3 Locals Who Know Where Nashville’s Heading
For those looking to relocate to Middle Tennessee or simply move to a new area of town, these three Nashville locals know more about the area than meets the eye.
Jenny Telwar has lived in Nashville for 25 years. With todayβs influx of new people moving to Music City, that practically makes her a native. Having been here since 1994, she remembers downtown Nashville without Nissan Stadium or Bridgestone Arena.
As a managing broker for Zeitlin Sothebyβs International Realtyβs Green Hills office, Jenny believes being able to put Nashvilleβs growth into context for her clients helps make her better at what she does.
βRelocation clients all want to know the depth of Nashville,β Jenny says. βThe surface is easy to go over. The area is rebuilding. Everyone can see that, but people want some history. They want to know what has evolved over the last 20-25 years. I love reminiscing about things that are part of the natural landscape.β
She predicts Nashvilleβs growth in the downtown corridor is going to continue with new residential high-rise developments already in the works.
βDowntown is going to get more retail, more living options, more workspaces and cultural environments that are slated to start development in the next two to five years,β she says. βThe continued opportunity for progress in downtown is only getting started.β
Stephanie Brooks, managing broker in Zeitlin Sothebyβs International Realtyβs Belle Meade office brings 35 years of Nashville living to her role with the company. She and her husband have lived in the same circa-1930s house on the west side of town for the bulk of their lives here and have become engrained in that community.
She says her clients fall in love with Nashvilleβs west side because of the established neighborhoods and convenience to downtown. βYou can get almost anywhere quickly because there are always more than one way to get where you are going. You learn the back roads,β she explains.
In addition to the massive appeal of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, which Stephanie says has captured the interest of all age groups with its sidewalks, connectivity and restaurants such as Answer and Edleyβs Bar-B-Que, she says the Nations and the Charlotte Pike area also have a lot to offer.
βThere are lots of new dining options with Pancho & Leftyβs Cantina, 51st Kitchen, the Taproom for East Nashville Beer Works, Hathorne and the CafΓ© at Thistle Farms,β Stephanie says. βAnd some restaurants that are coming soon to these areas include Barista Parlor and the Bearded Iris. Those, combined with some older favorites such as Bobbieβs Dairy Dip and Wendell Smithβs diner, make for some great walkable options.β
Charlie Neese is the managing broker for the Williamson County Zeitlin Sothebyβs International Realty office and was born and raised in Williamson County. Growing up between Fairview and Primm Springs in a more remote area of the county, Charlie can tell you pretty much anything you want or need to know about this part of town.
βI know the history of this area because I lived it,β he says. βI have seen all the changes, and I intimately know the area because I have driven these roads β¦ I know the people. I donβt know of a better place to raise a family than Williamson County.β
Charlie said he loves bringing new people to the area and showing them around to help them understand it. βWe know we have the best here, but to someone from out of town, they donβt know it until you see it. I always say βyou have to trust me. Itβs going to be special,β and then you show it to them, and they realize I was right.β
He recently met a couple from New York who were considering relocating to Franklin for a job. Instead of spending the day showing them houses, he drove them through Brentwood, they had dinner in downtown Franklin and walked around Leiperβs Fork. Charlie explained the history of the area to them and said they immediately fell in love.
βThey said if they were going to move from the only place they had ever known, this was exactly where they wanted to be,β he shares. βBeing able to help people and share this area with them so they can understand it β¦ that is what I love about my job.β
In addition to the history of Williamson County, Charlie is well-versed on whatβs to come. He sees the I-840 corridor as a growth area and even sees prices rising in his home spot of Primm Springs, along with the other hot spots of Berry Farms, College Grove and Ladd Park.
But what Charlie is able to see, particularly when he combines his knowledge of history and his understanding of whatβs to come in the area he represents, is balance.
βSo far, Williamson County and especially Franklin have done a pretty good job of being able to maintain a small-town feel,β he says. βLeiperβs Fork is completely different from when I grew up, yet when you walk through it, you know itβs something special. They didnβt make it something itβs not. And thatβs going to be more important as this area grows.β
Jenny and Stephanie agree. Both Belle Meade and Green Hills have exciting growth ahead but are also areas that are working toward striking a balance.
βItβs an exciting time to move to Nashville,β Jenny adds. βHousing is still affordable, and there are a lot of options on the market. Everyone is so nice and that makes me proud to be a Nashvillian. Even with all the growth weβve had, Nashville still feels like a small town. We are at a great happy medium right now.β
If youβre interested in buying a home in Belle Meade, Green Hills or Williamson County, these three people know the areas best. To find out more about what home options are available in these areas of town β or even what the best place is to spend a Saturday in those areas β these are the folks who know. Get in touch with them at zeitlin.com.
This article is sponsored by Zeitlin Sothebyβs International Realty. All photography by Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography.
Melonee Hurt
Melonee is a native of East Tennessee who spent six years as a writer in NYC before returning to the South. She enjoys coaching CrossFit, traveling, cycling, camping and spending time outdoors with her family.