The original Nashville offers character, convenience and countryside
Of the 13 Nashvilles in the United States, Nashville in North Carolina is the oldest, offering historic character, a small-town feel and easy access to Raleigh and Rocky Mount. It’s a place where you can walk to a locally owned restaurant if you live in town, or you can enjoy country scenery from a rural home. The area has seen a lot of recent growth, including new businesses and housing developments. Whether you’re looking for a place to retire or put down family roots, Nashville offers a quiet yet vibrant community with lots to do.
What home prices and styles you can find in Nashville
The median home sale price in Nashville is in the upper $200,000s, below Raleigh’s but higher than Rocky Mount’s and Wilson ’s. Prices usually range from the lower $100,000s to the upper $500,000s, depending on age, condition and size. “We have a small historic district with historic homes built in the early 1900s, and then we also have new construction just a few blocks away or right down the road,” says Haley Langley, who lives in Nashville and is a Realtor with True Local Realty. “There’s also still land for purchase available for you to build your own home.” If you’re looking to rent, some small homes and apartments are available.
Commute times to employment hubs
Many residents commute to Raleigh, Wilson or Rocky Mount for work. “It has very close access to Highway 64, which puts us in a good position to be able to hit I-95 to go north and south, and to get to other places in North Carolina, like over to the coast,” says Realtor Takyla Hill, who’s sold homes in the area since 2017 and is the owner of Key Realty Solutions. From Nashville’s town center, you can get to:
- Rocky Mount in 20 minutes
- Wilson in 30 minutes
- Raleigh in 50 minutes
What Nash County schools kids might attend
Kids can attend Nash County Public Schools, which is a highly rated district. Several schools serve the Nashville area, and enrollment is determined by your address. Here are some possible pipelines:
- If you live in the northern part of the area, kids might go to Red Oak Elementary School, Red Oak Middle School and Northern Nash High School.
- If you live in central Nashville or the historic district, kids can go to Nashville Elementary School, Nash Central Middle School and Nash Central High School.
- If you live in the southern part of the area, kids might go to the highly rated Coopers Elementary School, Southern Nash Middle School and the highly rated Southern Nash High School.
All high schoolers in the county can apply to the highly rated Nash Early College High School, located at Nash Community College, where students can earn an associate degree.
Where to find dining, groceries and shopping around town
There are plenty of options for restaurants and shopping in Nashville’s historic district downtown. Hill recommends the sandwiches at the Nashville Exchange, a restaurant that originally opened as a bookstore and now serves breakfast and lunch. Nearby, Dos Hermanos Mexican Restaurant serves classic Mexican comfort food. Fast food chains and Ribeye’s Restaurant, a North Carolina chain, are near U.S. Highway 64. Grocery stores include Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion and Walmart. Fresh produce and locally made goods are available at the Nashville Farmers Market from April through August.
Parks and sports leagues give kids plenty of ways to stay active
Nashville also offers plenty of things to do. J.W. Glover Memorial Park is the hub of Nashville’s youth sports, offering lighted baseball fields, soccer pitches and basketball courts. The park also has a playground and a nine-hole disc golf course. W.B. Ennis Memorial Park is another popular hangout. “It’s my daughter’s favorite park,” Hill says. “It’s got a combination of different things kids can climb on. It's not just swings.” Kids can also join the Red Oak Basketball League. “What sets their program apart is that kids from all over the area come,” Hill says. “Whether they’re starters or second string, every kid gets an opportunity to play at least six minutes.”
Small-town charm with festivals and activities year-round
Depending on where you live, Nashville can have a country, suburban or small-town feel. While the community spans a large area, the county organizes plenty of ways for residents to gather. “On the back of our water bills, we get a list of town events. There are always things to do,” Langley says. The Nashville Blooming Festival on Mother’s Day Weekend is one of the area’s larger events, featuring a parade, carnival rides and vendors.
What healthcare options are nearby
When it comes to health care, Nashville has an urgent care clinic and several options for primary care. Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount is the closest full-service hospital with an emergency room. Duke University Hospital, located about an hour and 15 minutes away, offers a comprehensive cancer center and a children’s hospital.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
