Old Hickory vs. Hermitage: Which Is Better for First-Time Buyers?

If you're a first-time buyer trying to choose between Old Hickory and Hermitage, here's my short answer: Old Hickory usually fits buyers who want character, a smaller home and a quiet, village feel near the lake, and who are ready for the upkeep that comes with an older house. Hermitage usually fits buyers who want a newer suburban home, more subdivisions to choose from and quick access to I-40, shopping and the WeGo Star. Both are part of Metro Nashville, both sit near a big lake, and neither one is automatically the cheaper choice. The right answer comes down to the specific house and how you live.

I was born and raised in Nashville, and I've spent most of my 26 years in real estate working this side of town. Here's how I walk first-time buyers through the decision, including the parts that don't show up in listing photos.

Both are Nashville, but they feel different

Because Nashville and Davidson County share one Metro government, both Old Hickory and Hermitage are Nashville. You get Metro services, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Davidson County property taxes either way.

Old Hickory (ZIP 37138) sits in Hadley Bend in eastern Davidson County, with the Cumberland River on its north and west sides and Old Hickory Lake to the east. Old Hickory Boulevard, State Route 45, is the main street through town. Hermitage (mostly ZIP 37076) sits just east of Donelson and just west of Mount Juliet, with I-40 and Lebanon Pike running through it.

One tip for both: most homes I see in Old Hickory and Hermitage fall in Metro's Urban Services District, but look up the actual tax bill on any house you're considering, not just the estimate on a listing site. That number lands in your monthly payment.

Old Hickory: a real company town, with houses to match

Old Hickory has one of the most interesting back stories in Nashville. In January 1918, DuPont and the federal government agreed to build a munitions plant on Hadley Bend, and DuPont built a town for the workers. By November 1918 there were more than 300 permanent homes, and at its peak the plant's payroll reached 56,000 people.

DuPont laid the village out by rank, and you can still see it today. Smaller worker bungalows sit closer to the old plant, mid-size homes line Hadley Avenue, and the larger homes built for managers sit toward the river and along the bluff. The village has sidewalks, front porches, mature trees and power lines run behind the houses, plus a public library that dates to 1937. Outside the original village, most of what I find are 1970s and '80s ranch homes.

For a first-time buyer, the appeal is real. The smaller footprints can make a first home more attainable, and the village has a walkable, small-town feel you don't find in many parts of Nashville.

The downside is age. A house built around 1918 needs a careful look at the electrical system, plumbing, foundation and piers, insulation, windows and the sewer line. Any home built before 1978 also comes with a lead-based paint disclosure, so read it. Many village homes have been renovated, which is great, but ask who did the work and whether it was permitted.

Hermitage: more suburban choices and easy access

Hermitage takes its name from Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage, and today it's a large residential and commercial area. Housing is mostly suburban subdivisions, from starter homes to larger executive homes, with names like Tulip Grove, Hermitage Hills and Towering Oaks that you'll see on my Hermitage neighborhood page.

For first-time buyers, Hermitage often means more choice: more square footage, attached garages and newer roofs and systems than a century-old village home. You're close to I-40, Lebanon Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard, with shopping and restaurants nearby and a WeGo Star station for weekday trips downtown.

The tradeoffs: the busy commercial corridors bring traffic, starter homes in popular subdivisions can draw competition, and some neighborhoods have a homeowners association. If there's an HOA, read the rules and the dues before you write an offer, not after.

Don't assume either one is cheaper

I get asked this all the time, and the honest answer is that it depends on the house. A smaller village home in Old Hickory might list for less than a larger Hermitage home, but it can also need more work in the first few years. A Hermitage home might cost more up front with fewer surprises behind the walls.

So compare more than the list price. Ask about the age of the roof, HVAC and water heater, and add a realistic repair budget for the first five years. For current prices and how fast homes are selling in Hermitage, see my Donelson & Hermitage market update. For Old Hickory, I'm happy to pull recent sales for the street you're looking at.

Lake life on both sides

Both areas are close to water. Old Hickory Lake, run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, covers about 22,500 acres and has been there since the dam was closed in 1954. Some homes near Riverside Road in Old Hickory have lake views. Hermitage sits near Percy Priest Lake, another Corps lake, which has made the area more desirable for people who love the water.

Being near a lake is wonderful, but check the FEMA flood map for the exact address and ask the seller about any water history. If you're hoping for a private dock, know this up front: private docks aren't allowed on Percy Priest Lake, and on Old Hickory Lake a new dock is difficult to get approved. If a dock matters to you, focus on homes that already have one in place.

Getting to work

Hermitage has the edge on commuting. I-40 runs right through it, and the WeGo Star stops at the Hermitage station on weekday mornings and afternoons. Old Hickory has no Star station, so most people drive, usually heading south on Old Hickory Boulevard toward I-40. Before you buy in either one, do a test drive at the time you'd actually leave for work.

Help for first-time buyers

Since both areas are in Davidson County, the same first-time buyer programs apply. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency offers the Great Choice Home Loan, a 30-year fixed-rate loan with a 640 minimum credit score, and Great Choice Plus, which can help with the down payment or closing costs. Down payment assistance requires a homebuyer education class, and income and purchase price limits vary by county. A THDA-approved lender can tell you whether you qualify.

How I'd decide

If you want character, a front porch, a walkable small-town feel and you're comfortable with an older home, start with Old Hickory. If you want more space, a garage, newer systems and an easy commute, start with Hermitage. Then spend a Saturday in each one: walk Hadley Avenue in Old Hickory, drive a few Hermitage subdivisions, and come back on a weekday evening to see the traffic. If you're new to inspections on an older house, my Living in Donelson post covers what I look for on older homes, and most of it applies here too.

Buying your first home is a big step, and you don't have to figure it out alone. If you'd like a second opinion on a specific street or house in Old Hickory or Hermitage, call or text me at 615-260-0521. I'm glad to share what I know, even if you're still months away from buying.