NEIGHBORHOOD

The Nations

An ever-evolving west-side neighborhood of breweries, coffee shops, and new builds, watched over by the stunning 200-foot silo mural of longtime resident Lee Estes.

The Nations famous silo mural on a cloudy day

About the Neighborhood: The Nations

The Nations, located around five miles west of downtown, is one of Nashville’s fastest growing neighborhoods. The Nations contains a mix of old residential communities and new and trendy mixed-use developments. Many great local restaurants and places have opened here in recent years from breweries like Fat Bottom to restaurants like Frothy Monkey and Nicky’s Coal Fired among others.

Our favorite Nashville mural is located in the Nations. It’s a stunning 200 foot tall graphic by Australian artist Guido Van Helton on the side of an abandoned concrete silo on the Nations west side. The mural depicts a 93 year old long-time resident of the Nations, Lee Estes, and a young boy looking out over the neighborhood.

The Nations Neighborhood Scorecard

Our scorecard evaluates The Nations based on the factors that matter most to residents.

Overall score

90 /100

The Nations is one of Nashville's fastest-growing neighborhoods, after historic damage from the 2010 Flood the neighborhood has seen tons of development and is now thriving with many restaurants and local developments.

At a glance

Population 9,800
Vibe Growing, Nice, Walkable
Median Home Price $675,000
Median Age 35
Average Income $98,000
Downtown Commute 12 minutes
Airport Commute 20 minutes

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Good local restaurants and breweries
  • Strong sense of community
  • Walkable commercial areas
  • Convenient access to downtown
  • Mix of new construction and old homes

Things to Consider

  • Ongoing construction and redevelopment
  • Limited shopping options
  • Traffic during peak hours
  • Home prices have risen significantly

Parks & Nature

4.2

Nearby parks, greenways, and the Cumberland River provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Affordability

4.0

One of the most affordable of Nashville's central neighhorhoods although prices have risen rapidly in the last decade.

Family Friendly

4.5

Parks, sidewalks, walkable streets and neighborhood events continue to attract more and more families each year.

Restaurants

4.8

Many neighborhoods have priced out local spots and become dominated by chains but the Nations is still home to a largely locally-owned restaurant scene.

Shopping

3.6

Local boutiques and specialty shops are growing, though major retail destinations are a short drive away.

Nightlife

4.1

Neighborhood bars, breweries, and taprooms create an active but laid-back nightlife scene.

Walkability

4.5

Not perfectly walkable by any means but many residents can walk to restaurants, coffee shops, and neighborhood businesses.

Commute

4.6

Quick access to downtown, Charlotte Avenue, I-40, and major employment centers.

Scores reflect Nashville Go's editorial assessment and available local data.

Living In The Nations

Most of what's for sale in The Nations today is newer construction. The neighborhood's original stock consisted largely of small postwar cottages on relatively generous lots, and over the past decade many have been replaced by narrow multi-story homes, often two residences where one once stood. That's the trade-off buyers are generally weighing here. Newer construction and more interior square footage than the same budget might buy in some nearby neighborhoods, usually on a smaller footprint but often with at least some private outdoor space.


The remaining older cottages represent a different side of the market. Depending on the condition, lot, and zoning, some attract buyers interested as much in the property itself as the existing house. Prices have risen considerably as The Nations has developed, although it can still offer a different entry point than some of Nashville's other west-side neighborhoods. It's also important to pay attention to exactly where you're buying. Development remains very active along and around 51st Avenue, while the residential streets farther away can feel considerably different, particularly as you approach the neighborhood's industrial edges.

The Nations neighborhood highlighted on a map of Nashville

Upcoming Events in The Nations

  • 15 September Sex Pistols (Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock) featuring Frank Carter with Panic Shack Marathon Music Works 8:30 p.m.
  • 30 September The Midnight: Time Machines with Bonnie McKee Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.
  • 6 October Paris Paloma: The Fatal Flaw Tour with Susannah Joffe Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.
  • 8 October Artemas – Lovercore / Getting Up to No Good Tour with Henry Morris Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.
  • 10 October Ravyn Lenae Presents: Blue Island with Q Marsden Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.
  • 14 October Chelsea Wolfe: The Dark World Tour with Jonathan Hultén Marathon Music Works 8:30 p.m.
  • 17 October Fool House – The Ultimate 90's Party: WOW! That's What I Call 90's Tour Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.
  • 23 October DJ Shadow Celebrates 30 Years of Endtroducing Marathon Music Works 8:00 p.m.

See all Nashville events

Eat & Drink in The Nations

Photos

A cloudy day at White Bison in the Nations White Bison Coffee
Stocking 51 Stocking 51
"Nashville Strong" sign at Project 615 Project 615
The Nations Bar and Grill The Nations Bar and Grill
Frothy Monkey cup of coffee Frothy Monkey
Kobe Bryant mural in the Nations Red Bicycle Coffee

Stay Up To Date

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on Music City! Get a complete list of daily Nashville happenings with our daily events email. Get the best restaurant openings, happy hours and more with our weekly email.

Get our daily events newsletter:

Get our weekly Nashville update:

Silas Stricklin, Nashville Go founder
Downtown Nashville at night drone photo

Buying a home in The Nations?

Hey! I'm Silas Stricklin, the founder of NashvilleGo and a local REALTOR® serving The Nations and the greater Nashville area. If you're considering moving to The Nations, I'd be happy to help you understand the local market, navigate its mix of newer construction and established homes, and find the right home for you.

Email Me: [email protected]

Call Me: 629-213-2963

The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage

Call Our Office: 615-301-1650

Learn More