Living in Sylvan Park: Guide to Food, Entertainment, & Real Estate

About Sylvan Park, Nashville

Situated southwest of downtown Nashville between the West End and Whitebridge neighborhoods, Sylvan Park is a surprisingly quiet, family-friendly area nestled near some of Nashville’s greatest attractions. With Richland Creek as a western border, Sylvan Park’s tranquil, tree-lined streets and local businesses provide a retreat from the concrete and bustle surrounding it on almost every side. Visitors and residents to the community often find it hard to believe that the heart of downtown Nashville is less than 5 miles down the road.

Where Is Sylvan Park Located?

Sylvan Park is just beyond the 440-loop, west of downtown Nashville. This neighborhood borders The Nations – a fun, hip, and happening area and is an easy 15-minute drive to the heart of downtown. Sylvan Park is also just minutes away from Midtown and Centennial Park (home of the Parthenon).

One of the biggest perks of the Sylvan Park area is its proximity to 440, I-40, and other major roads that carry you through the outskirts of Nashville.

How’s The Vibe In Sylvan Park?

A quick stroll through the Sylvan Park area makes it apparent that this neighborhood is inclusive of people of all ages, interests, and professions. In Sylvan Park, it’s commonplace to find retirees living beside young professionals and growing families. Additionally, this area offers a variety of housing types at varying prices, making the neighborhood a convenient choice for college students and working professionals. Part of the charm of this lovely neighborhood is how seamlessly historic homes blend with newer construction.

What’s The Food + Nightlife Scene Like In Sylvan Park?

The quaint-but-cool Sylvan Park neighborhood offers a balance of great eateries and bars. Because of its location, residents have the option to stay within the neighborhood or take a short drive to one of many nearby local favorites.

For a great breakfast or lunch, Another Broken Egg Cafe is a crowd-pleaser. They offer fun brunch cocktails, a seasonal menu, and a blend of unique and classic dishes. Residents also love walking here with their dogs in tow and enjoying their meals on the patio with their pups.

Park Cafe is a walkable, upscale restaurant that makes date night easy. This neighborhood favorite is a go-to place for happy hour for young professionals.

For nightlife, many Sylvan Park residents head north of I-40 to Fat Bottom Brewing, a local brewery with a relaxed yet classy atmosphere located in The Nations neighborhood. Others head to Midtown or The Gulch, where they enjoy a mixed drink at Losers Bar & Grill, UP, or one of the other many options.

Sylvan Park also has some neighborhood favorites for drinks and laughs, including the Twilight Tavern, Otto’s Bar, and M.L. Rose.

What Are The Top Things To Do In Sylvan Park?

There are few zip codes in the country that enable a more convenient, well-rounded lifestyle than Sylvan Park. Perhaps that’s why it’s home to one of the most sophisticated populations in Tennessee. Both the Nashville Opera and the Nashville Ballet — the preeminent companies of their kind in the state — call the neighborhood home. The extensive Richland Creek Greenway and the public 27-hole McCabe Golf Course are both beautiful and accessible options for outdoor exercise. In between all the activity, Murphy Road offers a centrally-located strip of locally-owned restaurants (we suggest Star Bagel) and shops that are even within walking distance of most homes.

How’s The Real Estate Market In Sylvan Park?

Sylvan Park is mostly made up of 3-4 bedroom detached single-family homes, as well as a few apartment complexes. Since it was one of Nashville’s early suburbs, the neighborhood’s residential options are constantly evolving to meet the needs of today’s homebuyers. An eclectic mix of homes built before 1940, post-WWII developments, and new construction ensure that there’s a residence for nearly every taste. Older homes tend to be smaller, but most offer charming facades and fully-updated modern interiors. Over the years, these properties have often been replaced by new construction designed to get the most out of the cozy, urban lots.

All these improvements in a desirable area have kept demand high, even for one of Nashville’s historic suburbs. Only 2.1% of homes in the area are currently vacant, which means that homebuyers face stiff competition if they want to land a Sylvan Park property. The combination of quality homes and high demand keeps prices particularly high. It’s not unusual for a house to sell for over $1,000,000, and the median home price in the last year has reached $950,000. What’s more, the average price per square foot of $451 is one of the highest in Nashville. Those in love with the area, however, shouldn’t be discouraged. Spacious new construction drives those averages higher, but there are still medium-sized properties in the $500,000 - $800,000 range.

For those not looking to buy, apartment complexes are trickling into the outskirts of the neighborhood, and rent usually starts at around $1,500 per month.

Don’t stress over Sylvan Park’s high real estate prices, because the market indicates that there is plenty of room for growth. Over the past year, sale prices in the area have appreciated as much as those in any Nashville neighborhood. Especially older homes, that can either be replaced or updated, offer incredible investment potential. The location is simply so good that depreciation is unlikely, and improvements to the home can lead to a considerable payoff.

PRO TIP: See homes for sale in Sylvan Park

How’s The Cost Of Living In Sylvan Park?

Sylvan Park can be a bit more costly than other areas of Nashville, coming in at 25% more costly than the national average. The cost of housing tends to account for the elevated cost of living in Sylvan Park since the area offers exquisite historic homes and large new construction builds. The demand for housing in the area due to its close proximity to downtown also increases home prices.

How Is Transportation In Sylvan Park?

Most Sylvan Park residents have vehicles. This is likely because Nashville can be difficult to transverse without one. Yet Sylvan Park does have several Metro bus stops along Charlotte Avenue that can get you downtown. You can also easily get around the neighborhood and immediate area on foot or by bike.

What Are The Top Schools In Sylvan Park?

Sylvan Park has plenty of great schools for parents to choose from. Sylvan Park Paideia Design Center is ranked as #11 in Davidson County schools by Niche and provides a nurturing environment for elementary students. Sylvan Park Elementary is also an exemplary school along with Cohn School. The area is also home to Overbrook School, a K-8 Catholic school, and St. Cecilia Academy, an all-girl private Catholic school that was established in 1860.

What Are The Best Parks In Sylvan Park?

For a bit of fresh air and exercise, Sylvan Park residents head to the Richland Creek Greenway or McCabe Park. This neighborhood is also minutes from Centennial Park, one of the city’s best green spaces.

Is Sylvan Park A Safe Place To Live?

Residents of Sylvan Park feel safe and secure in their neighborhood. The area has a neighborhood association committed to maintaining Sylvan Park’s inviting attitude. The area has undergone quite a few changes in the past decade and does have some minor crimes, but people feel comfortable walking to bars and restaurants at night.

Pros To Living In Sylvan Park

• The warm, friendly, and close-knit community of Sylvan Park make this community an excellent place to live.
• Residents enjoy parks, bars, and restaurants within walking distance from their homes and even more excitement just beyond the neighborhood’s perimeter.
• Sylvan Park is also a fast and easy commute to downtown and surrounding areas. This area is ideal for those that want to interact with their neighbors and partake in the community.

Cons To Living In Sylvan Park

• For families that want a slower pace of life, Sylvan Park may be too close to the city center.
• The cost of living can also be a deterrent for young families with a limited budget.
• Most homes in Sylvan Park have small yards.