Tell me about Madison, TN...next to Nashville

Mrs.Snow

My husband is taking a job in Nashville, and we were recommended to live in Madison, TN. ANy thoughts??

Jessica

amykevin

Madison is an older area....I think they have done some improving there. I think Madison is fine as long as you watch what area you are in. I haven't been there in about 4 years or so though. It is pretty convenient to Nashville too.

klv

Madison is nice, just stay away from the Rivergate area. Be very choosey on what neighborhoods you select.

tnmaybride04

What kind of neighborhood are you looking for?  Are schools an issue for you?  Want more suburb or urban living?  Is your husband's job in Nashville downtown or on the outskirts?  What is your price range?  Style of homes you like?

I am curious why Madison was recommended to you.  Not that it is a bad place at all, just not usually the number one place you hear about when people are recommending neighborhoods in Nashville.  It is definitely older and you can find many more reasonably priced places with character there.  On the other hand, you will need to be selective about the areas you choose.  Some are nice, others not so much.  We were just there this past weekend to go from a friend's place in Inglewood to Lowe's.  I noticed that many of the businesses on one of the main roads (Gallatin) that goes through Madison have an older, more run down appearance to them, as opposed to some of the newer suburbs like Smyrna, Spring Hill, Mt. Juliet where it is all new developments (retail and homes).  The older may appeal to you versus the cookie cutter strip malls that many of the newer places now have. 

Give us some more information and we can definitely point you in the right direction for areas that best meet your needs.

Mrs.Snow

we are going to be renting, and price is an issue. I"d like to pay no more than about $900.00. My DH will work on 8th st...which is near downtown I believe?? We were recommended other areas, but the commute was 30-40 minutes. We only have 1 car, so we need to live close to DH's job so that he can be home quickly if need be. (we have 2 kids and one on the way)

I'd like a rental house, as opposed to an apt, but i'll do whatever.

tnmaybride04

What size place are you looking for?  I think you could find a house to rent for $900 depending on size.  Let me do some looking for you.  And I'll get back to you....

klv

With traffic on 65 in the morning, your DH's commute will likely be at least 30 mins, unless he leaves before 6:30 or 7am. You may want to look at Hermitage (east side of town). I used to live there and you can definatly find something in your price range. Also, there is a commuter train with a stop in Hermitage that goes all the way downtown, which may help your 1 car situation.

GuitaristsGirl

I'm also surprised that Madison was recommended to you. . . . .again, not that anything's "wrong" with it, it just isn't the first place you think of.  DH's grandmother lives there and loves it but, as ppers said, it is older, etc. . . . honestly, if I were in your shoes I would just begin checking for houses for rent, regardless of the area, and see what you find.  When DH and I were looking to rent we checked online with the Tennessean, and also online with local publications such as the Nashville Scene - we ended up with a great house on the west side of Nashville, about 7 miles from downtown, 3 bedrooms, $975 . . . . .

tnmaybride04

Great point klv.  Check out http://www.musiccitystar.org/

You can check the schedule and shuttle information.  This would probably really help you guys not having to worry about the one car issue.  Hermitage, Donelson, Mt. Juliet and Lebanon would all be good areas that you could get good prices. 

tnmaybride04

Craigslist has some great homes in the areas east of town.  Mt. Juliet would be a great area that is growing and has lots of shopping, some restaurants, etc.  Plus it is really safe and family friendly. 

http://nashville.craigslist.org/search/apa?query=mt.+juliet&minAsk=min&maxAsk=1000&bedrooms=

tnmaybride04

Donelson is closer to town but also on the commuter rail line

http://nashville.craigslist.org/search/apa?query=donelson&minAsk=min&maxAsk=1000&bedrooms=

Leslee&Matt

I would stay away from Madison.  The crime rate is pretty high and the area has gone downhill majorly.  I have lived in Nashville my entire life.