Somerville provides a taste of rustic seclusion
Situated on the rural eastern outskirts of the Memphis metro, Somerville offers a serene alternative to the city. “I feel like a lot of people are moving out to the Somerville area just to get away from the city area,” says Jacob Bussenger, a local Realtor with Re/Max Experts who’s lived in the area for over 30 years. “Because it’s very rural. Most people have at least an acre of land. A lot of people are coming out, getting chickens, gardening, just having room for their animals and kids. And just the peace and quiet.” The area’s expansive lots feature a mix of established and recently built homes. All are close to a historic town square dotted with restaurants and other attractions, and are just under 50 miles from the heart of Memphis.
Homes cross multiple eras, come in a range of sizes
Some of Somerville’s houses date to the 1950s, mostly ranch-style home options. However, the community is welcoming more and more New Traditional Craftsman-style homes in subdivisions like Hedge Rose and Wellington Place. Floor plans range anywhere from 800 square feet to well over 4,000. “Somerville has really every option,” Bussenger says. Most houses around Somerville line quiet, unmarked residential streets. Properties sell for $120,000 to $580,000 based on age and square footage.
Schools blend academics with athletics and college prep
Somerville is part of the Fayette County Public Schools district, which carries a C-minus rating from Niche. Students may attend Buckley-Carpenter Elementary for prekindergarten through fifth grade, a school that integrates STEM into its curriculum. East Junior High has its own baseball, basketball and volleyball teams. Fayette-Ware High offers dual-enrollment courses through the University of Tennessee Martin’s Somerville Center. All three schools carry C-minus grades from Niche. Private institutions in the area include the B-rated Fayette Academy for prekindergarten through 12th grade, a school with 80% student participation in athletics. The UT Martin Somerville Center is an option for undergraduate classes in topics from criminal justice to nursing.
Memphis remains relatively close
It’s common for people in this area to commute to Memphis for work, Bussenger says. U.S. Route 64 in town connects to Interstate 40 for drives directly into the city — downtown is roughly 45 miles west. The Memphis International Airport is also about a 45-mile trip and offers nonstop flights to almost 40 destinations. The West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar Hospital, 23 miles east on Route 64, has an emergency department.
Town Square is the center of commercial activity
Somerville’s town square is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The Fayette County Courthouse anchors the area, a Beaux-Arts-style structure that dates to the 1920s. Various businesses surround the courthouse, including Raven and Lily, which specializes in Southern fare. “That’s more of a high-end restaurant,” Bussenger says. Locals seeking breakfast have options like Main Street Eatery, whose pancakes are a hit. The Hut is a diner-style option for barbecue. Home chefs can pick up fresh cuts from The Fancy Cow butcher shop or Food Rite. Boondocks Western Store, by Food Rite, carries all sorts of clothing items, from hats to jeans to boots.
Fishing to golf, outdoor opportunities vary
Multiple lakes and other outdoor attractions are within 25 miles of Somerville. Bussenger says he goes to Herb Parsons Lake, just over 20 miles away and stocked with bass, catfish, crappie and more. Several miles of trails surround the water. Whiteville Lake, a 16-mile trip, is another fishing hole in the area. The private Somerville Country Club features a 9-hole golf course and an Olympic-size pool. Fair Oaks Golf Club, roughly 10 miles away, has an 18-hole layout open to the public. Somerville Park, at UT Martin Somerville Center, offers a playground.
Center of town is a magnet for community gatherings
The Town Square area hosts traditions like Trick or Treating on the Square for Halloween, which Bussenger says he’s attended the last several years. “That always has a good turnout,” Bussenger says. The Cotton Festival is a staple of September on the square and is also known to draw a crowd. The festival features attractions like a car show, a 5K run and live music.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
