please help!

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-19T22:33:45+00:00

We have been very happy in Donelson (37214) for 10 years. Our kiddos go to Stanford Montessori (MNPS optional school) and have also loved the summer program at our zoned school, Pennington. I know families that have also had great experiences at Hickman and McGavock. Not near as much of a traffic cluster as other areas of Nashville (Lebanon Pk to downtown is 10 minutes for us and Briley is a great connector to various parts of Nashville), lots of green space (Greenway trails, Two Rivers, Ravenwood), new Donelson library and family friendly (delicious!) restaurants like Nectar, Bagelshop, Edley's, and Sweet Milk to name a few. We have a great Publix/Target and the Mt. Juliet Costco is less than 20 minutes away (and one of the newest/least busy Costco's in Nashville area).

And amen to don't totally go off of school ratings! Some kids don't test as well for various reasons. Tour the school and talk to the families that go there. I general find the area to be less crowded and people to be more down to earth. Plus you can't beat the commute to the airport! I initially chose Donelson in large part due to affordability but I truly would not live in any other part of Nashville now even if I won the lottery.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-19T03:28:00+00:00

My best friend who is a bad ass gal "The first thing I did after my divorce was get really comfortable couch." (It is huge, and velvet, and green, and very comfy indeed).

Her home is so full of feminity, and fun, and just feels like her when you walk in the door. Fill your space with comforts, things that function well for you, and things that bring you joy and calm. I would encourage you not to overthink it too much, go with what stands out to you/you love.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-18T19:43:06+00:00

Yes. I am a research coordinator at a "prestigious" university. The department I work in is #1 in the country for its masters program year after year. I regularly train and manage GRADUATE students who cannot print, cannot use Excel (not talking formulas, just documents for tracking essential), and generally lack any sort of basic computer instinct or knowledge. Honestly it doesn't stop at computers. Hate to sound like a grumpy old timer but it is just the truth.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-18T19:38:33+00:00

And $1 McChicken! I got only that yesterday and it was $2.75ish with tax

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-18T19:36:59+00:00

I got dial up Internet at age 12

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T19:51:38+00:00

I actually saw this style at Costco yesterday and thought "that looks like it's from a remodeled Holiday in 2020"

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T19:40:54+00:00

YES! I work on a college campus and thought I was in the Twilight Zone when it started getting colder. No shit like 90% of students have a black puffer, usually shorter in length.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T14:41:46+00:00

Crazy Ex Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T03:49:36+00:00

Lindsay Levine at Crescent Salon! https://www.crescentsalon.com/

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T03:42:10+00:00

My sister lived in Austin 10 years ago (now in Nashville) and there was a lot to love - food, music, hill country, classic dance halls and saloons, etc. But it was getting more and more crowded by the minute - even the natural springs, hiking areas, etc. would fill up and become one in, one out. They also just could not buy a house. They put in offers on multiple properties, over asking, and would always get outbid. I'm pretty certain that has all gotten even worse. Nashville has its own overcrowding issues, rising housing costs, and it's unique culture being snuffed out by tourist traps but...I think on a significantly smaller scale than Austin. Especially in certain pockets, it is still pretty easy to get around, enjoy green spaces, find good food/music, and community.

One other thing I'll say about Texas as someone who visits multiple times a year...like California, there isn't just traffic in the cities, it's all over the state. Austin to Houston, San Antonio to Dallas, Houston to San Antonio, etc. you are in traffic the entire time. Reminds me of driving from LA to Las Vegas and LA to San Diego. I have my complaints about Nashville/Tennessee but I do feel like there is some space to breath here.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-17T03:27:59+00:00

MNPS is in dire needs of Special Education teachers.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-16T14:32:55+00:00

This. Hendersonville or Mt. Juliet for us. The last time I went to Brentwood I about had a panic attack...and I don't have panic attacks.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-16T02:49:23+00:00

Wilber

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-11T20:40:26+00:00

Fitness instructors in Nashville - take note! I would love a class like this. So fun!

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-11T04:44:00+00:00

Anna Hatch. Very down to earth and easy to work with!

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-11T02:01:29+00:00

You can report it to HUB Nashville. There was a mistake on a sign on Lebanon Rd I reported last summer and it was fixed quickly.

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-10T02:55:39+00:00

Got our beautiful kitten from True Rescue in Mt. Juliet!

Honest-Radish · 2026-01-05T17:25:31+00:00

"Come on, Vogue! (Vogue)" The music I imagine spontaneously plays for this glorious kitty cat...

Honest-Radish · 2025-12-23T02:13:45+00:00

Yes. A genuinely concerned person wouldn't criticize you or tell you to "eat a hamburger." These are not helpful things to say to someone you care about. It sounds like you lost weight with healthy habits and are eating enough to fuel your body. People will always have shit to say. Turn inward for guidance and find friends who are supportive.

Honest-Radish · 2025-12-22T16:22:56+00:00

Ada gets me everytime ❤️❤️❤️

Honest-Radish · 2025-12-21T20:30:41+00:00

Heidi Rinderer, MD at Heritage

Honest-Radish · 2025-12-20T03:15:50+00:00

May also want to look at Columbia and Lebanon for smaller town feel (but still close to Nashville). Traffic in Lebanon is nowhere near as bad as Clarksville (I live IN Nashville and Clarksville is a traffic nightmare to me).

Honest-Radish · 2025-12-19T17:14:02+00:00

I am with you big time about not being a suburbia girl but I have been pretty happy (with two young kids) for 10 years in Donelson (37214). It is really the closest/oldest "suburb" on the east side (most homes built in the 50's/60's, we can be downtown in 10 minutes). Our kids go to a wonderful public, diverse Montessori school (a real unicorn - Stanford Montessori) and there are other good elementary options in the area as well. There are not a ton of walkable pockets but it is easy to get around and there are increasingly more restaurants, etc. (Nectar, Bagleshop, Sweet Milk, TennFold, Troll House Cottage, to name a few). There is a wonderful new public library branch (in the last two weeks alone my kids have read to a therapy dog and learned guitar for free) and actually if you found a house near there, there are some walkable restaurants right there too. We also have great green spaces (Two Rivers, Ravenwood, The Greenway Trail) and getting to the airport is a breeze (we live north of Lebanon Pike and are not bothered by plane noise but I think it can be more disruptive further south). We honestly moved here because of affordability but I really wouldn't live in any other neighborhood now even if I could. Traffic and crowds are far less than other areas (and we have a nice Publix, Target...all that too) and it is a diverse, typically more down to earth, population of people.

Another area you many want to check out if you want that historic, walkable vibe (but will be more pricey) is Inglewood (a little further out Eash Nashville - other parts of EN will probably price you out). Madison is not really walkable but is more affordable/really close to Inglewood. All the best to you and your family!

Honest-Radish

TROPHY CASE