Forest Hills

Quiet, winding backroads and leafy seclusion give Otter Creek a rural atmosphere. And those seeking the pulse of Music City take advantage of the 10-mile cruise that leads right into the heart of Broadway. Sprawling estates with impressive architecture sit atop hills, and renovated ranch homes are settled far enough apart to enjoy the yard space but close enough to nod to the neighbor. Situated in Davidson County, this Forest Hills suburb offers residents access to both nature and Nashville and is ranked the No. 2 best place to raise a family, according to Niche. “People love this area because its centrally located by the natural beauty of Radnor Lake, between plenty of shopping and eateries in Green Hills and Brentwood,” says Rebecca Norris DiNapoli, a Realtor at Compass with more than 30 years of experience in both the music industry and real estate in Nashville. Homes in Otter Creek flow with the green hills of the Tennessee terrain, where some areas are especially steep and dense with trees. Properties have been well-constructed to handle the environment, as huge stone estates and towering colonial homes are set upon several acres on the hillsides. “Eddy Arnold owns land here, where he hired only developers that would maintain the land’s natural aesthetic. They cut down very few trees, keeping it nature-friendly and very desirable—developers and builders are following suit because they love how beautiful this area is,” says DiNapoli. Classic mid-century brick ranch homes, vintage cottages and colonials that range in size from 2,000 to about 3,000 square feet are rarely found for under $1 million. Contemporary homes with traditional architecture, Craftsman or Farmhouse influences typically range between 4,000 and 8,000 square feet. These estates, many shaded by maple and oak trees with picket fences outlining the property, sell between $1.5 million to upwards of $10 million. Davidson County is recognized as one of the best places to live in Tennessee with the best school districts in the Metro Nashville area. Younger students living in Otter Creek can begin with a 14-1 student-teacher ratio at Percy Priest Elementary School, which Niche grades a B-plus and ranks as the No. 3 best elementary school in the county. As they progress, learners can attend J.T. Moore Middle School, which receives a B Niche grade. Hillsboro High School, which Niche also grades a B and ranks as the No. 5 best magnet high school in Nashville, serves the area’s older students. Parents might opt to send their children to a nearby private school: Brentwood Academy, Franklin Road Academy, Currey Ingram Academy and St. Paul Christian Academy are all close by. On the east side of Otter Creek, locals take in the scenic views at Radnor Lake State Park. With 1,400 acres of wooded trails around Radnor Lake, this park offers opportunities to exercise while viewing wildlife. "There are some trails you can’t even run on because they don’t want you to scare the owls or otters,” DiNapoli adds. In the southern part of town, the self-guided trails at Deerwood Arboretum educate on more than 60 species of trees, birds and other local wildlife. A 5-mile drive east along Old Hickory Boulevard leads to a popular retail section in Brentwood with a variety of restaurants, shops and grocers. "Mere Bulles is a longstanding steakhouse, and people love margaritas and Tex-Mex at Uncle Julio’s," says Mandy Smith, a Nashville native on DiNapoli’s team. Locals can mark items off their grocery lists at Publix or Fresh Market. Another 5-mile jaunt north along Hillsboro Pike leads to The Mall at Green Hills, where there are several medical suites and more grocery options at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. “Across from Trader Joe’s, Santo’s serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine,” Smith adds. Old Hickory Boulevard and Hillsboro Pike are the main thoroughfares in and out of Otter Creek, the latter leading straight into downtown Nashville. A bit further east, residents can hop onto Interstate 65 for further travel destinations. The Richland Country Club is on Otter Creek’s east side. Open since 1901, this grandeur clubhouse sits on 170 acres of Tennessee landscape, complete with a premium golf course. Members also enjoy community events, an outdoor swimming pool and top-notch dining experiences.