Living in Lakewood: An Honest Guide to Old Hickory Lake's Hidden Nashville Neighborhood

Lakewood is Old Hickory Lake's hidden Nashville neighborhood — a small Davidson County community on the southern shore of the lake, separated from Hendersonville by the Sumner County line. Most Nashville-area buyers don't know it exists. The ones who do are typically there for one specific reason: waterfront.

Here's the honest read on whether Lakewood fits your situation.

Where Lakewood sits

Lakewood is small — roughly 3 square miles, about 1,800 residents. It occupies the southern shoreline of Old Hickory Lake, about 13 miles northeast of downtown Nashville along Old Hickory Boulevard. Most addresses are within walking distance of the lake; some are direct waterfront.

Who actually thrives here

• •Lake lovers. Lakewood Park, the public boat ramp, and quick access to the broader Old Hickory Lake recreational network make this one of the few Davidson County neighborhoods with real lake culture.
• •Waterfront buyers on a budget. Comparable waterfront in Hendersonville (across the county line) typically costs 30-50% more. Lakewood's smaller market and less-developed amenity base translates to more accessible pricing.
• •Value-conscious buyers wanting a quieter pace. The neighborhood character is residential and quiet — limited commercial development, mostly single-family homes on quarter-to-half-acre lots.
• •Retirees who want lake access without the new-construction price premium of Hendersonville's lakefront developments.

Lakewood vs Hendersonville — the actual comparison

Both communities sit on Old Hickory Lake. Hendersonville is significantly larger (more inventory, more restaurants, more services), more recognized, and typically more expensive. Lakewood is smaller, quieter, less amenitized, and meaningfully more accessible on price.

Property tax structure differs too. Lakewood is Davidson County (Metro Nashville government); Hendersonville is Sumner County with its own city services. Effective tax rates and services bundle differently — talk to us about the specifics for any address you're considering.

Current pricing realities

Median values currently run around $425K with the range spanning roughly $240K to $1.8M. Non-waterfront homes typically transact in the $300K-$500K range; waterfront and water-view properties commonly run $500K-$1.5M depending on direct lake frontage, dock access, and view quality.

Who should look elsewhere

• •Buyers who need significant restaurant/retail proximity. Lakewood is residential; major dining is in Hendersonville (10-15 min) or Madison (15-20 min).
• •Buyers commuting to downtown daily. 25-35 minutes off-peak; 35-50 minutes at rush hour.
• •Buyers wanting new construction. Lakewood inventory is mostly mid-century with some infill new builds; the new-construction stock is much larger in Hendersonville or Mount Juliet.