Donelson, TN

Donelson Real Estate and Homes For Sale

Neighborhood

Learn about Donelson

What is Donelson known for?

Nestled in between the bend of the Cumberland River, Donelson is one of Nashville's best-kept secrets. It's home to the famed Grand Ole Opry, adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. While Donelson has a rich history, in recent years trendy bars and restaurants have started popping up along Lebanon Pike giving rise to a younger demographic moving to the area. It's easy to see why with East Nashville just across the Cumberland River and Downtown Nashville a mere 15 minutes away.

Who is Donelson a good fit for?

With an atmosphere falling somewhere between urban and suburban, Donelson has become one of Nashville’s fastest-growing areas. Ranked #15 on Realtor.com’s 20 Hottest Residential Zip Codes, Donelson’s ease of access to downtown Nashville and fairly inexpensive cost of living have made this area increasingly popular with families and young professionals on a budget. With brand-new neighborhoods continuing to be developed, potential residents should expect Donelson to continually grow and refine its neighborhoods.

NEVER MISS A NEW LISTING

Hot listings sell in a matter of days. Set up a personal feed for Donelson to view the listings that are most relavant to you

Homes for sale in Donelson

Never miss a new listing!

Set up a personal feed to view the listings that are most relavant to you

Pros & Cons of living in Donelson

Pros

  • Donelson offers both ease of access to downtown Nashville and an inexpensive cost of living, making this area one of Nashville’s most affordable locations.
  • Locals are unlikely to become bored with the variety of activities in this area. There is truly something to please everyone – from outdoor enthusiasts to nightlife lovers.
  • Most homes in Donelson are older but they are well-built and many have been updated to include today’s modern luxuries.

Cons

  • While Donelson is not an unsafe area, it does not feature the extra suburban security of districts such as Franklin, Brentwood, or Green Hills.
  • Potential residents seeking a more unified theme, picturesque atmosphere, or upscale experience will probably want to look elsewhere around Nashville.
  • Schools, especially private schools, are not Donelson’s particular strong suit, so families may want to investigate other areas first.

How to get around in Donelson

The Nashville MTA does make a stop at Donelson Station. However, other than the typical Lyft and Uber services, potential residents will need to own their own vehicles to travel around Donelson and the surrounding areas. Nashville is not well-known for its public transportation, and Donelson is no exception.

Walk Score ®

N/A / 100

Bike Score ®

N/A / 100

Transit Score ®

N/A / 100

Things to do around Donelson

Its location along a bend of the Cumberland River makes it a nature lover’s paradise, with multiple parks and greenways located within easy driving distance from anywhere in the community. Lebanon Pike, which runs right through the neighborhood’s heart, is dotted with hip, eclectic dining spots, while iconic cultural institutions, like the Grand Ole Opry, call the community home. If that’s not convenient enough, the Nashville International Airport is just to the south (but not so close that you’ll feel like you’re living on the runway).

Hip Donelson Farmer's Market

Farmers Market

3130 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214

Grand Ole Opry

Concert venue

2804 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Wave Country - Wave Pool

Pool

2320 2 Rivers Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37214

Parks and Recreation in Donelson

A major perk of living in Donelson is its 4-mile proximity to Percy Priest Lake, a premier spot in Tennessee for hiking, boating, swimming, and camping. The popular waterpark Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort is also located on Percy Priest.

Located in the center of Donelson, the spacious 374 acres of Two Rivers Park provides activities for all ages. This park includes Wave Country, Two Rivers Golf Course, and access to the historic Two Rivers Mansion.

For nature enthusiasts, Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway features over 1,200 acres to explore, additionally offering educational and recreational programs. Another popular spot for hikers is Stones River Greenway, a trail running from Percy Priest all the way to the Cumberland River.

As Donelson continues to develop, expect more green areas to be established. Ravenwood Park began construction in 2020 adjacent to Stones River Greenway and will include a large playground with sandbox area, picnic and events spaces, hilltop lawn, and multiple sports courts.

