artsy murals, popular breweries, and diverse dining establishments. The neighborhood's recent revitalization has allowed it to grow into a high-energy district teeming with things to do and see.

The community is located just two blocks from the city's famed Music Row to its south and less than two miles from downtown Nashville to its north. It features high-rise condos as the dominant residential style and is known as the first neighborhood in the South to get LEED certification.

The Gulch is considered very walkable and is known as a mecca for renowned musicians, who often take the stage at one of the neighborhood's many live music venues. Bluegrass, Indie, and of course, country music are all heard live throughout many of the Gulch's pubs and restaurants.

Another popular spot is the Frist Art Museum. Set in a striking art deco building, the museum is known for its edgy exhibitions, film screenings, and lectures.

The community offers a bike rental service in addition to a free bus service that takes passengers to the majority of the neighborhood's attractions.

Downtown Nashville

Downtown Nashville is typically defined as the area bordered by Jefferson Street to the North, the Cumberland River to the east, Interstate Highway 65 to the west, and Interstate Highway 40 to the south. Downtown has seen some of the most robust population growth in the city, rising from 2,280 in 2006 to 13,000 residents today.

Known locally as "The District," downtown Nashville is a unique urban center, recognized worldwide for its brightly lit honky-tonks, offering live music seven days a week, 365 days a year. Here, historic buildings have been re-imagined into boutiques, bars, and bistros. The downtown Honky Tonk Highway is a popular row of honky-tonks along Lower Broadway, each featuring cold beverages and at least one performance stage.

Downtown is also home to prominent venues, such as Bridgestone, the Ryman, Nissan Stadium, and Riverfront. The district's bright lights, rows of venues, and throngs of people have earned it the nickname "Nashvegas."

Downtown features more than 60 bars and restaurants, including locally owned establishments and national chains. Shopping is mostly tourist-oriented, consisting primarily of western wear, boot shops, music, and souvenirs. Residential options are primarily high-rises and apartment buildings.

This walkable neighborhood also offers easy pedestrian access to nearby neighborhoods the Gulch, SoBro, Demonbreun Hill, and Midtown.

West End

West End is located about 2.5 miles west/southwest of Downtown Nashville, near the Nashville neighborhoods of Midtown and Sylvan Park. This neighborhood features several housing options, including condos, apartments, and single-family homes.

Vanderbilt University, several hospitals, major medical centers, and corporate offices are all found within the West End neighborhood, motivating a number of hotels and chain restaurants to establish themselves there.

West End is also home to the city's largest urban park, Centennial Park, featuring a sunken garden, walking paths, expansive green space, and a lake. The park also features an amazing full-scale 1897 replica of the Greek Parthenon. Located across from Vanderbilt University, the sprawling park spans 132 acres and was home to the 1897 Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. It also previously served as a racetrack and fairgrounds.

Belle Meade

Belle Meade is a community of just over 3,000, located about 8.5 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Its land area covers just over three square miles. Although part of Nashville-Davidson County, the town is known for its autonomy, with its own historic street signage, mayor, and police force.

The community gets its name from the French phrase for beautiful meadow, an apt descriptor for the surrounding landscape. It was first settled by southern planter and thoroughbred breeder John Harding when he built his original log cabin in the early 1800s. He later built the town's namesake, historic Belle Meade Plantation, located near Richmond Creek on Harding Pike. The plantation's grounds contain many original buildings and features and are also available as an event venue.

Belle Meade residential areas are dominated by spacious luxury homes, along with other single-family houses and a sprinkling of condo complexes and townhomes. Many of the homes are set on expansive lots. In addition to spacious properties, residents can enjoy the city's golf course and country club, an array of restaurants and bars, and nearby shopping.

Hillsboro Village

The Nashville neighborhood of Hillsboro Village is located about three miles southwest of Downtown. The neighborhood is divided into Hillsboro-West End to the west and Belmont-Hillsboro to the east by 21^st Avenue South, which represents the heart of the neighborhood's retail, restaurant, and other commercial establishments.

Belmont-Hillsboro was originally a single estate, which included the Belmont Mansion. Much of the surrounding land was farmland, and most of the residential areas were developed between 1910 and 1940.

