Middle Tennessee
Belle Meade
By Steve Condurelis

John Harding originally bought 250 acres on the Natchez Trace in the early 1800's, and over the next 100 years, expanded this plantation to over 5,400 acres.

World famous as a thoroughbred breeding facility, this home place offers a unique view into pre-civil war Nashville. In the early 1900's, much of the original farm was developed into what has become the United States fifth richest community.

Family names from the 1800's include Harding, Clements, Cheatham, Page, Dobson, Chickering, Eweing, Vaughn, Bradford and Perry. Homes in Belle Meade sold in 2003 for an average of $698,000. 76 out of the 1,153 homes sold in 2003. Many homes in Belle Meade are considered estates by any standard. 16 homes were built in 2002 at an average cost on $613,000. Insights into Belle Meade include that values continue to accelerate as homeowners upgrade, expand and improve homes and estates. Little land remains for development.

Finishes are normally professionally chosen and installed. Any changes in property improvements must be taken before the city and pre-approved.
The city maintains a full time police force that strongly enforces speed limits and is very attentive to homeowner requests.

The population of Belle Meade is 2,943. The median resident is age 43.2 years and the median household income is $144,720 yearly. 100% of Belle Meade residents graduated from high school; 76.8% graduated from college and almost 30% have a post-graduate or professional degree. 76% of the residents are married and their drive time to work is 18.5 minutes. There are several small parks within the city and the huge Warner Park Complex is adjacent. It offers two public golf courses, miles of hiking and equestrian facilities, as well as picnic and sports fields. Much of the park is professionally managed to attract abundant natural wildlife that includes daily views of turkey, deer, coyote, fox, and birds of prey.

Shopping, entertainment, medical, and employment centers all are within a 15 minute drive. The area is served by two interstate systems (I40 and I285) and has excellent, well maintained city streets. The Nashville Airport is 20 miles away and a private airport (John Tune) is 10 minutes away.

Private schools lie within the community or are close by-Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, and David Lipscomb University are all within minutes.

Major medical facilities include St Thomas, known for its heart facility, Vanderbilt and Centennial Medical Complex.

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