Living in Gallatin: Guide to Food, Entertainment, & Real Estate

About Gallatin, Tennessee

If Old Hickory Lake is the Wild West, then Gallatin, the county seat of Sumner County, is its boomtown. It might be a few miles further down the road than the neighboring suburb of Hendersonville, but that doesn’t seem to be much of an issue for home buyers. Once you’ve dabbled in Gallatin’s system of lakefront parks and trails, you’ll realize that this sense of inclusivity is more than just a trait of the housing market, it’s a foundational part of the town itself.

Where Is Gallatin Located?

Gallatin is northeast of downtown Nashville and north of Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. Without traffic, the commute from Gallatin to the heart of downtown Nashville will take about 35 minutes. This may sound long, but the commute is straightforward. Vietnam Veterans Boulevard offers an easy way to hop on and off of I-65 and Nashville Pike/Main Street provides easy access to get from Gallatin to neighboring Hendersonville for a change in scenery.

How’s The Vibe In Gallatin?

The scenic city of Gallatin attracts retirees that like to hit the links, some college students that attend Volunteer State Community College, and a lot of young families looking for lush lawns for their little ones to run around. Gallatin is a moderate-sized city with an easy commute to Nashville for working parents and ample places for families to explore. It also has a thriving community of retirees that enjoy the local country clubs and gated communities.

What’s The Food + Nightlife Scene Like In Gallatin?

Gallatin isn’t known for its fine dining, food scene, or nightlife. That doesn’t mean you can’t grab a quick drink at one of the local pubs, though. Fairvue Pizza & Pub makes an amazing pizza and an impressive assortment of locally crafted beers. If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to have a cold one, Fairvue is it.

If you’re a fan of barbecue, Top Hog is a local staple. Their slow smoked meats and mouth-watering southern favorites with a twist like their brisket chili and their smoked Cuban sandwich make Top Hog a top pick for a casual night out.

Mabel’s Dining Room is off the beaten track, but a best kept secret in the area for comfort food and southern hospitality. Their homemade pies are worth their weight in gold.

Swaney Swift’s on the Square is an excellent stop when you’re strolling the historic downtown square district. They’re known for their milkshakes, floats, and tasty burgers.

What Are The Top Things To Do In Gallatin?

Part of Gallatin’s appeal is its proximity to Old Hickory Lake. Nat Caldwell Park for example sits on the lakeshore and features amenities such as a boat ramp and picnic area with built-in grills. Lock Four Mountain Bike Trail is another local favorite on the lake that offers mountain bike enthusiasts a place to ride with lake views. A bit further inland, the Gallatin Miracle Park has a public soccer field, softball field, disc-golf course, and a dog park for our four-legged friends. The Sumner County Museum located off Main Street promises to offer visitors a sense of what life was like in Sumner County dating back to the Civil War. Downtown Gallatin has a lot to offer from the many local shops and eateries on Main Street to the Gallatin Public Library. Just south of Main Street, Rose Mont is a historic landmark built by Judge Josephus Conn Guild in the 1840s.

How’s The Real Estate Market In Gallatin?

The housing market has frantically tried to keep up with the surge of new residents, resulting in a community dotted with move-in-ready new construction. Over a dozen new developments, mostly clustered on the Nashville side of town along Highway 31E and Highway 386 corridors, are turning out hundreds of single-family homes to meet the diverse needs of their increasing population.

Single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments — all are readily available to buy; and even more, like the elegant townhomes at Newman Crossing, are coming soon. Despite the motivated buyers, this high inventory is helping to keep housing competition and prices somewhat affordable. Sure, some of the more upscale developments can run into the $600,000s, but 3-bedroom new construction homes in the same area are often found in the mid $400,000s.

This housing diversity even extends to the rental market. 4 in 10 Gallatin residents are renters — a fairly high percentage for Nashville suburbs — and contemporary complexes, like The Edison, offer affordable living in the same neighborhoods as the single-family developments.

Since 2010, Gallatin’s population has exploded by almost 50%. Much of this can be attributed to the area’s recent business development. Gap’s Gallatin warehouse has added hundreds of jobs in the last few years, and Barretta, the revered Italian gunmaker, relocated its U.S. production facility to the town in 2015. When you combine desirable jobs with low cost of living and proximity to the water, you get a town on the rise. New construction homes in Gallatin feature luxurious design elements such as an open floor plan, granite countertops, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, and stainless appliances. What’s more, new developments often include prized amenities such as a community pool, clubhouse, and walking trails.

PRO TIP: See homes for sale in Gallatin

How’s The Cost Of Living In Gallatin?

When it comes to affordability, Gallatin helps keep you on budget. This beautiful city is right on par with the average cost of living throughout the U.S. You can find new construction, small historic homes, townhouses, gated community living, and more for a fraction of the price of other Nashville suburbs. This often means substantially more home for the same price as cities like Brentwood, Hendersonville, and Mount Juliet.

How Is Transportation In Gallatin?

Having a car in Gallatin is a must. This city is built for drivers with all grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses being spread out (mostly along Nashville Pike). While Gallatin is slightly more bike-able than other nearby towns, you will definitely feel the burn in your thighs. As for public transit, residents of Gallatin are out of luck.

What Are The Top Schools In Gallatin?

Gallatin is part of Sumner County School District, a top-performing district in the state. It can be difficult to find a top-ranking middle school, but Gallatin has one. Station Camp Middle is ranked #58 in the state. Station Camp Elementary provides students with exceptional education with a great student-to-teach ratio. The local high school (also aptly named Station Camp High School) comes in 31st in the state.

What Are The Best Parks In Gallatin?

If you love fresh air, nature, and green spaces, Gallatin has plenty to choose from. Because Gallatin is on the Cumberland River, most parks are waterfront. Martha Gallatin Access Area is a wonderful place to launch your kayak or boat or have a picnic. Locals love Lock 4 Park, where they take in scenic views of the water and tear up the trails on their mountain bikes. Miracle Park and Municipal Park have wonderful playgrounds for the little ones.

Is Gallatin A Safe Place To Live?

Gallatin is a safe, quiet, and friendly place to live. Its crime rates are under half of the Tennessee average. Gallatin has many extremely safe neighborhoods such as the Kansas Bledsoe area and Cottontown. Any crime that does occur is often concentrated in the city center.

Pros To Living In Gallatin

• This city has kept its southern charm and feels like an authentic small town, but with plenty to keep outdoor enthusiasts and the little ones busy.
• If you’re looking to raise a family or retire where you can swing a golf club daily, Gallatin has your name all over it. Boaters, anglers, and mountain bikers also feel right at home with all the water access and green spaces available in Gallatin.
• This city even offers a bit of a college feel with cultural events like plays, performances, and art shows at Volunteer State Community College. Many residents also love that Gallatin has an established annual music festival.

Cons To Living In Gallatin

• While Gallatin is a quaint and lowkey city, it may not be a great fit for foodies, young professionals, and residents without vehicles.
• Gallatin does have great food, but very few upscale dining spots and little to no nightlife. Even the country clubs are more laid back than most.
• For those needing to commute downtown, Gallatin may not be the best choice as it can take over 40 minutes depending on traffic.

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