Franklin v. Brentwood (real estate, renting, houses)

[tinkerbellefrozenincanada]

Hi I am new to the forum, and found that there is a lot of great information on this site for people like me who do not reside in the area, but need insight from folks that do.

Our family is planning a move to Tennessee next summer. I understand that the US is still in a "recession". Can anyone give me any idea what the employment rate is like in the Nashville area?

We are interested in two suburbs there, Franklin and Brentwood. We are looking for a good neighbourhood, with good schools (ie. High School), as well as resale value and amenities. My children attend private christian school here, but unsure what they are like there or the cost.

Any ideas, suggestions or comments would be much appreciated!

Judy

[septimus]

Originally Posted by tinkerbellefrozenincanada

Hi I am new to the forum, and found that there is a lot of great information on this site for people like me who do not reside in the area, but need insight from folks that do.

Our family is planning a move to Tennessee next summer. I understand that the US is still in a "recession". Can anyone give me any idea what the employment rate is like in the Nashville area?

We are interested in two suburbs there, Franklin and Brentwood. We are looking for a good neighbourhood, with good schools (ie. High School), as well as resale value and amenities. My children attend private christian school here, but unsure what they are like there or the cost.

Any ideas, suggestions or comments would be much appreciated!

Judy

Unemployment is currently 8.5% in TN. It is lower in Williamson County (Franklin/Brentwood)

A lot of neighborhood suggestions are going to depend on your price point.

Brentwood is probably going to be a minimum of $450k. Most of the houses are on acre lots and there are mostly mcmansions and older ranch style houses.

Franklin you can get into something for high 100s low 200s although the median is in the 300s. Franklin has smaller lots and sidewalks in a lot of neighborhoods and a realy downtown.

All of the WCS are good but they do have their own personalities.

Private school tuitions. There is at least one Christian school that I can think of that is about $6k and they go all the way up to $22k for christian and secular

[Vandy-bound]

We just moved to Brentwood from the Chicago area this past July and love it here! For our family, Brentwood just felt more like "home" to us, but Franklin is quite nice. We are very pleased overall with the WCS system: we have one at Ravenwood high school and one currently at Sunset Elementary.

Our experience is that Brentwood is more expensive, but ymmv depending on exactly where you want to live and what you are looking for in a house.

I highly recommend coming for at least one visit and spending a day or two at least in each area. If you can visit the schools you are considering once you narrow down where you might live that's even better. I also recommend renting first, if you are in a position to do so. We are so happy we ended up renting and now are actively looking for a house to buy. It's taken us nearly 6 months to really figure out where we want to live and become adjusted to the area/traffic/shopping.

Good luck to you!

[tinkerbellefrozenincanada]

Thank you for the info, what would be your preference with a family of preteens?

Originally Posted by septimus

Unemployment is currently 8.5% in TN. It is lower in Williamson County (Franklin/Brentwood)

A lot of neighborhood suggestions are going to depend on your price point.

Brentwood is probably going to be a minimum of $450k. Most of the houses are on acre lots and there are mostly mcmansions and older ranch style houses.

Franklin you can get into something for high 100s low 200s although the median is in the 300s. Franklin has smaller lots and sidewalks in a lot of neighborhoods and a realy downtown.

All of the WCS are good but they do have their own personalities.

Private school tuitions. There is at least one Christian school that I can think of that is about $6k and they go all the way up to $22k for christian and secular

[tinkerbellefrozenincanada]

Thanks for your reply. I have been to Nashville twice, didn't really get a chance to see any real estate in either burb, drove through,but not enough time to give me a feel. Hopefully we will be back before summer, by the sounds of it, you have snow today, just like up here in Canada! Only yours won't last! The only reason I am leaning more towards Franklin, is the "small town" feel of the area. My oldest daughter will be graduating in 2 years and hopes to attend University in Nashville, my younger will be in High School, so that is an important factor for me that she gets into a good school.

Originally Posted by Vandy-bound

We just moved to Brentwood from the Chicago area this past July and love it here! For our family, Brentwood just felt more like "home" to us, but Franklin is quite nice. We are very pleased overall with the WCS system: we have one at Ravenwood high school and one currently at Sunset Elementary.

Our experience is that Brentwood is more expensive, but ymmv depending on exactly where you want to live and what you are looking for in a house.

I highly recommend coming for at least one visit and spending a day or two at least in each area. If you can visit the schools you are considering once you narrow down where you might live that's even better. I also recommend renting first, if you are in a position to do so. We are so happy we ended up renting and now are actively looking for a house to buy. It's taken us nearly 6 months to really figure out where we want to live and become adjusted to the area/traffic/shopping.

Good luck to you!

[septimus]

Originally Posted by tinkerbellefrozenincanada

Thank you for the info, what would be your preference with a family of preteens?

They are pretty common but I'd look for a neighborhood with a pool as part of the HOA. It gives preteens something to do all summer.

[CAgirlinTN]

We are also planning to move to the Franklin/Brentwood area this summer. I have visited schools and am pleased with Franklin High. I am sure Ravenwood and Brentwood High are great too (as I have been told that a lot lately) however I believe it is more expensive to live in Brentwood. Are you set on private school? I agree that if at all possible you should visit the schools. I went to Franklin to do just that a few days ago and I was suprised by which schools I loved and which ones I didn't. I had reviewed the schoolsl online and had formed opinions about them before seeing them based on what I read online. My mind was changed when I walked in the buildings. I think it is impossible to pick an enviroment without setting foot in it if you want to be completely satisfied. It is also a really personal choice, some people might love the schools that I did not and vise versa. I think it is especially important for highschool that you like the school. Any way you can come visit the schools before moving?

[jenntenn]

By the way, i would say the minimum in Brentwood is about 275k (lower if you are up do doing some serious rehab) Some of the older homes in the neighborhoods that were established in the 60's and 70's are going to be priced lower just due to the age of some of the homes. Most have been very well maintained but people move to brentwood and want 'new' so the great older homes tend to be forgotten. Some of them are even completely updated, like to show home quality and high end finishes. Not many of the older neighborhoods have community pools and such but they do all have acre lots. Just a thought