McMurray - Nashville, TN

South Nashville grew immensely in the decades following World War II, when the proliferation of the automobile made suburban living an attractive choice for the first time. Families purchased spacious lots, and on them constructed ranch, split-level and tri-level homes.

After a tornado wreaked havoc in Nashville in 1998, downtown was not only rebuilt but taken to unprecedented heights. As a result, Nashville became a boomtown, wildly popular with college grads and young professionals. This created demand for new housing all over town, including in south Nashville neighborhoods such as McMurray. Therefore, you can see new construction mixed in with the older homes in the neighborhood.

Neighborhoods such as McMurray piggyback off Nashville's arts and museum scene, which includes the Frist Center for the Visual Arts located in the downtown area. Residents also head downtown for fun annual events such as CMA Fest and the Fourth of July fireworks show.

McMurray residents enjoy one of the most diverse assortments of culinary choices in the Nashville area. Everything from Ethiopian and Thai restaurants to Italian bistros and southern soul food shacks populate the area. Most of the restaurants near McMurray reside in one of two areas: along Nolensville Pike or in Nippers Corner, a term coined by locals for the Edmondson Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard intersection.

Toyama Japanese Steak House, a local haunt tucked into Nippers Corner, features modern decor, a festive ambiance and the best Hibachi chefs in Nashville. Many regulars know them by name, and, in turn, they know how the regulars like their meals prepared. First-time diners don't leave disappointed, either. Choose to dine in the restaurant's traditional Hibachi setting to watch the chef put on a show while preparing your delectable meal. Or, if you prefer, sit at the sushi bar and let the sushi chef craft a combination that will leave you wanting more.

Go Greek at Gyro Spot, a Mediterranean dive at the intersection of Nolensville Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard. Owned by locals, this popular establishment packs meats, veggies and dressing, all of your choosing, into moist, hot pockets of authentic Greek pita bread. Expect a great meal, a warm smile and greeting from the amiable staff and to leave with a satisfied palate and full belly.

Villalba Italian Restaurant, a small, family-run Italian eatery in Nippers Corner, provides a rustic ambiance and savory northern Italian dishes such as pasta primavera with squash and lasagna with meat sauce. Cozy seating and an impressive wine list make Villalba a favorite local date night spot.

McMurray residents don't lack access to great nightlife options, whether they want to do it up big at the clubs and honky-tonks in downtown Nashville or keep it local by visiting neighborhood dive bars. The downtown scene is only a 15-minute drive away, while the local bar selection includes establishments such as Jonny's Sports Bar, known for great beer, spicy wings and sports playing on dozens of big-screen TVs. On fight night, UFC fans meet up at Jonny's to cheer on their favorite fighters.

Although McMurray's streets don't have bike lanes or sidewalks, they carry low volumes of traffic, which makes walking pets and strolling around the block to visit neighbors reasonably safe. Covering any significant distance, however, requires motorized transportation. Most McMurray residents drive to their destinations, made easier by abundant free parking and access to two major interstates -- I-24 and I-65 -- as well as several secondary highways.

Other transportation options include taxis, which you can't hail in the street but can call in advance to arrange for a pick-up, and the popular ride-sharing service Uber. While public transportation is limited to the city bus, its low fares and a convenient stop on Nolensville Pike near the neighborhood's entrance make riding the bus a viable transportation option.

Two nearby parks, Whitfield Park and William A. Pitts Park, provide McMurray residents with places to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice. Neither park has exercise facilities or hosts annual events, but both offer free parking and admission. The parks contain picnic areas, as well as abundant green space perfect for family recreation time with your kids and pets. Whitfield Park sits directly across Edmondson Pike, while William A. Pitts Park resides on the other side of Nolensville Road.

McMurray residents enjoy a lower cost of living than residents living in the Nashville metro area. Expect to pay $677 to rent a one-bedroom apartment, about $3 for a beer in a local bar and $1.70 for a bus ticket to downtown Nashville. Gas prices in the area usually hover between 9 and 12 percent lower than the national average.

McMurray residents head south on I-65 to the CoolSprings Galleria Mall for large shopping trips involving big box retail; when seeking high-end stores, they take a 15-minute drive to the Mall at Green Hills. Closer to home, several boutiques and specialty stores provide a place to find interesting gifts and knickknacks.

KARISSIMA Boutique and Salon specializes in Indian and Pakistani garments, costumes and jewelry. Customers from all backgrounds can find something elegant, chic and classy at this locally-owned boutique, which also offers henna tattoos and art jewelry.

ThriftSmart provides a place where locals can not only find great buys on gently used clothing and household accessories but can help their neighbors in the process. One hundred percent of ThriftSmart's profits get donated to local community-building organizations. A Kroger just outside the neighborhood's boundaries serves residents for large grocery shopping trips.