Nashville dwellers can find a slice of calm in the suburb of Oak Hill, where picturesque woodland meets stately country homes.
Oak Hill lies on the southside of Nashville, and while it’s part of the metro area, it’s mostly formed of natural landscapes. The landscape of the Radnor Lake State Park forms swathes of the neighborhood and there are mature trees and open expanses throughout.
A former farming community with pre-Civil War roots, Oak Hill’s rich rural and natural heritage has been well-preserved for generations while its development has been nature friendly. It is uniquely residential and is quieter compared with other tony Nashville suburbs.
Notable for its prestigious houses, it’s a top spot among affluent locals, including celebrities and the governor of Tennessee.
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“There’s never a huge amount for sale at one time. Right now, there are only five homes on the market, ranging from $1.39 million to $2.5 million,” said Jessica Averbuch of Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty.
Many of its original ranch-style homes remain but more are giving way to newly built luxury mansions, created in a contemporary style to maximize space and views. They are typically built by local developers and sell fast.
“People move here for the quiet and the scenic setting. You see people walking their dogs, jogging, pushing prams along its leafy streets. It’s a friendly, quiet and sedate place, and its residents like it that way,” said Ashley Luther, managing broker and COO at Chord Real Estate.
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Boundaries
The suburb, which has three ZIP codes and about 1,800 homes, is about 20 minutes from the Gulch neighborhood in the south of Nashville’s downtown area.
Oak Hill has Franklin Pike road running through the middle of it. Interstate 65 (I-65) sits on its eastern edge, Old Hickory Boulevard forms its southern edge and Woodmont Boulevard lies along its northern side. On its west border, it blends seamlessly into the city of Forest Hills and the residential and commercial neighborhood of Green Hills.
Price Range
In Oak Hill, the average asking price for homes last year was $1.775 million, Ms. Averbuch said, adding that values ranged from between mid-$500,000 to $8 million. The majority of newly built family homes are around $2.5 million, Ms. Luther added.
Oak Hill only accounts for about 8% of sales in the wider Davidson County, which shows it has a low turnover of homes, Ms. Luther said. Davidson County is the second-largest county in Tennessee and includes Nashville.
Oak Hill has experienced significant price appreciation in recent years due to low interest rates and limited inventory levels. “It’s definitely a seller’s market, we’ve seen many homes receiving multiple offers. The average list-to-sales price ratio is 98%,” Ms. Luther said.
Housing Stock
In Oak Hill, it’s all large single-family houses and most come with about an acre of land or more.
Most homes were built in the1950s and ‘60s when the area was incorporated into Nashville. They are typically ranch-style houses, which are single-story properties with open-plan living. There are also traditional Federal and Colonial styles, which recall the history of the area.
One of the oldest is the governor of Tennessee’s official residence—a 1920s Georgian-style mansion with an underground ballroom and 10-acre grounds.
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The luxury market is dominated by newer construction, both traditional and contemporary. These homes are on plots with at least half an acre of land and often more, Ms. Averbuch said. New houses are either traditional style (Federal and Colonial style) or contemporary, which includes large windows, gables and exterior siding.
Ms. Averbuch’s office is selling a fully renovated, 5,500-square-foot estate with six bedrooms, an in-law suite, a three-car garage, a large back garden with a covered pavilion, and almost 6 acres of grounds. Built in 1974, it’s now up for sale for $2.29 million.
What Makes It Unique
Oak Hill was home to historic farmsteads and plantations that date back to the late 1800s. In the postwar period, Oak Hill saw rapid expansion and the city was incorporated. Rather than being master planned, the neighborhood grew organically along winding roads.
“This area attracts people who appreciate the best of both worlds—a residential neighborhood, a natural setting and a convenient location near the interstate and major commercial district,” Ms. Averbuch said.
Few city suburbs can boast a location next to a state park. In fact, Radnor Lake State Park is the largest pocket of wilderness in the U.S. in close proximity to a major city, according to Alltrails. The park, created in 1913, spans over 1,300 acres surrounding an 85-acre lake. Filled with biodiversity, wildlife and miles of trails, it’s a popular local hiking spot.
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Luxury Amenities
There is a broad range of public and private school offerings nearby. Father Ryan High School is a private Catholic co-ed high school for pupils in grades 9 to 12. Both are just off Franklin Pike Road.
Glendale Spanish Immersion Elementary School is a “highly rated” public school for pupils from kindergarten to the 4th grade. It’s located less than two miles away on Thompson Avenue. Just outside Oak Hill, Lipscomb Academy is a private college prep Christian school serving students from pre-kindergarten through to grade 12.
In Oak Hill, Oak Hill School is a Christian elementary school offering education for pre-kindergarten to the 6th grade.
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Many of Nashville’s most popular restaurants and shops are located in the nearby 12 Avenue South district, three miles north of Oak Hill. It has Locust, with just eight tables and two seatings three nights a week by chef Trevor Moran serving natural wines and an eclectic, ever-changing menu; elegant Josephine by Andy Little bringing together seasonal fare with local flavors; Taqueria del Sol is a small chain offering Mexican cuisine with Southern flavors.
Bottle Cap and the 12 South Taproom are relaxed watering holes that serve hearty meals and snacks. The 8thAvenue, Green Hills and Brentwood neighborhoods also have an array of notable eateries.
The mall at Green Hills is the most exclusive mall in Nashville, with posh clothing stores by Burberry, Breitling, Chanel, J. Crew, handbag designer Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton and furniture store Arhaus.
Who Lives There
Due to its central location and convenient interstate access, Oak Hill residents can work and play both in Davidson and neighboring Williamson County. The neighborhood attracts people who want a purely residential area but don’t want to be far from amenities and conveniences, Ms. Averbuch said.
Oak Hill residents are a mix of ages, including younger families. Residents are executive-level professionals in healthcare, music and tech, which are big industries in Nashville. The governor of Tennessee lives here as do a number of other politicians.
Notable Residents
Actor Reese Witherspoon lives in Oak Hill in an estate that she purchased for $1.95 million as a fixer-upper, according to the Tennessean newspaper. It’s home to many people in the music industry, too, including the multiple Grammy Award-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, according to Ms. Luther.
Outlook
“Oak Hill is very desirable and during the pandemic, it experienced the same surge of interest and activity as other popular neighborhoods in Nashville. Oak Hill is a tried-and-true Nashville favorite. It is a stable market that continues to grow in appeal because of its beautiful natural setting, rich history and convenient location,” Ms. Averbach said.
More recently, over the past six to eight months, “things have started slowing down in the lower end of the market because of the interest rate hike last year [from nearly 0% to around 5%]. The luxury real estate market has not been affected as most buyers have substantial equity,” Ms. Luther said
“In January, sales picked back up and we haven’t even come into the spring season yet, which is typically a bustling time. Nashville is a city that’s not typically hit hard by the recession or housing bubbles. We think that prices will continue to grow but at a slower pace of around 3% and 4% over the coming 12 months,” Ms. Luther added. “A correction in prices is what’s needed in the market.”
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