Founded by — you guessed it — German settlers in the mid-19th century, Germantown is one of Nashville’s most beloved gems.
Don’t get it confused with the city of the same name outside of Memphis, unless you want your GPS to take you all over Tennessee and back. The views on such a trek would be pretty, but talk about a waste of gas!
Where is Germantown in Nashville?
Germantown is an 18-square-block area just outside of downtown Nashville proper.
With its beautiful tree-lined streets, it looks like something right out of a movie. The ZIP Code for Germantown is 37208, but that numeric designation also includes nearby Salemtown.
Here’s a helpful map to give you a visual idea of where Germantown, Nashville is in the rest of middle Tennessee.
Source: Rent.
Germantown overview
To put it mildly, Germantown’s got it going on. A stone’s throw from Downtown, Germantown is one of the most desirable areas to live.
Historic charm? Check. Truly excellent dining? Check. Proximity to healthcare, jobs and entertainment? Check, check and check. These factors all affect rent prices, though, so check out some helpful numbers to determine if Germantown is the right place for you:
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,536
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,221
- Walk score: 69
- Bike score: 62
- Transit score: 49
Living in Germantown
Germantown is ideal for those who long for stroll-friendly streets and easy access to virtually all of Nashville, but who don’t mind paying a rental premium. Like most cities, there are some pros and cons to calling Germantown home, use these details to weigh your preferences:
Demographics
The vast majority of Germantown residents are between the ages of 20 and 44, with a smattering of other age groups sprinkled in. It’s also an area full of couples and/or roommate situations, with most homes made up of two people. The vast majority of residents don’t have children, so it’s probably not ideal for young families interested in lots of playdates.
Almost everyone has at least an associate’s degree or higher.
Education
Schools in Germantown are hit or miss, with some low-to-mid-range rated schools sprinkled in with a few well-regarded magnet options. However, magnet schools are generally application- and/or merit-based, so they’re not a sure thing.
If you do have school-age children be sure to find out zoning rules and designations. Check school ratings on a site like GreatSchools.org.
Safety
The good news is that violent crime is on the decline in Germantown, however, they remain 13 percent higher than the national average.
Crime rates in Germantown are 18 percent lower than the national average, and the neighborhood is safer than 85 percent of other areas in Tennessee. Still, it’s best not to go taking unnecessary chances walking around alone in the middle of the night, ‘kay?
Transportation
Germantown is pretty walkable and somewhat bike-friendly but found lacking in the public transportation department. Indeed, this is a complaint many people have about the general Nashville area.
Fortunately, commute times for residents are usually less than a half-hour. This is really saying something since the Nashville area is legendary for painful commutes. Just ask anyone who comes in from the ‘burbs.
Recreation
With world-renowned dining options such as City House located in Germantown, eating out is a popular option for locals. Shopping is also a beloved pastime for Germantown residents, whether for produce and other goods at the daily Farmers Market or in one of the locally-owned boutiques.
Attractions
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is also in the neighborhood, and its walking paths and historic monuments are extremely popular. Tours, “how-to” classes, bonfires and many other events are also planned year-round.
Germantown is also close to everything that the downtown area offers, from honky-tonks to swank speakeasies.
10 things to do in Germantown
Germantown has everything a person could want for a day out, no car required! Take in some of these quintessentially Germantown Nashville experiences to truly get a feel for what this eclectic neighborhood is all about.
- Stop by Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for a quick how-to class on a topic like cold weather survival.
- Celebrate the area’s heritage with a pint or two of German draft beer at Von Elrod’s.
- Grab some fresh fish to cook for dinner at Little’s Fish Company.
- Look for treasures at Bits & Pieces Antique Boutique.
- Check out the “Friendly Whale” mural on Monroe Street.
- Participate in a group fitness class at CODE.
- Nosh on delectable baked goods at Christie Cookie Co.
- Take the kiddos to storytime at the Tennessee State Museum.
- No kids? Enjoy the permanent and visiting collections on display at the Tennessee State Museum.
- Enjoy views of the Nashville skyline while dining at Germantown Cafe.
Finding an apartment in Germantown
Although an apartment in Germantown is probably more expensive than one out in the suburbs of Nashville, the perks of living there are too numerous to count. Start your apartment search now to get on the road to joining the ranks of Nashville’s most historic neighborhood.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of June 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com