Lenox Village - Nashville, TN

Lenox Village sprung from the mid-2000s housing boom, which coincided with Nashville's emergence in the 21st century as one of the hottest cities in America for young professionals.

The developers who planned Lenox Village on paper and subsequently brought it to life understood that 21st-century youth have less affinity for sprawling suburbia than did their forebears. Drawing on the propensity of a new wave of young professionals to opt for more dense, urban-style living, Lenox Village's creators erected a neighborhood where density was valued over sprawl, community over isolation, and convenience over opulence.

Lenox Village even features an arts scene, with the local business Paint + Canvas presenting art classes for enthusiasts of all levels. Neighborhood annual events include the cover dog search, for which residents bring their dogs in hopes of earning them a spot on the cover of Nashville Paw magazine.

The neighborhood of Lenox Village is situated around a town center housing numerous destinations for dining and enjoying a fun evening out. Residents can find diverse restaurants that include burger joints, pizza places, Italian bistros and authentic Mexican all on the same block and within walking distance of one another.

For a true taste of Tennessee, locals head to Burger Republic, where you feel the Southern ambiance the minute you walk in. Country twang emanates from the jukebox, while friendly staff members see to it that you're comfortable and feeling at home. The menu items embody middle Tennessee, featuring local favorites such as the Tennessee burger, a fat slab of Angus beef topped with maplewood bacon and slathered with Jack Daniel's honey bourbon. Burger Republic also carries many local brews on tap, and, in addition to chowing down on juicy burgers, regulars enjoy seeking out new beers to add to their lists of favorites.

Sushime Japanese Restaurant serves dozens of preparations of fresh sushi along with a full Japanese menu in an upscale, club-like atmosphere. Patrons take in the festive atmosphere while enjoying entrées such as the Friday night roll, the American dream and the Cabo Wabo. This local haunt also draws a big lunch crowd during the week, and diners rave about menu choices such as the combination fried rice.

Pizza lovers find themselves in heaven when they move to Lenox Village, as one of the most popular pizza joints in Nashville, Pie in the Sky Pizza, sits right in the neighborhood town center. This locally owned establishment uses fresh dough, never frozen, and makes its sauce from Italian pear tomatoes, packed at peak ripeness and also never frozen. The rest of the ingredients, including the cheese and toppings, are sourced locally to ensure freshness and quality. Adherents to gluten-free diets feel at home at Pie in the Sky, as the restaurant offers a very popular gluten-free crust that in no way skimps on flavor.

While Lenox Village doesn't compete with New Orleans for sizzling nightlife, it is home to a few local pubs within walking distance that give residents a place to mingle with neighbors and enjoy themselves without worrying about driving or parking. The Other Place Sports Bar & Grill plays all the games on huge TVs and features daily specials on cold beer and hearty entrées. A half mile up Nolensville Road, Jonny's Sports Bar features live music almost every weekend. When an occasion calls for a bigger party, the world-famous honky-tonks of downtown Nashville can be reached in a 20-minute drive or taxi ride.

The entire neighborhood of Lenox Village was designed with walkability in mind. Dense construction, well-kept sidewalks — but no bike lanes — and low traffic enable residents of all ages to feel safe conducting all their travels within the neighborhood's boundaries on foot.

For traveling beyond Lenox Village's borders, most residents use their cars. All of suburban Nashville features abundant free parking, and Lenox Village sits in close proximity to a major thoroughfare, Nolensville Road, that provides a straight shot into downtown Nashville.

Those who don't want to drive still have options. While you can't hail a cab in Lenox Village, you can request a pickup in advance from numerous taxi companies that operate in the area. Uber, the popular ride-sharing service, also maintains a presence in Lenox Village and all of suburban Nashville. The MTA public bus system, which has a stop at Lenox Village, provides another option for residents who prefer that someone else do the driving.

Located just south of the neighborhood, Mill Creek Park serves as the closest park. It doesn't have exercise facilities or annual events, but its vast open space and several miles of greenway allow for plenty of calories to be burned. Free parking and admission make this park an affordable and fun place to spend a sunny afternoon. Be sure to bring your kids and pets, as both are welcome.

Lenox Village residents pay a slightly higher than average cost of living for the Nashville area, and in exchange they enjoy luxury living and the ability to walk to local bars, restaurants, shopping destinations and, for some residents, even to work.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs $905, while a beer in a local pub costs about $3.25. A bus ticket to downtown Nashville costs $1.70. Area gas prices hover 11 percent lower than the national average.

The Cool Springs Galleria mall, located in nearby Williamson County and containing big-box retail along with dozens of high-end stores, serves as the nearest large-scale shopping destination for Lenox Village residents. Many locals, however, prefer to stay in the neighborhood and patronize its locally owned boutiques and specialty shops.

The Guest House Antiques carries home furnishings, intricate home decor and rare art, and the store updates its inventory weekly. La Vie En Rose Cottage provides not only furniture and accessories for the home but also a full line of bath products and bedding.

For large grocery shopping trips, Lenox Village residents have access to a Kroger and a Walmart Supercenter, each less than a half mile away. The Lenox Village Farmers Market, located right in the neighborhood, opens every summer and carries local meat, produce and baked goods.