Discover Nashville's Farmers Market

Since the early 1800's the Nashville Farmers Market has been a source of a variety of fresh foods, much of it grown locally and picked just days ago. If you are into food, and most people are, then you might want to check this place out.

My family made the trip out there last weekend. I've got three kids and they all seemed to enjoy exploring the aisles of different veggies like cucumbers, squash, corn and melons. We had to watch our budget because it all looked so good!

The market is divided into three parts. The north end contains a flea market section, the center is called the Market House and on the south side are the farm sheds. It's quite a place, especially this time of year when so much food is in season.

If you are looking for prepared food, then you have to visit the Market House with it's many specialized vendors. The variety continues ranging from Southern fried chicken or bar-b-que to po'boys, gyros and Jamaican jerk chicken.

The attraction of the Farmer's Market, especially in a day where more people are preferring organic or locally grown food, is widespread. It has become a main selling point for nearby Germantown, Hope Gardens, Buena Vista or other North Nashville neighborhoods that border the market as well as adjacent Bicentennial Park.

Growing up on a produce farm, I have my own memories of picking sweet corn and strawberries each summer. Much has changed since then, but there's still nothing quite like some fresh food straight from the farm.

-Peter

www.NashvilleCityHomes.com

Hope Gardens Snapshot

I just finished a Home Value Report for a home in Hope Gardens and thought that some of the information was worth sharing.

Hope Gardens is a small area just north of downtown Nashville. It's across from the Farmers Market, west of 8th Ave and south of Jefferson Street.

It has seen some revitalization that seems to have finally tipped the scale as of late. A couple notable developments have been anchors in the area including Park Place Court and the Row 8.9n which won a 'Grand Award' from Builder Magazine.

Single family home prices have averaged around $143 per square foot over the past 6 months for a renovated, and probably historic-looking home. The neighborhood is filled with a mix of renovated homes from the early 1900's and brand new infill homes of similar character.

So, purchasing a smaller 3 bedroom / 2 bath would probably cost you around $200,000. Larger homes sell up to the high $300k's.

Driving through the area today, I was impressed with the architecture which seems almost distinct to Hope Gardens or at least North Nashville. Reminiscent of homes in New Orleans, many of the homes feature large two story porches on the front of a narrow but deep home. The newer ones usually have an open floor plan on the first floor with bedrooms upstairs.

It's an area that's really shaping up and leading the way in the revitalization of North Nashville.

-Peter

www.NashvilleCityHomes.com