Greenway Trailhead

Stones River Greenway, Nashville, TN 37214

The Stones River Greenway is a multi-use trail that runs from the Cumberland River to the J. Percy Priest Reservoir at Nashville Shores. Much of the trail runs parallel to Stones River and provides access to a number of communities and parks along the way, including the skate park at Two Rivers Park. The Stones River Greenway also connects to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway at the Cumberland River by the dam.

Stones River Bend Park

Stones River Greenway, Hermitage, TN 37076

Greenway runs along side the park.

Shelby Bottoms Greenway Trailhead

2 37214, 2320 2 Rivers Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37214

The Shelby Bottoms Greenway is a multi-use trail that runs along the Cumberland River in East Hill section of Nashville. Numerous unpaved trails loop through the forest and open spaces throughout the Shelby Bottoms area. The main trail is 4.5 miles, one way, while additional spur trails increase the mileage to 6.4. The primitive trails add another 6 miles to the trail system within Shelby Bottoms.

Gaylord Springs Golf Link

18 Springhouse Ln, Nashville, TN 37214

Golf course

Two Rivers Golf Course

2235 2 Rivers Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37214

Golf course

NEVER MISS A NEW LISTING

Hot listings sell in a matter of days. Set up a personal feed for Donelson to view the listings that are most relavant to you

Crime in Donelson

In the past year in Donelson there were 18% more assaults, 10% more burglaries, 10% more robberies, 17% more vehicle thefts compared to the national median.

While Donelson is a safe area to reside with a crime rate 20% lower than Tennessee’s national average, some residents have complained of rising crime in the past few years due to the neighborhood’s growing popularity. However, it is relatively simple to avoid rougher neighborhoods as these areas are separated from Donelson’s safe sections.

Cost of Living in Donelson

Donelson’s cost of living is less expensive than most metro Nashville areas. This location’s overall cost of living is 4% below the nation’s average. Rent averages from $1,950-$3,000 while housing prices usually range between $350,000 - $700,000. Potential residents seeking affordable housing close to Nashville should certainly consider residing in Donelson.

  • Education costs 13.5% more than the national average.
  • Entertainment costs 9.40% more than the national average.
  • Food costs 12.60% more than the national average.
  • In Donelson utilities costs 12.60% more than the national average.
  • Healthcare costs 2% more than the national average.

Overall, Donelson’s cost of living is 13% more expensive than the national average.

Job Market of Donelson

The median household income in Donelson is $57,267 and the average household income in Donelson is $67,687. 13.67% of the population people works in Retail, 12.97% works in Healthcare, and 8.98% works in Accommodations.

Reviews of Donelson

(0 Review)

Share your opinion about Donelson with former, current and prospective residents.

FAQs

What is life in Donelson like?

Donelson is a small and trendy neighborhood located just outside of Downtown Nashville. You can find a variety of local craft beer pubs and restaurants in the area. The Farmer’s Market is a popular hangout spot for the locals to enjoy the food from various vendors and live music.

Why are homes in Donelson a good investment?

Donelson may have begun as a classic post-WWII suburb, but it has become the magnet for the latest generation of Nashville homebuyers. In fact, it’s rated one of the top neighborhoods for new homeowners in Tennessee, and it’s not difficult to see why. Along with resting less than 15 minutes away from Downtown, the community offers a package of features geared toward today’s buyers. Quaint, conveniently-located, affordable properties make great starter homes, especially since they’ve shown a constant rate of appreciation over the last twenty years.

How long does it take to commute to Downtown Nashville from Donelson?

Commuting from Donelson to Downtown Nashville by car will take approximately 14 minutes.

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX or Internet Data Exchange Program of the REALTRACS MLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Felix are marked with the REALTRACS Internet Data Exchange Program logo. REALTRACS and Felix deem all information is believed to be accurate but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. REALTRACS and this broker assume no responsibility for typographical errors, misprints or misinformation. © 2024 of the REALTRACS MLS. All rights Reserved.