Expert: Jan Duke - 1/4/2007

Question
Hello - there's a possibility my family may be transferred to the Nashville area - work will be at the airport.  We have 3 horses at this time and plan on obtaining a few more.  Our love is trail riding.  Please, what areas are good surrounding the Nashville area that allow for a 20 to 40 minute commute and provide access to trail riding off property (without trailering?).  I've looked at real estate in a number of areas (Mount Juliet, Lebanon, Smyrna, Goodletsville, Fairview, etc..), but am confused where to best focus looking.  We're empty nesters so schooling is not a concern.  50/50 rural living, health care, some entertainment (dinner, movies, etc...) are of concern.  Your help would be appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Candace,
The only public horse trails in Nashville/Davidson County are at Warner Park, but here are a few others in the area:

Cedars of Lebanon State Park -Lebanon east of Nashville, and close to the airport.

Fairview Nature Park-Fairview west of Nashville.

Percy Priest Park- Donelson east near the airport.

I've heard that the airport even has trails now so you might want to check with them too..
There are a lot of horse trails just west of Nashville, on and/or near the Buffalo River which is about an hours drive from downtown.

I would say that it would be a toss-up between Fairview, having a longer commute to the airport (work) but being closer (45 minutes) to the trails in the buffalo river area and warner park or Lebanon, having a really short commute to work (15 minutes) and having a few decent trails real close by in Percy Priest, and Cedars of Lebanon.
Fairview has more hilly areas and is near the Harpeth river and Lebanon has flatter land but has better antique shopping. Both communities are real nice.

Hope this helps,
Jan