Originally a streetcar suburb, the neighborhood has been a sought-after place to live from its beginnings in the 19^th century. It got its start when a handful of businesses began to sprout up around the streetcar line. The neighborhood has gone through several transitions but has maintained its unique character, including its well-preserved architecture. By the 1980s, many of the neighborhood's structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Considered to be one of Nashville's most walkable neighborhoods, Hillsboro Village is home to about 25 bars and restaurants and several clothing boutiques and specialty shops. The neighborhood is also the location of the Belcourt Theatre, a venue featuring foreign and independent film in addition to live theater and musical performances. Residents can also enjoy the large park, tennis courts, and playground.

Germantown

Germantown is located immediately adjacent to downtown Nashville, sitting less than a mile northwest of the city's core. It's a historic community and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Germantown is home to many of the city's landmarks, including the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum. It's also known for its locally owned boutiques and boasts some of the city's most critically acclaimed eateries, developing into a destination all its own for culinary enthusiasts and foodies.

The area is also home to the year-round Nashville Farmers' Market, established in the early 1800s. Farmers and growers, as well as craftsmen, artisans, nonprofits, and small businesses, sell their wares, while chef-led cooking demos and community workshops help draw crowds.

Sylvan Park

Sylvan Park is about five miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Known for its historic homes from the 1920s and 1930s, the neighborhood is largely residential, but with its share of locally owned restaurants, bars, and specialty shops.

Sylvan Park has grown to become one of Nashville's most sought-after historic neighborhoods. It's also near Vanderbilt University and is considered a very walkable community. Many of the neighborhood's restaurants are frequently featured on local best restaurant rankings. Sylvan Park also offers beer lovers the chance to try great craft and local beer at its brewpubs.

Sylvan Park is also home to McCabe Golf Course, featuring a 27-hole course and practice facilities. The course has been named the best place to play by Nashville Scene magazine and can be accessed via the neighborhood's main artery, Murphy Road. McCabe Golf Course is open to the public, as is the adjacent Richland Creek Greenway.

Edgehill Village

About 2.5 miles south of downtown, sometimes referred to as Edgehill, the small neighborhood of Edgehill Village is considered one of Nashville's up-and-coming areas. The neighborhood runs parallel to the city's Music Row.

Edgehill Village is anchored by the commercial property of the same name, which is home to a carefully selected array of restaurants, pubs, and boutiques. It also features easy access to downtown Nashville.

The neighborhood is primarily made up of commercial properties, but there are residential options available. Most housing consists of single-family homes, with a few townhomes as well. Many of the neighborhood's older homes have been completely renovated.

Other Great Neighborhoods in Nashville

Many people don't like living in the crowed areas of a large city, even if that large city has the home town feel like Nashville Tennessee. Of course, the conveniences of living in or around a big city are virtually endless, making it difficult for many people to choose where to live. Most people find that living in a cozy subdivision of a large city offers all the benefits of the big city without the crowds and noise. There are dozens of beautiful neighborhoods in Nashville, Tennessee, to choose from, one of which will be perfect for you.

If you're looking for a high-end area with an Arnold-Palmer-designed gated golf course, many houses featured in the Parade of Homes throughout the city of Brentwood are right for you. Located just south of Nashville, it boasts some of the most impressive homes and attractions in the area. This upscale Nashville neighborhood is popular for those ready to relax in luxury.

For those looking for a more affordable Nashville neighborhood that still has many of the most desired attractions, the first place to look is in the Lenox Village neighborhood. Southeast of Nashville, the Lenox Village subdivision is Nashville's first full Smart Growth neighborhood development and a master-planned community chock full of amenities. With popular schools, beautiful parks, and a tight-knit community, this is one of the most desirable subdivisions of Nashville, and when you drive through it will be easy to see why.

With dozens of other subdivisions to choose from around the beautiful city of Nashville, it won't be hard to find the perfect home for you. Whether you're looking for a quiet area to relax with your household or a great place to get started after getting your first real job, the areas in and around Nashville are perfect for people of all walks of life.

Come Home to Nashville

Nashville neighborhoods appeal to residents for a variety of reasons. Many of its most sought-after areas offer restaurants, retail, and nightlife — all within walking distance of homes. Some of the city's older neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Nashville trace their roots back to the days of the streetcar when residents first ventured outward from the city's core and business owners set up shop along the line.

Nashville's most popular neighborhoods today feature many amenities, including parks and walking trails, athletic fields, and playgrounds. Some also feature golf courses and tennis within the community. Easy access to downtown Nashville is also a draw for residents of several of the city's most desired neighborhoods, and while the order might vary, these neighborhoods are all on the "best of" lists of virtually every Nashville realtor.

If the opportunities of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with local real estate agents who can help find the perfect Nashville home for you today.