Hi Missy,

There are many great areas in Nashville. I have been to Los Angeles and have an idea of what you are talking about in terms of lot size. I currently live in Historic East Nashville. This is agreat area with a great vibe and depending on the area you can get a nice size lot. I grew up in Franklin TN though. I am not sure when you plan to visit but you should definitely check out Downtown Franklin. Another location that is south of Franklin and is becoming increasingly popular and is beautiful is College Grove. It is very family oriented and the homes and lots are exactly what you are describing. Please let me know how I can help. http://therealestategalnashville.wordpress.com/

Maria Patton
Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville TN
615-887-4140
mariapatton@att.net
http://therealestategalnashville.wordpress.com/

Being new to Nashville can be quite overwhelming. Here's a great site I'd recommend that you should check out, http://www.new2nashville.com. It has a lot of information that can help you in finding what you're looking for. I'd recommend that you also sign up to their newsletter so you'll stay updated on the latest news.

Dear Missy,
You will find many historic and beautiful areas in the greater Nashville and Franklin area. If you would let me know what you are looking for in a home (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, specific features, etc.) and price range I will be glad to send you listings from all the different areas so you can see for yourself what we have here. You may email me at DinaCollins@bellsouth.net, or go to my website at http://www.dinacollins.remax.net and look around and send me your email address. I will send you listings from the various areas so you can compare them all.Will also be glad to give you the "grand tour" while you are here.

I know of some lovely areas with that Mayberry Feel. I moved to Tennessee from Florida and before I came here I traveled from one end of the state to the other . I know of a few towns that you can feel that Aunt Bee, Barney and Sheriff Andy feeling . Drop me a line and lets Chat if it's not too late for you.
P.S. They are not that far from Nashville 1 hour to 20 min drives.

The individual income tax is imposed ONLY on individuals and other entities receiving interest from bonds and notes and dividends from stock.

Contrary to popular belief, there IS a state income tax here in Tennessee!

Hello Missy, I too relocated from Los Angeles (19 years ago). You will definately get alot more home and yard for your money here, and the cost of living here is alot more reasonable, as you probably know- since we are a state who is not near bankruptsy and we dont have state income tax- makes a huge difference on our wallets. It's a city who's Mayor has a goal to be one of the top 'Green' cities, and our Governor's to be one of the top 'Green' states in the country. Lot's of technology,great schools & medical facilities,major league sports, awesome music, theatre, film,and arts, parks & green belts- and great shopping and eateries too!. I think you will really enjoy living here.
There are a number of areas that may be suitable for you, some of them have been mentioned. You can see the links for the neighboods and a free Search for Homes on MLS on the website link refferenced below. I'll be glad to assisit you in your transition, to be smooth and efficient for you and your family.

Emily is right on the money with the Nashville neighborhoods. I think Historic Downtown Franklin is definite worth spending a LOT of time in while you're here. I'd also spend a good amount of time in Hillsboro Village and Historic Richland/Cherokee Park in Nashville.

If you're looking for an area similar to the areas off LaBrea in Hollywood, our closest version of that area is Hillsboro Village/Belmont/12South. Enjoy your time here!

I don't know how close you want to be to Nashville, but my house is for sale in Decatur County. It is about and hour and a half from Nashville. It is a great community with a family atmosphere. My yard is a little over an acre. I'm not far from the TN river, Shiloh National Park and some other historic places. It is only $94,500. If you're interested please email me for more details at m_bianchini@yahoo.com

Our home is located in Winchester, TN which is actually about 1 1/2 hours from Nashville (we used to live in Franklin, TN area), but I thought you might want to take a look at our home......good luck with your move! It located at 406 Third Avenue, NW, Winchester, TN 37398

Melissa Brown

Hi there,

My name is Laurie Sheinkopf and I know what its like to move to an area you don't know. I moved here from Washington DC my lot was very tiny as well. I know you want a large lot but here are some other questions?

1. Are schools important to you?
2. How far do you want to be from work?
3. Do you want to be in a subdivision?
4. Please check out http://www.totallynashville.com for more questions and great information about our area.

I know what it is like to move from an area you dont know to a new one. I have a great black book of contacts to make your move easier and I do a girls night out so you can also make some new friends.

My goal is to make your relocation as easy, fun, educational, and stress-free as possible. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions real estate related or not!

