Finding the right neighborhood in Nashville is a personal, and complex task. We all look for the right mix of location, energy, aesthetics, community, sometimes schools and investment potential, too.
After more than 15 years of helping Nashvillians find the right home in the right neighborhood, we tend to think that there’s really no way to know the right fit until you explore in person. But a little information and direction always helps. That’s why we’re launching a regular series of Nashville Neighborhood Spotlights, meant to give a basic overview of what a Nashville neighborhood has to offer.
We’ve been spending a significant amount of time with buyers lately in fun, energetic 12 South, so it felt like a great neighborhood to launch with. So here: A quick introduction to 12 South, and some basics that might help you decide if it’s a Nashville neighborhood you need to explore as you’re searching for a place to call home.
About 12 South
Perks
Key things that’ll make 12 South appealing if you’re searching for the right neighborhood in Nashville: walkability, and convenience.
The fact that the neighborhood essentially cradles a small but impactful business district means car-free evenings and weekends are totally doable. Nashvillians who live in 12 South can take an easy, breezy walk to Sevier Park for picnics and playtime and the 12 South Farmers Market, grab coffee/lunch/dinner at an array of restaurants, park and people watch, and hoof it on back home without putting much mileage on their shoes.
A big part of the reason 12 South became such a buzzing business district — and such a popular place to renovate and build homes — is its prime perch. Barely four miles from the heart of downtown, just southeast of Hillsboro Village, south of Music Row and southwest of also-buzzing Wedgewood-Houston, you can bounce around Nashville with ease, and with the quickness. In our current “It City” levels of traffic, that ease is justifiably prized
Dining
12 South’s place as a Nashville dining destination is well-established at this point — it may not be huge in the square-miles sense, but it keeps good food packed in. A few local favorites you’ll find in 12 South:
Burger UP (2901 12th Ave. S.)
Although Burger UP is largely thought of as a high-end burger joint, it’s not oppressively high-end — you’ll find casual vibes, alongside lamb burgers with Boursin cheese and honey-mint-dijon aioli.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que (2706 12 Ave. S.)
The Edley’s location in 12 South is the OG, and it’ll underline why the brand’s been branching out from here to Chattanooga and Lexington: They’re good at barbecue, and, maybe more unusually, all the things that go with barbecue. We love their pulled pork and brisket, but it’s the fresh, house-made sides, like crispy okra and gooey mac and cheese, that keep us devoted.
Urban Grub (2506 12th Ave. S.)
Easily one of our team’s favorite Nashville hangs, Urban Grub excels whether you’re looking for surf or turf — the fresh oysters, house-cured charcuterie and dry-aged steaks are all standouts, and their outdoor dining space is perfect for spring and fall in Nashville.
Shopping
Some of Nashville’s most fashionable brands call 12 South home.
White’s Mercantile (2908 12th Ave. S.)
Singer-songwriter Holly Williams — yes, of that Williams family — launched this “general store for the modern day tastemaker,” filled with high-end but homey home goods and fashions. She now has locations across the South, and more in the works on the West Coast too.
Imogene + Willie (2601 12th Ave. S.)
One of the brands that helped boost Nashville’s rep as a fashion destination, Imogene + Willie offers high-end denim and other fashionable finds.
Draper James (2608 12th Ave. S.)
Actress Reese Witherspoon launched her fashion/home store brand with this 12 South flagship, and now has locations in Dallas, Atlanta and Lexington, Kentucky.
Emerson Grace (2304 12th Ave. S.)
Women’s clothing, jewelry, footwear, and accessories, “with an elevated casual approach.”
Homes
Think 12 South might be the right place to perch? Like many Nashville neighborhoods, it’s home to a mix of renovated older homes and new builds and all the in-betweens, and as of this posting, the average home in 12 South was selling for about $318 per square foot, with a median list price of about $650K.
Take a look at some homes for sale around Nashville neighborhood 12 South here.
Have questions, or need to set up some showings in 12 South? We’d love to help. Contact ACRE here, and we’ll get started.