Living in West Meade

I live in West Meade, and when people ask me where to find a real yard without leaving Nashville, it's usually the first place I mention.

West Meade sits in west Nashville, just past Belle Meade, in the 37205 ZIP code. The land was once the western part of the Belle Meade Plantation, which is where the name comes from. After World War II it was developed as West Meade Farms, and most of what you see today grew out of that: winding streets, hills, mature trees and homes set back on big lots.

What it's like to live in West Meade

It feels suburban, and that's the point. It's quiet, green and residential, with very little commercial inside the neighborhood itself. You'll drive for most errands (Redfin gives it a Walk Score of 14), but Highway 70 and White Bridge Road put groceries, restaurants and shopping a few minutes away.

If you like the outdoors, it's hard to beat. Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, two of the largest city parks in the area, are close by, and West Meade has its own park too.

The homes

The classic West Meade home is a 1950s to 1970s brick ranch on a big lot, often wooded and often on a slope. Many have been updated; some haven't been touched in decades.

More and more of those ranches are being torn down and replaced with much larger new homes. So on the same street you might see an original ranch, a renovated one, and a brand-new build at two or three times the price. That's a big reason the median price moves around so much from month to month.

Who West Meade fits

• Buyers who want a real yard and space between houses
• Families who want quiet streets and quick access to parks
• Buyers happy to update a solid older ranch
• People building or buying new construction on a bigger lot

What to check before you buy in West Meade

1. Lot first, house second.

   On a lot of West Meade streets, the land is a big part of the value. If you're comparing a dated ranch to a new build, ask what lots alone are selling for nearby. It changes how you look at both.

2. Slopes, trees and water.

   Hilly, wooded lots are beautiful, but have your inspector look closely at drainage, grading, retaining walls and big trees near the house. On older homes, a sewer line camera inspection is worth the money.

3. Additions and finished basements.

   Older ranches have often been added onto over the years. Make sure the work was permitted. Here's how to check a home's permit history for free.

Schools here are part of Metro Nashville Public Schools. Zoning lines change, so confirm the zoned schools for any address directly with the district before you make an offer.

For investors

Older, original ranches here can make solid renovation projects, and teardown-and-rebuild is common. Run the numbers on lot value, renovation cost and resale before you buy, and check permits and zoning on the exact address.

My free Nashville Investor Intel tool flags permit activity and short-term rental eligibility, and you can join my off-market deal list.