Have a great day
Laurie Sheinkopf

You have received some great answers, so I'll help you out with some links:

12 South Neighborhood - http://www.12south.org/ - starting at $220K

Richland-West End - http://www.rwena.org/home - starting at $380K

Sylvan Park - http://www.sylvanpark.org/ - starting at $190K

Edgefield - http://www.historicedgefield.org/ - starting at $155K

Lockeland Springs (East Nashville) - http://www.lockelandsprings.org/- starting at $180K

Cherokee Park - http://www.cherokeepark.org/ - starting at $295K

Belmont - http://home.belmont-hillsboro.org/ - starting at $250K

Keep in mind that these are the rock bottom prices on these neighborhoods - they go up from there!!!

Here is a general website on Historic Nashville - http://www.historicnashville.org/

Nashville is a great place to find a house with a yard - you won't have a problem there!

Welcome to Nashville and please let me know if I can help you further!

Emily Lowe
Affiliate Broker
The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty
615.509.1753

Great question! Nashville offers lots of "character" neighborhoods that provide the storybook ambiance you desire...however you have not given us a price range so the answers can go on for days...... If its $1 million and up Franklin, West End, Green Hills, and Belle Meade are your best bets. $700-1mil include Belmont, Vandy, and some parts of Melrose, East Green Hills. Sylvan Park and Charlotte Park,Inglewood, and East Nashville willl work from $300k to $600k. Older homes offer great charm, mature landscaping, and lots of potential mechanical and structural "surprises". Choose your realtor wisely, your home inspector wisely, and become market savvy. The best way to do that is to come here and lease for at least 6 months....get out and drive the neighborhoods, talk to your new Nashville friends for their opinions of areas. Shop slowly...but understand that the money market changes on a daily basis.
Shop for a realtor just the way you do a home....ask around. Skill and competence often result from experience...just ask a brain surgeon....Wecome to Middle Tennessee....you will love it!!

Steve Condurelis
Broker co-owner,
Keller Williams Nashville

In urban Nashville I'd recommend Richland, Sylvan Park, 12 South, Hilllsboro Village, maybe Crieve Hall - most parts of area 2 should suit you well. If you are on a tigher budget you might like Woodbine, Old Hickory Village, Whispering Hills, lower East Nashville or Bluefields. Check out my neighborhoods page below for more info and best of luck! I'd love to help!

Historic Franklin offers the charm you have in mind; and being only a few miles from Cool Springs -- you'll find nearly all of the modern conveniences of home that you are accustomed too. Many of the client that come from southern California (my wife and I are San Diego natives) have appreciated that about Franklin, Tennessee.

Mature trees and larger lots (for CA, grin) still bring a premium for our market, but within your budget as there are a number of choices in Franklin, and Nashville (and the nearby communities) at various price points. A GREAT resource to investigate different areas, and to ask questions of local residents (not just real estate agents), is the city data forum for Nashville: http://www.city-data.com/forum/nashville/

Have you started the conversation of hiring a realtor to make the best use of your time while you are here?

kevin pellatiro (615)714-7918 kpellatiro@realtracs.com http://signswemustobserve.blogspot.com/

First you need to decide if you want to be downtown or in one of the surrounding areas. Williamson county and Wilson county are both adjacent to Davidson( Nashville's county). I also relocated here a few years ago and spent much time looking at different areas before settling in Wilson County. If you would like some information concerning our search and our final decision, please contact me

Dear Mssy,
There are numerous areas in and around Nashville that have historic homes, depending on the price range that you will be considering. Vanderbilt, Green Hills, Belle Meade, West End are all close to downtown, but if you want to venture further south there are towns such as Franklin that have historic areas and are in the Williamson Co. school district, should this be a factor for you to consider. If distance from Nashville (ie perhaps an hour) is not important there are many other areas to consider, where you would able to have more value for money. Where you look will depend dramatically on your price point. Please feel free to contact me at my office should you wish to discuss anything further. 1-800-843-7962 ext 123 or email Susan.Cann@century21.com

Mssy,

My suggestions may vary from other Realtors. In fact, you are about to get a lot of opinions within the next few hours! They are probably ALL going to be good suggestions so take bits a pieces from each answer.
Franklin which is south of Nashville has a very cute and historic downtown area. The neighborhoods all around are very clean and safe for the most part. Once you work your way north into Nashville there are so many historic neighborhoods but some of the more popular are within the Green Hills and West End area. If you decide to venture just outside of downtown there are MANY opportunities to have large yards but some of those areas aren't as "historic". Brentwood is a great town just south of Nashville where you may be able to find some great level yards! Brentwood is also very close to just about everything.
Do you have kids? If so are schools important?
Stephen Strickhausen
Keller Williams Realty
9175 Carothers Ave, Suite 110
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com http://www.Sstrickhausen.com

hi Mssy,
We have several historic areas. I'd suggest HIstoric Richland or Historic Edgefield; there are also other areas that don't necessarily have an historic overlay that you might find interesting. What price range interests you most?