For many people college is a special time full of exploration, adventure, and, of course, education. It’s a time when perhaps living in an old house with five roommates, no dishwasher, and windows painted shut is worth it just to be off-campus. It can be a time when 3 a.m. is a routine bedtime and social priorities out-rank all other aspects of life. These factors can foster “college town” reputations for neighborhoods with institutions of higher learning, but in the Athens of the South, it’s just par for the course.

Both Belmont and Hillsboro, known for three prominent college campuses within their boundaries, offer easy access to dining, shopping, and entertainment that appeals to college students but also makes for a rich living experience beyond the undergrad life. These neighborhoods share a border that runs along 21st Avenue––a street that unofficially marks the end of the quiet residential areas and the beginning of the more urban, big-city parts of Nashville.

Belmont

Bongo Java photo courtesy of Samantha Hearn

The Belmont neighborhood is a picturesque area with historically protected homes lining the 2-mile stretch of boulevard that reaches from the campus of Lipscomb University in Green Hills to Belmont University. The rolling hills in this neighborhood were originally part of the estate of one of the wealthiest women in the antebellum south, Adelicia Acklen. In the 1920s, Belmont was known for the streetcars that ran the length of the tree-lined boulevard. Now, its proximity to the 12 South neighborhood brings foot traffic and the occasional tourist to the area, but its residential structures maintain the quiet, family-friendly vibe of the neighborhood.

The presence of the two universities is undeniable, and many establishments like Bongo Java with space, an affordable menu, and late hours of operation cater to the student crowd. There are, however options that might better serve the needs of professionals who have been out of college for 5 or 50 years. Proper Bagel’s higher price point, lack of Wi-Fi, and limited hours are an almost explicit deterrent to students. Rather, the eatery is a place for long conversation and delicious, artisanal bagels––business meetings as opposed to group projects.

For those seeking outdoor activity, Belmont offers running and biking areas with vast sidewalk coverage and designated bike lanes. What the area lacks in public greenspace, it makes up for in alternatives, and for those seeking a social environment for exercise, Iron Tribe Fitness offers gym members a place to build community, accountability, and muscle.

Hillsboro

Belcourt Theatre photo courtesy of Samantha Hearn

Adjacent to Belmont on the map is another historic area with a rich history in the arc of Nashville’s development. The Hillsboro neighborhood is the more commercial, urban counterpart to Belmont’s almost pastoral feel. Not only does the area serve as home to Vanderbilt University, it’s also the location of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This distinction brings more professionals to the area simply because the hospital employs so many people in the community. So for every communications major walking down 21st Avenue, there’s also a cardiologist.

While many restaurants and shops still cater to students, much like they do on Belmont Boulevard, there are classic spots that make Hillsboro a place for residents of every kind. The recently renovated Belcourt Theatre is a historic movie theater built in 1925 that was even home to The Grand Ole Opry for a period of time.

Just around the corner is Fannie Mae Dees Park, known by locals as “Dragon Park” because of the massive dragon statue and play structure in the center of the park. This greenspace is family-friendly with picnic tables and enough playground equipment to keep any toddler busy for hours.